t h r i v e

BioInnovation Institute launched – page 8

Girl’s night – page 11

Summa offers latest in imaging for patients – page 13

for every season of your life

A Publication of Summa Health System Spring 2009

RARE RepairSumma cures Anthony Tsikouris of malignant bone tumors. – pages 5 to 7

fit

1 thrive spring 2009

Thrive is an exclusive publication for friends, patients, members and volunteers of Summa Health System and is published quarterly by the Summa Corporate Communications Department. Summa Health System is one of the largest organized health systems in Ohio and includes Akron City, St. Thomas, Cuyahoga Falls General, Barberton and Wadsworth-Rittman hospitals, and affiliate Robinson Memorial; multiple community health centers; SummaCare Health Plan; the Summa Enterprise Group; Summa Health Network; the Summa Foundation and medical education and research. Summa’s clinical services continue to be nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Money magazine.

PRESIdEnT And CHIEF ExECUTIVE OFFICERThomas J. Strauss

VICE PRESIdEnT, PlAnnInG And CORPORATE SUPPORTPatrice S. Lange

SYSTEM dIRECTOR OF MARKETInG And COMMUnICATIOnSCarl Aquila

EdITORLisa Metro

THRIVE EdITORIAl TEAMMike BernsteinKathy BezbatchenkoJennifer FarquharKimberly HolmDani McCannAnne MerchantAllison PetitSarah SteidlJim SteinJulie UeharaSamantha WilliamsBeth Winter

The information in Thrive is provided by Summa Health System to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information should not be considered medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used as a substitute for a physician consultation.If you do not receive Thrive at your home and would like to subscribe, please call (800) 23-SUMMA. If you have a question or comment about Thrive, please send us an e-mail at thrive@summa-health.org.

The relationship between hospitals and the regions they serve is vital.

guided by our mission to provide the high-est quality, compassionate care to our patients and members and to contribute to a healthier community, summa health system embraces pro-grams and services that help every member of our community. in this issue of Thrive, you will meet several people who have experienced some aspect of those services.

our cover story is about anthony tsikouris, a husband, father and small business owner. as such, tsikouris is a man of responsibility. Diagnosed early in life with a hereditary bone disorder, he has always understood the importance of compassionate and comprehen-sive medical care. When tsikouris was diagnosed with a malignant tumor, he was quickly referred to summa’s scott Weiner, m.D. a well-known and highly-regarded orthopaedic oncologist, Dr. Weiner performed the neces-sary surgery and tsikouris is now back to work – and back to his life.

When a patient is completely pleased with all aspects of the treatment they received at one of summa’s hospitals, only then do we feel we have achieved success. our primary goal is to create raving fans of the patients and members we serve.

We are dedicated not only to healing, but also to the advancement of medicine. technology plays a fundamental role in patient care and recovery. cutting edge technology results in more efficient diagnosis and faster healing. You can read more about the latest in imaging tools available at summa health system in this issue of Thrive.

at summa health system our charge is to care for the community and improve the health status of those we serve. each year, we touch hundreds of thousands of people. With each success, we are able to change lives and continuously improve care.

that’s part of what makes our region thrive.

in good health,

Welcome toThrive

thomas J. strausspresident and ceosumma health system

thrive spring 2009 2

Make a difference in the life of someone you care about

this year’s american cancer society relay for Life will take place beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, June 19 through noon, saturday, June 20 at copley high school.

proceeds from the event will be used to support cancer research and local cancer programs. please join us for this worthy cause by lac-ing up your shoes and participating on a summa health system team! or, if you cannot attend the event, please consider supporting some-one who will be participating.

to join summa’s team or for more information about this year’s event, please call marlo schmidt, coordinator, cancer outreach/education at (330) 375-6375. n

Bariatric Care Center celebrates weight loss success in fashion

Bariatric Care Center urges you to reclaim your life!

Men Who Cook heats up on May 1st

save the date! the summa Foundation is hosting its 9th annual men Who cook compe-tition on Friday, may 1, 2009. some of akron’s top amateur chefs will be baking, grilling and sautéing the night away in an attempt to impress an all-female panel for the judge’s choice award, best entrée, best dessert and the coveted people’s choice award.

