Journal of Wellness and Good Healthcare Spring 2011

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www.mindenmedicalcenter.com

DONNA CARTER, ChiefNursing Officer of MindenMedical Center, has been pre-sented the 2011 “CNO of theYear” award.

LifePoint Hospitals®, aleading hospital companyfocused on providing health-care services in non-urbancommunities, presented theannual award, which is givento the CNO who best exempli-fies the mission, vision andvalues of LifePoint.

“Donna is an engaged, nur-turing, sensitive and thought-ful leader who is hard onproblems and soft on people,”said Michelle Watson,LifePoint’s Chief NursingOfficer for the AmericanDivision. “She always puts thepatient first. Minden consis-tently ranks #1 in the compa-ny for quality measures andconstituency satisfaction.Donna is an instrumental

resource not only to her hospi-tal, but also to the Divisionand the entire network ofLifePoint hospitals.”

George E. French III, CEOof Minden Medical Center,described Donna as “laser-focused.”

“Donna knows how to getthings done,” French said.“Her organizational skills arematched only by her dedica-tion to the hospital and itspatients. She has been amainstay of the senior admin-istrative team at Minden, andhas contributed to the hospi-tal’s success for more than 22years.”

Carter is the second recipi-ent of the annual award.

The new “O of the Year”awards are based onLifePoint’s “LeadershipModel,” which focuses on themastery of business, relation-ship and personal skills and

includes the core values thatserve as a compass for thosebehaviors – honor, trustwor-thiness, legal and ethical com-pliance, and compassion.

The following awards werealso presented to MindenMedical Center during theOperations Conference:Patient, EmergencyDepartment, Inpatient,Physician and EmployeeConstituency awards along

with the Core Measure awardwhich was renamed the“LifePoint/Minden MedicalCenter” Core Measure Award.

Jim Williams, CFO ofMinden Medical Center, wasawarded for his service on theCFO council. Jim and histeam were also awarded theinaugural LifePoint Ethics &Compliance Award.

French, Williams andCarter thanked all MMC

employees, saying each one ofthese accomplishments –whether awarded individuallyor to the hospital – is a testa-ment to the dedication of allof the excellent employees,management team and medi-cal staff.

The presentations weremade at LifePoint Hospitals’annual Operations Conferenceon January 26, in Nashville,Tennessee.

MMC EarnsNumerousAccolades

Minden Medical Center loads up on awards. Making and receiving are (from left) MichaelClark, American Division President of LifePoint Hospitals; Donna Carter, CNO of MindenMedical Center; Jim Williams, CFO of Minden Medical Center; George E. French III, CEOof Minden Medical Center; and William F. Carpenter III, President and CEO of LifePointHospitals.

Minden Medical Center(MMC) was recently recog-nized with an Excellencethrough Insight award for“Overall PhysicianSatisfaction” and“Overall EmployeeSatisfaction” in themedium hospitalcategory byH e a l t h S t r e a mResearch, theresearch businessgroup ofHealthStream Inc.A formal presenta-tion of the awardswill be made duringHealthStream’s cus-tomer Summit, May5, 2011 inN a s h v i l l e ,Tennessee.

Minden MedicalCenter was awardedthis honor for itscommitment toexcellence in medi-cal staff and employee satis-faction. To qualify for anaward, a hospital must havebeen a medical staff andemployee satisfaction client ofHealthStream Research in2010, scored in the 75th per-centile or higher, and conduct-ed a minimum of 50 physiciansurveys. MMC was chosen forreceiving the highest ratings inmedical staff and employee

satisfaction from amongHealthStream Research’sclients, as well as exceedingindustry standards. These

awards recognizethe hospitals thatexcel in their abilityto gain insight intotheir patients,employees, physi-cians and commu-nity throughresearch and to usethat information tobuild excellencewithin their organi-zation.

Commenting onthe awards, J.Edward Pearson,President ofH e a l t h S t r e a mResearch, said “AtH e a l t h S t r e a mResearch we arehonored to workwith hospitals thatare committed to

providing excellent patientexperiences. That is why weare delighted to recognizeMinden Medical Center as ahospital at the top of its classfor physician and employeesatisfaction. Their dedicationto providing the highest stan-dards not only benefits the hos-pital, but the way healthcare isperceived and valued by thesurrounding community.”

Page 2 Health News Spring 2011

AROUND MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER

Minden Medical Center Earns ExcellenceThrough Insight Awards for Overall

Employee Satisfaction

Our Physicians,Employees Happy

MMC was chosenfor receiving thehighest ratings inmedical staff and

employee satisfactionfrom among

HealthStreamResearch’s clients, as

well as exceedingindustry standards.

These awards recog-nize the hospitals thatexcel in their abilityto gain insight into

their patients,employees, physi-

cians and communitythrough research andto use that informa-tion to build excel-lence within their

organization.

It’s nothing toLOL about

It seems like everyone hasa blackberry, an iPhone, orsome other such phone with aqwerty text-friendly key-board. Texting provides userswith on demand informationfrom their friends and familymembers. It's no wonder it'sgained such widespread popu-larity, especially amongteenagers.

