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YRMC’s Genetic Clinic: Information and Tools to Fight Cancer

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Have you wondered how scientific research affects real lives? Look no further than the Human Genome Project for an example of how research moved from research labs to patient clinics, like Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Genetic Clinic in Prescott Valley.

How did this information make it into our everyday healthcare world?

Oncology Nurse Practitioner Jody Pelusi, PhD, FNP, AOCP, who oversees cancer genetic testing at YRMC’s Genetic Clinic recalls, for example, that breast cancer genetic testing used to involve only two genetic mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2. 

“Now we know many genes exist,” said Dr. Pelusi. “Therefore, we do panel testing to look at anywhere from 30 to more than 100 genes.”

What can genetic testing at YRMC’s Genetic Clinic accomplish? The answer to that question depends on the patient’s individual needs. Genetic testing is typically pursued to:

Pinpoint actual risk for developing cancer from a hereditary mutation versus a perception of cancer risk.

Learn cancer risk based on personal or family risk factors for people found not to be at high risk for cancer based on genetic testing.

Determine the best cancer treatment options, follow-up care and long-term monitoring for people diagnosed with cancer.

Learning Your Genetic Risk for Cancer

Before genetic testing happens – typically starting with a swab of saliva from the mouth – Dr. Pelusi meets with people to discuss their goals. Her approach is part scientist, part counselor and all supportive.

“We talk about genetic testing, the information they will potentially learn and if knowing that will make a difference in how they approach their healthcare,” explained Dr. Pelusi. “Some people may come from families who didn’t discuss illness or they may be adopted and have no knowledge of their genetic history. There are many different circumstances.”

During a first appointment, Dr. Pelusi introduces cancer genetic testing by:

Reviewing the goals of cancer genetic testing.

Discussing why the person is interested in cancer genetic testing.

Developing a profile based on the family’s history of cancer, including the type of cancer and at what age the family member was diagnosed with cancer.

Outlining the pros and cons of genetic testing, including how test results can affect the people being tested as well as their family members.

“About 10 percent of people will actually be found to have a genetic change that puts them at higher risk for potentially developing a cancer,” Dr. Pelusi said. “However, this 10 percent is significant, as this can be life changing. Some individuals will come in and get the information and want to think about it before they determine if they want to undergo testing or not; this is absolutely fine.”

Your Genetic Test Results

For people whose genetic test results show they’re at higher risk for cancer, Dr. Pelusi works with their clinicians to provide valuable information on health care and lifestyle options. This may include increased health monitoring and screenings, lifestyle changes, risk-reducing surgeries and chemoprevention (using drugs, vitamins or other agents to reduce cancer risk, delay its development or help prevent recurrence).

“These are emotional topics,” Dr. Pelusi said. “This is not a time to fear cancer. But we sure can fight it with our awareness, our knowledge and our actions. I make sure people have the information they need to make a decision they’re comfortable with. I listen and respect their approach. You can’t get that in a mail order test.”

To schedule an appointment at the Genetic Clinic for a genetic evaluation and possible testing, call 928-442-8747. QCBN

By Bridget O’Gara

Bridget O’Gara is a freelance writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in healthcare. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.

How to Safely Dispose of Your Old Medication

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Do you have expired or partially used prescription medications in your medicine chest, in the back of your kitchen cabinet or stashed in a drawer? Many people keep old pills for years with the best intentions. We want to get rid of them, but often don’t know how to dispose of them properly. We’re concerned about accidentally allowing the medications to get in the wrong hands or taint the environment and simply let them stack up for years.

“It’s important to quit taking expired medications and get rid of them safely as soon as you can,” said Yavapai County Community Health Services Opioid and Substance Abuse Health Educator Josh Goldman. “Expired meds tend to lose their potency, so in essence, you’ll no longer have the benefits of the medication you were prescribed in the first place. Some medications are even susceptible to bacterial growth.”

Medications that tend to lose their potency quickly include liquid antibiotics and compounded medications, which are medications made from a personalized formulation, ordered specifically for you by your doctor.

There is also the real risk of the unused drugs getting in the wrong hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 60,000 children under the age of five are seen in emergency rooms each year for accidental medication overdose.

And it is never advisable to give unused prescription medications to a friend or family member. Saving a trip to the doctor or saving money is not worth the health risk.