For more in format ion or to purchase tickets, please call the summa Founda t ion at (330) 375-3159. n

Summahappenings

if you are ready to reclaim your life, then do it in style! summa’s surgical weight loss program is accredited by the american society for metabolic and Bariatric surgery. Join us on saturday, april 4, for a free seminar on featuring a pre-sentation by one of our minimally invasive surgeons, followed by a

reception and fashion show. the fashion show will feature Bariatric care center patients and their post surgical success. For more information and to register for the seminar and Fashion show, or for questions about minimally invasive weight loss surgery at summa call (330) 375-6590. n

Join the Bariatric care center team for a free public education seminar about weight loss surgery to learn how you can reclaim your life! summa’s surgical weight loss program offers cutting edge surgical expertise via two fellowship-trained surgeons who have performed more than 700 weight loss surgeries. careful patient evaluation, a standardized approach to surgery and postoperative care, long-term follow-up and

support, and the compassion and personalized care you deserve are the hallmarks of our program at summa’s akron city hospital. Visit us online at www.summahealth.org/weightloss for a complete schedule of seminars. seminars are located at akron city hospital in the basement poDs (55 arch street). call summa’s Bariatric care center today at (330) 375-6590 to reserve your seat. n

Summa Health System and Northeast Ohio Medical Service Organization break ground on new health center at Lake Medina

SummatodayLeadership from summa health

system and northeast ohio medical service organization (neomso) broke ground on the new health center at Lake medina on monday, november

17, 2008. the center will offer comprehensive outpatient services, a physician medical office building and an ambulatory surgery center. on-site diagnostics capabilities will include: radiology, mammography,

cat scan, mri, ultrasound, bone density testing, physical and occu-pational therapy and lab services. the center also will include com-prehensive radiation and medical oncology services. n

Pictured from left to right: Bob Harrigan, President of Summa Hospitals, Unhee Kim, System Vice President of Service Lines and Ancillary Services, James McIlvaine, Chairman of Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Board of Directors, Dr. Michael Frank, Chairman of Barberton Hospital Board of

Directors, Tom Knoll, Chairman of the Summa Health System Board of Directors, Tony Manna, Signet, Tom Strauss, President and CEO of Summa Health System, Dr. John Surso, President of Northeast Ohio Medical Service Organization, Dr. T. Clifford Deveny, President of Summa Physicians, Inc.,

Dr. Patrick Naples, Summa Physicians, Inc., Dr. Warren Rose, Summa Physicians, Inc., Dr. Tom Chi, Ohio Eye Care Consultants and Tom Debord, Regional Chief Operating Officer of Barberton and Wadsworth-Rittman Hospitals.

3 thrive spring 2009

thrive spring 2009 4

Patient Safety Week at Summa

Summa hosted Great American Smoke-Out event during Lung Cancer Awareness Month

in march, summa health system recognizes patient safety awareness Week. this week is observed nationally in order to educate and build awareness of the importance of patient safety as well as to empower patients to take an active role in their health care.

summa encourages you to follow these suggestions to help make your healthcare experience a safer one for you and your family:

Become a more informed •healthcare consumer.

participate in all aspects of •your care. Work with your

doctor and other healthcare professionals as a team.

Follow the treatment plan •agreed upon by you and your doctor.

involve a family member or •friend in your care.

keep track of your medical his-•tory and medication, and know how to take them.

make sure your vaccinations are •up to date.

clean out your medicine cabi-•net every year to get rid of expired medications.

understand infection preven-•tion. to prevent the spread of infection for you and your healthcare provider, wash your hands and cover your cough.

pay attention to your surround-•ings to help prevent falls.

if you are in the hospital, make •sure the staff checks your iD band before administering med-ications or taking you for a test or procedure.

all of these issues combine to pro-vide you with the safest healthcare experience possible. remember to ask questions, listen and always to be informed about your care. n

summa health system’s akron city hospital held an american cancer society great american smoke-out event for the commu-nity on nov. 20 at the Jean and milton cooper cancer center.

held during lung cancer aware-ness month, more than 200 employees, patients and commu-nity members attended the event to not only learn about ways to become smoke free but also how to keep off those pesky 10 pounds for good and live a healthier life. there were giveaways, raffle prizes and vendors passing out anti-smoking material and weight loss and nutrition tips from the summa Wellness institute. n

5 thrive spring 2009

“Every man is the builder of a temple, called his body… We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones.”

- Henry David Thoreau

anthony s. tsikouris is no strang-er to adversity. For most of his life, he has battled a rare genetic medi-cal condition – multiple hereditary exostoses (mhe) – an inherited bone disorder that is characterized by the growth of benign bone tumors. the tumors usually stop developing once the child reach-es maturity (or when their bones stop growing). But in some rare occasions, the benign tumors can become malignant – a condition referred to as chondrosarcoma.

tsikouris was diagnosed with mhe as a small child and was first treated for his condition in his early teenage years. although a rare condition, mhe runs in tsikouris’ family, affecting his paternal grand-

mother, father, brother, sister, two uncles, several cousins, and most recently, his daughter as well. as a young teenager, tsikouris under-went multiple surgeries to remove bone growths in both of his legs, as well as his right arm, wrist and elbow.

