Welcoming New Physicians to WRHS page 2 Looking for a

y o u r g u i d e t o h e a lt h y l i v i n g | f a l l 2 0 1 0
Welcoming New Physicians to WRHS page 2
Looking for a Healthier Heart? Go Fish page 3
When Your Newborn Has Jaundice page 4
Osteoporosis: Lifestyle Choices Help Keep Brittle Bones at Bay page 6
What’s Bugging You This Fall? page 7
message from
the CEO
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to welcome seven
outstanding physicians to White
River Health System: Drs. Nathan
McLaughlin and Rony Roche,
Internal Medicine Hospitalists; Dr.
Jennifer McLaughlin, Dermatology;
Dr. Garrett Sanford, Cardiology; Dr. Jordan Weaver,
Family Practice; Dr. David Yarnell, General Surgery;
and Dr. Katie Yarnell, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
This region is so fortunate to have these bright, welltrained physicians as part of our medical community.
They are a wonderful complement to the experienced
physicians on our dedicated medical staff.
In a rural region such as ours, it can be challenging
to recruit high-demand physicians. However, we are
very fortunate to have a well-planned and progressive
recruitment program supported by a committee of
physicians, board members, and community leaders.
While the number of physicians starting practice
at WRMC is impressive, the reasoning behind their
procurement is important. We base our recruitment
on area demographic information, physician/population
ratios, and community feedback. For example, our most
recent Community Perception Survey indicated area residents want us to increase the number of physicians on
our medical staff, as well as the specific specialties that
are needed. When you speak, we listen and take action.
Each day, we commit ourselves to providing you with
high quality healthcare because, to us, your health is
what matters most.
To Your Good Health,
Gary L. Bebow, FACHE
Administrator/CEO
FIND THE stethoscope
Find the hidden stethoscope in this issue,
and you could win a $50 Wal-Mart gift card!
Email your submission by October 30 to contest@
wrmc.com. Be sure to include your name, street
address and email address.
Congratulations
to Julia Ragsdale of Mountain View,
the winner of last quarter’s $50
Wal-Mart gift card!
2 Health Matters
■Fall
2010
Welcoming Our
New Physicians
Jennifer McLaughlin, M.D.
Dermatologist at McLaughlin Dermatology
Medical Degree: University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS)
Residency: Texas Tech University Health
and Sciences Center
Contact: 870-793-7800
Nathan McLaughlin, M.D.
White River Medical Center Hospitalist
Medical Degree: University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS)
Residency: Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University
Health and Sciences Center
Rony Roche, M.D. White River Medical Center Hospitalist
Medical Degree: State University of Haiti
in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Residency: Internal Medicine at the Brookdale University
Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Garrett Sanford, M.D.
Cardiologist at Batesville Cardiology
Medical Degree: University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS)
Residency: UAMS/Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Cardiology Fellowship: University of North Carolina Hospital
Contact: 870-793-7519
Jordan Weaver, M.D.
Family Physician, Weaver Family Medicine
Medical Degree: University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS) Residency: AHEC Northeast—St. Bernard’s Regional
Medical Center
Contact: 870-793-2540
David Yarnell, M.D. White River Medical Center
General Surgeon, Batesville Surgery and CT Imaging
Medical Degree, Internship and Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
Contact: 870-698-1846
Katie Yarnell, M.D. Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist,
WRHS Behavioral Health Clinic
Medical Degree, Internship and Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
Contact: 870-698-2100
A Closer Look:
The Benefits of a
Heart-Healthy Diet
Supermarkets, restaurants and vending
machines offer tempting foods high in
fat, sugar and salt. However, they’re not
the best for your health—especially if you
have heart disease. That’s why it’s worth
taking the time to learn how to eat right
and shop smarter.
The right food choices can help you
manage your weight, cholesterol and high
blood pressure and help prevent a heart
attack or stroke.
Follow these steps to make your diet
more heart-healthy:
■■ Cut back on salt.
■■ Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole
grains and low-fat dairy products.
■■ Consume less saturated and trans fat.
■■ Eat fish at least twice a week.
Looking for a Healthier Heart?
Go Fish
by Garrett Sanford, M.D.
Dr. Sanford is a Cardiologist at Batesville Cardiology and is on the
Medical Staff at White River Medical Center. To make an appointment with Dr. Sanford, call 870-793-7519.
I
t’s not a fish tale—eating seafood really
can help your heart and lower your
chance of dying from heart disease.
A number of studies reviewed in the
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
found that a key nutrient in fish can help
prevent and treat heart disease. Omega-3
fatty acids aid heart attack recovery and
improve other heart conditions, including
heart rhythm irregularity, heart failure and
plaque buildup in the arteries.