So, what is the best way to get rid of old medications? Goldman says there are several easy and safe options:

Deterra Deactivation Pouches

Deterra Pouches are a relatively new option for safe drug disposal at home. These sealable pouches contain activated carbon, which renders the drug inert. Simply place your pills, patches or liquid medication in the pouch, fill with warm tap water and wait 30 seconds. Seal and gently shake the pouch and place it in the trash. Deterra Pouches are available for purchase at outlets such as Walmart and Amazon.

DisposeRx

Some pharmacies are now offering DisposeRx packets with every prescription free of charge, to facilitate at-home drug disposal. To use, pour the contents of the DisposeRx packet directly into the pill bottle, add warm water, seal and shake the bottle for 30 seconds. Remove the label from your pill bottle or black out the information with a marker. The bottle can now be safely discarded in the trash. DisposeRx is also available at the Yavapai County Community Health Services office at 1090 Commerce Drive in Prescott.

Another Option for Safe Disposal at Home

If you have no other option for home disposal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend putting expired medications in the trash after following these steps:

Remove the pills or liquid from the original container and mix them with dirt, used coffee grounds, kitty litter or sawdust.

Put the mixture in a Ziploc bag or similar, seal it tightly and put it in the regular trash.

Remove or black out the label on the original container with a marker and dispose of the container separately.

Remember that this method makes the drug undesirable, but will not render the drug inactive.

Drop Boxes

Local law enforcement agencies and some Yavapai College campuses offer free drug drop box locations throughout Yavapai County that will accept medications for safe disposal. Be aware that each location has different parameters regarding what types of medication they will accept. For instance, some drop boxes may not accept sharps, needles, aerosol cans or inhalers.

YRMC’s website has a complete list of Yavapai County drop box locations, contact information, requirements and what medications are accepted at each. To find “Yavapai County Medication Drop Off Locations,” go to YRMC.org, open the green “Support and Community” tab located on the menu at the top of the webpage and then go to “Medication Disposal.” The document will open for you to download and print.

In addition, pharmacies such as Walgreens Pharmacy at 2880 N. Centre Court in Prescott Valley offer drug disposal kiosks, similar to dropping mail into a mailbox.

Medicine Take-Back Events

Drug take-back events are held twice a year in Yavapai County, according to MatForce Executive Director Merilee Fowler. The effort continues to grow.

“The Dump the Drugs National Take Back Day takes place the last weekend of April and October,” said Fowler. “We partner with local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Agency to provide easy, accessible drop off locations to the general public. Since 2008, we have collected more than 32,400 pounds of drugs for safe disposal.”

Is Flushing Safe?

According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), prescription and non-prescription drugs can be found at trace levels in treated wastewater discharged from sewage treatment plants. We now know that some of these substances can be harmful to our environment. ADEQ recommends alternative means of disposal whenever possible.

However, the FDA regularly updates a list of prescription medications that have been approved for flushing down the toilet if no other option exists. The known risk of harm, including death, from these substances from accidental exposure outweighs potential risks from flushing them. The list includes medications such as fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine.

What About Medical Sharps?

“The best practice for sharps such as needles, syringes and lancets is to place them in a sturdy, puncture-proof container with a tight lid and tape it shut,” said Goldman. “You can purchase a specially designed container from a pharmacy, or you can use a heavy plastic or metal container that has a secure lid, such as a liquid laundry detergent bottle.”

According to ADEQ, do not use glass containers, and make sure the container is not overstuffed. Mark the container “Do Not Recycle” so that it goes to the landfill rather than a recycle center.

While your container is in the process of being filled for disposal, make sure you keep it sealed and out of the way of children and pets.

Getting rid of your old, unused medications can be safe and easy. Following these recommendations now can make your home safer in the long run by reducing the risk of accidental drug exposure. And you’ll be assured that you’re following the right precautions to keep our environment safe.

For more information on safe medication disposal, or to find out about the next Dump the Drugs National Take Back Day, contact MatForce at 928-708-0100. Yavapai County Community Health Services can be reached at 928-771-3122. QCBN

By Joanne Mack Robertson

Joanne Mack Robertson is freelance writer and video producer who writes for Yavapai Regional Medical Center. For more information about YRMC, visit yrmc.org.

Heart Valve Disease: Five Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

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In years past, your grandfather may have written off his shortness of breath to old age. Even people diagnosed early in life with heart conditions often didn’t link their decreased energy or their dizziness decades later to their heart conditions.