“growing up, i didn’t have full use of my right arm, which made some sports difficult for me,” said tsikouris. “For instance, i couldn’t swing a bat very well because i couldn’t completely straighten my arm. so, my father helped me find other hobbies to occupy my time. this is how i gained an interest in tools and hardware. i spent lots of time repairing things that needed to be fixed.”

as with most cases of mhe, tsikouris’ symptoms ceased once he matured and he went on with his life.

now 36, tsikouris lives in campbell, ohio with his wife ruth and three-and-a half year old daughter nicolette. he has owned and operated a hardware store there for the last 15 years. When not at the store, he invests his time in his family and friends and is an avid fisherman.

in november 2007, tsikouris was installing some roofing on a building he owns and began to experience shortness of breath and chest pain. having a family his-tory of heart disease, he decided to schedule an appointment with his

Repairs u m m a c u r e s a n t h o n Y t s i k o u r i s o F

m a L i g n a n t B o n e t u m o r s .

KIMBERLy HOLM

RARE

primary care physician. there, he learned that the source of his pain was not from his heart, but rather from a large tumor on his pelvis that was putting pressure on his left lung.

tsikouris was referred to Dr. James pantelakis, a Youngstown-area orthopaedic surgeon who ordered an mri and a ct scan. Based on the results, Dr. pantelakis recommended that tsikouris follow up with Dr. scott Weiner, chairman of the Department of orthopaedics at summa’s akron city and st. thomas hospitals, who

is well known in the region as an expert in orthopaedic oncology.

“Dr. pantelakis was

quite confident that Dr. Weiner would be the best physician to treat and manage my condition, so i scheduled an appointment,” said tsikouris. “prior to my diagnosis, no one in my family was really aware that there was a real possibility that these

thrive spring 2009 6

Repair

“Dr. Weiner and Dr. Cullado, along

with all of their staff , were also very helpful,

understanding, patient and compassionate.”

ANTHONy TSIKOURIS

Thanks to the care he received at Summa, Anthony Tsikouris is back to work and spending quality time with his daughter Nicolette and wife Ruth.

7 thrive spring 2009

bone growths could become malig-nant tumors so this was a bit of a surprise to us.”

tsikouris visited Dr. Weiner in mid-november. there, Dr. Weiner confirmed that tsikouris’ tumor was malignant and needed to be removed.

“i had a lot going through my mind at this time. Would i be okay? Would i ever recover fully? as a self-employed business owner, would my store continue to thrive while i recovered at home?” recalled tsikouris. “i was used to being very active and was told that after surgery, i wouldn’t be able to lift more than a gallon of milk for several months. after finding out about the tumor, i got as much in order as i was able to and sched-uled the surgery.”

on December 21, 2007 tsikouris underwent surgery. With the help of Dr. Weiner and general surgeon Dr. michael cullado, tsikouris’ tumor was chipped away from his pelvic

bone and mesh was inserted to pre-vent a possible hernia. he required no chemo or radiation therapy but has had mri and ct scans since his surgery to make sure that there was no further growth. on september 9, 2008, Dr. Weiner declared tsikouris to be cancer-free.

“comparing summa to other local healthcare systems, we were pleased,” said tsikouris. “the staff in the hospital was very helpful and compassionate, especially during the christmas holiday, when i’m sure they want-ed to be at home

just as much as i did. Dr. Weiner and Dr. cullado, along with all of their staff, were also very helpful, understanding, patient and compassionate.”

tsikouris has gradually returned to his regular activities and tries to make the most of every moment he has. “i learned to pay a little more attention to my body,” he said. “But i still try to be as active as possible. i realized that life brings things about unexpectedly and that you should always be prepared to make the most of every day you have. i tell everyone to live life to its fullest. Don’t let it bring you down and make the most of what you have. i feel fortunate because i know that there is always someone worse off than me.” n

“I realized that life brings things about unexpectedly

and that you should always be prepared to make the

most of every day you have.”ANTHONy TSIKOURIS

About Summa Health System’s Orthopaedic and Cancer Services

summa health system’s orthopaedic services are renowned for innovation and excellence, from trauma treatment and oncology to joint replacements, rehab and sports health. in fact, U.S. News & World Report has recognized summa’s

akron city and st. thomas hospitals for 11 consecutive years as one of the nation’s top 50 orthopaedic programs.From diagnosis to treatment, summa health system provides a comprehensive list of cancer services to meet the unique needs of each patient. services are available on the akron city hospital campus at the Jean and milton cooper cancer center,

Barberton hospital’s parkview center, and robinson memorial hospital. all three programs are accredited by the american collage of surgeon’s commission on cancer.

the programs are led by a multidisciplinary team of specialists skilled in the areas of hematology oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology. this team works with certified oncology nurses, phar-

macists, social workers, physical therapists and others to develop a customized plan of care for each patient, ensuring the most effective and efficient treatment possible. summa also participates in national cancer research studies, bringing the most advanced treatments and latest pharma-ceuticals to akron.

thrive spring 2009 8

Fueled by a grant from the John s. and James L. knight Foundation, five leading medical and educational institutions have joined together to create the Bioinnovation institute in akron – a unique collaboration that will expand upon the region’s rich legacy in industrial and mate-rials science to pioneer the next generation of life-enhancing and life-saving innovation for the 21st century.