Good Fat
Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of fat our
bodies need. They help reduce inflammation
in the arteries and blood clotting, improve
cholesterol and triglyceride blood fat levels,
and lower blood pressure.
Fatty or oily fish are very high in omega-3s.
Trout, salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies,
sardines and tuna are all good sources.
Forgo Fried
How the fish is cooked is important. Broiling,
grilling, poaching and baking are best. Eating
fried, salted or dried fish may do more harm
than good, according to research.
The American Heart Association (AHA)
says everyone should eat at least two servings a week of the recommended types of
fish to get about 500 mg a day of omega-3s.
The AHA recommendation for people diagnosed with heart disease is about 1,000 mg a
day of omega-3s either through fatty fish or
fish oil supplements. Talk with your doctor
about the amount that’s right for you.
www.whiteriverhealthsystem.com 3
Why Breast Milk Is
Best for Babies
With each new study, the list of breastfeeding benefits grows. Babies who
nurse most often have lower rates of:
■■ Bacterial meningitis
■■ Botulism
■■ Chronic digestive diseases,
such as ulcerative colitis
■■ Diabetes
■■ Diarrhea
■■ Ear infections
■■ Pneumonia
■■ Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
The American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) advocates breast-feeding for at
least one year after birth, in most cases.
However, bottle-feeding is sometimes
a better choice. For instance, mothers
who have human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) or untreated, active tuberculosis
risk passing these illnesses on to their
babies via breast milk.
When Your Newborn
Has Jaundice
by Nelson Obikwu, M.D.
Dr. Obikwu is in private practice at The Children’s
Clinic and is on staff at White River Medical Center in
Batesville. To make an appointment, call 870-262-2200.
F
or new parents, the arrival of a newborn can lead to a blur of feedings,
diaper changes and lack of sleep. Just
when those duties are under control, a new
concern pops up—the newborn’s skin and
eyes start to look a little yellowish. Is there
cause for concern?
Jaundice, a common condition in
newborns, occurs when the liver takes longer
to break down the yellow bile pigment called
bilirubin. It takes a few days for a newborn’s
liver to catch up with the bilirubin, so the
extra shows up as a yellowing of the skin
and the whites of the eyes. Many babies
show signs of jaundice about two to five
days after birth. Jaundice can last anywhere
from two to six weeks. In most cases, it
clears up on its own.
When Jaundice Becomes a Concern
Unfortunately, jaundice doesn’t always go
away by itself. And high levels of bilirubin
4 Health Matters
■Fall
2010
can lead to brain damage, hearing loss and
other problems.
Since many babies go home within a few
days after birth—before jaundice may be
noticeable—it’s left to parents to check for
signs. Press your fingertip gently against your
baby’s forehead or nose under natural or fluorescent light. Normal skin will blanch white
when pressed. But if the skin looks yellowish,
call your baby’s doctor. This skin test may not
work as well for babies with darker skin.
Treating Newborn Jaundice
More frequent feedings of either breast milk
or formula—but not water—can help your
baby pass bilirubin through stools. If you
are breast-feeding exclusively, do not stop
or switch to formula unless the doctor
recommends it. Phototherapy, in which the
baby rests under special lights, can also help
break down bilirubin. Other treatments may
be needed in some cases.
16th Annual Golf
Classic
Raises Money for Foundation
F
orty-four teams teed off for a good
time and a good cause at the 16th
Annual White River Health System
Foundation (WRHSF) Golf Classic. The
event raised more than $163,000 for facility development and clinical services within
White River Health System.
Major event sponsors Abbott Vascular,
AFLAC – Randy Reichardt Insurance
Agency, Consumer Collection
Management, Inc., Cromwell Architects
Engineers, The Course at Eagle Mountain,
Liberty Bank, Medtronic, Nabholz
Construction Corporation, and Wade’s
Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical,
joined with more than 100 sponsors to
support this year’s Golf Classic.
“The generosity of our donors and
corporate sponsors allows the Foundation
to support expanding and improving the
healthcare services provided by White
River Health System,” said WRHS
Foundation President Dick Bernard.
For the seventh consecutive year, the
event was held at The Course at Eagle
Mountain in Batesville. The premier
18-hole golf course features Empire
Zoysia Fairways, Bent Grass Greens, and
water hazards that present players with a
challenging, but fun, game of golf.
Players dined on hamburgers and BBQ
ribs prepared by the 2009 Memphis in May
Whole Hog Champions, Party-Q BBQ,
and enjoyed music provided by the Danny
Dozier Band.
More than 50 volunteers gave over 400
hours of their time in preparing and executing the event.
“I appreciate the willingness, enthusiasm,
and hard work of the volunteers. Their
outstanding attitudes played a vital role in
the success of the tournament,” said Gary
Bebow, WRHS Administrator/CEO.
