healthworks - Emerson Hospital

healthworks
Emerson Hospital
| Spring 2015
A commitment to running
Emerson rehab team keeps
ironman athlete going
Targeted therapy for
lung cancer
Tour Clough Family
Rehab Center
Pain-free after spinal
fusion surgery
Carefully treating
diverticulitis
Targeted therapy
A Letter from
Christine Schuster
Dear Friends,
Happy Spring! You may be aware of Emerson’s
clinical affiliations with several outstanding
Boston hospitals. The feature article on targeted cancer therapy is a great example of how,
through our collaboration with Massachusetts
General Hospital, we offer world-class cancer
care in our community.
This issue of HealthWorks also includes several stories about patients who turned to our
talented surgical and medical specialists for the
expertise they needed.
Our fabulous Clough Family Center for
Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies is about to
open in its new location at 310 Baker Avenue
in Concord. I am sure that you will enjoy the
“tour” of this expanded center by our talented
rehab staff.
The goal at Emerson is to provide you and your
family with Premium Care delivered with a
Personal Touch. Our hundreds of Emerson
volunteers help us do that every day. As you
will see in the article about our volunteer program, they help our staff in patient care areas,
at the front desk and throughout Emerson and,
in the process, provide their own personal
touch. We could not do it without them and
are grateful for their many gifts to Emerson.
My best to you for a warm and healthy spring.
Christine C. Schuster, RN, MBA
President and CEO
Emerson Hospital is an acute care medical center
located in Concord with health centers in Groton,
Sudbury and Westford. It is well known for its medical and surgical specialists, outstanding nursing care
and patient-centered services, including the Clough
Birthing Center, the Mass General Cancer Center at
Emerson Hospital-Bethke, the Polo Emergency Center
and the Clough Surgical Center.
www.emersonhospital.org
2
Beverly Barney, shown with her husband,
David, and grandsons, Benjamin (left) and
Asher, is participating in a clinical trial.
concord resident benefits from the most
current treatment
Targeted cancer therapy has proven to be effective treatment for a
number of cancers, notably lung cancer—the leading cause of cancer
death in men and women, and a diagnosis that is increasing among
“never smokers.” As Beverly Barney discovered, care at the Mass
General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital-Bethke, combined with
research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, can
rewrite the lung cancer story.
Ms. Barney’s transition from being
healthy and active to receiving a devastating, life-changing diagnosis was
swift. She assumed the nagging pain in
her right side, which worsened during
the summer of 2013, was the result of
heavy gardening underway at her
Concord home. “I don’t use clippers,”
Ms. Barney explains. “I use a shovel,
dig deep holes and cut down trees.”
When the pain became debilitating, she
sought medical attention, which led to
an appointment with Dean Howard, MD,
an orthopedic surgeon at Emerson, and
a subsequent MRI scan. “I could tell
from his voice that Dr. Howard was
shaken,” says Ms. Barney about the
phone call that morning. “He told me
the scan revealed that I had lung cancer.
I couldn’t believe it, because I was un-
is rewriting the
lung cancer story
“Beverly is an example of someone who benefited
from our coordinated, multidisciplinary team in
Concord and Boston.”
– Jon DuBois, MD, Medical Director of Medical Oncology
Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital-Bethke
believably healthy. And I’ve never had
a cigarette in my mouth.”
This scenario is not that rare; lung
cancer is increasing among “never smokers.” The theories include exposure to
air pollution and passive smoking.
Ms. Barney, who is 73, was admitted to
Emerson, where she quickly understood
the seriousness of her situation. The
lung cancer was advanced and had
metastasized to her liver and spine.
Moreover, in addition to her pain, she
had developed complications that required immediate treatment: multiple
blood clots—a common side effect of
cancer—and severe hypercalcemia, a
high level of calcium in her blood.
She was being treated for all those problems when Jon DuBois, MD, medical director of medical oncology, introduced
himself to Ms. Barney and her husband,
David. “At the time, we were in a state
of shock,” she recalls of those early days
after the diagnosis. “I could see that
Dr. DuBois wanted to know who I am—
and the same for my husband. He’s a
wonderful human being.”
Dr. DuBois explained that he and his
colleagues were developing a treatment
plan, and he mentioned Tarceva, a targeted therapy that, in 15-20 percent of
cases, targets the mutation that drives
the growth of adenocarcinomas, the
most common type of lung cancer. “We
determined that Beverly had the epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]
mutation,” says Dr. DuBois. “I told her
that, even in those who respond well,
within a year of taking one of these
targeted therapies, such as Tarceva,
patients often develop resistance to the
medication. At that point, she could
either have conventional chemotherapy
or enroll in a clinical trial.”
After targeted therapy, enrollment in
a clinical trial
The first step was to treat the cancer that
had spread to Ms. Barney’s spine and
was causing intense pain. She received
a course of radiation therapy, which
was planned by John McGrath, MD,
chief of radiation oncology. The treatment was successful at shrinking the
tumors that had spread to her spine and
controlling the pain.
Once she started on Tarceva, taking one
pill a day, Ms. Barney experienced the
side effects that often accompany the
treatment, including a rash, dry, scaly
skin and gastrointestinal symptoms. “I
lost 40 pounds,” she says. “I had no appetite, even for favorite foods.”
But the treatment was successful; the
cancer in her liver and lungs began to
diminish. “The cancer in Beverly’s
liver literally melted away,” reports Dr.
DuBois. However, after 14 months on
Tarceva, Ms. Barney developed severe
pain in her spine, which implied that
the cancer was re-growing.
“A biopsy determined that Beverly was
no longer responding to Tarceva,” says
Lecia Sequist, MD, an oncologist at
Mass General Cancer Center whose research focus is targeted agents for lung
cancer treatment, particularly those that
target the EGFR. “Fortunately, we were
about to launch a clinical trial for an experimental EGFR inhibitor, and Beverly
Continued on page 19
targeted therapies
represent a new era in
treating cancer
Cancer investigators know that, if a target can
be identified, there is hope that an effective
medication will be developed. The targets are
mutations that drive the growth of cancer cells;
targeted cancer therapy blocks the signals that
direct this unbridled growth.
Today there are several categories of targeted
drugs that inhibit specific mutations. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors,
such as Tarceva, are effective against lung,
colorectal and other cancers. The Center for
Thoracic Cancers at Mass General Cancer Center,
where Dr. Sequist sees patients and also
conducts her research, has been at the center
of the EGFR story.
“Before EGFR was discovered, someone diagnosed with lung cancer typically had one or two
years to live,” she says. “In patients where we
don’t have anything to target, that is still the
case. Fortunately, today we can identify a mutation in at least half of patients who are diagnosed
with lung cancer.”
Along the way, lung cancer investigators have
learned that performing biopsies on a regular
basis is crucial. “Because tumors evolve, we
depend on biopsies to tell us when the patient
has developed resistance. This leads us to the
next treatment.”
The next treatments are in the pipeline.
Dr. Sequist is optimistic that the future of treating lung cancer will be shaped by an expanded
number of targeted therapies. “We are well into
a new era,” she says. “Lung cancer is no longer
a death sentence.”
3
Cover feature | Training, competing and bouncing back
Training, competing
and bouncing back
westford man takes on athletic challenges with help from emerson hospital
Like lots of people, Paul Curtin used to jog. But unlike most people, he gave
up jogging to pursue something much more ambitious: a level of fitness few
individuals try to achieve. Mr. Curtin learned something on the way to running a marathon and participating in the Ironman competition: when you
strive to achieve your maximum potential, working through an occasional injury is part of the journey. At Emerson Hospital, he found the expertise and
education he needs to bounce back from injury, get strong and keep going.
