PeakYour guide to healthy living in the Pikes Peak regionLiving

SPRING 2014

● NEW LEADERSHIP: MEET OUR CEO● COMING SOON: BENEFIT GOLF TOURNEY● BIG FUN: NORTH CHEYENNE CAÑON PARK● GOOD EATS: CHICKEN AND QUINOA PILAF

A Taste for LifeWhen swallowing is an ordeal, we can help

Back in ActionFinding relief from chronic spinal pain

Peak LivingBrian Newsome Director, Marketing, Communications, Public and Media RelationsErin EmeryEditor, Communications and Marketing

Travis GreerArt DirectorAnslee Wolfe Cover Art

Peak Living is published four times annually by Diablo Custom Publishing 2520 Camino Diablo, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

The material in Peak Living is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, call 719-365-5235. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please tear off the shipping label and mail to Memorial Hospital, Communications and Marketing Department, 1400 E. Boulder St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909.

memorialhealthsystem.com

• For Your Family: New Pediatric Hospital in the Works •

University of Colorado Health and Children’s Hospital

Colorado have announced plans to build a new hospital on the 80-acre campus of Memorial Hospital North.

Plans are also underway to build a pediatric urgent care facility near Memorial Hospital Central, 1400 E. Boulder St., later this year, says Jim Shmerling, chief executive officer of Children’s Colorado. “We really look at Colorado Springs as the southern hub of Children’s Colorado,” he says.

Children’s Colorado has been a partner with UCHealth in the operation of Memorial Hospital

since city voters agreed to lease the hospital to UCHealth beginning Oct. 1, 2012. Children’s Colorado now has 103 beds on the Memo-rial Hospital Central campus.

Children’s Colorado plans to hire an architect to design the new hos-pital near Briargate Parkway and Union Boulevard. Hospital officials have no timeline for completion of the project, which will be built on 80 acres of land owned by the city.

In the first three years of the lease, UCHealth is investing $90 million in improvements at Memo-rial. Improvements include a new electronic medical records system, new physician practices and improved medical technology.

UPDATE: PEDIATRIC CAR E

2 | Peak L iv ing

Spring 2014 | 3

BY T H E N U M B E R S

Thinking of getting in shape before you slip into your summer clothing? No matter what kind of exercise you choose, it’s important not to set yourself up for failure. If you haven’t exercised in months, don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re going to run a marathon in two weeks.

Anna Taylor, a health and well-being coordinator at Memorial Hospital, recommends three strategies to help you stick to an exercise routine that promotes your health.• Set a realistic goal. • Find a buddy to join you.• Do something that you enjoy so you don’t

burn out.

As part of Memorial Hospital’s 90-day health challenge, the Road to Great-ness, we’ve been challenging you to do something for your health for the past few months.

We’ve asked you to take the stairs, drink more water and choose more

fresh fruits and vegetables over that bag of potato chips.

The health challenge concludes at the Colorado Springs Sky Sox game at 6:35 p.m. on May 9 at Security Service Field. Fireworks follow the game.

We congratulate the hundreds of community members who participated in the health challenge. For more than a century, Memorial has been provid-ing advanced medical care—but our goal is to keep you healthy and well. We want to move southern Colora-dans from health care to health.

For more information about the Road to Greatness, please visit uchroadtohealth.org.

3 There’s nothing like a good snooze. Trouble is, between 50 million and 70 million people in the United States can’t seem to get a good night’s rest. The National Institutes of Health suggests that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Teens need nine to 10 hours; younger children need at least 10 hours of sleep daily. Follow these tips for a good night’s sleep:

50 to 70

100s Get Healthy

• Go to bed at the same time each night and rise at the same time each morning.

• Avoid large meals before bedtime.• Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.• Avoid nicotine.If you can’t get a good night’s rest, make an appointment at Memorial Hospital’s Sleep Center at 719-364-5075.Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Memorial Hospital

MillionStrategies for Exercise Newbies

George Hayes, a seasoned health care executive with more than 30 years in health care, was named the new president and CEO of Memorial Hospi-

tal earlier this year. Hayes, 58, has most recently served as president and CEO of Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, one of five hospitals that comprise University of Colorado Health. Also joining Hayes on the executive team is Dan Rieber, who will serve as Memorial’s interim chief financial officer.