But teens aren't the onlyones texting. Adults are guiltyof checking their email,

tweeting, and setting appoint-ments on their calendar. Theseactions have resulted in dan-gerous and reckless drivingbehavior.

Texting can kill. Yes, tex-ting while driving has led tomore and more automobileaccidents. In fact, a recentexperiment by one of theleading US automotive maga-zines revealed that textingwhile driving is more of athreat than drunk driving.

So much so, that manycities have banned textingwhile driving and Louisianahas taken especially aggres-sive measures towards texterswith the Text Messaging Ban

& Novice Cell Phone Law:Act No. 665, also known

as Senate Bill 137 isLouisiana's new TextMessaging and Cell-Phonelaw. The new driving lawsProhibits Text Messaging byall Drivers and limits the useof Cell Phones by novicedrivers. Novice driver's inLouisiana that hold a Class"E" learner's license are pro-hibited from making calls ona cell-phone or any wirelesstelecommunication devicewhile driving unless the com-munication device is a Hands-Free device.

Here are some statistics asto why texting is so danger-

ous:n When a driver texts

while driving, his reactiontime will decrease by 35%

n When texting, steer-ing capability goes downby a tremendous amount;91%.

n A driver is twentythree times more likelyto get into a car acci-dent while driving andtexting.

n Drivers are alsosix times as likely toget into a car accidentwhile dialing a num-ber into their cellulardevices.

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

MMC Welcomes New Board MembersMinden Medical Center is

pleased to welcome MindenCity Councilman TommyDavis and Dr. Stephen

Coleman to the hospital’sBoard of Governors. Councilman Tommy Davis Dr. Stephen Coleman

Senior Friendsl First Tuesday of eachmonth 1:30-2:30pmNEW TIMEWebster Parish Library-Stewart Center 318-382-8282For those 50 and olderOpen House for Dr. Lewisl Tuesday, March 154pm to 6pm812 Broadway Street 318-377-0010

WorkFit 15th AnniversaryCelebrationl Thursday, March 3111am to 1pmCommunity House711 Gladney St. 318-371-5610

Relay For Lifel Friday, April 15th5pm untilDowntown Minden

Alzheimer’s Caregiversl Second Thursday ofeach month, 6pmMMC Senior Care5th Floor318-371-5638

Diabetesl Third Thursday of eachmonth, 6pmMMC Cafeteria318-377-2589318-377-0060

Sharing & Caringl Second Thursday ofeach month, 7pmMMC Ed Building729 Main Street318-371-3279For those who havesuffered the death of ababy by pregnancyloss, stillborn or in thefirst few months of life.

Camp Mindyl Monday at 10amMMC 4th Floor318-371-5660Hospital Orientationfor first-time parents &seasoned pros.

Lamaze BasedChildbirth Classesl Third Tuesday ofeach month 6-8:30pmMMC Ed Building729 Main Street318-371-5660

Senior Fitnessl Meets weekly,Every Tuesday from 10-11amMinden PresbyterianChurch$5 per class318-371-3218

Breastfeeding Classl Second Monday &Tuesday of each month6-8pmMMC Ed Building729 Main Street318-371-3242

EVENTS

CLASSES

SUPPORTGROUPS

Here’s a glimpse at MMC’s support groups, classes & events. Find a complete listing atwww.mindenmedicalcenter.com and click on Community. Classes are free unless otherwise noted.

AROUND MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER

Health News Spring 2011 Page 3

INCONTINENCE ANDOVERACTIVE BLADDER(OAB) are debilitating medicalproblems that affect millions ofpeople worldwide. When leftuntreated, these issues can leadto a wide variety of other prob-lems including depression, emo-tional stress and social isolation.

The impact on a person’squality of life can be quite signif-icant. In addition to the negativeimpact on social and professionalrelationships, it can have a hugeeconomic impact due toincreased medical costs, bothdirectly and indirectly. Falls,

fractures, sleep disturbance, uri-nary tract infections, and skininfections are just some of theconsequences of over activebladder and incontinence.

In 2000, persons with OABwere estimated to have spent$12.6 billion per year to managesymptoms related to OAB andincontinence.

Overactive bladder affectsapproximately 16% of men and17% of women in the U.S. OABis defined as symptoms of urgen-cy with, or without incontinence,usually with increased daytimefrequency and nocturia (night

time toileting). Although therecognition of OAB hasincreased among both patientsand providers, increased aware-ness is imperative. Being willingto discuss symptoms with yourhealthcare provider and exploretreatment options can improve apatient’s quality of life and helpto resume more normal daily pat-terns and activities.

With an aging population, thenumber of persons with OAB issure to increase. Individuals canmaintain a healthier lifestyle andhelp reduce the huge economicimpact of this disease by gaining

understanding and effectivelymanaging this condition.