Something happened when Mr. Curtin
turned 40. “I realized it was now or never,”
says the Westford resident. “I wanted to get
in the best shape possible, and I wanted to
run my first triathlon. Like a lot of people, I
sit at a desk all day, in front of a computer.
I knew getting in shape would be harder as I
got older.”
Paul Curtin says he is
a stronger, more efficient runner thanks
to Emerson’s Running
Conditioning Clinic.
Up to that point, Mr. Curtin, who is 47, had
been a weekend warrior. “I always jogged,
cycled and swam, mostly recreationally,” he
says. Initially his goal was to participate in
a sprint triathlon—swimming one-quarter to
one-half mile, cycling 10-12 miles and running 3 miles. It would be the first of several
challenges to come.
As he began training more seriously—next,
for an Olympic-distance triathlon, a halfironman distance triathlon and then for the
Baystate Marathon in Lowell—he encountered a problem that threatened to derail his
plans. “I developed hip pain and decided to
attend Emerson’s Running Assessment,
which is where I met Rachel Kim,” says Mr.
Curtin. “That’s how I found out I had a tight
IT band.” Rachel Kim, PT, DPT, a physical
therapist at the Westford Health Center who
specializes in running, was able to determine the root cause of his problem and, over
time, worked with him to improve his approach to running.
The iliotibial or IT band is a fibrous tissue
that runs down the leg, from the hip to the
knee. “It is prone to tendonitis and is difficult to stretch out,” explains Ms. Kim. “We
determined that an earlier foot injury—a
fractured bone—had thrown off Paul’s gait.
This had led to the development of muscle
imbalances.”
Once someone commits to serious running,
she notes, such imbalances become apparent
and can lead to injury. “This is quite
common when people start increasing their
distance beyond their usual level of training,” she says. “Paul’s problem appeared
when he was preparing for a marathon.
We worked to develop an individualized
program that would maximize his strength
and flexibility. As a result, his running
mechanics improved.”
A new, improved way of running
Mr. Curtin did well in the marathon. But
when he began training for the Ironman
Triathlon in 2014, his hip pain returned.
The Ironman, one of the most difficult sporting events in the world, consists of a 2.4mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and
running a marathon (26.2 miles). “I knew
I needed to prepare for the training, not just
4
Rachel Kim, PT, DPT, worked with Paul Curtin in
advance of the 2014 Ironman competition in Lake
Placid, New York.
He knows that means committing to the
training that those events require. “I’ve
learned how to prepare—not just for the
events themselves, but for the rigorous hours
of training they require,” he says. “I put in
more hours than ever, doing the fundamental strengthening and stretching required to
keep myself healthy. I’m confident that, if
I were to encounter an injury, the team at
Emerson would be right there to help!
the event itself,” he says, noting that he was
facing three months of intense training ranging from 10 to 18 hours per week.
He decided to return to Emerson for the
Running Conditioning Clinic, an eight-session class, prior to starting his training.
“Not only did the hip pain go away, but
Rachel taught me to strengthen my core—my
hip flexors and gluteal muscles, in addition
to my abdomen,” says Mr. Curtin. “I learned
to do focused stretching, and it changed the
way I run. Now I run from my core and am
able to drive my legs more efficiently. As a
result, I’m a more efficient, stronger runner.
I have greater confidence.”
Everyone, including weekend warriors, can
benefit from adjusting their running technique, says Ms. Kim. “We often point out
the different ways that runners waste energy,
such as moving their arms too much. If you
watch elite runners, they make it look effortless, letting their legs do the work by extending their stride.
“Also, runners tend to just want to run. We
emphasize that they need to cross-train—
that is, focus on stretching and strengthening,” she adds, noting that this appraoch
helps prevent injuries.
Footwear is another area where experts like
Ms. Kim can provide advice. “In addition to
the earlier foot injury, I also have a high
arch,” says Mr. Curtin. “I used to buy a specific brand of running shoe, but Rachel suggested I buy a specific type of shoe for my
foot. It’s made a big difference.” He also attended the Advanced Running Conditioning
Clinic, which Ms. Kim designed for runners,
and attended one-one-one physical therapy
sessions with her.
Ten years earlier, knee pain brought Mr.
Curtin to Paul Re, MD, an Emerson orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist.
“Dr. Re prescribed a course of physical therapy that helped a great deal and opened my
eyes,” he recalls. “I realized that if I consulted knowledgeable people and worked
with them to maintain and tune my body
properly, I would not have to give up the
activities I love.” Mr. Curtin’s knee has been
fine ever since.
He went back to Dr. Re when he experienced
shoulder pain during the process of training
for longer and longer swim distances. “Dr.
Re again recommended a physical therapist
who helped strengthen my rotator cuff,” he
says. “I spent the next winter rebuilding my
swim stroke to avoid unnecessary stress on
it. As a bonus, I became a faster and more
efficient swimmer.”
Well-prepared for running and training
When the day arrived, Mr. Curtin was ready
for the Ironman, which was held in Lake
Placid, New York. He completed the competition, in the process raising money for
The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org),
and was pleased that his knees, hips and
shoulders came through pain-free.
Mr. Curtin emailed Ms. Kim to let her know
he had successfully completed the event,
thanking her for what they accomplished together. “Paul is definitely one of the more
committed runners I’ve treated,” says Ms.
Kim, who is a runner herself. “At this point,
he’s a high-level athlete.”
He has a busy season ahead, including a
half-marathon, 134-mile cycle through
Vermont and a half-Ironman. “My goal is to
do a full Ironman every other year,” he says.
“I’ve gone to Emerson my whole life,” says
Mr. Curtin, who grew up in West Concord,
“and I’ve always been impressed. Needless
to say, Emerson has put me back together
more than once. The running program has
taught me how to train and prevent injuries
so that I can achieve my goals.”
running courses:
something for everyone
Running season is here. To register for
one of the following running classes,
visit emersonwellness.org or call
978-287-3777.
Running Assessment
$35 for a 30-minute assessment
Runners are screened for potential injuries by a physical therapist and are
screened for strength and flexibility.
The session includes assessment of foot
biomechanics, analysis of running gait
and checking footwear fit.
Running Conditioning Clinic
$200 for eight sessions
This four-week program instructs
runners on specific warm-up activities,
stretching exercises and strength/core
stability exercises that are proven to reduce injury and improve performance.
Advanced Running Conditioning Clinic
$200 for eight sessions
This twice-weekly, four-week program
is held intermittently, depending on interest, and instructs runners on dynamic
warm-up techniques, flexibility and advanced strength/core stability exercises
proven to reduce injury and improve
performance. This clinic is appropriate
for individuals with a strong base in
running and strength training.
5
A strong corps of volunteers
They are essential to life at Emerson
They are talented, enthusiastic and generous. Some are
retired and have valuable experience to share. Others
are students who are eager to work in a clinical setting.
Emerson’s large and diverse group of volunteers are an
important part of its warm and welcoming environment,
and they are essential to the hospital’s daily life.
Janet Davis, volunteer director, oversees the program, whose history
dates to when Emerson opened as a cottage hospital 104 years ago.
“We have so much talent and dedication among our volunteers, who
can be found throughout the hospital and come from all over
Emerson’s service area,” says Ms. Davis.
“Our student volunteer program is very popular. Many of the college students want experience working in a clinical area. Our high
school program is so popular it has a long waiting list. Every age
group is represented; we have a volunteer who is 96 and continues
to transport patients around the hospital.”
