March/april 2012

IN THIS ISSUE2 In your words

6 Better medicine with Julie Busch, M.D.

WALKING THE WALK: Follow Ken Young’s lead to a healthier lifepage 4

NEED TO GET FIT?Don’t miss St. Anthony’s ‘Get Fit’ eventpage 8

Turn the page to see what our “in your words” winners have

to say.

Ken Young, Print Shop, walks in Fenton Park with his wife, Elisa.

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in your words

A special thanks to our finalists. Their comments follow:

I have picked up a new hobby this year! I really love to do crafts and scrapbooking. I have a little one and I love to capture and savor all the little milestones and moments that we have together as a family.

April Churchillunit secretary, 7 West

I have been accepted into Saint Louis University to attain my bachelor’s degree in biology, which will get me on my career path to become a physician assistant. It has not been easy and there have been many distractions, but if you keep a positive attitude, you never know where you will end up. Don’t ever give up or sell yourself short. You can do whatever you set your mind to!

Kari Rolestechnical assistant-Lab Support

I recently graduated from Emory University, earning my Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing (CWOCN) certification. To enter this program I first had to finish my bachelor of science in nursing degree, which took

me three years. I have endured two surgeries and the adoption of a second child. School, my four kids, and work are my life, and my kids and family have supported me along this journey. I have three special-needs children. I tell them this is not only my accomplishment: it is theirs. Without them doing extra chores and helping out, it would not have been possible.

Debbie Coleman, R.N., B.S.N.Skin and Wound Assessment Team

Last spring I learned how to ride a motorcycle. I have friends who ride and my son and husband took the motorcycle safety class at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. I rode in the Bikers for Babies ride in October with my friends to support the March of Dimes. It was fun and was the first time I was on the highway on my motorcycle.

Paula Musgrove, RPT Therapy Services, Acute

Rehabilitation Unit

PLEASE TELL US OF ANY GOOD THING YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR LIFE RECENTLY THROUGH SELF-MOTIVATION, PLANNING AND FORTITUDE.

Kara Stackley, M.S.N., R.N., FNP-BCnurse practitioner, St. Anthony’s Medical Group

As of today, I have lost 75 pounds through “clean eating” and the

recent addition of exercise. I use this information as a teaching tool to open the whole weight-loss conversation. I like to share my journey with my patients because it’s a good opportunity to let them know

that I, too, struggle with weight. I have found that it’s a positive way to build people up and teach them that they can do it, too! I start with encouraging one change we can agree on in their attempt to get to a healthy weight. As a health care provider, I have to “walk the walk” if I’m going to “talk the talk.” It’s a great motivational tool for me, too!

THIS MONTH’S WINNER

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‘In your words’ is devoted to you, the caregiver and employee. Watch for questions via the exchange users email. Each issue, four or five finalists are entered into a drawing for a $20 Target gift card, though all are winners!

At the end of 2011 I decided I really needed to start taking more care of myself, so I can take care of others and have fun with the grandkids. I could stand to lose weight and do a few things for me. So the first of the year I started reading meditations for families. I am going to go slow and steady and, if I have an extra cookie, just do the right thing next time and don’t have any.

Sharon SmithBreast Center

My sister, Beth Thornhill (Human Resources), my younger sister and I set a goal to run a half marathon in 2012 in honor of our grandmother, who recently passed away. We will be running our first race Feb. 26 at Disney World.

Michelle SimmondsHR assistant II

I recently completed a post-master’s certificate in Applied Health Informatics through Johns Hopkins University. The program began 11 months prior to our electronic health record phase 2 implementation. Needless to say, things were very busy. Kevin Sprecher and Karen Kennedy were instrumental in helping me to coordinate my work schedule with my classes.

Dee Fouts M.S.N., R.N.inpatient principal trainer

iCare Team

I have recently taken up a new hobby...cake decorating. In November I won first place in a gingerbread house decorating contest at the South County Joann Fabric & Craft Store on Lindbergh Boulevard.