“These changes are another important step in the growth and future of UCHealth’s hospitals and the evolution of a new kind of health care system,” says UCHealth Interim CEO Dr. Bill Neff. “In Colorado Springs, George Hayes brings decades of experience and nationally recognized quality results to Memorial Hospital.”

For Hayes, returning to Colorado Springs is a homecom-ing. He is a 1974 graduate of Widefield High School. His father, Troy, worked as a civilian at Fort Carson for many years. His mother and brother still live in the area.

“I’m excited and honored to continue Memorial’s proud tradition of serving the Colorado Springs region as well as

our military men and women,” says Hayes. “This is also an exciting time for Memorial with its expanding services, new partnerships and some of the finest nurses and doctors in the Rocky Mountain region all focused on providing the best possible care for southern Colorado patients.”

Hayes says he is focused on interacting with physicians and developing relationships with employees. “I’m looking forward to being part of the organization and part of the great tradition and excellence that’s been established here,’’ he says. “I am excited to learn more about the greater com-munity and look forward to building even stronger relation-ships throughout southern Colorado.’’

Memorial’s interim CFO, Dan Rieber, has extensive expe-rience fostering exemplary financial performance at Univer-sity of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University of Colorado Hospital and for the past two years at UCHealth. While Memorial has been making advances in this area since joining with UCHealth in 2012, Rieber will help elevate the hospital’s financial operations to enable continued growth in patient services and community benefits.

Continuing a Tradition of ExcellenceIntroducing Memorial Hospital’s new president and CEO

4 | Peak L iv ing

N E W S A N D N OT ES

Nature’s Playground Enjoy extraordinary local landscapes for hiking, biking and exercise

A t University of Colorado Health, our vision is to move people from health care to health. One of the best ways to invest in a healthier lifestyle is to get up and move.

One of the best places to frolic near Colorado Springs is North Cheyenne Cañon Park, which includes Stratton Open Space, the Starsmore Discovery Center and Helen Hunt Falls. The park, according to the City of Colorado Springs, is known for its towering evergreens and wildflow-ers, stunning rock formations, hiking paths and waterfalls, and was a popular camping ground for American Indians, particularly the Ute tribes.

A hike to Helen Hunt Falls via the 3-mile Columbine Trail is a terrific way to get your heart pumping and your arms

and legs moving. There are also numerous places for you and your family to stop for a picnic, or take a breather on the many benches along the way.

Your best bet, though, is to make time for getting physi-cal. People who exercise live longer, sleep better and fend off weight gain. Exercise can also move your happy meter in a positive direction, according to Anna Taylor, a health and well-being coordinator at Memorial Hospital.

“The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neuro-chemical basis,’’ Taylor adds. “Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while also stimulating the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.”

Have Favorite Hikes?To trade tips on our Facebook page, scan the QR code with your smartphone.

Tips and Useful Info• The park is located at 3440 N. Cheyenne Cañon Road.• Hours: The park is open from dawn to dusk.• The park is dog friendly as long as your dog is on a leash.• Directions: From Interstate 25, take exit 140. Go south on

Tejon Street and bear right onto Cheyenne Boulevard. This joins West Cheyenne Cañon Road about 50 yards from the Starsmore Discovery Center. Turn right onto North Cheyenne Cañon Road and drive approximately 2.5 miles to the Helen Hunt Falls trailhead.

• From the top, there is a grand view looking to the east.• The Starsmore Discovery Center is a local landmark

and the former home of the Starsmore family. The center has several programs, including guided hikes, children’s nature programs, a junior ranger program and more.

• The Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, at the base of the trail, offers an introduction to the natural features found in the area.

H E A LT H TO G O

Cheers to successful outcomes: Martha Ahrens enjoys her meals nowadays and no longer forces food down with gulps of hot water from a big, red cup.

