Almost 10 years old –

A Newsletter for the Medical Staffs of DeKalb Medical
MARCH 2015
services in multiple specialties. A second,
long-awaited $1 million CT scanner was
installed in the Hillandale imaging center
along with a second nuclear medicine
camera. In addition to expanding capacity,
the addition of equipment with the latest
technology produces improved images, as
well as labor saving features that allow the
technicians to focus more on the patient.
Improved imaging capabilities with the CT
scanner also positions DeKalb Medical at
Hillandale to pursue Primary Stroke Center
status by The Joint Commission, a goal for
the coming year.
Almost 10 years old –
Hillandale continues to grow
As DeKalb Medical at Hillandale approaches its 10-year
anniversary in July 2015, physicians, hospital staff and managers
continue to expand services and enhance care provided to the
community. A few of the most recent or upcoming changes are:
1. Physician coverage increases
In addition to expansion of primary care coverage with the
opening of Miller Grove Primary Care (the new DPMG primary
care practice of Eddie L. Whitehead, M.D.) vascular surgery
coverage is provided by Takki Momin, M.D., and gastroenterology
services will be provided by the Hillandale office of DeKalb
Gastroenterology Services. Temitope Foster, M.D. and Eric High,
M.D. will be located at the Hillandale office.
2. New services implemented
Investment in technology and programs allows expansion of
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This spring, the radiation oncology
center located near the hospital will join
the DeKalb Medical family of services.
DeKalb Medical will operate the center,
which will continue to be open to private
practice radiation oncologists. Here, patients
in the local community who are battling
cancer can receive radiation therapy close to
home rather than traveling to the North Decatur campus.
Clinical innovations such as the sickle cell program developed by
physicians and staff in response to a grandmother’s plea for “a
better way” continue to improve outcomes and personalize the care
offered at Hillandale.
3. Community partnerships enhanced
Two new relationships also position the hospital to provide
exceptional care to patients.
• DMPG physicians provide internal medicine, neurology and
podiatry services on site at The Bristol Memory Care Center
in Rockdale County. When residents need care not provided
at the center, services are arranged at the hospital campus.
• DeKalb Medical’s mobile mammography van visits JenCare®
Neighborhood Medical Center’s locations, including the
center on Candler Road. JenCare® serves seniors as one-stop
medical and specialty care practice operating under a medical
home model. If follow-up care is needed, JenCare®
coordinates with DeKalb Medical specialists.
Published? Presenting? Need to announce a meeting that will be of interest to fellow physicians? Communique is a great
venue to inform others about educational opportunities and achievements that demonstrate the expertise of DeKalb
Medical’s medical staff. Send story ideas and information to sherylsjackson@bellsouth.net or call 404.501.5665.
SYSTEM NEWS
CT Calcium Scoring
identifies need for early
intervention
Physicians can better identify preventive care for patients who
are at moderate risk of heart disease by evaluating the amount
of calcification within the coronary arteries. Cardiac CT scans
to detect coronary artery calcification are available at DeKalb
Medical’s North Decatur and Hillandale campuses.
Patients over the age of 50 with a negative calcium score
demonstrate no calcification in the coronary arteries, which
suggests coronary artery disease (CAD) is minimal or not
present. Patients with positive scores do have CAD even if they
are asymptomatic. The amount of calcification helps predict the
likelihood of a myocardial infarction in the future and also helps a
physician develop a preventive treatment and educational plan for
the patient.
The study is most effective for people who are at moderate risk
of heart attack who are over the age of 50. Patients under the age
of 50 may have CAD that is not detected because younger people
typically have non-calcified plaque, which is not detected, rather
than calcified plaque.
The non-invasive, painless study is only $99 and does not require
injection of contrast material. At this time, the study is not
covered by insurance. To refer a patient for a study, call radiology
scheduling at 404.501.2660. The CPT code for CT Calcium
Scoring is 75571. For more information about the test contact
Chris Krebs, M.D. at 404.501.7121.
Welcome M E DIC A L S TA F F
February 2015
Internal Medicine
Tamas Alexy, M.D.
Gastroenterology
Temitope Y. Foster, M.D.
2 Communique
MARCH 2015
New managers announced
for key roles in Radiology
Angie Labordeaux is the new Radiology Scheduling
Manager. Her focus is on process improvement to
reduce on hold times resulting in dropped calls. She can
be reached at 404.501.3442.
Stella Chambers has been promoted from Breast Center
supervisor at Hillandale to Radiology Department
Manager at Hillandale.