“We greatly appreciate our dedicated volunteers—more than 500
strong—who give freely of their time and talent,” says Christine
Schuster, president and CEO. “You can find an Emerson volunteer
in just about every department in the hospital. They are amazing.”
Emerson’s post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where surgery patients
recover, is one such area. That is where Fred Brown spends several
hours each week. Mr. Brown had a revelation when he retired after
40 years in human resources management. “I had camped and golfed
for a couple of years before realizing I needed to interact with people
again,” recalls the Lincoln resident. He enjoyed working in transport
but was intrigued when he was asked to consider volunteering as a
family liaison in the PACU. After shadowing other PACU family liaisons, he jumped in.
“I go back and forth between the surgical recovery area and the waiting room with the goal of keeping families informed,” he explains.
“I sit down with them and establish a rapport. They hang onto every
word, such as ‘the surgery went well’ or ‘the doctor will speak with
you shortly.’ As soon as the nurse says it’s okay, I bring the family
in to visit the patient.”
Mr. Brown says he feels honored to be working in a clinical area.
“After spending a morning as a PACU family liaison, it’s satisfying
to know that I made things go a bit easier for a patient and their
family,” he says.
All volunteers start out in transport, where they receive their initial
training. Pat Gunning, who began volunteering at Emerson 12 years
ago, decided to remain there. Hospitals were already familiar to
Ms. Gunning, whose background includes working in a clinical lab.
“I’m providing a service for the hospital, I’ve made nice friendships
with other volunteers, and it’s great exercise,” notes Ms. Gunning,
who also fills in at the front desk and escorts patients and visitors to
their Emerson destination. “I put in about two miles every time I
volunteer.” When the Acton resident exhibited her watercolors in
the main corridor off the hospital lobby, she sold 21 paintings, with
30 percent of sales going to the hospital.
Challenging work and satisfying days
Consider volunteering
at Emerson
Many diverse volunteer opportunities are available at Emerson
that are a good fit for individual
interests and talents. For more
information about volunteering,
please contact Community
Services at 978-287-3200 or
jadavis@emersonhosp.org.
6
Emerson’s volunteers are instrumental to hospital operations
and have an impact on the care
that is provided. “We could not
deliver such high-quality care
without them,” says Christine
Gallery, senior vice-president,
planning and chief strategy officer. “Our patient care staff relies
heavily on the volunteers, who
provide support in a number of
important clinical areas.”
“I’m providing a service for the hospital, I’ve made nice friendships with other
volunteers, and it’s great exercise,” says Pat Gunning, who enjoys transporting
patients around Emerson.
Fred Brown confers with
Mary Krause, RN, in the postanesthesia care unit.
Alice Van Deusen has an impressive, 21-year track record of volunteering at Emerson. “I worked in the gift shop when it was just a
kiosk, and the Beanie Baby craze was underway,” recalls Ms. Van
Deusen, a Concord resident who formerly was on the Simmons
College faculty. “I’ve rocked babies in the special care nursery,
tended kids on Wheeler 4 and given tours of the hospital to new
Emerson employees.”
loved one who is having a medical test. But once people realize
what we have to offer, many return to Emerson just to shop.”
The gift shop gets busy during certain holidays, notably Mother’s
Day. “That’s when we see lots of the Emerson staff, as well as
patients and visitors,” Ms. Murphy says.
Continued on page 18
She served as a patient representative, visiting newly admitted
patients to distribute printed materials and answer questions, and
currently works at the front desk two mornings a week. Ms. Van
Deusen is in her second year as a PACU family liaison. “The PACU
is my absolute favorite volunteering job,” she says. “I sit down with
people, who are waiting while their loved one is in surgery, and listen to their stories. The nurses appreciate us; while they’re at the
bedside with their patients, we’re taking care of the families.”
The work is challenging, which is exactly what Ms. Van Deusen
wants. “I need this in my life,” she says. “At Emerson, people
respect my capabilities.”
Emerson’s gift shop, where sales support hospital programs, is an
important focus for Ms. Davis. She has expanded the inventory,
which now includes pre-paid gift cards, gift baskets and men’s and
women’s clothing. The shop’s clothing displays are handled by
Janice Murphy, whose experience in area stores, including in
Concord, makes her a valuable volunteer and a familiar face to many.
“It’s so much fun to work at Emerson’s gift shop,” says Ms. Murphy,
who lives in Chelmsford. “Some of our best customers tend to be
people who have time on their hands, perhaps while waiting for a
Janice Murphy oversees
the clothing displays in the
Emerson gift shop.
7
Out of back pain–finally
Spinal fusion surgery was the answer for Acton woman
instability causes back pain, and the mobile bone can also pinch
nerves, leading to pain that radiates down the legs.” The condition
most likely resulted from fracturing her vertebra when she fell many
years earlier.
He told Ms. Green that she was a candidate for spinal fusion surgery,
which stops motion at the painful segment of the spine, effectively
treating chronic back pain. “This time around, when surgery was
suggested, I didn’t hesitate,” says Ms. Green.
Pain-free and a fast recovery
Dr. Whitmore performed her spinal fusion surgery in June 2014, and
Ms. Green was walking around, wearing a soft brace, within a couple
of days. “Susan left the hospital faster than any patient I’ve ever
seen,” says Dr. Whitmore, noting that most individuals stay two to
four nights after spinal fusion surgery; she stayed only one night. “I
believe her post-surgical pain was minimal compared to what she
had been experiencing.”
After years of back pain, Susan Green found the treatment that got her back to
activities she loves.
Susan Green’s chronic back pain began in her twenties, when she
was caring for three small children. “I chalked it up to carrying the
kids around,” she says. It didn’t help that she has epilepsy; she fell
during a seizure and fractured a bone in her back. ”I suspect it
didn’t heal correctly.”
The first pain injection worked, but the second did not. “I just dealt
with the pain,” says the Acton resident, who is 44. “I knew I should
have surgery, but I was frightened. My mom had back surgery in the
1970s, and she had a difficult recovery.” Ms. Green kept going.
At one point, she was working at a nursing home, bent over and felt
terrible, sudden pain. “After that, when I got home from work, I’d
lie on a heating pad and then begin icing my back,” she recalls.
“I went to a chiropractor, and it helped. But as soon as I stopped
going, the pain came back, and I was right back to where I started.”
Two years ago, after being unable to work for several years, another
fall—again the result of a seizure—brought Ms. Green to the Emerson
Emergency Department (ED). Despite the intense back pain she experienced, something quite positive happened: she finally found out
what was wrong with her back. “Dr. Whitmore came in to show me
my x-rays,” she recalls, referring to Robert Whitmore, MD, a neurosurgeon who specializes in spine treatment. “He explained my problem so that I could understand.”
Her problem was spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one of the
vertebrae is slipped forward relative to another. “It means there is
likely excessive motion at that level,” Dr. Whitmore explains. “This
8
“By the second week after my surgery, I knew my back was healthy
again,” says Ms. Green. “About a month after surgery, I began physical therapy, and I was moving so well that the therapist said to me
‘Are you sure you had back surgery? I don’t think you need PT.’”
She was soon working as a landscaping volunteer, digging up flower
beds and planting flowers—work she hopes to continue this spring.
“I was lifting 60 pounds last summer,” she says, “and I had no back
pain. It affected my mood; I was always cranky, but not anymore.”