One primary treatment rec-ommended for management ofOAB is pelvic muscle rehab.At Minden Medical Center,our program is very compre-hensive and includes pelvicfloor muscle exercises, bladdertraining with biofeedback andor electric stimulation, urgesuppression techniques,lifestyle modification with dietand fluid changes, and physio-logical quieting techniques.The results are impressive withan 85% success rate and

improvement usually notedwithin 3-4 treatment sessions.The program is not only effec-tive for OAB, but also a widevariety of bowel and bladderissues related to incontinence.

Afraid to Laugh, Cough or Sneeze? Non invasive treatmentavailable for Incontinence and Overactive Bladder

Dr. Shannon Spigenernamed Alumnus of Year

Louisiana Tech Universityannounced Minden MedicalCenter physician Dr. ShannonSpigener has been named the2010 College of Applied andNatural Sciences Alumnus ofthe Year.

"I feel extremely proud,humbled and proud to representTech. I am very proud to haveobtained my undergraduatedegree from Louisiana Tech andI hope to continue to be a goodrepresentative of the college,"said Spigener.

Currently the EmergencyDepartment Staff Physician atthe Minden Medical Center inMinden, Spigener was theEmergency Department StaffPhysician from September 2004through August 2010 and spentJuly 1997 to August 2004 asAssistant Professor and StaffPhysician at Louisiana StateUniversity Health SciencesCenter in Shreveport, La.

Spigener is a 1989 Bachelorof Sciences, Health InformationAdministration graduate fromLouisiana Tech University inRuston. She underwent herfamily medicine internship andresidency at Louisiana StateUniversity Medical Centerbefore becoming ChiefResident.

Spigener has received manyhonors throughout her educa-tion and career, including: pres-

ident of Delta Zeta Sorority,Omicron Delta Kappa, MortarBoard, Louisiana Tech Who'sWho 1989, Gamma Beta PhiSociety of Teachers of FamilyMedicine Student TeacherAward, LSU School ofMedicine freshman class vice-president and LSU School ofMedicine student body vicepresident.

Born in 1967 in Homer, La.,Spigener enjoys traveling, gar-dening, flying, scuba diving andspending time with her husbandCharles E. "Chuck" Self anddaughters Emily, 9, and Haley,6.

Minden Medical Centerphysician Dr. Shannon

Spigener has been namedthe 2010 College of Applied

and Natural SciencesAlumnus of the Year.

Nicaraguan Mission TripSeveral individuals in

Nicaragua are sporting newknees thanks to the surgicalskills of Minden’s own Dr.Timothy W. Talbert.

Talbert volunteered for amission trip to Nicaragua inJanuary. First Baptist Churchof Minden sponsored the tripand the purpose of the trip wasto minister to the people and toprovide assistance to those inneed of hip or knee replace-ment.

“The trip made me a morecompassionate and under-standing person,” Talbert said.“I was touched and have beenblessed in my life. I’m calledto give back to them.”

Dr. Talbert said he partici-pated in his first mission trip in1995, when he went to Macaowhile between his second andthird year of medical school.

Talbert and his familyjoined First Baptist Church,Minden, in 2003. That iswhere he learned of thechurch’s Nicaragua MissionProgram, where volunteerstreat medical needs such asdisease and infection. He hasmade five trips to Nicaragua.

In early 2009, Talbert waswith a surgical team that per-formed 12 surgeries of basicorthopedic work. In August of2009, he returned with theChurch Mission Team wherehe performed six total jointreplacements. In January ofthis year, he and a team ofDoctors and nurses performed33 surgeries.

“I’ll go back every year,”Talbert said. “I get a joy in myheart and the people that go

with us are touched in a veryspecial way. We need to pro-vide what help we can.”

According to Talbert,Zimmer, through a partnershipwith AmeriCares, a leadingmedical relief organization,provided $80 to 100 thousandworth of implants for therecent trip. Stryker provided$275 thousand. MindenMedical Center and HighlandHospital both sent roughly $10thousand in equipment andsupplies.

“The mission would not befinancially possible withoutthe monetary contributions,”Talbert said. “It wouldn’t bepossible without the time andefforts of those who take offwork and volunteer their owntime to help. The medical caredown there is free, as far as thephysician component of it, butany implants, anything you putin your body, you have to pay

for it.”The surgeon said a total hip

or knee replacement costs fourto five thousand dollars.

“They have well trainedorthopedic doctors, but theyjust don’t have the implants,”said Talbert. “Down there,they reuse everything. Theyreuse plates, they reuse screws— things that we discard, theysterilize and re-implantbecause those people just can’tafford it.”

Talbert said the missiontrips aren’t just about helpingthe Nicaraguan people withphysical needs, but with spiri-tual needs as well.

“We want to spread theword of Jesus,” he said.“That’s something they canlook forward to that can’t beworn out or replaced. We wantto see the word of God spreadto give hope to the less fortu-nate.”

Dr. Timothy Talbert takes a photo with the local nurs-es who assisted him during surgeries as part of hismission trip to Nicaragua.