The winners of the four-person scramble
were Gary McDonald, Matt McDonald,
Rodney Griffin, and Chip Rayford. The
Putting Contest winner was Charlie Jarrett.
The Ladies’ Longest Drive winner was
Cecelia Vinson, while the winner of the
Men’s Longest Drive was Brett Swenson.
Danny Kelley was the Straightest Drive
winner. The Closest to the Pin winners were
Gary Bebow, Ronnie Hutchinson, Garth
Branstetter, and Matt McDonald. The Skins
Game winners were Jim Wann, Gary
Bebow, Tony Rushing, Gerald Meacham,
Dick Bernard, Steve Bell, Buddy Vinson,
and Tommy Ford. The consolation winners
were Blake Beardsley, Caleb Brewington,
Gary Horness, and Mike Hunnicut.
Established in 1992, the WRHS
Foundation is a charitable organization
dedicated to raising funds to enable us to
enhance and improve the healthcare services
provided by WRHS. The Golf Classic has
raised $1.25 million for vital programs and
projects such as nursing scholarships,
community health programs, the WRMC
Cancer Care Center, and the Josephine Raye
Rogers Center for Women and Imaging.
Would you like to make a positive difference for the WRHS Foundation?
To learn more about opportunities for giving, please call Amber Neal,
Foundation Coordinator, at 870-262-1225 or email [email protected].
www.whiteriverhealthsystem.com 5
Osteoporosis:
Lifestyle Choices Help Keep Brittle Bones at Bay
by J.D. Allen, M.D.
Dr. Allen is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery and is in private practice at Medical Park Orthopaedic &
Sports Medicine Clinic with Dr. Jeff Angel. They can be reached at
870-793-2371 or toll-free at 800-585-2371.
O
steoporosis is a bone-thinning disease
that can increase your risk for fracture
and reduce your quality of life. Experts
say 28 million people may develop osteoporosis
or already have this disorder.
Take this quiz to find out whether you’re at
risk for osteoporosis and to learn ways to keep
your bones strong.
1.Only older women have osteoporosis.
❒ True ❒ False
2.Osteoporosis is a “silent disease.”
❒ True ❒ False
3.What you eat affects bone health.
❒ True ❒ False
4.Exercise is bad for people with osteoporosis.
❒ True ❒ False
5.You can control many of the risk factors
for osteoporosis.
❒ True ❒ False
6.Many treatments are available for people
who have osteoporosis.
❒ True ❒ False
6 Health Matters
■Fall
2010
Answers
1.False. Postmenopausal women are at
greatest risk for osteoporosis because of
their reduced levels of the hormone estrogen.
But you can get osteoporosis at any age.
And bone loss occurs in men, too, although
more rarely. When men develop osteoporosis, they typically do so at about age 70—
or 10 to 15 years later than women.
2.True. Osteoporosis is usually considered
a silent, chronic disease because bone loss
may not have warning signs until you actually
fracture a bone. But in some cases, a doctor
may notice signs of bone loss, such as
shortened height or a curved spine.
3.True. Calcium is the most important
nutrient to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
Calcium-rich foods include skim milk,
yogurt and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb
cal­cium. You can get vitamin D from
fortified cereal, egg yolks and liver.
4.False. Regular exercise is critical to
preventing and treating osteoporosis.
Experts recommend weight lifting and
weight-bearing exercises, such as walking
or climbing stairs. But check with your
doctor before beginning an exercise routine.
5.True. Strategies that help prevent
osteoporosis—in addition to a calciumrich diet and regular exercise—include
drinking alcohol in moderation, limiting
caffeine and avoiding smoking.
Since the body builds bone until the mid30s, even children and young adults should
get a start on these lifelong healthy habits.
Risk factors you can’t control include
a family history of osteoporosis, a small,
thin body size, and your race. Caucasian
and Asian women have the highest risk
of developing osteoporosis.
6.True. If you are at risk or already have
suffered a fracture, your doctor can prescribe
a treatment plan that includes a combination
of calcium-rich foods, regular exercise and
medication.
What’s Bugging You
This Fall?
by Michael Orlando, M.D.
Dr. Orlando is an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician at White
River Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board
of Otolaryngology. Dr. Orlando can be reached by calling
870-793-3636 or toll-free at 888-939-3636.
E
very autumn, the leaves change
colors, the temperature drops—and
you get a stuffy nose and a massive
case of the sneezes.
Colds, the flu and allergies are all common
in the fall. Telling them apart is tough, but
doing so can help you feel better faster.
The Common Cold: Many Causes
Together, Americans suffer from one billion
colds each year. Most strike between late
August and early April. That’s when people
spend time in school and indoors, close to
others who may be infected. You might be
the latest victim if you have:
■■ A stuffy, runny nose
■■ Sneezing
■■ A sore throat
■■ A hacking cough
Many treatments are available. Try gargling
with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat.