Founders of the Bioinnovation institute include summa health system, akron children’s hospital, akron general health system, northeastern ohio universities colleges of medicine and pharmacy (neoucom) and the university of akron.

“akron’s assets in research, devel-opment and manufacturing already position the region to serve as a world leader in biomaterial and medical device development,” said summa health system president and ceo tom strauss. “What the Bioinnovation institute will do is take the best of clinical medicine and research physicians at the three hospitals combined with biomateri-als scientists at neoucom and the university of akron to com-mercialize and shape the future of science and medicine.”

the goals of the Bioinnovation institute include:

creating a nationally distinc-•tive center of excellence at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine

translating leading edge •research into life-saving medi-cal devices

improving the health of the •community

rapidly growing annual bio- •materials-related research fund-ing across the partners

increasing investment by •national firms into regional biomedical start-ups and com-panies

increasing employment oppor-•tunities for those educated locally and drawing talent from around the globe

adding thousands of new jobs •in the region by 2018

institute to comBine phYsicaL anD VirtuaL centers oF exceLLence

the Bioinnovation institute in akron will employ a number of physical and virtual entities as its partners collaborate in the coming months and years. these entities

will be located in akron and will likely include:

The Orthopedic Research •Institute of Northeastern Ohio

The Center for Biomaterials •and Medicine – a research facility to be located on the campus of the university of akron

a • Center for Health Care Training, which will also include educational and office facilities for neoucom

a • Medical Device Concept Laboratory

A Center for Clinical Trials•

a nationwide search has begun for an executive director who, with a board of directors that will include the founding partners and other national and global biomaterials and medical experts, will lead the Bioinnovation institute. aram nerpouni, vice presi-dent of the regional biomedical busi-ness accelerator Bioenterprise, will serve as interim director during the search. Faculty members will include researchers, physicians, and educators from the partner organizations. n

BioInnovation Institute launchedcoLLaBoratiVe partnership to Focus on BiomateriaLs anD meDicaL DeVices.

9 thrive spring 2009

QWhat is orthopaedic oncology?SCOTT WEINER, M.D.: orthopaedic oncology is the management of tumors affecting the musculo-skeletal system, which includes the body’s bones and soft tis-sues such as muscles, tendons and nerves. these tumors can start in the bone and be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) or they can start in other organs and spread (metastasize) to the bone. the american cancer society (acs) estimates that in 2008, approxi-mately 2,380 new cases of bone and joint cancer and 10,390 new soft tissue cancers will be diagnosed in the united states.metastatic bone disease occurs when cancer cells spread from another tumor site such as the breast, lung, kidneys or pros-tate into the bone. this is what many people think of when they hear the term “bone cancer,” but in fact, it’s very different than the cancer that starts in the bone. these tumor cells have broken away from the primary site and have settled and are growing in the bone. according to the american academy of orthopaedic surgeons, more than 1.2 million new cancer cases are diagnosed each year and approximately 50 percent of these tumors can spread or metastasize to the skeleton.

QWhat are the treatment options?SCOTT WEINER, M.D.: if a tumor is benign, we can surgically remove it. if it’s a malignant tumor (called a sarcoma), we will work with the medical oncolo-gists and radiation oncologists at summa health system’s Jean and milton cooper cancer center to deliver chemotherapy or radiation therapy. cancers of the bone and soft tissues, although rare, are often curable.in contrast, the goal of treat-ing cancer that has metasta-sized to the bone, which usu-ally includes chemotherapy, is to control the pain and improve mobility. treating this form of cancer depends on several fac-tors including the initial type of cancer and where it has spread. since bone metastasis often weakens the bone, treat-ments may be administered to strengthen and reduce pain in the bone, such as radiation ther-apy, medication and surgery.

Qare there any preemptive steps i can take?SCOTT WEINER, M.D.: tell your doc-tor if you have any severe pain in your bones – the kind that wakes you up at night and is not related to any physical activity. also tell your doctor if you have an enlarging hard mass in your arms or legs.

since it’s common for cancer to spread to the bone, early detec-tion of the original tumor is cru-cial. For women, make sure to get your regular mammograms, perform self exams and receive clinical exams by a healthcare provider. For men, remember to get your regular prostate specific antigen screening. if a cancerous tumor is found and treated early, the chance of it spreading to the bones is greatly reduced.