If you have a patient experi-encing problems related toOAB or incontinence and

would like to schedule a con-sultation with our pelvic musclerehab therapist, please call ouroffice at (318) 371-3287. Welook forward to working withyou and helping to improveyour patients’ quality of life.

Page 4 Health News Spring 2011

AROUND MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER

No one likes to think about colorectalcancer – a disease that can attack the colon,the rectum or both. It’s a scary thought –especially since the disease is the secondleading cause of cancer deaths in the UnitedStates. But, there is good news.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the mostpreventable cancers through regular screen-ings, a healthy diet and regular exercise”explains Dr. Chad E. Lewis. “If you dodetect it early, treatment can save your life.”

WHERE IT ALL BEGINSColorectal cancer occurs in the large

intestine – the colon and rectum. Most col-orectal cancers develop from polyps, whichare abnormal or precancerous growths on thelining of the large intestine.

Not all polyps turn into cancer. But whenthey do, the disease can invade and damagenearby tissues and organs, and the cancer canspread to other parts of the body. The mostimportant thing to remember about polyps,however, is this: Detecting and removingthem while they’re still in their precancerousstage can prevent most colorectal cancers.

LOOKING FORPROBLEMS

Since there are very few symptoms asso-ciated with colorectal cancer, regular screen-ing is essential. The American CancerSociety (ACS) recommends that adults whoare at average risk for developing colorectalcancer choose one of the following screeningoptions starting at age 50. You may need ear-lier or more frequent screenings if you’re atincreased or high risk for the disease.Working with your doctor, you can decidewhich screening test to use and when youshould begin testing.

nColonoscopy. During this test, a doctorgently moves a long lighted tube with a tinycamera into your rectum and through yourentire colon. (You are sedated during the pro-cedure.) The doctor can see the inside ofyour colon on a viewing screen. If polyps arefound, he or she can remove the polypsimmediately with special tools, thus destroy-ing a potential health threat. If you choose acolonoscopy as your screening tool, and theexam is negative, it should be repeated every10 years.

nSigmoidoscopy. In a similar procedure

to a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscope can beused to view the lower part of the colon. Ifyou choose a sigmoidoscopy, it should berepeated every five years.

n Fecal occult blood test. Once-a-yearstool tests are also used to detect colorectalcancer. Requires collecting a stool sample athome using a kit. The samples are sent to alaboratory to be examined for traces ofblood. If blood is found, you will need acolonoscopy to find the cause of the blood –which may or may not be cancer. Somethingas common as hemorrhoids can trigger bloodin stools.

TREATMENT"If colorectal cancer does develop, treat-

ment may involve surgery, chemotherapy,radiation therapy, or a combination ofthese or other treatments. Surgery isthe most common treatment for col-orectal cancer and can be used toremove cancer in or near the colon orrectum," said Dr. Lewis. "Between 80-90% of patients are restored to normalhealth if the cancer is detected andtreated in the earliest stages. However,the cure rate drops to 50% or lesswhen diagnosed in the later stages."

HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK?

To lower your risk of colorectal cancer,the American Society of Colon and RectalSurgeons recommends that you:

Get regular colorectal cancer screeningsafter age 50. Between 80-90% of colorectalcancer patients are restored to normal healthif their cancer is detected and treated in theearliest stages.

Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.If you use alcohol, drink only in modera-

tion. If you use tobacco, quit. If youdon't use tobacco, don't start. Alcoholand tobacco in combination arelinked to colorectal cancer and othergastrointestinal cancers.

Exercise for at least 20 minutesthree to four days each week.Moderate exercise such as walking,gardening or climbing steps mayhelp.

Preparing for a colonoscopy - Acolonoscopy to detect – and possiblyremove – cancerous growths or pre-cancerous polyps requires advanceplanning on your part. Here’s what you needto know.

nPrepare to take time off from work orotherwise alter your plans on the day of yourprocedure. On average, a colonoscopy takesonly 30 minutes. However, you will need torest for the remainder of the day. Also youwon’t be allowed to drive yourself homeafterward. So you will need to make arrange-ments ahead of time for someone to pickyou up and take you home.

nMake sure your doctor has a completelist of all your prescription and non prescrip-tion medicines and supplements before theday of your colonoscopy. This is especiallyimportant if you take blood thinners or medi-cines for diabetes. Ask your doctor if youshould take your usual medicines close to theexamination time.

nAlso, provide a list of allergies youhave to drugs and other substances. Tell yourdoctor if you have heart, lung or other medi-cal conditions that may need special atten-tion before, during or after the colonoscopy.

nTo prepare for the procedure, it’s essen-tial to cleanse your colon. A clean colonmakes it possible to have a thorough exami-nation. A drink designed to stimulate bowelmovements is popular for cleansing.However, some doctors may prefer that youdrink clear fluids or make use of enemas orsuppositories. Whatever method your doctorchooses, read and follow the directions care-fully.

nOn the night before the colonoscopy,follow instructions about what to ear ordrink. Know when to eat your last meal orsnack before the procedure begins.