Cynthia SteigerInformation Desk

Problems at home caused quite a bit of stress, anxiety and depression. Thanks to the support of my co-workers and superiors, I was able to contact St. Anthony’s Employee Assistance/Magellan program and get into professional therapy. I also participated in the health coaching program. Through the guidance of my counselors, I began eating right and exercising. I lost a total of 50 pounds so far, and am in a better state mentally both here at work and at home. My family and I have all improved and I am currently enrolled in school working toward my R.N. I wouldn’t have been able to come as far as I have if it wasn’t for the help and support I found through St. Anthony’s. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store!

Melissa BurtnettOperating Room unit secretary

The older I get, the more reflective I become. Life has a way of going full-speed ahead, and we barely notice it. I feel like I am more present in the moment than I was, even five years ago. I look at this

as an accomplishment, as I am more focused in all areas of my life, and I attribute it largely to my spiritual growth in the past couple years. I plan to continue along this path, as it is serving me well.

Barb Quirinadministrative assistant, Therapy

Services

Looking back, it is amazing what I have accomplished in the last year. I completed my master’s degree in nursing, I became certified in ostomy care and I spoke at two international conferences highlighting St. Anthony’s successful implementation of a Wound Treatment Center. I was very fortunate to be a part of starting not only a new ostomy clinic but also a new hyperbaric oxygen treatment center. It has been an exciting and very rewarding year for me both personally and professionally.

Janette Dietzler, M.S.N., R.N., Wound Treatment Center

For the complete list of responses in their entirety, visit the home page of SAMCare.

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wellness

Ken Young, Print Shop, noticed with interest signs for the new walking path around St. Anthony’s campus, beginning at the Heart and Surgical Pavilion, that were posted recently. Some six to eight months before the signs went up, Young used that same route to improve his own health.

Young, who is a borderline diabetic and takes medication to control it, decided to take responsibility for his health. In the last four months alone, he has lost 14 pounds.

“If I lose enough weight, I can get off these pills for good,” he said. Young credits the changes primarily to his walking habit: each day, he moves for a half-

hour to an hour, depending on his schedule. At work, he and Steve Lamping take a couple laps around the medical center on their lunch break, which totals about two miles. At home in South County, Young and his wife, Elisa, enjoy walking to the nearby Meramec River.

“We bond that way,” he explained. “We talk about the kids, and what they’re doing.”Ken and Elisa Young have three children. Two have graduated from Purdue University

in Indiana, and the third is a student at Purdue.On Father’s Day, Young’s kids gave him a pedometer. Young also watches what he eats. Young attended two sessions of Weight Watchers, and

uses the American Diabetes Association Cookbook to help prepare healthy meals. He credits his co-worker, former fitness coordinator Vickie Nesselhauf, with helping to steer him on the right track in his quest for a healthier lifestyle.

“She has really helped me a lot,” he said.

WALKING THE WALK: Young takes fitness goal to healthier ends

Young credits the changes primarily to this walking habit; each day he moves for a half hour to an hour, depending on his schedule.

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Secret to success: “When I get home from work at 2:30 or 3 p.m., I take a nap instead of eating. Then I get up and start doing my ‘husband chores.’”

Weight loss tip: “Cut back (on bread, sugar, other vices). Wean yourself off of it slowly—don’t cut it out entirely. Otherwise, you’ll likely start craving it more and more and you may experience side effects from the withdrawal.”

What are your goals? St. Anthony’s can help!Employees at St. Anthony’s with goals to achieve—whether for weight loss, better health, managing diabetes or for many others—will find a multitude of resources available through St. Anthony’s. “We offer a variety of programs, so there’s something for

everyone, no matter what they’re trying to manage,” said Elizabeth Patton, M.S., RD, LD, CDE, outpatient diabetes and nutrition educator at St. Anthony’s. “When it comes to health, prevention is really the way to go. Whether a person is looking for weight management or to eat healthier, the more you can do proactively, the better.”Education on retirement plans, spiritual wellness and guidance

