July 2011 News for Physicians affiliated with Munson Medical Center

m u n s o n m e d i c a l c e n t e r

Page 1 | MedNews | July 2011

Munson Medical Center’s Board of Trustees has hired the Grand Rapids architectural firm URS and Southfield construction management firm Barton Malow to look at the feasibility of a new patient tower and cancer center north of Sixth Street on the hospital campus.

Architects from URS have designed many healthcare projects in Michigan and are ranked as one of the top 25 healthcare design firms in the nation. Barton Malow worked on the Emergency Department project and several prominent health care projects in Michigan.

Munson Healthcare and Munson Medical Center

President and CEO Ed Ness said hiring the firms is a pre-liminary step toward possible construction and flows out of the hospital’s updated master facility plan.

Munson Medical Center uses a master facility plan to guide campus development. This is a “big picture document” that is

updated from time-to-time.

The plan looks five to 10 years into the future and was developed to sensibly plan for the facilities, technology, physicians, and staff that will be needed to accommodate growth and ensure Munson Medical Center remains a top quality hospital. see Master Plan, page 2

Effective this September with the 2011-12 flu season, Munson Medical Center will require all providers, employees, volunteers, and students to receive flu vaccinations.

This will be a condition of employment, volunteer service, clinical rotations, and medical privileges at the hospital.

This decision has been supported by hospital leadership and the Medical Executive Committee.

This change in policy was made following extensive see Flu, page 2

Hospital Hires Architects, Construction Managers

Kids Creek project restoration is a model for future work on the creek.

Mandatory Flu Vaccine Takes Effect This Fall

Part of the mission of the North-ern Michigan Diabetes Initia-tive (NMDI) is to improve and standardize care of the diabetic patient within its 11-county region.

As part of this mission, I had the opportunity over the past five months to see diabetic pa-tients with nine primary care providers in

the pilot Educational Outreach Visit (EOV) program, designed

to review current American Diabetes Association guidelines for management of diabetes.

What we thought was going to be a good experience turned out

to be amazing. Not only did the participants provide glowing feedback on the program, I also reaped immeasurable benefits, as well. It was truly an eye-opener for me to fight diabetes

“on the front lines,” experiencing firsthand what challenges pri-mary care providers face man-aging diabetes that I am usually spared due to the subspecialty nature of my practice. I believe that it is helping me improve my ability as a consultant.

The EOV program has been approved and funded for 10 sessions during this fiscal year. If physicians or their staff are interested in participating in this program, please contact Christi Tipsword, NMDI coordinator at (231) 935-9227.

Physician’s Corner: Endocrinologist Jill Vollbrecht, MD

Insulin Therapy CME Accessible from HomeInterested in earning one free CME from the comfort of home? Now available on HealthStream is a program authored by Endocrinologist Jill Vollbrecht, MD, “Insulin Therapy for Diabetic Management.” To access this program please go to mymunson.org, click on Educa-tion/Tutorials, then login to HealthStream. Go to the catalog and search “Insulin.”Click on Insulin Therapy for Diabetic Management to begin the course. There will be an additional course on the American Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines coming soon.

Jill Vollbrecht, MD

MEC supports decision to implement policy

continued from page 1 FLU

consideration of patient safety needs and the consistent research that proves the benefit of flu vaccinations.

“Annual influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection and its complications which affect the patients here at Munson,” said Karen Speirs, DO, Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Munson Medical Center.

Modeling studies that examine influenza risk when 100 percent of health care staff is vaccinated in the acute care setting found a 43 percent reduction in flu risk for hospitalized patients.

Hospitals including Munson Medical Center have supported mandatory immunization or testing for conditions such as Rubella, TB, and others.

Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce influenza infection in

providers by 88 percent.

The Michigan Department of Community Health reports health care workers not vacci-nated are a key cause of influ-enza outbreaks in a healthcare setting.

One study showed a high pro-portion of healthcare workers who develop influenza-like illness continued to work, undoubtedly shedding viruses and exposing colleagues and patients. The reasons cited were they needed to perform impor-tant tasks, a sense of irreplace-ability, a desire not to impose their work on colleagues and not being sick enough to stay home.

CDC strongly encourages healthcare employers to pro-vide influenza vaccine to their workers to maximize vaccination rates. Annually, influenza vaccine coverage of healthcare workers nationwide is 40 percent.

Research also shows that an infected individual may pass

along the flu virus 24 hours before the development of clinical symptoms. Infected healthcare workers in contact with patients place them at high risk of respiratory complications and potentially death due to the flu.

Under the new policy, free flu vaccine will be provided in Employee Health to all hospital physicians/providers, employees, and volunteers.

The vaccine will be offered annually, generally from September through December. Flu vaccines provided through physician offices will be accepted with documentation. Employee health will continue to offer the vaccine after Dec. 31 for those on leave or new hires.

