System News: March 2023

Atrium Medical Center

Atrium Medical Center’s Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy facility at Atrium Family YMCA recently acquired a new AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill. Equipped with NASA patented technology, the AlterG uses a lifting effect to ease the impact on lower extremities by temporarily reducing a patient’s body weight by as much as 80 percent. The AlterG can be used by anyone, from athletes recovering from injuries to geriatric and neurological patients, to reduce the risk of falls through gait and balance training. Middletown Community Foundation’s Fondersmith Youth Advisory Council helped fund the new AlterG treadmill. The council, comprised of local high school students, reviews local nonprofits’ grant applications, interviews applicants, and awards funding. The Youth Advisory Council visited Atrium to learn how patients will benefit from the AlterG treadmill. Atrium’s Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy facility at Countryside YMCA in Lebanon also has an AlterG treadmill to support patients during rehabilitation. 

A prenatal support program at Atrium’s Maternal Health Center will now include more expectant mothers. CenteringPregnancy® at Atrium’s Maternal Health Center no longer requires participants to be Butler County residents but they must have a Medicaid health plan. The program aims to combat high infant mortality rates, premature births, and low birth weights affecting newborns. The program brings together eight to 12 pregnant women with similar delivery dates  to form a supportive community where they develop skills and confidence to take control of their health.

Atrium’s pulmonary rehab program launched Harmonicas for Health, a group that helps patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exercise their lungs and socialize. COPD causes obstructed airflow from the lungs and has no cure. Treatment can slow its progression and manage symptoms. Playing the harmonica exercises the muscles that help pull air in and push air out of the lungs and strengthens abdominal muscles for a more effective cough. A harmonica and instruction booklet are provided to each participant thanks to funding from the Atrium Medical Center Foundation.

The Help Endure a Loss (HEAL) Program family care room at Atrium will receive a new queen-size bed thanks to a donation from the giving circle 100+ Who Care of Warren County. The larger bed provides more comfortable accommodations for parents as they grieve the loss of a child. The group meets quarterly, with each member donating $100 to a nominated 501c3 organization. The Warren County chapter presented a check of $2,650 to HEAL and toured the family care room and Natural Beginnings.

Miami Valley Hospitals

Miami Valley Hospital South had its first organ donation to Life Connection of Ohio. Available staff attended an Honor Walk ceremony.

Good Samaritan Foundation-Dayton board elected Alec Carnes and Charles L. Ellington II to the foundation’s Board of Trustees. Alec is a mechanical engineer at Messer Construction, while Charles is recently retired from CareSource. Alec and Charles will officially begin their board term in May.

Fundraising for the Chapel at Miami Valley Hospital South is complete. As part of a $500,000 commitment from the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation to build a dedicated space for reflection and worship, the foundation provided donor opportunities for furnishings and artwork inside the chapel. In February, a permanent plaque was placed in the chapel that recognizes the businesses, clubs, and private donors who supported the chapel project at the hospital.

Leaders from Premier Health attended the Goodwill Easter Seals West Campus Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening in Trotwood. Goodwill is a partner with Premier Health on the Premier Health YMCA project at the Northwest Health and Wellness campus.

Miami Valley Hospital South donated essential items for the “Baskets of Warmth” program hosted by the City of Centerville and Meals on Wheels. Approximately 50 baskets were created and distributed to senior citizens in Centerville.

Upper Valley Medical Center

The UVMC Trauma Level III program was surveyed by the American College of Surgeons (ASC) in late February for final full verification. The physicians performing the review were highly complimentary, noted no deficiencies, and recommended the trauma program be fully verified for three years. UVMC became a Level III Trauma Center from the Ohio Department of Public Safety in September 2021.

In February, UVMC Cancer Care services announced an expansion to include the Premier Blood and Cancer Center. The expansion provides patients with greater access to care that includes diagnosing and treating blood and lymph disorders such as leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s, and myeloma. The Premier Blood and Cancer Center at the hospital will offer patients services such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions, and other blood-related services.

In February, the UVMC Cardiac Catheterization Lab received a Collaborative Practice Award from Premier Health’s CareFlight partners. The award recognized the Cath Lab team’s excellent collaboration in working with CareFlight in November 2022 to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.   

Scott Kanagy, DO, chief medical officer at UVMC, was joined by Jacqui Rose, director of medical imaging and telecommunications,  for a Troy and Piqua radio morning show interview on Feb. 20 to discuss Premier Health MyChart and other online capabilities. Dr. Kanagy also provided a general update on activity at the hospital.

Lisa Pitcairn, APRN, chronic disease clinical nurse specialist at UVMC, presented Heart Month programs for the community on “Don’t Miss a Beat; How to Keep Your Heart Healthy” at the Troy and Piqua YMCAs in February. 

UVMC sponsored the Upper Miami Valley STEM Education Science Day at Tippecanoe High School on Feb. 9. A team of UVMC leaders participated as judges for this STEM/STEMM education event hosted by the Ohio Academy of Science.

Premier Physician Network

On February 15, 2023, PPN welcomed 15 new physicians and providers at new provider orientation. Please help us welcome our new PPN physicians: Catarina Gulledge, MD, Hand and Reconstructive Surgeons; Satheesh Kathula, MD, Premier Blood and Cancer Center; and Nimish Thuluvath, MD, Premier Psychiatry Associates.

Please also help us welcome our new APPs: Michelle Adkins, CNP, Premier Family Care Kettering; Meghan Albers, APRN, FNP-C, Premier Women’s Center; Timothy Clark, PA-C, Premier Health Urgent Care – Huber Heights; Jacob Dougherty, CNP, Premier Health Advanced Critical Care – MVHS; Rick Foreman, CNP, Premier Blood and Cancer Center; Kathleen Kearney, CNP, Premier Cardiovascular Institute; Melissa Meyer, CNS, Premier Blood and Cancer Center; Misty Mokrycki, CNP, Magnolia Women’s Health; Megan Shortridge, CNP, Premier Health Rheumatology; and Steven Vordenberg, PA-C, Premier Health Urgent Care – Springboro.

Louis Okafor, MD, is featured in a new, free virtual joint pain webinar. The webinar offers insights into new treatment options, including procedures that use advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic techniques. Dr. Okafor, a surgeon with Premier Orthopedics, is fellowship-trained in joint preservation, resurfacing, and reconstruction. Register and learn more.

Back to the March 2023 issue of Premier Pulse