through Pastoral Care, the Magellan LifeManagement program, exercise classes and massage therapy through the Body, Mind, Spirit Center, Weight Watchers at Work, the Employee Fitness Center, the campus walking path, and outpatient diabetes education and nutrition services are just a few of the resources available to St. Anthony’s employees. For a guide to wellness resources at St. Anthony’s, visit

www.stanthonysmedcenter.com and search for “wellness.” You’ll also find copies in the Benefits office and at the Fitness Center.Support groups and programs include TalkDiabetes,

accessible at www.talk-diabetes.org; “Small Steps to a Healthy

Tomorrow: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes,” a heart-health class, “Let’s Get to the Heart of It,” and many others. For more information or to register, visit www.stanthonysmedcenter.com or phone St. Anthony’s Call Center at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669). In addition, St. Anthony’s diabetes educators, nurses and

dietitians offer one-on-one support through individualized nutrition counseling, a carb-counting workshop, the nutrition and weight-management program A Newtritious You!, and more. For more information or to enroll, call (314) 525-4508.“Our mission and values call us to support the spiritual and

physical needs of those who serve our patients,” said Ann Bollone, vice president of Human Resources. “Your well-being is important—to SAMC and to your friends and family. Take charge now for a healthier tomorrow and you will BE YOUR BEST!”

Ken YoungDepartment: Print ShopAge: 63Years at St. Anthony’s: 13-plus

Excercise and healthy eating habits helped Kara Stackley, St. Anthony’s Medical Group, lose 75 pounds. Don’t miss her story on page 2.

spotlight | march/april 20126

better medicine

SWAPPING OUT OUR BAD HABITS FOR A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE SEEMS LIKE A DAUNTING TASK, DR. BUSCH. HOW DO WE BEGIN?

When it comes to our health, sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be.

If you want to lead a healthier lifestyle, it all starts with one small step at a time. It starts with you making the decision that you want to feel better, become healthier and live longer. Diet is an important component.

Start today—with breakfast. Just like your mother always told you, breakfast still IS the most important meal of the day, so don’t skip it. If you don’t have time to cook or even sit down and eat, make sure you have something to “grab and go” that is low-fat, fiber-rich and nutritional. Pass by the white bread, pastries and gooey breakfast treats. Stick with the high-fiber, low-fat, whole-grain breads, cereals and breakfast bars.

Sugary soft drinks and the popular sweetened teas provide no nutritional value and contribute to weight gain and tooth decay. Drinks laced with caffeine act as a diuretic and, in excessive amounts, can make you nervous and jittery.

Unsweetened tea, particularly green tea, is a better choice. Or, better yet, simply add an extra glass of water to your normal daily intake of fluid.

Daily food choices should include foods in a rainbow of colors—green, orange, red, yellow and white. Don’t fall for diets that focus on one food group and promise quick weight loss. Eating a variety of foods insures a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables, colored in the whole spectrum of the rainbow, are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Meat provides valuable protein, but too much red meat can raise cholesterol levels and clog arteries. Fish, chicken and turkey are better choices.

Dairy products provide essential calcium to keep bones and teeth strong, but many dairy products are too high in fat. Choose skim milk instead of whole and look for low-fat yogurt and cheeses.

Salt generally is over-used and can contribute to high blood pressure. Two grams of salt—one level teaspoonful—is the recommended allowance for a day. This includes all of the salt that occurs naturally in foods, that already has been added to pre-packaged foods and that you add in cooking or at the table.

Small steps can lead to longer, healthier lifeAn interview with Julie Busch, M.D., Kirkwood Family Medicine

You get only one body—take care of it. One small step at a time can lead you to a longer, healthier life.

Julie Busch, M.D.Kirkwood Family Medicine

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WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE? IT’S NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO BEGIN, BUT FOR MANY OF US THE ROUTINE TENDS TO FALL BY THE WAYSIDE AFTER A TIME.