In selected patients, spinal fusion surgery can be the right treatment
for chronic pain. In performing the surgery, Dr. Whitmore inserts
screws and a spacer into the disc space, followed by bone graft taken
from the patient’s spine. “We need to be careful with the diagnosis–
that is, to understand where the pain is coming from,” he says. “Back
pain can originate in the disc, facet joints or through compression of
nerves. Fusion surgery addresses each of these sources of pain.”
Ms. Green is feeling good, thanks to her successful back surgery and
because her epilepsy is being managed by George Gonzalez, MD, the
Emerson neurologist she met in the ED when
she fell. “My epilepsy is in good control
now, thanks to Dr. Gonzalez,” she says.
As for Dr. Whitmore, she is a big fan. “I’ve
recommended a couple of my neighbors to
Dr. Whitmore,” she notes.
Spinal fusion surgery involves the insertion of
screws and a spacer into the disc space.
Courtesy of Depuy Synthes Spine
Shelley Walton
‘‘
Living well with
rheumatoid arthritis
Shelley Walton didn’t realize that the joint pain and fatigue that appeared
about 20 years ago was rheumatoid arthritis. Ms. Walton, who was a runner,
had small children and enjoyed pushing them in a double-jogger. Soon, she
could hardly get out of bed in the morning or dress herself. After seeing several
physicians, she was diagnosed by Alan Marks, MD, a rheumatologist at
Emerson, who started her on medication and kept a close eye on her symptoms
and response to treatment—at times seeing Ms. Walton several times a week.
They continue to work together on her treatment, which has included several
surgeries—all aimed at assuring Ms. Walton, who is 57 and lives in Carlisle, can
enjoy the fullest life possible.
“I will never forget the day I was on a stationary bike at the gym, and I realized
my feet were hurting. I had no idea what was going on. I changed exercises,
but my feet continued to really hurt, and it progressed from there. Even after
Dr. Marks told me I had rheumatoid arthritis, I was in denial for quite a while;
I struggled with having to take medication and certainly did not want to take
any steroids.
“Initially, I’d think a drug was working and then realize it wasn’t. Dr. Marks
was good about moving me along to try a different medication. I’ve been on
Rituxan for the last few years, and it’s given me my life back. I go to the Naka
Infusion Center at Emerson once or twice a year to receive a dose, which
takes about four hours. The staff there is great. If Rituxan stops working for
me, I know Dr. Marks will have something else for me to try.
“If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you don’t
need to be an exercise fanatic, but you do need
to keep moving.” – Shelley Walton
“Fatigue is an ongoing problem. I’ve always been a morning person, so
I try to cram everything into the mornings. By the afternoon, I’m tired. My
husband, Rod, does most of the cooking; I know how lucky I am.
“I’m also lucky that I have always been into exercise. It’s been key for my
physical health, including my bone density, and my mental wellbeing. During
a typical week, I exercise six days. I have an elliptical machine and rowing machine at home. I also lift weights, walk with friends and recently started snowshoeing, which I love. I’ve had depression at times, but exercise definitely
pulls me back up.
‘‘
In my
OWN
voice
Shelley Walton has an elliptical machine
and other exercise equipment at home.
“Thank God I had my children, especially at the beginning when I was so
sick. I wanted to lie in bed, but I had to get up and take care of them. Seeing
their happy little faces helped. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you don’t
need to be an exercise fanatic, but you do need to keep moving. It’s crucial.
“My hands and shoulders continue to be an issue. I need to know when
to stop—when I’m doing too much. That’s a constant battle for me. For
example, my fingers often become really painful. I’ve had lots of surgery
at Emerson with Dr. Paul Re, on my shoulders and knees, and Dr. Brian
Zinsmeister, on my feet.
“Dr. Marks encourages me. He’s been great. Back in 2000, we were in
Canada for Christmas, and I became very sick with pneumonia, which led to
sepsis. My husband was in constant contact with Dr. Marks, who took care
of me from a distance. When we got home, I was still very sick and needed
to be admitted to Emerson. However, there was a terrible flu epidemic at
the time, and every bed was full. I’ll never forget how Dr. Marks arranged to
have a bed reserved and waiting for me at another hospital.
“Dr. Marks and I have been through a lot together. We see each other much
less frequently, as my disease is under good control. I am certainly in a much
better place than I was 20 years ago.”
9
Take a tour of the Clough Family Center
for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies
Center offers new programs and equipment
It has a new address, much-expanded space and new programs and equipment. The
Clough Family Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies is about to open at 310
Baker Avenue in Concord. The rehab staff—physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists—are known for providing highly specialized treatments to
patients with a range of conditions. Now they are excited about the larger space and
their ability to offer even more to patients.
Ryan Stoddard, PT – aquatics program
“Our new aquatics program is centered on a
pool that includes an underwater treadmill
and a video system so that we can observe
patients as they exercise. Because of the
buoyancy of the body underwater, exercising in a pool provides a good foundation for
strengthening without the impact of gravity.
Due to the increased resistance offered by
the water, patients actually work harder
than is possible when they are on land, and
they can be pain-free at the same time. This
is particularly true of individuals who have
spinal compression, where the spine is
pinching a nerve, or someone with a severe
ankle sprain.
“Aquatics provides a way for many patients
to work out effectively. For example, we
often get in the pool and work with children
who have disabilities. The pool offers individuals with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis an opportunity to move freely,
and patients with arthritis enjoy being in
warm water, especially after they’ve had
surgery, such as a hip or knee replacement.“
For selected patients, physical therapy will now
include working out on a treadmill in the center’s
new pool, says Ryan Stoddard, PT.
Naseem Chatiwala, DPT, MS, NCS – pediatrics gym
“The new pediatrics gym is much larger than the space we had before, and it features a variety of new equipment, such as suspension
equipment—swings—that build strength and body awareness in
children with developmental delay, autism or cerebral palsy. We
now have activity panels—one with fiber optics for use with kids
who are visually impaired, and one that is tactile for kids with sensory problems.
Naseem Chatiwala, DPT, MS, NCS,
says the pediatric gym’s activity panels are used by children with visual
impairment or sensory problems.
The expanded center has more private
treatment areas—perfect for individuals
with neurological conditions, says
Antonella Lanni, OT.
Antonella Lanni, OT – neuro gym
“In the neuro gym, occupational therapists provide services to
individuals with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis,
traumatic brain injury and patients who have had surgery for brain
tumors, as well as other neurological diagnoses. Many of these individuals benefit from mat work, including weight-bearing activities
and stretching aimed at achieving neuromuscular re-education. The
new neuro gym also will have Dynavision equipment, which helps
our patients improve peripheral visual awareness, visual attention
and anticipation, improve eye-hand coordination and visual-motor
reaction time.
“Because the occupational therapists will now have their own area,
we’ll be able to work with patients in privacy with fewer distractions, which is important for many of our patients. In addition to
working on their visual and cognitive issues, we help them to regain
function and complete activities of daily living, including showering, dressing, household activities and return to driving. The neuro
gym expansion will allow us to better serve the growing number of
people in the community who need and benefit from our services.”
“The new space is designed to be warm and friendly but not overstimulate children. We have a designated quiet area for occupational therapy where we can work one-on-one with patients. Our
team has wanted to offer more interdisciplinary group exercises,
such as ‘move and groove’ and social skills-building groups, to our
pediatric patients, because we know they learn more that way.
Now we have the space for that. In general, the new pediatrics gym
allows us to do so much more with our patients. We’re able to
treat any pediatric patient who comes through the door.”
New treatment techniques are used
for baseline concussion testing in the
Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center,
says Mary Ann Butler, CCC, SLP.