Exemptions will be made for: n Egg hypersensitivity, validated by physician/provider or skin test n History of Guillain-Barre with six weeks of receiving prior influenza vaccine

n Religious exemption validated by written support from church hierarchy – personal/ philosophical exemptions will not be acceptable. n Exceptions and extensions will be allowed for an approved leave of absence.

Failure to comply with the policy by Dec. 31 will result in: n Suspension of privileges for physicians/providers n Clinical rotations closed for students n Loss of employment for employees

“With this change in policy Munson Medical Center is joining a number of hospitals nationally and in Michigan that have made the flu vaccine mandatory,” said Kathleen McManus, Executive Vice President and COO. “These include Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Bronson in Kalamazoo, as well as places such as John Hopkins Medical Center.”

Page 2 | MedNews | July 2011

from page 1 Master Plan

“The Board agrees that there will be a need for new beds in the future as we continue to grow at a projected 1 percent per year,” he said. “We already are experiencing times in the Emergency Department when patients need to be admitted and are forced to wait because of a lack of available beds.”

The preliminary design phase will provide the Board and hospital leadership with pro-jected costs for the project and certify the feasibility of the location. “It will allow us to get a handle around any challenges or changes to understanding what will be required to do this type of project,” Ness said.

The hospital has acquired options to purchase some properties north of the hospital required for a bed tower project to be feasible. City zoning and the City Master Plan require any expansion to move in this direction.

Vice President of Facilities Steve Tongue said he has been in touch with neighborhood associations regarding their concerns about any potential growth of the campus. Concern mentioned by neighbors include traffic and flooding.

The Kid’s Creek Restoration Project that recently was completed will allow for greater capacity of water runoff and will assist with some flood control. Tongue said that any future

development on the north part of the campus would include incorporating lessons learned by the creek restoration on the south side of Sixth Street.

“Munson wants to remain a good neighbor to nearby residents and seeks early neighborhood input as it looks to address hospital needs,” he said. “We want to listen to concerns and as much as possible address any neighborhood issues through thoughtful project design.”

Ness emphasized the preliminary step of hiring the firms does not mean the project will happen. “Any project we undertake will be contingent on the availability of financial resources and other factors,” he said.

Four pediatricians will open the Traverse Area Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic on August 8.

Pediatrician Sarah Mulder, MD, said the clinic plans to offer a complete range of medical ser-vices for children and teens.

In addition to Mulder, clinic pediatricians include Luann Labian, MD, Jennifer Schell, DO, and Karla Smith, MD.

The clinic will be located at 4020 W. Royal Drive in Traverse City. Appointments may be made by calling (231) 421-8099. Visit their web site at traverseareapediatrics.com.

New Clinic Focuses on Children, Teens

Page 3 | MedNews | July 2011

Asthma patients at Munson Family Practice Center are benefiting from national research that could change the way physicians and other clinicians provide asthma care.

David Klee, MD, FAAFP, said the Munson Family Practice Center joined 20 other family medicine practices nationally to launch a large national study on asthma care. Asthma affects as many as 25 percent of U.S. children by age 18, and 5 percent of adults, with another

5 percent reporting exercise induced asthma.

“We saw our first patient in February and recently were recognized as an exemplary clinic in the national newsletter related to this study,” Klee said. “We are the first group in the study to incorporate our electronic medical record into the study.”

The four-year study is funded by the Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. It involves a nationally designed procedure to treat asthma patients through medications while taking into account other risk factors

the patient may have that are associated with the disease. Patients who participate in the study receive five questionnaires over a two-year period of time. Each questionnaire can be completed in about 15 minutes.

Assisting locally with the research are Munson Family Practice residents Roshani Jadia, M.D., and Behzod

Rostam, M.D., and nurse Sheila Schwabe, LPN.

“Clinical research is an exciting part of medicine, but is not

often incorporated into a busy practitioner’s practice,” Dr. Klee said. “It encourages physicians to incorporate better ways of managing problems. We are encouraging our residents to have a questioning mind that can spur on other clinical advancements.”

In addition to the asthma study, Munson Family Practice Center also is involved in a local study on circumcision quality indicators, one on the use of simulation technology for evaluating resident competency and the SEARCH Study with Michigan State University on screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Asthma Patients Benefit From National ResearchFamily Practice Center joins important ongoing study

David Klee, MD, FAAFP

Look Who Stopped ByMichigan State University’s mascot “Sparty” marched through the corridors of Munson Medical Center meeting staff and visiting patients prior to his appearance in the Cherry Festival parade. Here Sparty poses at the front desk with staff and students repre-senting MSU-affiliated medical education programs. From left are Munson Residency Program Director J. William Rawlin, DO, left, who also is the Osteopathic Director of Medical Education, leading Munson’s partnership with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Next to Dr. Rawlin are MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) Traverse City Campus students Nick Alfonso, Jill Seaman, Allison Goldsmith, Dana Irrer, and CHM Traverse City Campus Assistant Dean Daniel Webster, MD.