While you might not have a lot of time to devote to a regular daily exercise regime, make it a practice to walk at least one mile a day and add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to your current exercise program. If you don’t exercise at all, begin with a 15-to-30-minute fitness session each day and gradually add a few minutes here and there. It doesn’t have to be a dedicated effort: you can do it by intentionally parking a greater distance from your workplace, the grocery store and other destinations. Your reward will be improved circulation, lowered cholesterol and better heart health. You also will burn a lot of extra calories.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO HELP PREVENT HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEMS UP THE ROAD?

If you are age 50 or older, take one baby aspirin a day to help prevent heart disease and stroke—but only after discussing it with your doctor to be sure it is not contraindicated for you.

And lastly, no matter what age you are, stop smoking. Smoking is a contributor to almost any disease, from heart failure to cancer.

You get only one body—take care of it. One small step at a time can lead you to a longer, healthier life.

A board-certified family medicine specialist since 2002, Dr. Julie Busch has a practice at Kirkwood Family and Internal Medicine, 10296 Big Bend Blvd. Dr. Busch focuses on keeping her patients healthy. She sees patients of all ages. She grew up in Kirkwood and now lives in Glendale with her husband and two children. To keep healthy, she runs about three miles a day.

Need a physician?Did you know that our co-workers in the St. Anthony’s Physician Organization (SAPO) staff 25 board-certified medical practices, including 14 primary care physician practices and 11 specialty physician practices? Find a caregiver today in your neighborhood. To schedule an appointment, call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669).

head

Need to get fit?Mark the date: Saturday, March 10

Spotlight is published every other month by the Marketing department at St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

Editor: Robbi Courtaway, ext. 6894Graphic design/photography/layout: Kevin McDaniel, ext. 6897

Need to lose weight, improve your diet or find a doctor? Then be sure to attend St. Anthony’s inaugural “Get Fit South County” event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Lindbergh High School, 5000 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

“This will be the first year that St. Anthony’s will offer ‘Get Fit South County!’ for the community, and we hope to make it a signature community health event each year,” said Katie Rayfield, community outreach coordinator at St. Anthony’s. “We believe the residents of our community have the desire to get healthy and fit, but may not know where to start or how to access the best support system for their personal fitness goals and needs. That is why we are bringing together the best fitness resources our community has to offer, together, for one day under one roof.”

In addition to St. Anthony’s own health care experts and resources, a variety of community health and fitness experts and fun exhibits will be available. They include Curves, South County YMCA, Trader Joe’s, All N 1 Fitness, Logan Chiropractic Health Centers, Premier Care Orthopedics, Fleet Feet, Ellipse Fitness St. Louis, Best Body Fitness, Tower Tee Golf, Premier Pilates and more.

Free screenings will be offered for blood pressure, body

mass index, height/weight and more; and patrons will learn about new Get Fit! Online tools to help you set and track your own goals and benefit from cool health tips.

An “Ask the Doctor” booth, staffed by doctors from St. Anthony’s Physician Organization (SAPO) ; interactive demonstrations on better nutrition, exercise or lifestyle; and refreshments, prizes and more will be offered. Participants will receive a complimentary tote bag filled with surprises.

The event is free, but advance registration is required. Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) today to register, as space is limited. To learn more about the event, visit www.stanthonysmedcenter.com/getfit.

“St. Anthony’s is at the heart of health care in South County, and we feel it is our duty to provide preventative education and help those in the community locate the resources necessary to help them live a healthier life,” Rayfield said. “We hope to encourage and inspire our residents to make the lifestyle changes necessary for healthier, happier lives.”

How are we doing? Please let us knowA little more than one year ago, based on feedback from previous surveys and employee advisory committees, we revised our delivery of employee news. The old, eight-page, weekly Spotlight newsletter was replaced with a Web-based, two-page weekly newsletter, St. Anthony’s This Week; and the every-other-month, print feature publication you’re reading today, Spotlight magazine.Readers of This Week weighed in on a recent survey: now, we’d like your opinion of the new Spotlight magazine. Please

take five minutes to complete a confidential survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9YRVPBX. Respondents who include their email addresses will be entered to win a $25 Target gift card.

Start today: http://stlgetfit.org