Mary Ann Butler, CCC, SLP – concussion center,
speech/language pathology
“The concussion care team, which includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology, has always worked together
closely. With the new concussion center, our patients will benefit
from having us located in the same space. There is a designated area
for ImPACT testing, where athletes receive baseline testing and can
be retested if they are injured later. We have expanded space for the
combination of disciplines, which are coordinated with the neurologist: physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology
to address symptoms associated with concussion. We also provide
cognitive retraining for attention, memory and organizational skills.
“Our speech pathology patients include children with feeding and
swallowing difficulties, speech/language delays, as well as children
with autism who are non-verbal and use augmented programs on the
iPad for communication. Adult speech pathology patients include
those with neurological diagnoses, such as stroke, those with head
and neck cancer, swallowing deficits and voice patients, such as professional singers and teachers. Our new speech pathology suite has
five sound-proofed treatment rooms, part of an expanded space that
will allow us to care for more patients.”
11
News from Emerson
Emerson joins Blue Cross Blue Shield telemedicine pilot
Westford Internal Medicine celebrates its 25th anniversary
Telemedicine, which allows individuals to visit with a health care
provider via online video rather than going for an appointment, can
prevent emergency department visits and bring care to those who
are housebound. Several Emerson physician practices have joined
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s new telemedicine pilot program,
WellConnection, which is designed to assess its effectiveness in
delivering various types of care, such as checking a patient’s response to a medication, monitoring a patient’s recovery after discharge and wellness coaching. “We are always identifying ways to
make it easier for our patients to receive the best medical care,” says
Gregory Martin, MD, chief medical officer and senior vice president
for clinical affairs. “All they need is a smart phone, tablet or desktop computer, and they can have a virtual visit with their provider
through the power of telemedicine.”
Westford Internal Medicine, a primary care practice for adults located at the Westford Health
Center, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
James Cohen, MD, founding member, serves as
medical director for the highly regarded practice,
which includes five other physicians and five nurse practitioners.
When Emerson’s Westford Internal Medicine was established, there
was one traffic light on Route 110 in Westford, now a busy thoroughfare. The practice moved into the Westford Health Center and has
since expanded its hours and received high scores from the National
Committee on Quality Assurance for its patient-centered medical
home, a model of care that features tight coordination of services.
Preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery?
Jon Way, MD, a primary care physician affiliated with Emerson for
many years, recently retired from practice. Dr. Way cared for many
loyal and appreciative patients at Acton Medical Associates, in both
Acton and Littleton, for the past 34 years. The Stow resident, an
early enthusiast of the use of information technology to support
health care quality, is respected by his colleagues and friends. The
Emerson community extends its thanks to Dr. Way and wishes him
many happy, healthy years to come.
Emerson now offers free, two-hour classes
to help patients prepare for their joint
replacement surgery at Emerson, cope
with their hospital stay and plan the rehabilitation services needed after leaving the
hospital. Topics also include pain management and post-surgical care. Classes
are taught by nursing, rehabilitation, care
management and pharmacy staff and are
held at the main hospital campus in
Concord. Patients, their caregivers and
adult family members are welcome to
attend the class. Light refreshments and educational materials are
provided. To register, please visit emersonwellness.org or call
978-287-3777.
Sid Pani, MD, paintings are on exhibit in Sudbury
Sid Pani, MD, a primary care physician at
Emerson Medical at Sudbury, is exhibiting his paintings through October 31.
Dr. Pani’s paintings, usually improvisations from photographs, are known for
their vibrant colors, bold brush strokes
and extensive use of the palette knife. Emerson Medical at Sudbury
is located at 490 Boston Post Road in Sudbury.
12
Jon Way, MD, retires from Acton Medical Associates
Emerson Home Care at The Commons In Lincoln
Emerson Home Care recently began as a preferred provider for home
care services at The Commons In Lincoln. The hospital’s home
care staff now visit the Lincoln retirement community five days per
week to answer questions related to home care and assist residents
with health care information and support. In addition, Emerson
Home Care staff are developing a health and wellness seminar series
for residents that will cover topics such as preventing falls and
cognitive education.
Newsworthy notes for Emerson physician practices
Eric Mahoney, MD, now sees patients in his new office at Concord
Surgical Associates, John Cuming Building, Suite 770. The phone
number is 978-287-7350.
Atif Khan, MD, continues to see patients at Walden Surgical
Associates, John Cuming Building, Suite 500, and at the Emerson
Health Center, 133 Littleton Road, Suite 208, Westford.
The right treatment
for diverticulitis
Careful steps led to successful laparoscopic surgery
oped diverticulosis, which typically appears after age 60 and is often
discovered during a colonoscopy.
After a few days of antibiotic therapy at Emerson, Mr. Schwartz
returned home and proceeded to eat a low-fiber, bland diet, which
would allow his intestine to continue to heal. “Once I was better,
I went on a high-fiber diet,” he says. “The typical American diet,
which is low in fiber, is the reason why diverticulitis is more common here than in other countries.”
“Smoldering” diverticulitis leads to surgery
The chances are good that Mark
Schwartz’s diverticulitis will not
recur.
The abdominal pain that Mark Schwartz felt one evening
last April was sudden and sharp. “I’ve had appendicitis,”
says the Bolton resident. “That pain was milder. This
pain was on the lower left side and got worse, to where
I could barely talk.”
When he arrived at the Emerson Hospital Emergency Department,
Mr. Schwartz was given pain medication and taken for a CT scan,
which revealed a distinct area of inflammation in his colon. “I was
told it looked like diverticulitis,” he recalls. “I’d never heard that
term before.”
But he heard it again when Eric Mahoney, MD, a general surgeon,
arrived, made the diagnosis and admitted Mr. Schwartz to the hospital. Diverticulitis results when small pouches that can form in the
colon, a condition known as diverticulosis, become inflamed or infected. Like most people, Mr. Schwartz was unaware he has diverticulosis because he had no symptoms. Twenty percent of those
with the condition go on to develop the more serious diverticulitis.
“I explained to Mark that, if possible, we try not to operate,” says
Dr. Mahoney, who specializes in complex gastrointestinal surgery.
“I expected that a few days of intravenous antibiotics would cool
everything down, so that we could avoid surgery. In the past, we
used to operate on younger people so that they wouldn’t have repeat
episodes of diverticulitis. The way we manage the condition has
changed.” At 49, Mr. Schwartz is relatively young to have devel-
But his abdominal pain never went away completely. Three months
later, Mr. Schwartz experienced another episode—less painful than
the first—and returned to Emerson, where it was decided he should
receive intravenous antibiotics at home. “We altered his antibiotics,
which helped calm down the diverticulitis,” Dr. Mahoney notes.
He suggested that Mr. Schwartz begin seeing Mark Epstein, MD,
an Emerson gastroenterologist. “Dr. Epstein said that, once my
intestine was healed, he would perform a colonoscopy to see how
it looked,” Mr. Schwartz recalls.
With Mr. Schwartz still experiencing discomfort, Dr. Epstein
thought it prudent to obtain a CT scan, which showed that the
stubborn area of inflammation remained. The finding convinced
his Emerson physicians that Mr. Schwartz had “smoldering” diverticulitis. “This condition, where the intestine does not heal, despite
repeated efforts, is not common,” says Dr. Mahoney, “and often
leads to surgery.”