RECOVERYAfter your colonoscopy, you will be

taken to a recovery area. When most of themedications have worn off, your doctor willtell you the results of your examination andany other important information.

You will also receive instructions abouthow soon you can eat and drink and guide-lines for resuming your normal routine. Youmay experience some minor problems, suchas bloating, gas or mild cramping. But thesereactions should disappear within 24 hours.Be sure to call your doctor directly if youhave questions.

Source: American Cancer Society &American Gastroenterological Association

When your loved one is in theIntensive Care Unit (ICU) at MindenMedical Center, the staff understandshow overwhelming and stressful it canbe. Sometimes a patient’s stay isplanned; sometimes it is quite unex-pected. Whatever condition or event,ICU patients all require intensivetreatment, monitoring and support thatis only available in an ICU setting.

Visiting hours play an integral rolein an ICU for both patients and healthcare providers. Minden MedicalCenter recently reviewed their visitingpolicies and came to a conclusion toextend their ICU visiting hours inorder to better meet the surroundingcommunity needs. “Minden MedicalCenter reached the new visitationhours through a process called SharedGovernance,” explains Kathy Davis,RN and Director of ICU/ Step- Down.“We involved frontline staff, physi-cians and administration in a brain-storming process where suggestionswere supported by documentedresearch. The staff felt with theincreased size of our ICU and largerrooms that it was time to makechanges to further improve our ICUand truly make Minden ICU feel likehome for our patients.”

“With research on the table foropen vs. closed ICU, the ICU staffand physicians came to an agreementthat the extended visitation hourswould be in the best interest of ourpatients and community,” Davis said.“We did a 30-day trial and asked visi-tors to fill out a survey. Local visitorsand those that traveled were veryexcited about the new visiting hours.It gave them more time with theirloved one. After the 30-day trial peri-od ALL the feedback received waspositive! On occasion we still have tolimit visiting hours for certain patientsdue to various circumstances but wetry to accommodate as much as possi-ble.”

New extended ICU visitationhours are as follows:

6:00am - 8:00am12:00pm - 2:00pm6:00pm - 9:00pmEach patient is allowed up to 3 vis-

itors (must be over the age of 10) at atime. This will enable your loved oneto obtain adequate rest and help withtheir recovery time. The set times willalso allow the staff to ensure yourloved one is “always very satisfied”with their care and that their need forrest and privacy is respected.

New ICUVisitation

Hours

March is Colorectal CancerAwareness Month. Colorectal canceraffects both men and women. If you

are 50 or older, talk with your doctor about getting screened for

colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer screening costsare covered by Medicare and manycommercial health plans if you areover the age of 50 or if you have astrong personal or family history.

Check with your insurance companyto find out more.

Important Facts About Colorectal CancerFind It and Treat It Early

Health News Spring 2011 Page 5

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do you struggle with above nor-mal weight? If so, you are part ofthe 63.1% of Americans found inthe most recent Gallup-HealthwaysWell-Being Index to be overweightor obese. It can be a discouragingstruggle, but there are several sim-ple low cost lifestyle changes that,when used, will make a difference.

1. Always eat breakfast. Manyweight battlers try to eat only oncea day but still gain weight. Multiplestudies confirm that eating breakfastincreases the metabolic rate so thatmore calories are burned throughoutthe day. Breakfast helps one loseweight. (Two meals a day is idealfor most sedentary people.)

2. Drink two cups of water ahalf hour before any meal and anytime you feel hungry betweenmeals. Many mistake thirst for

hunger. Adequate water intake willdecrease the tendency to overeat.

3. Always sit down to eat, chewwell and enjoy the food, then stopeating as soon as you’re no longerhungry even if there’s half a plate offood left. Never eat until you feelstuffed.

4. Eat one, just one, handful ofnuts each day as part of a meal.Not only do nuts have many healthprotective qualities, but, eaten in therecommended quantity, they arefound to enhance one’s ability tomaintain proper weight.

5. Be sure to have plenty offresh fruits or vegetables at eachmeal. Allow them to crowd out thefoods you know to be high in fatsand sugars.

6. If you do not exercise, beginby taking a 10 – 20 minute walk

after meals. Mild exercise of thissort will aid digestion. Put yourshoulders back, think happythoughts, listen to the bird songs,and enjoy the break from the usual.

There are many other detaileddietary alterations that can help withweight loss, but if you adopt thesesix recommendations making thempart of your lifestyle, you will expe-rience positive changes.

A message from the IrizarryFamily Practice Clinic where, inaddition to meeting your family

medicine needs, consultationwith a professional dietitian is

available. The clinic is locatedat #2 Medical Plaza. For

appointments call 377-8400.

A WEIGHTY MATTERSix Easy Steps to Help You Take Off the Weight

MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER’SOccupational Medicine Departmentbegan in a broom closet in the Emergencyroom and offered drug screenings. Fifteenyears later, WorkFit, now located at 216West Union Street offers much more thanthat.