Munson Named Among ‘Most Wired’ HospitalsMunson Medical Center along with Munson Healthcare affili-ate hospitals Mercy Hospital Cadillac, and Otsego Memorial Hospital recently were recog-nized by the American Hospi-tal Association journal, Hos-pitals and Health Networks, as “Most Wired” hospitals.

A report by the magazine details how “Most Wired” hos-pitals and health systems are leading the way in automating and integrating clinical, patient safety, and administrative functions.

Munson Medical Center Direc-tor of Emergency Services Kevin Omilusik, MD, said the move away from paper to electronic physician orders promotes greater patient safety at the hospital.

Page 4 | MedNews | July 2011

Brandon Peters, DO, Joins Munson Healthcare staff

Brandon Peters, DO, has joined the staff of Munson Healthcare as a specialist in Emergency Medicine., practicing at Munson Medical Center.

Dr. Peters graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, Mich.

Andrea Essenmacher, DO Joins Munson Medical Center Staff Andrea A. Essenmacher, DO, has joined the staff of Munson Medical Center

as a specialist in family practice. Essenmacher practices at West Front Primary Care, 3537 W. Front St., Suite E, in Traverse City. Her office can

be reached at (231) 935-8930.

IN BRIEF Essenmacher graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed her residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, Pontiac, Mich.

Neurologist Board Certifed in Headache Medicine Neurologist Kersti M. Bruining, MD, has received board certification from the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in headache medicine.

Headache medicine involves the diagnosis and treatment of head and face pain. The United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties

defines its scope to include the diseases or categories of disease that cause central and peripheral disturbance of structures or functions causing head and face pain. This includes both primary and secondary disturbances of these structures or functions.

Dr. Bruining practices at 3537 W. Front St., Suite A, in Traverse City. For more information call (231) 935-9700.

James Robertson, MD, Joins Grand Traverse Children’s Clinic James W. Robertson, MD, has joined the staff of Grand Traverse Children’s Clinic,

3537 W. Front St., Suite G, in Traverse City.

Dr. Robertson is board certified in pediatrics. He is a graduate of Michigan State

University College of Human Medicine.

Cornelius Robens, MD, is Board Certified Neurologist Cornelius Robens, MD, has been board certified by the American

Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Robens practices at 3537 W. Front St., Suite A, in Traverse City. He has special interests

in movement disorders, dementia (Alzheimer’s disease) and multiple sclerosis. He is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (231) 935-9700.

Stephanie M. Woodfin, DO Joins Munson Medical Center Stephanie M. Woodfin D.O., has joined the staff of Munson Medical Center as a specialist in psychiatry.

Dr. Woodfin practices at Munson Behavioral Health Services, 420 Brook Street in Traverse City. Her office can be reached at (231) 935-6382 or 1-800-662-6766,

and she is accepting new patients.

A graduate of Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, Woodfin completed her residency at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California.

Changes at Physician Office? Contact Physician Referral Physicians who need to update their office’s information – including address, phone, fax, insurances, or whether they are accepting new patients should contact the Physician Referral Service at (231) 935-5886, 1-800-533-5520, or email contact@mhc.net.

Munson Medical Center and surgeons from Grand Traverse Surgery, PC, recently received renewal designation as a Bariatic Surgery Center of Excellence®.

Surgeons recognized include Roche J. Featherstone, MD; David Kam, MD; Michael A. Nizzi, DO; and Steven Slikkers, MD. The designation from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery follows a thorough review of the hospital’s program and physician practices.

“Renewal of our Center of Excellence confirms the quality of care our patients receive in the program,” said Nizzi, medical director for the program. “Surgeons at Grand

Traverse Surgery and Munson Medical Center are committed to providing high quality bariatric services on the same level as the most respected programs in the country. Our patients should remain confident that they are receiving the most advanced care possible.”

Medical research continues to find evidence that bariatric surgery provides effective treatment for type 2 diabetes,

hypertension, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

First achieving Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence recognition in 2008, Munson Medical Center and the surgeons continue to meet the qualifying standards examined through a rigorous evaluation process. Hospitals and surgeons must demonstrate and document through short- and long-term

outcomes that they have a comprehensive program and meet the established program requirements for providing safe bariatric surgical care.

Comprehensive after care is a cornerstone of Munson Medical Center’s bariatric program with extensive followup by surgeons and patient support groups.

Grand Traverse Surgery surgeons perform three types of bariatric surgeries: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, the LAP-BAND® procedure, and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

For more information on Grand Traverse Surgery’s Bariatric Center of Excellence, call (231) 346-4014.

Hospital, Surgeons Recognized for Quality of Bariatric Care

R. Featherstone, David Kam, MD MD

Michael Nizzi, DO Steven Slikkers, MD