Given the complexity of Mr. Schwartz’s case, Dr. Mahoney consulted Atif Khan, MD, who is experienced in advanced minimally
invasive surgical techniques, to perform the surgery with him. They
were able to remove the inflamed segment and reconnect the colon
laparoscopically. After a few days recovering at Emerson, he headed
home to begin the healing.
Before long, Mr. Schwartz transitioned from eating a low-fiber diet
to a high-fiber diet designed to keep his intestine healthy. He also
takes a fiber supplement. He watches for symptoms and knows he
has all the expertise he needs at Emerson.
Dr. Mahoney says he is at low risk for a recurrence of his diverticulitis. “Diverticulitis varies, from mild inflammation to complete
perforation of the colon, which requires emergency surgery,” he
explains. “In Mark’s case, by removing the diseased segment of his
colon, the chances are that he’ll do fine.”
13
Healthy Living Program
MAP & DIRECTIONS TO 310 BAKER AVENUE
Elm Street
• Arthritis Exercise Program
• Nia
®
CONCORD
300-310
Baker Avenue
• Pilates Private Training Group
• Q
igong Classes: for Beginners,
Intermediate/Advanced
2 Concord
Turnpike
Baker Avenue
igong Basics for Everyday
• Q
Wellness
elf-Defense for Adults, Teens
• S
& Children
62 Main Street
ORNAC
Emerson
Hospital
The Health & Wellness Center is located about one
mile from Emerson Hospital. From Route 2, look for
signs to Baker Avenue Extension and then the Concord Meadows Corporate Center, located at 300-310
Baker Avenue, which is on the right. Drive through the
parking lot; the center is located in the Emerson Health
System building, next to Welch’s. Parking is free.
For complete class descriptions,
or to register, please scan here or visit
emersonwellness.org.
Some classes are ongoing; you can join at any time. If you
would like to receive a printed copy of the calendar or have
questions, please call 978-287-3777. Unless otherwise noted,
classes take place at 310 Baker Ave., Concord. Westford
classes are located at the Emerson Health Center, Route 110,
133 Littleton Rd. We offer a 10 percent discount to those 65
or older. Before attending a drop-in session, please call to
check if the class is being held.
Some health plans provide fitness and wellness reimbursement benefits. Contact your health plan for details.
14
EXERCISE/MOVEMENT
• Tai Chi Classes: for Beginners,
Intermediate/Advanced and Kids
• Tai Chi Basics for Everyday
Wellness
• Yoga Classes
–– Gentle Yoga
–– Mindful Yoga for Stress
Management
–– Yoga & Meditation
–– Seirenkai Jujitsu:
Classes for Children Grades 1-5
and Middle School to Adult
• Zumba® Dance Workout for All
Levels
–– Seirenkai Karate:
Class for High School to Adult
• Z
umba® for Beginners - Learn the
Dance Steps
–– Yoga for Beginners
Special Exercise Programs
• Adaptive Yoga
• Be Strong Cancer Exercise
Program
• LSVT® – BIG™ & Beyond for
Parkinson’s
• P
arkinson’s Movement:
Healing Movement to Music for
Parkinson’s & Movement-Related
Disorders
• Yoga of the Heart®
• MS Movement: Healing
Movement to Music for Multiple
Sclerosis
HEALTHY EATING/COOKING
• Art of Chinese Cooking
• Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Baking
• L ow FODMAP Diet for IBS &
Related Symptoms
• Overcoming Sugar Addiction
• R
ejuvenation Cleanse with
Whole Foods
INFANT AND CHILD CARE
SPORTS PERFORMANCE
• Infant Care
• I nfant CPR Anytime
®
Center for Rehabilitative and sports therapies
at Westford Health center
• Comprehensive Baseline
Concussion Testing
• Infant Massage
• S
oon to Be Grandparents
• Fit To Bike Clinic: Flexibility &
Strength Assessment for Cyclists
• Running Conditioning Clinic
• Running Injury Assessment
NATURAL THERAPIES
• I ntroduction to Acupuncture &
Chinese Medicine
• Self-Care for Colds & Cough
• S
elf-Help Healing with
Jin Shin Jyutsu
• Reiki Training Classes:
Reiki Level I Training;
Reiki Level II Training
• Tong Ren Therapy
STRESS REDUCTION
• Chinese Calligraphy Workshops:
Level I & Level II
• Mindfulness-Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR)
• Advanced Weight Loss Series:
How to Fix a Broken Metabolism
• Exercise & Weight Loss
Prevention Program for Those at
Risk for Heart Disease or Type 2
Diabetes
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
• Prenatal Childbirth – One Day
ypnoBirthing – The Mongan
• H
Method
• Prenatal Yoga for a Healthier
Pregnancy
• Natural Childbirth
ibling Preparation for Children
• S
2 1/2–3 1/2 and 4–6
®
• Prenatal Childbirth
• Tour
• T
ea Ceremony for Tranquility,
Harmony & Joy
WEIGHT LOSS/NUTRITION
• Tui Na & Tong Ren Therapy
Certification Workshop
• Breastfeeding
• Mindfulness Meditation
• Losing It & Loving It!
KIDS AND TEENS
• Babysitting Training (10–13)
• C
omprehensive Baseline
Concussion Testing
SELF-HELP/LEARNING
• Need Parenting Help? A No-Yell
Approach to Improving Your
Child’s Behavior
• Oh, My Achy Neck & Back!
• People Reading: Give Your
Communication Skills a Positive
Edge
• C
hildren’s Seirenkai Jujitsu
(Grades 1–5)
• G
irlPower!© Be Who You Are:
Empowerment Workshop for
Girls 8–12
• Tai Chi for Kids (8–12)
• Preparing for Knee Replacement
• Preparing for Hip Replacement
• Smoking Cessation Resources
• Create
the Life You Want –
A Vision Board Workshop
• Keys to Independence
• L aw of Attraction: A Practical
Approach to Getting What You
Want
• TMS: The Latest Treatment for
Depression
• Unexpected Twists: Stories of
What Life Hands Us
(delightful or difficult)
15
emerson hospital
Support Groups & Special Services
support groups
special services
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Support 978-287-3520
Alzheimer’s Information 800-272-3900
Pastoral Care 978-287-3015
Cancer Caregivers Support Group
978-287-3428
Aphasia Conversation Group
978-287-8238
Pediatric Intervention Team 978-287-3422
Grief Support Group – Loss Due to Illness
978-287-3428
CPR 978-287-3050
Pelvic Health/Bladder Control 978-287-8200
Melanoma Support
800-557-6352
Cardiac Rehabilitation 978-287-3732
Physician Referral
877-9-EMERSON or 877-936-3776
New Mothers Group 978-287-0221
Chronic Lung Disease Program 978-287-8300
Pulmonary – Better Breathers Club 978-287-3715
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Support 978-287-3428
Gambling Problems 978-287-3520
REACH (hotline for domestic violence)
800-899-4000
Parkinson’s Support 978-369-0419
Heart Failure Program 978-287-8300
Speech and Language Screening for Preschoolers
978-287-8200
Sleep Disorders Support 978-287-3741
Home Health Service 978-287-8300
Sports Rehabilitation
978-287-8200
Surgical Weight Loss Support
978-287-3532
Care Dimensions (formerly Hospice of the
North Shore & Greater Boston)
888-283-1722
Volunteer Program 978-287-3200
Widowed Outreach Support
800-696-6424
Nutritional Counseling 978-287-3782
Wound Care Center 978-287-8550
Over time, a connection with Emerson
joan perera shows her appreciation in a number of ways
Once Guido and Joan Perera
settled in Lincoln in 1967,
Emerson slowly became a part
of their lives. When they were
raising their three daughters,
there were trips to the Emergency
Department and, over time, they
both received care at Emerson.