“We have grown by leaps and boundsfrom where we started out,” said ReedMcLendon, field services manager forWork Fit. “We not only offer pre-employ-ment drug screenings and physicals, butwe also offer breath alcohol testing,vision and hearing screenings, pulmonaryfunction, fit testing and comprehensiveback exams.”

These and other services are providedto customers with the utmost attention toproviding exceptional customer service.

“Customer satisfaction is very impor-tant to us,” McLendon explained. “Wepush good customer service at every pointof contact, because we feel if we don’ttake good care of these businesses, some-one else will. We grow and change as themarket grows and changes to meet theneeds of our customers.”

For example, WorkFit offers on-sitedrug and alcohol screenings as well ashealth fairs and screenings.

“We received feedback from cus-tomers saying this is something theywould be interested in,” he continued.“So we hired more employees, and we

grew to meet that need.”WorkFit’s mobile unit is capable of

holding screenings as small or as large asthe employer would like.

“We can check blood pressure, heartrate, hearing and vision,” McLendonsaid.“As well as more in-depth examssuch as blood work, lipid panels, choles-terol level and medical questionnaires.”

The theory is comprehensive medicalexams at the work place lead to healthieremployees. The healthier an employee,the more productive they will be, causingcustomer satisfaction to be higher andless days to be missed due to health relat-ed reasons.

“This baseline screening for employ-ees can equate to better health care premi-

ums for the employer and can then bepassed down to the employee,”McLendon explained. “When you canidentify health issues and correct theproblem, it is very beneficial to theemployer and the employee.”

WorkFit is exceptional because it is afull service Occupational clinic right inbetween Ruston and Bossier City.WorkFit is accessible 24/7, whether at theclinic during normal business hours orthrough on call personnel at MindenMedical Center’s Emergency room.

Celebrating 15 Years

Congratulations to WorkFit on Reaching Milestone

The WorkFit Team

Join us March 31st from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. at the Minden Community Housefor our 15th Year Celebration. For more

information call 371-5610.

AROUND MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER

Page 6 Health News Spring 2011

Dr. Adnan Alsaka has recentlyjoined more than 85% of practicingspecialty physicians in the UnitedStates who lead the way in the

national move-ment for health-care quality. Henow offers thefollowing boardcertified servicescloser to home:N e p h r o l o g y ,Hypertension &Renal Transplantin addition toI n t e r n a lMedicine.

Dr. Alsaka’sfocus is prevent-

ing, diagnosing and treating dis-eases that affect adults. He is spe-cially trained in solving complexdiagnostic cases, including kidneydiseases, dialysis and organ trans-plantations. His ultimate goal is tohelp make patients’ lives easier. Dr.

Alsaka stated, “The importance ofcertification is to enhance the qual-ity of healthcare by demonstratingthe knowledge, skills, and attitudesessential for excellent patient care.”

Services Offered:EducationPreventionTreatment (with a focus on

early and ongoing management)

Congratulations! Dr. M. Adnan Alsaka, M.D., Board

Certified in Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplant

Spring can seem an idyllic timefor many, but for allergy sufferers,the season is a sneezing eye-water-ing ordeal. The good news for thosewith allergies is that there are waysto find relief from symptoms.

Thirty five million Americans fallvictim to spring allergies each yearwith the biggest culprit being air-borne pollen from trees, grasses andweeds – the top three springtimeallergens in Minden.

Put Pollen in Its Place

The first step in allergy treatmentis to avoid allergens. Consider thefollowing methods to keep pollen atbay.

• Shut windows at night and useair conditioning.

• Minimize outdoor activitiesbetween 5 and 10am, when airbornepollen is at its peak.

• Close car windows when driv-ing.

• Don’t hang clothing or beddingoutside to dry, as pollen cat attach toit.

• Check the daily pollen count inlocal media outlets or visitwww.aaaai.org, the web site of theAmerican Academy of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology.

The course of treatment dependson the severity of an individual’sallergies. For some, a combination ofavoiding allergens and taking pre-scribed antihistamines may do the

trick. Others may benefit from aller-gy immunotherapy, which involvesregular shots that introduce a dilutedamount of an allergen into the bodyto induce the release of symptomblocking antibodies.

Allergies should be taken serious-ly, as they can sometimes triggerother conditions such as asthma.However allergies are also verytreatable, so if you experience symp-toms, consult a physician to deter-mine an appropriate treatment plan.

However, allergies are also verytreatable.

HOW

SURVIVE

Warm Weather isHere and With itComes Allergies

ttoo

Alsaka

Congratulations to thefollowing employeesfor recently passingtheir CT Registry.If you experience symptoms,

consult your family physician todetermine an appropriate treatment

plan.

NewPhysicians

Dr. FreddyCordova Family

Medicine

Dr. MichellePittmanGeneralSurgery

GennyHasty

DanielShidiskis

JamesShumake

LoriZaldivar

Dr. Alsaka is accepting newpatients at his office, MindenMedicine & Nephrology Center, –Where Healing Begins.Appointments can be made bycalling (318) 371-1110.