QWhat does summa offer? SCOTT WEINER, M.D.: since tumors of the bone and soft tissue are so rare, there are very few physicians like me who have completed additional training in orthopae-dic oncology. i see patients from across the region because of the combined talents and expertise of the orthopaedics and oncolo-gy teams here at summa health system. our multi-disciplinary team of nurses, surgeons and medical and radiation oncolo-gists from across the system com-prise our specialized orthopaedic oncology center that can handle rare cases, provide compassionate and personalized care and obtain excellent treatment results. n

Q&a with Dr. Weiner

askSummaUnderstanding orthopaedic oncology

SCOTT WEINER, M.D., IS THE CHAIR OF SUMMA HEALTH SySTEM’S DEPARTMENT OF ORTHO- PAEDICS AT AKRON CITy AND ST. THOMAS HOSPITALS AND ONE OF THE ONLy ORTHO-PAEDIC ONCOLOGy ExPERTS IN THE REGION.

thrive spring 2009 10

post traumatic stress Disorder (ptsD) is a topic many have become familiar with due to the stories of men and women serv-ing in military combat that have become afflicted with this illness. But, ptsD is not unique to war trauma. this disorder can result after someone experiences or wit-nesses one or more traumatic events, including war/combat but also sexual or physical assaults, domestic violence, motor vehicle accidents, terrorism, and natural disasters.

“Fortunately, many people who experience traumatic events do not develop chronic ptsD,” patrick palmieri, phD, Director of the summa health system-kent state university center for the treatment and study of traumatic stress said. “even so, ptsD is still a substantial public health concern, as it is thought that between five to 10 percent of the general population will meet crite-ria for ptsD in their lifetime.”

the summa-kent state center for the treatment and study of traumatic stress not only provides proven treatments to those who are experiencing post traumatic stress, it conducts groundbreak-

ing research on various aspects of trauma and ptsD. one of its main goals is to study what factors and experiences are influential in increasing the risk of developing ptsD. most notably, summa and kent state were awarded a $2.25 million grant from the national institute of mental health to study the psychological effects of terror-ism and war and the factors that increase or decrease the risk of developing ptsD.

For example, in many settings the rates of ptsD are higher in women than men. “one reason is that women are more likely to experience the types of traumas, such as sexual assault, that are more likely to lead to ptsD,” Dr. palmieri said. there also is a corre-lation between trauma severity and ptsD; for example, a car accident involving fatalities appears to be more likely to result in ptsD in the survivors than a car accident involving only minor injuries. he added, “on the other hand, there are protective factors, such as a strong social support network, that help lower the risk of develop-ing ptsD following a traumatic experience.”

treatment of ptsD is anoth-er area of active grant-funded research. one series of studies involves the development and vali-dation of a new ptsD intervention for women who have experienced domestic violence and are living in battered women’s shelters. this treatment includes post-shelter safety planning, effective use of community resources to promote independence, coping and inter-personal skills training, and other cognitive-behavioral strategies.

other center research investi-gates how trauma-related sleep problems can affect physical health and examines the effectiveness of ptsD treatments for individuals with different trauma histories and co-occurring mental health prob-lems such as depression and sub-stance abuse.

trauma affects different people in different ways. the summa-kent state center for the treatment and study of traumatic stress, through its pioneering research and treat-ments, is advancing knowledge about the cognitive and behavior-al responses triggered by horrible events and helping trauma survivors overcome post traumatic stress. n

A look at post traumatic stressDANI McCANN

summa proViDes grounD Breaking treatment anD research

PTSD Symptoms: traumatic life events may have vari-ous long-term impacts. For those who suffer from ptsD, symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, recurrent nightmares, or flashbacks about a traumatic experience; feeling emotionally numb or distant to loved ones; excessive arousal, experienced as difficulty sleeping, increased irritability or anger, trouble concentrating, exag-gerated startle reactions, or always

feeling jumpy or on alert for danger; and avoidance of thoughts, people, and activities that are reminders of a traumatic experience.Dr. palmieri noted, “people often think of avoidance as being a good coping strategy, and it is when what’s being avoided is a true threat or danger of some kind; however, when avoidance behavior spreads to safe, non-threatening situations that are

important parts of daily life, it impairs functioning and reduces quality of life. Fortunately, effective treatments exist for such avoidance and other aspects of ptsD.”For more information regarding treatment options for trauma-related problems or to learn more about cur-rent trauma research projects, please call (330) 379-5094.

11 thrive spring 2009

it was like any makeup party. the lipstick. the blush. the laughter.

But Diane trautman of kent was nervous. she was just starting breast cancer treatment and didn’t want to think about losing her hair or her face becoming blotchy.

nevertheless, trautman found the nerve to attend a “Look good…Feel Better” class at robinson memorial hospital in ravenna. the american cancer society pro-gram teaches women undergoing treatment how to moisturize, apply color to the face and create artificial brows and lashes.