Along the way, the couple became regular Annual Appeal donors, and both served as
corporators.
When Mr. Perera injured his
hand in a log-splitter in 1986,
he spent a month at Emerson to
receive antibiotic therapy. “Dr. Pantazelos saved Guido’s finger, and
he ended up with a fully functional hand,” says Mrs. Perera, recalling Hytho Pantazelos, MD, a former Emerson plastic surgeon.
“The doctors and nurses were wonderful.”
Mr. Perera was impressed with the care he received and, before long,
he was asked to join the Emerson Foundation Board, the hospital’s
16
philanthropic arm. “Health care was always an interest of Guido’s,
and he became an enthusiastic supporter of Emerson,” she notes.
The couple gained an even greater appreciation for Emerson when
Mr. Perera was diagnosed with cancer and received his care there.
“Guido had true quality of life throughout his treatment. I cannot
say enough about the compassionate care he received from Dr.
DuBois and his team,” says Mrs. Perera, in reference to Jon DuBois,
MD, medical director of medical oncology at the Mass General
Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital-Bethke.
A year after her husband’s death in 2009, Mrs. Perera was nominated
to serve as a corporator. “I love being a corporator,” she says of her
role as an ambassador in Lincoln. “There’s a lot going on in health
care, and Emerson seems to be meeting the many challenges.”
She also joined the Annual Appeal Committee and has participated
in several fundraising phonathons. “I believe in Emerson, so I’m
happy to take part,” she says. “One feels that a modest gift can make
a difference at Emerson.”
Moreover, Mrs. Perera likes Emerson’s human scale. “Emerson is
never overwhelming, and there’s a friendly feel. I know we’re lucky
to have Emerson so close by.”
Advisor
emerson
Q
your health questions answered by our experts.
With the prom and vacation season coming, my daughter wants to visit a tanning salon.
Is this risky?
Yes. Melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of
skin cancer, is increasing among young people,
and indoor tanning is playing a significant role in
this development. Many people think that tanning
booths are the “safe way” to tan. However, the UVA
and UVB spectrum used in tanning booths is just
as damaging as lying on a beach. Also, the concept
that getting a base tan is protective and safe prior
to a beach vacation is completely false.
Q
In my dermatology practice, I see young people
come in with suspicious-looking lesions made
worse by spending time at the tanning salon. In
Massachusetts, state laws ban kids under age 14
from using tanning salons unless accompanied by
a parent and require parental permission for ages
14-17. Newer legislation would ban tanning under
age 16.
In patients who wish to be tan, I encourage my
young patients to use self-tanning products such as a
spray tan or an over-the-counter cream. These products go on evenly, and you can adjust the amount of
color you get. It is an excellent alternative to use of a
carcinogenic tanning booth.
julie fenner, md
Dermatologist – Dermatology Associates of Concord
I see my physician regularly. Why do I need such a comprehensive medical screening
prior to having surgery?
Surgery puts a degree of stress on the body. The
goal prior to any scheduled surgery is to prevent or
minimize the risk of complications and make sure a
patient is healthy enough for surgery. Based on the
complexity and length of the surgery, type of anesthesia used and length of time required for rehabilitation, we may decide to perform certain tests.
Q
We review the patient’s health history and medications. If someone has diabetes that is not well controlled, the person will be at risk for infection. We
might need to reschedule their surgery. If someone’s
high blood pressure is in good control, we may ask
the patient to stop taking their medications since
their blood pressure will drop after surgery due to
lack of eating and taking pain medication. Asthma
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease must
also be well controlled.
If a patient has been diagnosed with heart disease,
we typically perform an electrocardiogram, along
with other tests to determine if the patient is a safe
surgery candidate. Smoking has an impact on one’s
ability to heal, so we ask that patients quit prior to
surgery.
teli leung, md
Primary Care Physician – Acton Medical Associates
I’ve been told I have patella tendonitis. Does it require treatment?
This is the most common cause of knee pain, which
appears in the front of the joint, often after someone
begins new activity and usually without any specific
injury. If the pain isn’t better after taking ibuprofen or
Aleve in appropriate doses for ten days, altering activity and using intermittent ice for the front of the knee,
seeing your primary care physician or orthopedic
surgeon is recommended.
They will evaluate your knee and also look for other
possible conditions, such as arthritis under the
patella (kneecap), torn meniscus cartilages, ligament
problems or pain radiating from other areas. If there
has been an injury, seeing your physician sooner is
recommended.
Patella tendonitis occurs in all ages. The history of
the problem is important to establishing the diagnosis; x-rays may be needed. On examining the knee,
the tenderness will be just below the kneecap or
slightly to the inside. The pain can range from minimal to severe. The knee is a key weight-bearing joint;
with more activity, pain can worsen. Fortunately,
without an injury, rupture is uncommon. Physical
therapy is commonly used together with a good
home exercise program that includes strengthening.
john blute, md
Orthopedic Surgeon – Concord Orthopedics/Westford
Orthopedics
For more information on care at Emerson Hospital, call the toll-free Physician Referral Line: 877-9-EMERSON (877-936-3776) or visit the hospital’s web
site at www.emersonhospital.org.
17
OnCall
Emerson Hospital is pleased to introduce the
following new clinicians.
DERMATOLOGY
Jeffrey Mailhot, MD
Adult & Pediatric Dermatology
80 Erdman Way, Suite 100
Leominster, 978-371-7010
3 Accepting new patients
Dr. Mailhot earned his medical degree from the
University of Massachusetts Medical School and
completed an internship at Maine Medical Center.
He completed his residency in dermatology at UMass
Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Mailhot is boardcertified in dermatology.
Clinical interests: Medical dermatology, pediatric
dermatology and connective tissue disease
A strong corps of
volunteers
Continued from page 7
A volunteer who rejuvenates one and all
Some volunteers are capable of changing the atmosphere when
they arrive at Emerson. That is true of Christine Macdonald and
her dog, Mercedes, who visit the hospital two afternoons each
week. They are part of Emerson’s pet therapy program, now in its
third year.
Pet therapy, which brings certified therapy dogs to visit and
comfort patients in a range of health care settings, has gained popularity in recent years. “We’ve received lots of positive feedback
since Mercedes began visiting Emerson,” says Ms. Macdonald,
who lives in Acton. “We have a list of clinical units where
we pay regular visits every week, and there are some special
requests—typically people who have met Mercedes before.
“In some cases, we put a fresh hospital blanket on the patient’s
bed, and Mercedes snuggles with them,” Ms. Macdonald notes.
“In other cases, people just want to pat her. They often tell me
that they miss their own animals.”
Janice Washburn, MD
Adult & Pediatric Dermatology
54 Baker Avenue Extension, Suite 305
Concord, 978-371-7010
3 Accepting new cosmetic patients only
Dr. Washburn received her medical degree from the
University of Massachusetts Medical School and
completed her internship at UMass Memorial Medical
Center. She completed her residency in dermatology at
the Tufts University/Boston Medical Center combined
program. Dr. Washburn is board-certified in dermatology.
Clinical interests: General medical, surgical and
cosmetic dermatology
ADULT HOSPITALIST
James Hart, MD
Emerson Hospital
133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner
Concord, 978-369-1400
Dr. Hart earned his medical degree from the
Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University
of Medicine and Science. He completed his residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and
also served as a scholar in Harvard Medical School’s
advancement of geriatrics program. Dr. Hart is boardcertified in internal medicine.