Today, primary care physicians and cardiologists are tuned into subtle changes that may signal heart valve disease – a condition that can affect people in their 40s or 80s.

“People are taking better care of themselves and living longer,” said Cardiothoracic Surgeon Jose Torres, M.D., at The James Family Heart Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center West (YRMC). “That means more people will be diagnosed with heart valve disease and more will be referred to heart surgeons for treatment.”

In fact, one in 10 people age 75 and older struggle with moderate to severe heart valve disease, which happens when one or more of your heart valves don’t work well. To understand why this happens, it helps to know the role healthy heart valves play in the body. The heart has four valves with tissue flaps – also called leaflets – that open and close with each heartbeat. The flaps ensure blood flows in the right direction through your heart’s four chambers and to the rest of your body.

“Think of the leaflets as doors,” said Dr. Torres. “Normally, the doors are very pliable. They open and close to allow blood to flow through the heart and then to the rest of the body. When the doors calcify, their pliability decreases and the heart has to work harder and harder to pump blood to the body.”

Many people with heart valve disease don’t experience noticeable symptoms until the blood flow is significantly restricted. Symptoms that could signal heart valve disease – and should be discussed with your physician – are:

Breathlessness

Chest pain, pressure or tightness

Fainting

Palpitations or a feeling of heavy, pounding, or noticeable heartbeats

A decline in your activity level or reduced ability to do normal daily activities

Here’s a look at conditions that can cause or contribute to heart valve disease:

Past medical history – A history of diabetes or rheumatic fever and cancer survivors treated with radiation therapy to the chest or sternum are at greater risk for heart valve disease.

Congenital heart defect – People born with two leaflets, called bicuspid valve, are sometimes diagnosed with heart valve disease in their 40s or 50s.

Heart murmur – Calcium buildup or a leaky aortic valve can cause a heart murmur, eventually leading to heart valve disease.

Currently, no medicines can cure heart valve disease. However, medications to lower high blood pressure or high cholesterol may be prescribed. Lifestyle changes – giving up smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular physical exercise and aiming for your optimal weight – can slow the progress of heart valve disease.

“Heart valve disease is a structural problem that requires surgery,” Torres said. “Once there’s a heart valve disease diagnosis, the solution is to remove that roadblock with heart valve surgery.”

During surgical heart valve disease repair, patients are placed on a heart bypass machine to keep their hearts working. Cardiothoracic surgeons, like Dr. Torres, then replace the heart’s calcified valve with a new artificial valve.

People considered too high risk for heart valve replacement surgery may be eligible for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). The minimally invasive TAVR procedure takes place in YRMC’s Hybrid Operating Room (OR) – a combined state-of-the-art surgical suite and medical imaging facility.

In YRMC’s Hybrid OR – considered one of the nation’s best – a patient’s heart blockage can be diagnosed and then immediately repaired with a minimally invasive procedure, like TAVR. If the real-time imaging shows the patient requires surgery, YRMC’s heart team is ready to perform the procedure in the Hybrid OR. QCBN

 

Visit YRMC.org to learn more about the advanced, comprehensive services available at YRMC’s James Family Heart Center.

Learning From YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Symposium

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Science and history intersected during Patient Blood Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) sixth Patient Blood Management (PBM) Symposium.

Approximately 350 people – PBM advocates from across the Southwest, physicians, nurses, college students and more – gathered for the most recent PBM Symposium at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in Prescott. Throughout the world, even more streamed the symposium live on laptops, smartphones and other devices.

“It was the best of both worlds,” said Dale Black, Patient Blood Management Program coordinator at YRMC. “Our guests at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center joined a pre-symposium reception that included an array of appetizers, lots of friendly conversation and information from our industry partners who support YRMC’s vision for PBM.”

Industry leaders who joined YRMC at the PBM Symposium included:

Instrumentation Laboratory

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Haemonetics

Baxter

“During the symposium,” said Black, “we welcomed guests from throughout the globe who live-streamed the event. All symposium participants took away new information about the value of PBM and the leadership role YRMC plays in PBM.”

If you missed the symposium, we’ve collected some highlights to get you up to speed on PBM’s science, history and future.

Patient Blood Management wasn’t built in a day.