T

[

The Big Red Cup. Like a certain credit card, the Ahrens family never left home without it.

A TASTE

Surgery at Memorial Hospital solved Martha Ahrens’ persistent swallowing problems and brought renewed joy to her entire family

FOR LIFE [

This wasn’t the kind of disposable cup that a country-western singer made famous but a nondescript plastic red cup. Over the years, it became as much a part of Martha and Jason Ahrens’ family as their pretty golden retriever named Bella.

Each night when Martha and Jason sat down to dinner in a quest to fill the hearty appetites of their two teenage sons and 10-year-old daughter, there was always a delay before everyone could dig in. No one started to eat until Martha filled the Big Red Cup with water and heated it in the microwave.

For five years—five long years—that darn cup served as a symbol of Marsha’s undiagnosed disorder—an inability to swallow food unless it was forced down with hot water from the Big Red Cup. She sought answers for years until she grew tired of the pursuit.

When the active family headed to the mountains to play in Colorado’s majesty, the Ahrens family packed their car with layers of clothing, proper shoes, plenty of snacks and a giant thermos filled with hot water—and, of course, that most essential Big Red Cup.

Martha decided that living with the Big Red Cup was OK. Those were the cards she was dealt, and the Big Red Cup, even though it represented a diminished quality of life, would be part of her life forever.

Identifying the CulpritMartha noticed she had trouble swallowing in 2008, and it became progressively worse over time. Doctors ordered X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI and a swallow study and gently placed a tiny camera down her throat in hopes of finding a culprit. No luck.

“I decided I’d just chew, chew, chew my food, and I’d fill the Big Red Cup with hot water, drink four or five glasses of water, and wash it down with more hot water,” Martha says.

Spring 2014 | 7

Last fall, though, a friend recommended that she see Dr. Camille Azar, a gastroenterologist in Pueblo. She paid him a visit. When she described her symptoms to him, he said he knew what it was, and he ordered three tests.

Turns out that Martha had a condition known as acha-lasia, which affects one to two people per 200,000 people, mostly adults who are between the ages of 30 and 60. Azar recommended that Martha go to Memorial Hospital in Col-orado Springs to see Dr. Jenifer Marks, a thoracic surgeon who had experience treating patients with achalasia.

Dr. Marks explained that achalasia of the esophagus occurs when the lower esophageal muscle fails to relax. When that happens, food cannot easily move from the esophagus to the stomach. “When it would close, all of the food would push back up and that’s why it felt like I was choking all of the time,” says Martha. “If you pushed and pushed and pushed, it would open just enough to push the food down.

“We talked about the surgery,” she adds, “and Dr. Marks said, ‘How about next week?’ ”

After five long years, Martha was eager for some relief.

Surgical SolutionDuring the surgery, Dr. Marks cut the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and then used a flap from the stomach to protect the underlying mucosa of the esophagus. The muscle is a significant part of the body’s mechanism for preventing reflux, which is caused by acid that comes up from the stomach into the esophagus.

“Effectively, when you cut that muscle, you can give people wide-open reflux,” Dr. Marks explains. “We try to re-create somewhat of a barrier by rolling part of the stomach back over, either in front or behind the esophagus to create a partial wrap that helps serve as a reflux barrier.”

After the three-hour surgery, Martha stayed at Memorial

Dr. Marks often checked in with Martha to make sure she was doing well. “She would call me every week ... sometimes twice a week,” Martha recalls. “She’s awesome.”

Happy days again: The Ahrens crew

8 | Peak L iv ing

Hospital for one night and went home the next day. Dr. Marks put her on a liquid diet for the first few weeks. During those initial weeks after surgery, Dr. Marks often checked in with Martha to make sure that she was doing well.

“She would call me every week—I mean every week, sometimes twice a week, and ask ‘How are you doing? How are things going down? Are you eating OK?’ ” Martha recalls. “She’s awesome. She’s absolutely wonderful.”