Office Hours: Monday throughFriday – 8:00am to 4:30pm

Closed Saturday and Sunday

Question:My husband is 74 years old and

for most of his life has been active,healthy and happy. However, latelyhe seems to be experiencing somedepression. He tells me he’s notfeeling depressed or sad but I cannotice a change in his personality.

He no longer wants to do thingswe used to enjoy and he is becom-ing more and more withdrawn. I’vealso noticed that he’s not eating welland has lost some weight recently.It seems as if he’s just given p onlife. What can I do to help him? Iwant to see him happy again.

Answer:The first step would be to talk

honestly with him and let him knowthat you are concerned over thischange and would like to help him.

It could be that your husband issuffering from depression; however,it is important to rule out other caus-es of his symptoms.

Suggest that he see his doctor inorder to determine if there may bean underlying medical illness con-tributing to his depressed mood andweight loss. If his doctor rules out

any medical problems he may thenneed to be screened for depression.

If it is determined that his prob-lem is depression, the good news isthat depression is highly treatable.Treatment for depression caninclude medication and also coun-seling. The medication will helpaddress physical causes of depres-sion such as chemical imbalances.Counseling may also be recom-mended to help identify and addresssome of the reasons for his feelingsof sadness.

Perhaps he is having troubledealing with the changes growingolder brings. Often this combina-tion of medication and counseling isvery effective in treating depression.

However, some situations requiremore intensive treatment such asinpatient hospitalization.

If he has lost a significant

amount of weight or is having anythoughts of dying, his conditionmay require hospitalization formonitoring of his depression, inten-sive therapy and medication man-agement. He will need your supportto help him through this difficulttime. However, with your supportand proper medical attention, he canmost likely return to the happy,active life he once led.

Health News Spring 2011 Page 7

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Depression and Senior Citizens

WITH DR. KEITH KESSELL

Kelly Paul joined the Minden Medical Center family inAugust of 2010 as a recruiter for human resources.

“Being able to use my customer service skills in a familylike atmosphere is what enables me to enjoymy job,” Paul said.

She has also worked as a flight attendant,teacher and business owner.

“Minden Medical Center has a very openand hometown atmosphere all throughout everydepartment,” she said. “Culture and customerservice make it so special. I love how willingeveryone is to help each other out.”

Minden Medical Center offers employeesthe benefit of working at their “Home awayfrom home” and the opportunity to work at aTop 100 hospital, a title Minden Medical Center has earnedtwice in the past six years.

Paul said that the reason people want to work at MindenMedical Center is because of the values and friendly customerservice.

“I personally love my job at Minden Medical Center,” sheexplained. “The people that I work with are great and we all getalong. Each day there is something new and different with myjob; that is what keeps me going each day.”

Paul Joins MMC Team

Ask the Doctor

For more informationregarding dementia andobtaining an evalua-tion, contact MMCSenior Care at371-5646 or 800-244-5505

MINDEN MEDICALCENTER’S BREAST CARECENTER has been awarded athree-year term of accreditationin mammography as the resultof a recent review by theAmerican College of Radiology(ACR).

The ACR gold seal ofaccreditation represents thehighest level of image qualityand patient safety. It is awardedonly to facilities meeting ACRPractice Guidelines andTechnical Standards after apeer-review evaluation byboard-certified physicians andmedical physicists who areexperts in the field.

Image quality, personnelqualifications, adequacy offacility equipment, quality con-trol procedures, and qualityassurance programs areassessed.

“When you see the ACRgold seal, you can rest assuredthat your prescribed imagingtest will be done at a facilitythat has met the highest level ofimaging quality and radiation

safety,” mentioned AngelaBrown, Minden MedicalCenter’s Director of Radiology.“MMC’s Breast Care Centerhas voluntarily gone through avigorous review process toensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care. Ourpersonnel are well qualified,through education and certifica-tion, to perform medical imag-ing, interpret your images, andadminister your radiation thera-py treatments.

Our equipment is appropriatefor the test or treatment youwill receive, and our facilitymeets quality assurance andsafety guidelines.”

What is a Mammogram?

Mammography is a specifictype of imaging test that uses alow-dose x-ray system to exam-ine breasts.

A mammography exam,called a mammogram, is usedto aid in the early detection anddiagnosis of breast diseases inwomen because they can detectchanges in the breast that maybe early signs of cancer, but aretoo small or subtle to be felt.Now a new technology calleddigital mammography shows

great promise in the fightagainst breast cancer.

With digital clarity and com-puter-aided detection, digitalmammography is available atMinden Medical Center to helpdoctors spot abnormalities inmost dense breast tissue. High-resolution images appear in sec-onds on a computer screen,allowing your doctor to zoomin, increase contrast, magnifyand optimize areas for preciseviewing.

With the availability toscreen patients in less time thana traditional film-based exam,digital mammography savestime for patients, but clearly its

most important attribute is itspotential to save lives withearly detection of breast cancer.