The 6th Annual PBM Symposium coincided with YRMC’s 75th anniversary, a perfect opportunity to highlight the history of PBM, courtesy of Pierre Tibi, M.D., FACS, cardiothoracic surgeon and medical director of the James Family Heart Center at YRMC West.

Dr. Tibi said the idea of transfusing blood goes back to 1556, but the first actual human-to-human “blood transfer” happened in 1818. Fast forward to the early 1900s for another milestone: the identification of human blood types – A, B, AB and O. Soon after, a test that allowed physicians to ensure blood compatibility before transfusing patients was introduced.

Another big breakthrough coincided with World War II as researchers discovered how to break down blood into components and products. Plasma – a blood product – saved the lives of many wounded soldiers during the war.

Blood is one tough tissue.

Daniel Beck, M.D., anesthesiologist at Prescott Anesthesia, emphasized that blood – a connective tissue – actually functions like a complex, multifaceted organ.

Comprised of water, electrolytes, small molecules, proteins and cells, blood performs many significant roles in the body. For example, Dr. Beck highlighted the important job performed by one of our two types of white blood cells.

“These white blood cells repair all types of tissue damage,” said Beck. “The repairs range from paper cuts to broken bones and all of the way to heart attacks.”

When it comes to the safety of our blood supply, the expression “we don’t know what we don’t know” applies.

Medical experts in the United States agree that our blood supply is the safest it has ever been when it comes to disease transmission.

“The concern is always about unknown infectious diseases,” said YRMC’s PBM Program Data Manager and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Black. “Current blood testing measures are only going to test for infectious diseases we know about. You can’t test for something if you don’t know it exists.”

Storing your own blood for surgery comes with some potential complications.

Storing your blood for use during and after surgery sounds like an ideal way to prevent the transfusion of a virus. However, autologous blood donation – as it’s called – may lead to anemia, which can slow recovery.

“Even your own blood is stored blood,” said Black. “It is not the same quality as the fresh blood moving through our bodies or the blood that’s taken immediately before surgery.”

Physicians and PBM experts know: If you don’t use it, you won’t lose it.

YRMC’s thriving Structural Heart Program demonstrates how medicine is integrating PBM into its less invasive procedures.

Soundos Moualla, M.D., FACC, FSCA, an interventional cardiologist at the James Family Heart Center at YRMC West, uses less-invasive procedures and advanced technologies to help people previously considered too high-risk for surgery. These procedures require small skin punctures, rather than major incisions.

“These new technologies allow us to safely perform minimally invasive procedures,” said Dr. Moualla. “The procedures do not require blood use and typically there is no blood loss.”

New procedures at YRMC’s Heart Center support PBM principles.

In the 1980s, cardiology took its first steps in this direction with the introduction of cardiac stenting, which allowed some patients to forego open heart surgery. Today, many heart procedures are minimally invasive, including these that are available at YRMC’s Heart Center.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure (WATCHMAN)

Mitral Valve Repair with MitraClip

Paravalvular Leak Closure (PVL)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Your YRMC providers are your PBM partners.

PBM is at its best when there is strong communication between nurses, patients, family members and other patient advocates. This is standard operating procedure at YRMC.

“We’ll literally report at your bedside to involve you and your family,” said YRMC’s Selina Bliss, MS, Ph.D., RN. “This allows us to clearly communicate a care plan for your anemia.”

YRMC’s multi-disciplinary team – advanced clinical practitioners, dietitians, medical laboratory professionals, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians and more – also share their best practices for preventing patient anemia during “Lunch and Learn” programs.

Recently, YRMC’s Emergency Department team outlined how early admission of a medication to treat excessive blood loss has helped patients experiencing traumatic bleeding. The ICU staff shared a successful strategy to monitor hemoglobin counts – a low count may indicate anemia – as a way of reducing the frequency of patient blood draws, which can lead to anemia.

Researchers are applying leading-edge science to the study of blood.

Creating a blood substitute…developing a universal blood type…transforming human stem cells into units of blood…all of these and more are under research today.

“Scientists are looking for the optimal artificial human blood that can carry oxygen to our tissues without any of the biological baggage associated with a unit of blood,” explained AGACNP-BC Hospitalist and NAZ Hospitalist Jared Head.

PBM’s future is now.

Even as researchers race toward an array of alternatives to blood transfusions, most medical experts point to PBM as the most effective way to safely care for patients.