After a few weeks, the doctor told Martha to begin eating soft foods—yogurt, applesauce, protein shakes. Before long, she was eating a regular diet. “Dr. Marks told me that I would notice the change immediately,” Martha says. “I was a little nervous because it had been years. Those first bites, I was very scared, tense and nervous, and it went right down. I looked at my husband and said ‘Wow, that’s awesome! It went right down.’ ”

Goodbye, Big Red CupThat Thanksgiving, Martha enjoyed a turkey dinner with her husband and children, Paul, 17; Brandon, 15; and Morgan, 10. They shared all the fixings, the first holiday dinner that she’d been able to enjoy with her family in five years. She thanked Drs. Azar and Marks for giving her an improved quality of life.

Martha’s daughter, Morgan, says that when the family used to go out to a restaurant, her mother didn’t eat. “We can take her places now,” Morgan says. “And, now, when we sit down at dinner, we don’t have to wait for her to microwave her water.”

For her part, Martha says she’s never had so many people tell her how good she looks. “They can tell that I am a completely changed woman.”

Indeed, she is changed. She has her life back and no longer has to fuss over heating hot water in the Big Red Cup.

In celebration of a life improved, the Ahrens family gathered around the Big Red Cup on New Year’s Eve and stuffed it with firecrackers.

With the strike of a match, it was gone.

Spring 2014 | 9

I N F O C U S : T H O R A C I C S U R G E R Y

For You:If you have trouble swallowing, you should see a primary care doctor. Please call Memorial Briargate Primary Care at 719-355-8480, or visit memorialprimarycare.org.

10 | Peak L iv ing

FFour out of five adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. It’s one of the most common reasons that cause people to see a doctor and one of the leading rea-sons why employees call in sick.

This retired National Park Service employee found relief from debilitating pain—thanks to minimally invasive surgery at Memorial

Jean Rodeck, who recently turned 80, is a retired National Park Service employee and suffered for years with back pain. Back in 1979, while tossing an empty sack into the back of her station wagon, she crumbled to the ground in pain. “I couldn’t speak—I felt like I’d been pole-axed in the middle of the back,” says Rodeck.

Like many people, Rodeck managed her pain with exercises that strengthened other areas of her back, compensating for her two herniated discs. Back pain by itself usually goes away with minimal or no treatment, says Dr. Todd Thompson, a neurosurgeon at Memorial Hospital. “Even if the pain lasts a few weeks, rest and over-the-counter medicines can make the pain go away,’’ Dr. Thompson says. “When back pain persists and gets worse over time instead of better, it’s time to see a doctor.”

Rodeck was lucky enough to finish her 42-year career with the Park Service before her pain escalated about six years ago. “This pain got so bad that I could barely walk from one end of this house to the other,” she says from the dining room of her home outside Woodland Park. “I could not stand and talk to someone for more than two or three minutes before I had to sit down. It was just terrible. And I couldn’t walk more than 10 or 15 feet before I had to sit down.”

Trusting a Surgeon’s ExperienceRodeck saw her primary care doctor, who ordered a few tests. She learned that she had spinal ste-nosis, a narrowing of the open spaces within the spine, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Her doctor recommended that she see Dr. Thompson.

BACK IN ACTION

BACK IN ACTION

Now and then: Jean Rodeck can explore the outdoors nowadays, but

before her surgery, she says, “I couldn’t walk more than 10 or 15

feet before I had to sit down.”

12 | Peak L iv ing

I N F O C U S : B A C K A N D S P I N E C A R E

(Below) Neurosurgeon Dr. Todd Thompson, up front and personal and on the job

at Memorial Hospital

When she asked whether Dr. Thompson was a good surgeon, her primary care doctor turned his backside to his patient, lifted his shirt and pulled the waistband on his scrubs down an inch or two, revealing a small scar. “I sat there and roared with laughter,” Rodeck says. “I got the biggest kick out of that. It was neat because my doctor had been operated on by Dr. Thompson, and I’d seen his tidy little results. I just said, ‘OK.’ ”

A graduate of Temple University’s medical school who learned neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Thompson has a warm, affable demeanor. “I didn’t have any fears,” Rodeck says. “I’m really a very practical person. Once I started talking to Dr. Thompson about it, it was just like ‘Oh, I’ll just go have my nails done or something.’ It just seemed as minor as that, even though I knew how major it was going to be.”