Saline nasal spray can help a runny nose,
while a decongestant can help a stuffy one.
For a cough, ask your pharmacist about
over-the-counter antitussive medication.
Consult your doctor before giving any cold
medications to children.
Call your doctor if your symptoms last more
than 10 days or you have severe pain in your
face (the areas behind your nose and eyes).
The Flu: One Virus, Many Symptoms
The influenza virus spreads when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. Signs of the flu include:
■■ Fatigue and weakness
■■ High fever
■■ Severe aches and pains
■■ Headache
■■ Dry cough
Beat the flu with lots of rest, plenty of fluids and
pain relievers to soothe body aches. Get medical
help if you are age 65 or older, have a chronic
medical condition or are pregnant. Antiviral drugs
can lessen symptoms and prevent pneumonia and
other flu complications. Getting an annual influenza shot will aid in preventing the flu.
Allergies: Something in the Air
Fall allergies are usually a bad reaction to
pollen from the ragweed plant. This powdery
substance hangs in the air from late August
until the first frost. It can cause:
■■ Itchy or watery eyes
■■ Stuffy, clear runny nose
■■ Cough
■■ Sneezing
Reduce your exposure by showering after going
outside and keeping home and car windows
closed. Medications, such as over-the-counter
antihistamines, saline and non prescription nasal
sprays, and prescription nasal steroids, can help.
Baked Salmon
Dijon
This salmon entrée is easy to make and
will be enjoyed by the whole family!
1 cup fat free sour cream
2 tsp dried dill
3 Tbsp scallions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 ½ lb salmon fillet with skin,
cut in center
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
as needed: fat free cooking spray
1. Whisk sour cream, dill, onion,
mustard, and lemon juice in small
bowl to blend.
2. Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly oil
baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. Place salmon, skin side down, on
prepared sheet. Sprinkle with garlic
powder and pepper, then spread with
the sauce.
4. Bake salmon until just opaque in
center, about 20 minutes.
Yield: 6 servings
Serving size: 1 piece (4 oz)
Each serving provides:
Calories: 196
Total fat: 7 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 76 mg
Sodium: 229 mg
Total fiber: less than 1 g
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Potassium: 703 mg
Source: “NHLBI: Keep the Beat Heart
Healthy Recipes”
www.whiteriverhealthsystem.com 7
Gary L. Bebow
Administrator/CEO
Larry Sandage
Director of Institutional Advancement
Sheila Mace
Public Relations Coordinator
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
White River Medical Center Foundation Inc
1710 Harrison Street
Batesville, AR 72501
WHITE RIVER medical
center foundation inc
Annie McAllister
Marketing Specialist II
Health Matters is published by White River
Health System. The information included
is intended to educate and inform readers
about subjects pertinent to their health,
not as a substitute for consultation with
a personal physician. To unsubscribe to
Health Matters, call 870-262-6149 or send
an email with your name and address to
[email protected]. ©2010 Printed on
recyclable paper
6246M
C A L L W H I T E R I V E R H E A LT H S Y S T E M ’ S P H Y S I C I A N R E F E R R A L L I N E AT 8 0 0 - W R M C - D O C
Do You Know About the
Breast Cancer
Genes?
“When breast cancer strikes in families,
particularly at a younger age, doctors
often suspect genes are to blame.”
W
omen who have had a close relative—such as a
mother, sister or daughter—diagnosed with breast
cancer have nearly twice the risk of developing the
disease, too. When breast cancer strikes in families, particularly
at a younger age, doctors often suspect genes are to blame.
Genes Gone Wrong
Relatively few cases of breast cancer are caused by genetic problems.
But two genes—BRCA1 and BRCA2—are the most common
genes responsible for hereditary breast cancer. Normally, these
genes help keep cells from growing out of control. Defective
genes fail at that task, allowing cancer to develop.
Roughly one in eight women is at risk for breast cancer;
however, women with defective copies of the BRCA1 and
BRCA2 genes have more than four times the chance of
developing breast cancer, often before age 50. These women
also face a higher risk for ovarian cancer.
Don’t Forget Your Mammogram
Mammography is an important tool for detecting breast
cancer early on, when it’s easiest to treat. But the benefits and
limitations of mammography vary based on factors like age and
personal risk. Women should talk with their doctor about how
often they should get screened.
If Money Is Tight, You Can Still Get a Mammogram
Mammography services can be offered to women who
otherwise would not be able to afford them, thanks to
White River Health System Foundation’s partnership with
the Arkansas Affiliate of the Komen for the Cure Foundation.
To learn more about mammography services offered at
WRMC, call 870-262-1258.