“What we are doing now may well be the future,” stated Head. “Keeping blood inside of the body and minimizing the number of blood draws to harness anemia – these and other PBM strategies may be the future of transfusion medicine.”

PBM is making a difference at YRMC today.

YRMC has experienced an impressive reduction in the use of blood products, thanks to its hospital-wide PBM Program.

“YRMC launched its PBM Program in 2012,” said Diane Drexler, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer at YRMC. “Since then, our use of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma has declined by 32 percent and 61 percent, respectively.”

Why is this decline good news for YRMC’s patients? It means YRMC’s surgeons and other physicians are minimizing patients’ blood loss and reducing unnecessary transfusions. And, as studies have shown, both of these PBM strategies can improve patient outcomes and speed recovery. QCBN

By Bridget O’Gara

For more information about YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Program, visit YRMC.org.

Bridget O’Gara is a freelance writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in health care. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.

Power Up Your Plate with Heart Healthy, Colorful Fruits, Vegetables

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Colorful fruits and vegetables, like vibrant, fresh herbs, juicy, red tomatoes and bright orange carrots are packed with a variety of compounds called phytochemicals. These help to keep us healthy every day. However, for preventing and reversing disease, plants that are deep red, purple, blue or even black (which is often very dark purple), are real superfoods.

Many of these plants derive their color from a special group of compounds called anthocyanins. Studies have repeatedly linked anthocyanins with improved brain health and memory, reduced insulin resistance and a lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. And because February is American Heart Month, it’s the perfect time to explore how to work these superfoods into your diet.

All of the green, red, orange, yellow, blue and purple vegetables, herbs and fruits you see in the produce section of the supermarket are derived from a large variety of phytochemicals that plants produce, in part, to protect themselves from drought, disease, pests and even damage from the sun. Luckily for us, these compounds also protect us from everyday stress and chronic disease by acting as powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents in our bodies.

One of the least expensive, widely available, anthocyanin-rich foods is purple (or red) cabbage. Like its green cousin, purple cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that is packed with phytochemicals that have been shown to help fight cancer. The purple color gives the cabbage an extra dose of healthy super powers.

Many other anthocyanin-rich foods are available in most markets today. Look for purple fingerling potatoes, or even purple sweet potatoes. They taste great and look gorgeous on a plate. Here are a few ideas:

Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, purple grapes and dark red cherries are wonderful choices for fruit.

Carrots that are purple throughout are sometimes available at the Prescott Farmers Market and elsewhere.

Other foods rich in anthocyanins include eggplant (eat the skin); red leaf lettuce; purple cauliflower; radicchio; black beans and even black rice (or Forbidden rice), both of which are really just very dark purple.

Remember to fill your plate with the colors of a rainbow – including red, green, orange, yellow, purple and blue fruits, vegetables and grains – throughout the day. Try featuring a different color each night for dinner. Kids love getting into that groove and can help keep the whole family on track eating super healthy meals.

You can find lots of additional recipes and videos featuring colorful fruits, vegetables and herbs at YRMCHealthConnect.org. Just scroll down the page and click on Your Healthy Kitchen. You can also follow us on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen. QCBN

By Rita Carey Rubin
Rita Carey Rubin is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). She is also a freelance writer and host of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, an online video series that features cooking tutorials, local guests and simple, delicious, affordable recipes.

Neurosurgeon Puts Life Lessons from His Youth to Work 

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John Spitalieri, D.O., believes in “repairing before replacing.” His parents – his mother a music teacher and his father a math/science teacher – impressed this value on him while growing up in New Jersey. 

“Whether we were fixing the car or repairing the lawnmower, it was my job and my brother’s job to help our dad,” said Dr. Spitalieri. “We would hold the light so he could see what he was working on or he would have us fetch a tool for him.” 

Fast forward to 2018 and the Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) PhysicianCare neurosurgeon is passing along this life lesson to the next generation as he works with his nine-year-old son on building projects. 

“When I’m fixing or building something, I limit myself to the tools I have,” he explained. 

“If I get stuck, I have to figure it out with the tools I have available.” 

Spitalieri’s tools are from his father – who worked at Yankee Tool for a time – made by Spitalieri in his workshop or found at antique shops. Instead of using a power sander, for example, Spitalieri has a pre-World War I block plane to smooth the surfaces of edges he plans to join together. 