When the deed was done, Dr. Thompson had completed the surgery by making a 5-inch incision. As Rodeck wryly observes, “He’s a good seamstress.”

Good Judgment, Better ResultsDr. Thompson says that while most surgeons are technically sound, the most important part of a neurosurgeon’s job is good judgment—to make a good, sound decision about whether surgery is the right remedy for the back pain.

“The question is, ‘When do we perform surgery?’ Making the right decision about who to operate on and what operation to do—and whether surgery is even necessary—is a big determinant of success,’’ he says. “There’s never any reason for a patient to leave Colorado Springs to get state-of-the-art treatment for spine problems, both operative and nonopera-tive. We have a highly skilled team and all of the technology that we need.”

“There’s never any reason for a patient to leave Colorado Springs to get state-of-the-art treatment. ... We have a highly skilled team and all the technology we need.

”Spring 2014 | 13

Dr. Thompson is joined in his office by Drs. John McVicker and Janice Miller. Together, they comprise the neurosciences practice at Memorial Hospital.

Just because a primary care physician recommends that a patient see a neurosurgeon doesn’t always mean surgery. In most cases, doctors try anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and perhaps surgery. “That doesn’t mean that somebody needs to go through all of that,” says Dr. Thompson. “Sometimes, it is very clear cut that those things are not going to help, and the patient just needs surgery,’’ he says. “Most of us surgeons are very well trained, and while surgery is technically demanding, the most important part of surgery comes long before we enter the operating room.”

Minimally Invasive TechniquesIn today’s surgery, patients spend less time under anesthe-sia and have minimal blood loss and quicker recoveries, he adds. “Patients can have better long-term outcomes.”

One of the most important advancements in back and spine surgery has been in the improvement of imaging devices. Preoperative imaging allows doctors greater accu-racy of diagnosis. Memorial Hospital, for instance, recently purchased the O-arm, which allows physicians to have crystal-clear, real-time images during spine surgery to allow for potentially greater accuracy and improved patient care.

During surgery, while a patient is lying on the table, an O-shaped ring surrounds the body and provides precise images to the doctor. In the past, physicians had to rely on older technology that takes longer to produce images and exposes patients to more radiation. The O-arm is used to help doctors during brain surgeries, as well as cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine operations.

Rodeck’s only regret about her surgery is that she didn’t have it sooner. “To be able to stride out and walk and take big steps, oh, my gosh,” she enthuses. “It’s won-derful to be able to get in and out of cars and to get up and down and off of the floor. I can now, because I have the leg strength.”

For You: Call Memorial’s Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, 719-355-7080, if you would like a consultation with Drs. John McVicker, Janice Miller or Todd Thompson. Note: If you have back pain or concerns about back surgery, Dr. Thompson will be available at an event on May 6 to answer any questions. Please visit uchroadtohealth.org for more information.

S O U N D B I T ES

Grilled Chicken and Avocado Quinoa Pilaf

––2 tablespoons fresh or bottled lemon juice¼ cup fresh basil¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided1 avocado, cut into chunks1 tablespoon olive oil, divided¼ teaspoon salt2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)1 large red bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced3 cups water3 teaspoons sodium-free chicken bouillon1½ cups quinoa, dry and uncooked––Heat the grill. Peel and cut avocado into chunks; place in a medium bowl. Mix lemon juice, basil, and ½ tea-spoon black pepper. Drizzle over avocado chunks, toss, and set aside. Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Mix ½ tablespoon olive oil, salt, and remaining black pepper. Brush mixture on chicken and red bell pepper. Grill chicken and pepper until done. Set chicken breasts aside. Cut pepper into thin strips. While chicken and peppers are grilling, heat remaining olive oil in a large pan, add garlic and onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add water, bouillon, and quinoa to pan; bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is cooked (about 15–20 minutes). Place quinoa pilaf in a large bowl and add chicken, red peppers, and avocado. Toss gently.