Dr. Hart cares for hospitalized patients only.
18
Patients and staff alike are happy
to see Christine Macdonald and
Mercedes, one of Emerson’s therapy
dogs, arrive on patient units.
One regular stop is the
Hermel Breast Health
Center where, on a typical
day, patients are having
imaging tests conducted or
breast biopsies performed.
“Our patients find Mercedes
to be comforting,” says
Dottie Brown, RT, RMBS,
section leader in mammography/ultrasound. “She
distracts them from what
brought them to Emerson
that day. The staff also look
forward to her regular visits, even if they can only
stop to pat her on the head.
Mercedes rejuvenates one
and all.”
Everyone agrees that Ms. Macdonald is an outstanding dog
handler, and Mercedes is a well-mannered dog. “Emerson only
allows animals that have been certified by the Pets & People
Foundation to visit the hospital,” says Ms. Macdonald. A second
dog, Cajun, joined the program two years ago. Cajun visits with
her owner, Kate Stout.
From the front desk in the main lobby to the gift shop to patient
units throughout the hospital, Emerson’s volunteers make a difference every day. “What a strong corps of volunteers,” says
Ms. Van Deusen. “We all care about Emerson, and we want to
contribute.”
Targeted therapy
is rewriting the lung
cancer story
Continued from page 3
had the exact resistance mutation for which the clinical trial was
designed.”
In February 2015, Ms. Barney became the first Massachusetts resident to meet the criteria for the phase 1 clinical trial, which is
designed to evaluate the experimental drug’s safety and determine
the appropriate dosage. Participation in the clinical trial requires
that she spend two days a week, every other week, at Mass
General Cancer Center in Boston, followed by a visit during
which blood is drawn. The time commitment is worth it. “I’m
feeling better,” says Ms. Barney. “The pain has receded.”
“This is an early clinical sign of response to the new drug,”
Dr. DuBois notes. “I’m pleased that Beverly was healthy enough
after taking Tarceva to participate in Dr. Sequist’s clinical trial.
I consider her to be courageous; Beverly is motivated to do whatever it takes to beat her cancer. As I have reminded her, when
the trial is over, she will still have all the routine chemotherapy
drugs available to her.”
Thanks to the active research program underway at Mass General
Cancer Center, there could potentially be another experimental
EGFR inhibitor. “We need to have a chain of medications—that
is, the next medication ready when a patient develops resistance
to a given drug,” Dr. Sequist explains. “The other approach we
try is to combine targeted medications, which can slow down a
patient’s resistance.”
With the arrival of spring, Ms. Barney is eager to get outside and
be as active as possible, which includes enjoying her family,
gardening and overseeing her independent practice as an elder
care consultant. She appreciates having Emerson nearby. “I’ve
been in treatment continually since August 2013,” she says, “so
I’ve spent a lot of time at Emerson—thankfully, only two miles
from home. Dr. DuBois is often at Mass General, and he and
Dr. Sequist are in close touch with each other.
“Also, Dr. Way’s support and availability, and his rapid coordination of the contacts needed for my treatment, were key to my initial and ongoing cancer care,” she says of Jon Way, MD, her
former primary care physician at Acton Medical Associates.
“Beverly is an example of someone who benefited from our coordinated, multidisciplinary team in Concord and Boston,” says
Dr. DuBois, “including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists,
neurologists, dermatologists and endocrinologists. Our Mass
General Cancer Center also provides patients with access to a
wide range of consultations, including with pain experts.
“Cancer care can be complicated and can take a village,”
Dr. DuBois notes. “We’re all aiming for the right outcome.
For Beverly, it means giving her hope and getting her back
to playing with her grandchildren.”
Lung cancer screening
is now covered by Medicare
Emerson program provides low-dose CT lung screening
An effective screening test for lung cancer is now covered for
those on Medicare—good news for individuals who meet the
defined criteria. For the past few years, Emerson has offered
low-dose CT lung screening to current and former smokers.
Now that Medicare covers the cost, private health insurers are
expected to do the same. As a result, many more people will
be screened.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the
U.S. and the world. It is estimated that more Americans will
die from lung cancer in 2015—160,000 people—than from
breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined. Research
conducted by the National Cancer Institute studied the impact
of low-dose CT screening in 53,000 current or former smokers
and determined that it reduced the rate of death from lung
cancer by 20 percent.
Medicare now covers
the cost of an annual lung
cancer screening for
beneficiaries who:
• a re between age 55 and
77 and currently smoke
or quit during the last
15 years
• have no symptoms
• s moked the equivalent
of at least one pack a
day for at least 30 years
• h
ave a written order
from a physician or
qualified health care
practitioner
“This screening test lowers lung
cancer mortality because it allows
us to detect and treat cancer as
early as possible,” says Peter
Barkin, MD, chief of pulmonary
medicine at Emerson. “As a
result, people go on to happy,
healthy lives. This has been true
for many of my patients.”
Mark Connaughton, MD, director
of CT scanning at Emerson, notes
that the screening test is safe and
quick. “The radiation dose that
someone receives is more than 50
percent lower than from a routine
CT scan of the chest,” he says. “The test takes about 15 minutes—well worth it, as the scan allows us to detect small lung
nodules when they can be removed, often with minimally invasive surgery and, importantly, before cancer has spread to
other parts of the body.”
Those who meet the criteria listed above and are interested in
having the lung cancer screening test should speak with their
physician about arranging an appointment.
19
133 ORNAC, Concord, MA 01742
978-369-1400
www.emersonhospital.org
Emerson Hospital is an acute care medical center
located
in Concord
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HealthWorks
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HealthWorks
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Writer
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Laura Duffy
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Photography
Tony Rinaldo, Jim Coutre (page 20)
Emerson Hospital President and CEO
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HealthWorks
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The information included here is intended to educate
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consultation with a personal physician.
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The information included here is intended to educate
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consultation with a personal physician.
The mission of Emerson Hospital is to deliver
high-quality care to our community that is safe,
compassionate, accessible, appropriate, efficient
and coordinated.
The Dermatology Associates of Concord team had fun at last year’s 5K Run~Walk for Cancer.
Emerson Hospital Auxiliary Hosts Annual
5K Run~Walk for Cancer on May 30
The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary will hold its 15th annual 5K Run~Walk for Cancer on Saturday, May
30, at The Thoreau Club, 275 Forest Ridge Road, Concord. Cambridge Savings Bank, the presenting
sponsor, is providing generous support for the event.
The 5K Run~Walk is a fun-filled, multi-generational event that keeps growing in participation,
business partnerships and donations from the community. Activities will include a barbeque, tot-trot
for ages five and under, tie-dye t-shirt-making, inflatable obstacle course, volleyball, badminton and
recreational swimming.
Funds raised support cancer services at the Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson HospitalBethke, which brings together experienced cancer specialists, leading-edge technology and the latest
treatment options.
To register for the event, please visit www.emersonhospital.org/5K. Entry fees are $30 for adults until
May 28 and $35 the day of the event, and $15 for the kids’ one-mile Fun Run. All paid registrants receive complimentary snacks and the post-race barbeque. The top five fundraisers will receive a prize.
The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary, established in 1924, is a volunteer organization that supports
the hospital through community awareness, patient support and fundraising activities. For more
information about the auxiliary, please visit www.emersonhospital.org/support or email
EmersonAuxiliary@gmail.com.
Front cover: Paul Curtin, a Westford resident, got in a late winter workout on the indoor track at
University of Massachusetts Lowell.