A Neurosurgeon is Born 

Spitalieri’s career choice was influenced by several people, including his father and, later on, Neurosurgeon Martin Swiecicki, M.D.  

“I decided to become a neurosurgeon quite late in life. I was seven years old,” Spitalieri said with a smile. “My mentor, Dr. Marty Swiecicki, told me he made up his mind when he was five.”  

Dr. Spitalieri first was exposed to the workings of the brain and spine while perusing one of his father’s college anatomy textbooks. 

“Shortly after that, I started telling people I was going to be a brain surgeon,” he said. “I’m not really sure I knew what that meant at that age, but it sounded pretty cool.” 

Even cooler is that Spitalieri realized his childhood dream. He graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and then pursued a neurosurgery residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Colton, California. The San Bernardino County hospital, ARMC, has the second busiest emergency department in California, with a heliport that easily holds five medical helicopters. 

After his residency, Spitalieri pursued a fellowship in neurosurgery at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, followed by a Pediatric Spine Surgery fellowship at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia.  

Prescott Calls  

After living in large, urban areas, Spitalieri, and his wife, Donna – a labor and delivery nurse and nurse midwife – decided they wanted to live in less populated communities. The couple learned about the Quad Cities through Kiplinger’s Magazine, which touted the area’s four mild seasons and diverse activities ranging from the arts to the outdoors. 

“We love it here. The people are friendly and we always find something to do.”  

New Spine Treatments 

At YRMC PhysicianCare’s Spine Center in Prescott, people with herniated discs, subdural hematomas (bruises on the brain), spinal trauma, spinal compression fractures and more turn to Spitalieri for care. 

“Compression fractures are very painful,” said Spitalieri. “They’re no less painful than breaking your arm. But when you break your arm, you go to the ER within a day or two, where you get a cast and then perhaps have surgery. With compression fractures of the spine, it usually takes weeks before they’re appropriately diagnosed. People tend to think, ‘I just threw my back out.’”  

Spitalieri repairs these spinal fractures with a procedure called kyphoplasty. He uses a hollow needle to insert a balloon into the fractured bone and then creates a cavity or space. After the balloon is removed, a medical-grade cement is injected into the cavity to stabilize the fracture. 

While the tools he uses to treat patients are state-of-the-art, Spitalieri’s strong work ethic and problem-solving skills are the same as when he worked alongside his father in the family’s garage in New Jersey.  

“Those are good, strong memories for me.” 

And now, the Spitalieri family is building memories in the Quad Cities. QCBN

 

By Bridget O’Gara   

Bridget O’Gara is a freelance writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in health care. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations. 

 

For more information about the Spine Center, visit YRMC’s website at YRMC.org and click on “Medical Services.” 

 

Dr. Spitalieri may be reached at the Spine Center, 1001 Division Street in Prescott, at (928) 445-4818.  

 

 

 

YRMC Launches One-Stop Online Career Center 

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How do you describe the appeal of the Prescott area to someone who has never been here before? Superlatives such as cleanest, friendliest and most active come to mind. You’d want to describe the beautiful setting and the variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. Now, add the task of sharing an inside view of what it’s like to work for one of the largest and most progressive employers in the area, and you’d have an exciting and rewarding challenge in store. 

This is how Yavapai Regional Medical Center Manager of Talent Acquisition and Employee Relations Mary Tasson describes her recent journey as she led the team that revamped the YRMC Human Resources Career Center webpages. 

“The effort started with focus groups that included staff, nurses and allied health professionals. What better way to tell what it’s like to live in the Quad Cities and work at YRMC than to ask our staff to tell their stories?” explained Tasson. “Even the people in the photos on the website are actual employees, seen at work and enjoying leisure activities. In the process, I got to know many of our staff personally, which was a great side benefit that I didn’t expect.” 

From a wider perspective, there was more at stake than one would first realize. 

“Top talent is always in demand, especially in health care,” said YRMC Executive Director of Human Resources Mark Timm. “Our national unemployment rate is currently around 4 percent, so we are truly competing nationally for the best talent that’s out there. This makes it more important than ever to create compelling pages that highlight the unique opportunity that YRMC offers.” 

Like any entity hoping to create a memorable identity, the team at YRMC started with the question, “What is our brand?” Focus group participants answered questions such as “Why did you come to YRMC?” and “Why did you stay?” Their answers led Tasson, Timm and the team responsible for the Career Center site to a single word: Thrive. 