“Being told you have cancer is scary,” trautman said. “one minute you think you’re dealing with it, and the next minute you’re falling apart. putting on makeup and a smile is the hardest part.”

on the way to the program, trautman noticed a woman in the elevator wearing a pink turban.

“it only took a few minutes to see that she was as alone and fright-ened as i was,” trautman said. the two sat next to each other and formed an instant bond.

“Look good…Feel Better” is designed to help women with the physical and emotional hurdle of cancer diagnosis and treatment. it’s part makeup instruction, part support group.

“it’s a makeover for the face, but also for the soul,” said facilitator cathy malmfeldt, a

clerical technician at robinson. “i love making the women feel like this is their special night.”

robinson’s facilitators, malmfeldt and marijo Fizet, were recently certified by the american cancer society to help establish the pro-gram at other sites. Fizet is herself a breast cancer survivor and a patient care assistant at robinson.

“When you put the women all together in one room, there’s an instant connection,” Fizet said. “they laugh. they cry. they don’t want to go home.”

as they experimented with the makeup, trautman and others became fast friends, exchanging phone numbers and promising to

support each other.“You felt a lot of love and under-

standing in that room,” she said. “You find that you’re not alone. that you aren’t the only one.”

the women also had a ball exper-imenting with different wigs.

“there was so much laughter in the room as we became blondes, brunettes and redheads,” trautman remembers. “some went short and sassy, some went long and sexy. the most amazing thing that hap-pened was to see the women come to life when they found the wig that made them feel whole again.”

trautman is cancer-free now and said she will never forget the cour-age the other women gave her. n

Diane Trautman applies makeup from her “Look Good…Feel Better” kit. She experienced a physical and emotional transformation during the class at

Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Photo by Larry Lawrence.

GIRL’S NIGHTJENNIFER FARQUHAR

a makeoVer For the souL

thrive spring 2009 12

according to the american heart association, a healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons in your fight against heart disease. using up at least as many calories as you take in, eating a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups, eating less of nutrient poor foods and not smoking are all important steps that will keep you and your heart healthy.

“a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol has been shown to help prevent heart disease,” said summa dietitian rella rotondo, rD, LD. “Just by making a few easy dietary modifications, a person can make a significant impact on their heart health.”

Choose dairy products made with skim or 1. one percent milk. skim milk contains only a trace of fat in an eight ounce serving while two percent milk contains five grams of fat, which is equal to a teaspoon of butter.

Increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.2. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and contain many vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables also contain fiber and certain fibers have been shown to help lower cholesterol. a healthy diet should include at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables in total per day.

3. Replace white bread and sugary cereals with products made from whole wheat. choose whole wheat bread that has at least two grams of fiber per slice. Look for cereals containing at least four grams of fiber per serving. another tip is to try whole wheat pasta and brown rice.

4. Choose lean meats and poultry without the skin and consume fish at least two times per week. high fat fish such as wild salmon, her-ring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and albacore tuna contain omega-3 fats, which have been shown to have numerous heart health-benefits. prepare meats, fish and poultry by baking, broil-ing, grilling or sautéing. avoid deep fat frying.

Limit added fats5. such as margarine, but-ter, sour cream, salad dressing, cooking oils,

mayonnaise and tartar sauce. choose heart-healthy fats like soft tub margarine with no trans fats; or use olive oil and canola oil, low fat or fat free sour cream, salad dressing and mayonnaise.

“these mushroom quesadillas are a great example of a flavorful heart healthy recipe,” said rella. “using whole wheat tortillas is an easy way to increase the fiber in your diet, and the sautéed onions and mush-rooms are delicious combined with your favorite low fat cheese. experiment with a variety of sau-téed vegetables to create your own special quesa-dilla recipe. Your family and friends will be impressed that a low fat recipe can taste so great! enjoy!” n...

Mushroom Quesadillas (from the American Heart Association)Makes six servings, two wedges per serving; 79 calories per serving, 1g total fat, .5g saturated fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 5 g protein.

Ingredients: Vegetable oil spray

8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings

1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

3 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortillas

6 tablespoons shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers or low-fat Cheddar cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a large skillet with vegetable oil spray. Cook mushrooms, onion, and garlic in skillet over medium heat until onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cilantro and remove from heat. Arrange one-third of the mushroom mixture on half of one tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over cheese. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 quesadillas total. Bake quesadillas about 5 minutes or until filling is hot and cheese melts. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges. Serve warm — with salsa, if desired.

Nutritious can be deliciousKATHy BEzBATCHENKOanD keep Your heart heaLthY too!