Mammograms areSimple at MMC

At Minden Medical Center,getting a mammogram is a sim-ple procedure. It is offered as anoutpatient service in the BreastCare Center.

The Center is equipped withsafe and advanced technologyand staffed exclusively by reg-istered women technologistswho can show special consider-ation because they understandyour feelings and your need forprivacy first hand.

Minden Medical Center Earns ACRAccreditation in Mammography

You may call 318-371-2166 to schedule your

mammogram or visit ourwebsite to watch a shortvideo about digital mam-

mography at www.minden-medicalcenter.com.

Way to Go!Congratulations to NancyTowns, left, and Marsha

Davis, right. They recentlypassed their

Mammography accreditation.

Paul

A few of the positions we are currently seekinginclude RNs, LPNs and a full time social worker for ourSenior Care. Please call me at 371-5627 or visit our web-

site to apply online and view a complete list of careeropportunities. Just click on careers.

Minden Medical PhysiciansMinden Medical Center is delighted to provide you with this list to assist in finding a physician to helpwith your family’s and your needs. If a physician referral is needed, please call (318) 382-8282.

www.mindenmedicalcenter.comVisit us online

JOIN OUR GROUP FOR A SNEAK PEEK of upcomingevents screenings. You will also find links to online health aware-ness articles photos and videos.

Minden Medical Center patients and visitors can now access theInternet using their wireless-equipped laptops and other wirelessdevices to browse the Web, check e-mail, connect with lovedones, and even download entertainment. The entire hospital is nowa wireless Internet hot spot. Complimentary wireless internetaccess is available to visitors who bring personal wireless enableddevice(s), laptops etc.

Together, these measures are part of a larger commitment atMinden Medical Center to make real-time communication a corecomponent of quality patient care.

CardiologyPhillip Rozeman, MD102 Monroe Stree, Suite AMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-3425

Wenwu Zhang, MD, PhD102 Monroe Stree, Suite AMinden, LA 71055(318) 631-6400(800) 856-1100

DermatologyLeslie Turk, MD817 Sheppard StreetMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-4000

Ears, Nose and ThroatChandra Joshi, MD#3 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-9380

William Parker, MDMMC Clinic (1st Floor)Minden, LA 71055(318) 798-4565

Jimmy Robinson, MDMMC Clinic (1st Floor)Minden, LA 71055318-371-4339

Family MedicineJoe Bolger, MD101 Office Park DriveMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-7118

Michael Chanler, MD#3 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-7134

Fredy H. Cordova, MD#2 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-6500Beginning April 2011!

Christopher Earnhardt, MD#3 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-7134

Carlos Irizarry, MD#2 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-8400

Joseph Nida, MD1111 Homer RoadMinden, LA 71055318-377-7500

Scott Phillips, MD364 N. MainSibley, LA 71073(318) 382-9401

Michael Pistorius, MD208 Morris DriveMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-8260

Max Stell, MD102 Office Park DriveMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-2885

Martha, Wafer MD102 Monroe St. Suite BMinden, LA 71055318-382-4900

General PracticeCarl H. Hines, MD1114 Homer RoadMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-1395

General SurgeryMichelle Pittman, MDMMC Clinic (1st Floor)Minden, LA 71055(318) 675-1322

Erin Soleto, MD608 Fleming LaneMinden, LA 71055(318) 382-9020

Colon & Rectal SurgeryGeneral SurgeryChad E. Lewis, MD812 BroadwayMinden LA 71055(318) 377-0010NEW LOCATION!

Hematology/OncologyJoyce Feagin, MDMMC ClinicMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-4339

Interventional Pain/SpineWilliam Whyte, II, MD#1 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 861-7246

Internal MedicineNephrologyAdnan Alsaka, MD#2 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-1110

OB/GYNStephen Coleman, DO431 Homer Road(318) 377-8855(877) 244-3851

Robert H. Russell, MD431 Homer RoadMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-8855(877) 244-3851

Amanda Williams, MD431 Homer RoadMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-8855(877) 244-3851

OphthamologyBruce Henderson, MD#2 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 221-2651

James E. Lusk, MD#3 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-9512

Bryan Lusk, MD#3 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 222-5555

OrthopaedicsTim Talbert, MD216 West Union Suite AMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-4340

PediatricsElizabeth Phillips, MD101 Madison SquareMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-2229

Michael Ulich, MD607 Fleming LaneMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-7116(800) 523-5708

Melinda Willis, MD600 Factory Outlet Dr., #12Arcadia, LA 71001(318) 263-4701

PhysiatryJenness Courtney, MD#1 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-3283

PulmonologyHoward Murray, MD(318) 251-8316Coming Soon!

PsychiatryKeith Kessel, MD#1 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 371-5646

UrologyStewart Bundrick, MD#2 Medical PlazaMinden, LA 71055(318) 377-9045(318) 371-4339

Jim Noble, MDMMC Clinic (First Floor)Minden, LA 71055(318) 371-4339

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