NutritionMAKES 4 SERVINGS

Calories: 460Total fat: 16 gSaturated fat: 2 gTrans fat: 0 gCholesterol: 45 mgSodium: 240 mgFiber: 25 gProtein: 28 gCarbohydrates: 54 g

14 | Peak L iv ing

Healthy never tasted so good. Bring vivid color and flavor to your table this spring with this satisfying main-course dish. High in protein and fiber, this pilaf incorporates avocado, known for its “good fat” content and richness.

Scan this QR code with your smart-phone to share recipe tips on our Facebook page.

Source: ChooseMyPlate.gov

C O M M U N I T Y C A L E N D A R

EXERCISE AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Create Your WeightDuring these 90-minute classes that run for six consecutive weeks, students will learn how to manage their weight through healthy eating and exercise. Each student will be individually evaluated, and a proper caloric intake will be calcu-lated for meals.Fee: $135

PilatesStretching, strengthening and toning that improve flexibility, balance and posture through a unique system of exercises. Eight classes.Fee: $65

Yoga for Beginners Yoga improves strength and flexibility, helps relieve stress.Fee: $55

Yoga for SeniorsThis class is suitable for seniors or those who prefer gentle yoga. Meets once a week for four weeks. Fee: $50

ZumbaThis dance exercise has global roots: merengue from the Dominican Republic, salsa from Cuba, samba from Brazil with a twist of African tango. Fee: $45

PARENTING

Love & LogicGet practical tips and learn to enjoy parenting using the “C.O.O.L.” formula created by Jim Fay and Foster Cline.Fee: $55

Newborn CareThis two-night class provides hands-on experience in newborn care: diapering, dressing, bathing, soothing techniques and much more.Fee: $45

PRENATAL

Prenatal PilatesGeared to the pregnant woman, this class helps build strength, increase circulation and relaxation, and relieve common aches and pains. Fee: $40

Events SIGN UP NOW: For a complete listing of class dates and times, and to register for classes, please go to our website, memorialhealthsystem.com. Prices, dates and times are subject to change. For information, or to register, call 719-444-CARE (2273).Registration information: Please have your credit card number ready when you call. Payment is required at time of registration. If you are unable to attend a class, we require a seven-day notice for a refund. Cancellation policy: We reserve the right to cancel any program for lack of partici-pation or inclement weather. In such cases, a full credit will be applied toward another class.

Save the Date!

Boot Camp for New DadsNew dads and dads-to-be discuss fatherhood’s joys and responsibilities. Topics include newborn care, balancing work and family, supporting new moms, dealing with relatives, providing safety and preventing child abuse.Fee: $45

DadsBenefit Golf TourneyThe 10th Annual Memorial Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament at Kissing Camels golf course will be Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Shotgun starts at 8 a.m. Lunch and awards will follow at the Garden of the Gods Club.

For more information or to register, contact Crista Muchmore at crista.muchmore@uchealth.org or 719-365-5871.

Relay for LifeDaria Wilbur, a six-year cancer survivor who was treated at Memorial Hospital, will be one of the featured speakers at the Falcon/Peyton Relay for Life event on June 7–8, 2014, at Sand Creek High School.

RELAY

Relay for Life raises money in support of cancer research. To join the Relay for Life of Falcon/Peyton, visit falconpeytonrelay.org.

Spring 2014 | 15

At Memorial Hospital’s Mary Lou BeshearsBreast Care Center, no mammogram is routine.Every mammogram is a life.

Our team of specialized breast radiologists reads every mammogram, every time. Their expertise resultsin earlier detection—which could save your life.

To schedule your mammogram at the Mary LouBeshears Breast Care Center, call 719-623-7968or visit memorialbreastcenter.org.

Your health is too important to be routine.

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO

PERMIT NO. 303

1400 E. Boulder St.Colorado Springs, CO 80909