13 thrive spring 2009

at summa health system, patients diagnosed with cancer can rest assured that precise and cut-ting-edge treatment is right in their own backyard.

summa is the only summit county health system to offer BrainLab’s novalis shaped Beam surgery Linear accelerator that pro-vides two treatments, stereotactic radiosurgey and stereotactic radiotherapy. the novalis shaped Beam surgery is a non-invasive, image-guided surgery designed to treat tumors of the brain, spine, lung, head and neck as well as other tumor sites. the novalis treatment unit utilizes exactrac x-ray 6D technology to perform high-resolution x-ray to pinpoint internal tumor sites seconds before treatment and delivers a maximum dose of radiation precisely in the shape of the tumor, utilizing micro multileaf collimators to shape the beam, ultimately reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. this technology is located in summa’s new Jean and milton cooper cancer center.

summa also offers image guided radiation therapy (igrt) to provide patients with focused treatment of cancer cells while protecting the surrounding healthy cells. igrt is used in combination with intensity modulated radiation therapy (imrt) and conventional radiation therapy to treat cancer of the brain, spine, lung, head, neck and prostate.

positron emission tomography (pet) and computed tomography (ct) scans, both standard imaging tools, are used at summa to help physicians diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain dis-orders. pet/ct is a powerful, noninvasive imaging technique that provides an accurate picture of the entire body making it easier for physicians to diagnose, prescribe treatment and track progress.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among american women and summa currently offers advanced technology to our patients with Breast mri scanning capabilities. this is a non-invasive procedure that uses a computer, magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of soft tissues in the body. When used in conjunc-tion with traditional mammogra-phy it provides valuable informa-tion in the detection of breast cancer as well as the extent of the cancer in those people who were recently diagnosed.

“our goal at summa is to provide the most advanced diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy treatments available for our cancer patients,” said Jeanette Doria, Director of summa’s imaging services. “these new options benefit patients more than ever before because they are non-invasive, require minimal recovery time and help our patients get back to their daily lives more quickly.”

the area’s largest center for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, summa’s center for cancer care carries an accreditation with com-mendation by the american college of surgeon’s commission on cancer, a rating summa has maintained since 1975. summa also features a cancer research center, which is among the top in the country for patient enroll-ment into clinical protocols for treat-ment, as well as a radiation oncology program, which has been nationally recognized for excellence in clinical research by the american society of clinical oncology. n

Summa offers latest in imaging for patients ALLISON PETIT

Jean and Milton Cooper Cancer Center

thrive spring 2009 14

on July 4, 2008, nancy Wrobel’s entire life changed.

an avid gardener, she spent that morning tending to her tomato plants. When she finished, she head-ed inside to start a load of laundry and get ready for her Fourth of July celebration.

“When i bent over to pick up the laundry, i collapsed to the floor,” said Wrobel. “i was immediately paralyzed from the waist down.”

Wrobel, a summacare mem-ber and icu nurse at summa st. thomas hospital, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare neu-rological disorder caused by the inflammation across both sides of one segment of the spinal cord.

in the months following that life-altering day in July, Wrobel began intense occupational and physical therapy to regain control over her muscles. During that time, she was contacted by Danese Fisher, her care coordinator at summacare.

summacare’s care coordinators assist members who experience a drastic, health-related change in their abilities. often, as in Wrobel’s case, the change results in a dra-matic lifestyle adjustment.

as her care coordinator, Fisher helped Wrobel accomplish certain tasks that were adding to the stress of her physical circumstances. she also helped prioritize the important things that needed to be done to keep her recovery and life moving forward.

“i tried to take as much off of her plate as i could,” said Fisher.

she helped Wrobel find trans-portation to therapy sessions dur-ing her transition from summa’s home care to outpatient physical therapy. she secured free round-trips to summa cuyahoga Falls general for Wrobel while working to expedite the process of receiving a metro scat pass.

Fisher also provided a shoulder

to cry on. “i’m a private person and usu-

ally keep my emotions close to my vest,” said Wrobel. “But Danese has been there to listen to me cry.”

Fisher also assisted Wrobel in determining how to best utilize her health benefits to maximize her care. they worked together to determine the best schedule for her therapy sessions, as well as the right exercises to do between visits.

as Wrobel continues her therapy, she knows that her summacare care coordinator continues to have her best interest in mind.

“she has even helped me get my mail delivered to my back door where i can get to it,” said Wrobel. “that’s something i never would have thought possible.”

For information about SummaCare’s Health & Wellness Services, including the Case Management program, please call (330) 996-8931. n

SummaCare Care Coordinators make a difference for patients SARAH STEIDL

A few of SummaCare’s Care Coordinators pause for a picture. Left to right: Pam Massoli, Danese Fisher, Cindy Nordland, Joy Conway, Patty Harvey, Judy Thompson, Deb Clem

nurses proViDe one-on-one assistance to memBers in neeD

summacare’s case management program assists members diagnosed with complex health problems. a summacare nurse, called a care coordinator, monitors members’ clinical care, assists with transitions between hospital and home or other care settings and helps the member access needed health and support services. in many cases, summacare care coordinators provide support to members’ physicians by remaining in contact with them to let them know what’s going on with their patients.