Joint Commission
certifies three DeKalb
Medical at Downtown
Decatur programs
DeKalb Medical’s long term acute care hospital has been
re-certified by The Joint Commission for three disease-specific
programs: acquired brain injury, respiratory failure and wound
care program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint
Commission’s national standards for health care quality and
safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes
DeKalb Medical LTAC’s dedication to continuous compliance
with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification
Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical
programs across the continuum of care. Certification
requirements address three core areas: compliance with
consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidencebased clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care;
and an organized approach to performance measurement and
improvement activities.
For more information about these LTAC programs, or other
services at the specialty hospital, contact director of post-acute
outcomes and operations Lorry Lewis at 404.501.6155.
SYSTEM NEWS
DeKalb Medical
recognized by
CrossRoads News
For 10 years DeKalb Medical has served as a sponsor of the
CrossRoads News Health and Wellness Expo at Stonecrest
Mall – offering blood pressure screenings, health information,
and activities such as this year’s sugar shocker demonstration
and fitness prize wheel. In recognition of the health system’s
commitment to community health education, CrossRoads News
recognized DeKalb Medical for 10 continuous years of support.
(From left) Jennifer Parker, CrossRoads News editor and publisher; Kenneth Harper, M.D.;
Gail Winston, DeKalb Medical community outreach director; and Curtis Parker, CrossRoads
News publisher
FOUNDATION NEWS
Physicians and medical staff encouraged to actively support the
mission of DeKalb Medical by joining the Founders’ Circle
For more than 50 years, DeKalb county and area residents have
trusted in the caliber of care and quality of medicine that the
DeKalb Medical health care system and physicians deliver.
“It’s a reputation that comes from a deep commitment of
resources and an even greater understanding of what those
investments mean to our collective health,” said John Shelton,
president and chief executive officer.
The health care system, which receives no public funding, has
evolved and advanced through partnerships with its physicians
and administrative team.
“There’s no better opportunity to impact patient care or build
on that reputation that keeps patients coming back to DeKalb
Medical than to become a part of the circle,” said Stephen Thomas,
M.D., vice president of the DeKalb Medical Physician’s Group.
For more information about the Founders’ Circle and how
you can join, please contact:
Co-Vice Chairs
DeKalb Medical Foundation Board of Trustees
Raoul Mayer, Ph.D., M.D.
raoulmayer@msn.com
“I’m proud to say that not only does our administrative team give 100
percent of their effort to improve patient care every day they’re out on
the floor, but 100 percent have also given generously to the DeKalb
Medical Foundation at the Founders’ Circle level,” Shelton said.
Melissa Seely-Morgan, M.D.
melissaseely@hotmail.com
DeKalb Medical physicians are encouraged to step into this circle
of trust this year and join the Founders’ Circle.
C. Leigh Minter
leigh.minter@dekalbmedical.org
Executive Director
DeKalb Medical Foundation
NEED-TO-KNOW NUMBERS
DeKalb Medical services that can help you help your patients:
Audiology, Driving Solutions Cardiac Rehabilitation CT Calcium Scoring screening Heartburn Solutions Center Lung Cancer Screening 404.501.5155
404.501.7155
404.501.2660
404.501.4844
404.501.5864
Nutrition and Diabetes Education Center Outpatient Rehabilitation (Lymphedema, Hand, Speech, Aquatic)
Sleep Disorders Center Wound Care Center 404.501.1790
404.501.5140
404.501.5927
404.501.7455
3 Communique
MARCH 2015
2701 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA 30033
Upcoming Community Health Events
As spring approaches, the list of community events grows. Check out the
following festivals and health fairs to find the right event for you and your
office staff to meet your community.
Several volunteers and physicians are needed to cover each shift. Volunteers
receive a DeKalb Medical t-shirt.
To volunteer, please email Beth Jansa, community outreach manager at
beth.jansa@dekalbmedical.org or call 404.501.7481 if you have questions.
Upcoming Events & Shifts:
• MARCH 21 - 22 - Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, International Horse Park, Conyers
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 - 5 p.m.
• MARCH 28 - 29 – Stone Mountain Bluegrass and Arts Festival, Main Street
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 - 5 p.m.
• APRIL 11 - 12 – Spring Festival on Ponce, Olmstead Linear Parks along Ponce de Leon, Atlanta
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 - 5 p.m.
DeKalb Medical staff member Rod Smith, a patient care technician in
the Joint Solutions Center, greets visitors who are spinning for healthy
prizes on the DeKalb Medical fitness wheel.
• APRIL 25 – Arabia Mountain High School Annual Health Fair, Lithonia, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• APRIL 25 – DeKalb County Safety Jam, Gresham Park and Recreation Center, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.