“The word Thrive came out of the stories that our staff shared with us,” said Timm. “The message was, ‘I came to YRMC and didn’t expect the quality of life and the caliber of the workplace. That’s why I decided to stay. I am thriving in this environment.’” An ad campaign was born. 

The Career Center pages are easily accessed from YRMC.org, the main website for Yavapai Regional Medical Center. The pages include information about the quality of life in the Quad Cities, the RN graduate program and nursing career opportunities and a video overview of YRMC. 

You can search for a job by keyword or job ID number, by job family or by department. Simply click on a job listing to learn more or to apply. You can also provide your email address and area of interest and/or desired location to have new job alerts sent to your inbox. 

An overview of benefits at YRMC is also provided, as well as a listing of local hiring events and job fairs, which is regularly updated. 

Tasson points out that physicians who are interested in learning more about YRMC and the Quad Cities have a spotlight page where they can provide their contact information and areas of interest. A recruiter will personally contact them to begin a conversation about their interests, needs and opportunities for relocation.  

“Quad City residents often share this feature of our online Career Center with out-of-town loved ones who are healthcare professionals. It could be just the information needed to encourage them to move to the area,” she said. 

In this competitive healthcare market, it seems as though a candidate could choose to move anywhere. Why do people choose YRMC?  

“It’s because there are no compromises here,” said Timm, “The Quad Cities area offers a great lifestyle, climate and community, and YRMC offers the caliber of hospital that people wouldn’t expect in a city this size.” 

Thanks to the top-quality physicians and staff that are drawn to our area, Yavapai Regional Medical Center continues to thrive. QCBN 

 

By Joanne Robertson 

For more information, visit the Career Center at careers.yrmc.org. You can also email VIPCareerNetwork@yrmc.org or call 877-976-9762. 

 

 

3D Tomosynthesis Mammography Units Added to YRMC Imaging Sites 

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Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) introduced two additional 3D Tomosynthesis mammography units to their imaging sites earlier this year, bringing the total to three in the YRMC network. The evidence is clear that Tomosynthesis – 3D mammography – is a more precise screening for breast cancer for certain women. 

According to YRMC BreastCare Center Imaging Operations Manager Kathleen Hoffer, “3D mammography is becoming the standard, especially for women with dense breast tissue, and we want to make it available throughout the community. This is why we placed a new Tomosynthesis unit at Prescott Medical Imaging in Prescott and an additional unit at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley.” 

Research confirms that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer afflicting women in America, so detecting it is a high priority. 

The standard 2D mammogram creates a two-dimensional image of the breast with two x-ray images of each breast. The three-dimensional mammogram adds an additional view that allows breast tissue to be evaluated in greater detail with no significant increase to the radiation dose. 

The 3D mammogram is particularly important for women with dense breast tissue. Younger women often have denser breast tissue than older women do and will benefit even more from a 3D mammogram because of its increased accuracy rate. It also has less false positives and much lower call-back rates, so a 3D mammogram is overall more accurate than a standard 2D mammogram. 

“When someone gets a call back and has to return for additional screening, it is very anxiety-provoking for the patient and their loved ones,” said Radiologist Brent Johnson, M.D. “This is another reason 3D mammograms are better for the patient. If there is a 15 percent chance of being called back [when] using conventional 2D mammograms, some women may decide to avoid mammograms all together, which increases the chance of a breast cancer being missed entirely. It is very sad when I see advanced cancers that could have easily been detected much sooner simply by having a timely mammogram.” 

When a woman is screened with a 3D mammogram, the call-back rate decreases by half, from 15 percent to about 7 or 8 percent, which significantly reduces the need for additional testing and associated anxiety. 

Dr. Johnson explained, “The extra cost of a 3D mammogram is mitigated by not having to do as many ultrasounds or extra views, a breast MRI or biopsy. Those extra tests are not only more expensive in the long run for patients, but often can ultimately increase radiation exposure compared to starting with a 3D mammogram.” 

Kathleen Hoffer added, “3D mammograms are performed based on provider or radiologist recommendation. Patients who are aware that they have dense breast tissue should insist on a 3D mammogram.” 