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Caregiver Support GroupAre you helping care for an aging, ill or dis-abled adult family member or friend on a regular basis? Bring your lunch and join Summa Health System’s Senior Health Services caregiver support group where you can share your own experiences and learn from others. Beverages provided. For more information, call (330) 379-5017.

Akron City Hospital Campus Joan H. Michelson Women’s Resource Center 95 Arch Street, Suite 175, Akron Every 2nd Wednesday of the month Noon to 1 p.m.

Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation ExerciseThis is a supervised exercise program targeted to those individuals and supporting members (spouse, family, friend) who have suffered a cardiac event and have completed a Phase II program. This program is hosted at the Natatorium Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. A signed release by your physician is required. Cost is $175 for 3 months or $425 for a year. A couple’s discount is available. To learn more or to join, please call (330) 926-0384.

Summa’s Falling Waters Spa Massage TherapyA professional massage can relieve tension, depres-sion, insomnia and stress. All Summa’s therapists are highly trained, licensed professionals who spe-cialize in many areas of massage therapy. Summa offers massage therapy at its convenient locations on the Akron City Hospital campus in the Health Education Center, 95 Arch Street, Suite 175 and inside the Summa Wellness Institute, Hudson. Gift cards are available for purchase from the cashier’s windows at Akron City Hospital and St. Thomas Hospital, and the Health Education Center. A massage can be purchased or scheduled by Falling Waters Spa at (330) 655-8008.

Fit and Fabulous! ($45 for 8 weeks)Exercise in any form can help reduce the risk of disease and keep your heart healthy. The program includes

strength training, aerobic conditioning and stretching with the use of free weights, resistance bands, balls and steps to promote good posture and a healthy heart. Summa’s experienced instructors will challenge participants of all ages and ability levels to develop strength and fitness.

Akron City Hospital Campus, 95 Arch St., Health Education Center in Suite 175, Akron Monday, March 23, 4:30 or 6 p.m. Monday, May 18, 4:30 or 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, 4:30 or 6 p.m.

Yoga ($50 for 8 weeks)Learn how to connect the mind with the body to relax and get fit through a sequence of yoga poses and deep breathing. The instructor guides the class through rhythmic movements that improve strength and flexibility while clearing the mind and preparing the body for deep relaxation.

Akron City Hospital Campus, 95 Arch St., Health Education Center in Suite 175, Akron Monday, March 23, 7 p.m. Monday, May 18, 7 p.m. Monday, July 20, 7 p.m.

Tai Chi: Meditation in Motion ($50 for 6 weeks)Tai Chi is a soft-style martial art for people of all ages and fitness levels. It helps improve balance, coordination, concentration and flexibility. Learning to move and breathe slowly through a series of specific, fluid movements will improve physical fitness and strengthen the mind. The essential fitness components of strength training, aerobic conditioning and stretching are incorporated in the art and promote good posture and good health.

Akron City Hospital Campus 41 Arch St., School of Nursing Gym, Akron Tuesday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 5:30 p.m.

Summa Health Center at Green 3838 Massillon Rd.

Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 7:30 p.m.

B.U.F.F. — Be Ultimately Fit Forever ($45 for 8 weeks)Losing weight and getting fit will ultimately improve your quality of life. This class will appeal to all ability levels and currently includes Summa seniors and employees who use their lunch hour to get fit! The program includes strength training, aerobic conditioning and stretching with the use of free weights, resistance bands, balls and steps. Guidance on how to incorporate these activities into daily life is provided by a world class trainer and accomplished athlete.

Akron City Hospital Campus, 95 Arch St., Health Education Center in Suite 175, Akron Tuesday, March 17, Noon Tuesday, May 12, Noon Tuesday, July 7, Noon

Personalized Exercise Assessment& Knowledge (PEAK) ProgramDo you have a fitness or weight loss goal but are struggling to get there? If so, this is the program for you! PEAK is an individualized exercise program that consists of a complete physical fitness assessment, a personalized exercise program, and instruction on proper exercise techniques. Located at the Natatorium Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, this tailored program is designed and monitored by an exercise physiologist. Three follow up assessments throughout the year will assess your progress and ultimately get you to your goal! Cost is $225 for a 1 year membership or $125 for a 1x sub-max physi-cal fitness assessment only. Call (330) 926-0384 to schedule your assessment today!

For additional class dates and event information, please visit our event/program calendar at http://www.summahealth.org.

check out these upcoming summa programs!Unless otherwise specified, call Summa Wellness Institute, (330) 342-4400 to register.

Commit to beingfit