Many insurance providers, including Medicare, have now opted to cover Tomosynthesis screenings, because it is actually less expensive in the long run, making the 3D mammogram better for patients in terms of cost. Some patients opt to pay the additional cost not covered by insurance simply for their peace of mind, knowing they are getting the most state-of-the-art mammogram. QCBN 

 By Kristen Dicker 

If you would like to have a 3D mammogram at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley or in Prescott at Prescott Medical Imaging, please speak to your primary care provider or call 928-771-7577 for Prescott Medical Imaging or 928-442-8900 for the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley. 

 

Two Physicians Join YRMC PhysicianCare

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Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is pleased to welcome two new physicians to YRMC PhysicianCare.

Marc H. Brickman, D.O., FACP

Marc H. Brickman, D.O., FACP

Marc H. Brickman, D.O., FACP – who specializes in Internal Medicine – has joined YRMC’s Internal Medicine team in Prescott.

Dr. Brickman is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He completed residency training in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and served as Chief Resident at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Evanston, Illinois.

Brickman is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Clinical Lipidology, the treatment of lipid disorders as well as metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. His clinical interests include Internal Medicine, Clinical Lipidology, Diabetes Management and Rheumatology.

Brickman is located at YRMC PhysicianCare Internal Medicine, 3120 Clearwater Drive in Prescott and is currently accepting new patients. Please call 928-771-3704 to schedule an appointment.

 

Craig Leicht, M.D., MPH

Craig Leicht, M.D., MPH

Craig Leicht, M.D., MPH, recently joined YRMC PhysicianCare’s new Interventional Pain Management and Neurosciences medical practice at 980 Willow Creek Road, Suite 201 in Prescott.

Interventional pain management is a leading-edge approach to pain management. Specialists like Dr. Leicht use minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat painful conditions. Interventional pain management strives to relieve, reduce or manage pain with the goal of returning people to their daily activities quickly and without heavy reliance on medications.

Dr. Leicht, who is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California, where he also earned a Master’s of Public Health. He completed a surgery internship and an anesthesiology residency, serving as Chief Resident in Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the San Diego Naval Hospital.

Following his residency, Leicht completed a fellowship in Obstetrics and Regional Anesthesia and Research at the University of California, San Francisco.

Leicht also honorably served as a Medical Corps Commander for the United States Naval Reserve.

Leicht is currently accepting referrals from physicians in the community. If you believe interventional pain management could benefit you, speak to your physician. QCBN

 

YRMC PhysicianCare is pleased to accept most health insurance plans, including Medicare.

 

 

YRMC’s Vein Center Providing New Painless Treatment 

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The Vein Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is the first provider in Northern Arizona to offer VenaSeal ablation therapy to treat varicose veins, spider veins and other symptoms of the vein disease, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). 

“Patients are very happy with VenaSeal ablation therapy,” said Anil Kumar, M.D., FAAC, RPVI, medical director of the Vein Center at YRMC in Prescott Valley. “This new therapy does not require multiple injections to numb their legs, which can be painful or uncomfortable for people. Also, after VenaSeal ablation therapy, most people do not need to wear compression stockings.” 

CVI occurs when the valves in the veins of the lower leg no longer function properly. This makes blood flow backward, which leads to enlarged or varicose veins as well as other painful symptoms. 

“Chronic venous insufficiency can result in lifestyle-limiting lower leg pain, swelling, skin damage and ulcerations,” said Dr. Kumar. “It’s a serious condition that affects many people in our community.” 

During VenaSeal ablation therapy, Dr. Kumar places a small amount of VenaSeal – a medical adhesive – into the vein through a narrow catheter. Once VenaSeal closes the vein, blood is immediately re-routed through other healthy veins in the leg. 

“The procedure takes approximately one hour from the time the patient arrives at the Vein Center,” Dr. Kumar said. “Immediately following VenaSeal ablation therapy, the patient is ready to resume normal activities.” 

Depending on the extent of the CVI, the patient may need to undergo VenaSeal ablation therapy a number of times. 

“The good news is that VenaSeal ablation therapy works,” said Kumar, “and the patient is comfortable during and following the procedure.” 

For more information about VenaSeal ablation therapy, talk to your health care provider or contact the Vein Center at YRMC at 928-759-5890. The Vein Center at YRMC is located in the YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Building at 3262 N. Windsong Drive in Prescott Valley. QCBN 

 

By Bridget O’Gara 

Suggested Cutline: Anil Kumar, M.D., FACCP, RPVI, medical director of YRMC’s Vein Center