“A 3-star rating is a rating system generated by an organization called the Society of Thoracic Surgery, it’s a non-profit organization that started in the early 60s to which thoracic and cardiac surgeons are members,” Geoffrey Blossom, MD, OhioHealth cardiac thoracic surgeon said. “They have a data base that has been scrutinized and reviewed for years and every hospital in the county that has an open-heart surgery program submits their data to this organization.”

Dr. Blossom said the data is derived from people, that full-time generate this data. It’s accurate and reflective of results across the country, he went on to share.

“It’s an organization that provides this data publicly,” Dr. Blossom said. “It is not a social media situation, it’s not a for profit organization so for surgeons, this is our sort of gold standard for reporting.”

This rating system is based on quality results and patient outcomes. According to Dr. Blossom, the average is a 2-star rating and 10 percent of programs in the county are 3-star rated programs.

“It’s a great milestone to have achieved and again is reflective of high-quality care,” Dr. Blossom said.

Choosing a place to have open-heart surgery is a big decision, and a lot goes into that decision.

“When you’re discussing a place to have open-heart surgery, clearly it’s an emotional discussion for you and your family,” Dr. Blossom said. “When you do research and determining outcomes, this is probably the most accurate way to find a good program and make sure that you’re going to set yourself up for the best patient outcomes and recovery and long-term survival and low mortality rates.”

Successful patient outcomes and recovery come from several people and teams in the hospitals working together.

“In open-heart surgery your surgeon gets a lot of credit, but to be honest, it’s the behind-the-scenes people that really make even a bigger difference,” Dr. Blossom said. “For example, cardiac anesthesiology, we have a specialized team of anesthesiologists that just do our open-heart surgeries and they’re excellent and it makes a huge difference in the surgery itself and the perioperative care.”

He said they also have a dedicated team of assistants in surgery as well as an open-heart ICU team of nurses, who are incredibly talented and perform exceptionally well.

“We have an army of nurse practitioners that help manage these patients both immediately after surgery, during their recovery, and step-down time into the postoperative period,” Dr. Blossom said. “So, it clearly is a team effort, these people are invaluable and the amount of volume and experience that these people achieve in a high-volume institution is critical to good outcomes.”

As a healthcare system that continues to grow every single day, this recognition reflects not only the long-term success of these two hospitals, but also the overall strength and momentum of the organization as a whole.

“I think it validates the work and effort we put in in regard to patient safety, outcomes clinical recovery, and communication with both our providers and our referring doctors as well as our patients and their families,” Dr. Blossom said. “You can be assured that if you choose OhioHealth for your cardiac surgery care, that you’re going to get top-quality care which has been validated by our STS database and the amount of experience we have here on a day-to-day basis with our open-heart surgery teams.”

To learn more about OhioHealth Heart and Vascular services, click here.

To learn more about OhioHealth Heart, Lung, and Vascular Surgery | Thoracic Surgery | Cancer Surgery, click here.

The OhioHealth Hospice House provides a welcoming treatment experience that feels like home. With private rooms, community spaces, outdoor trails, gardens, educational programs and grief therapies, the house was designed to provide comfort in the last few months of a patient’s life.  

“We’re really trying to meet that patient and family where they are. We want to come alongside them for that entire journey,” Stulgis said. “We’re able to use that support from our donors to help with those things, like final wishes, whether that’s a meal that they want with their loved ones or that’s a special experience that they want. That all makes it possible for us to continue to support that patient and family where they are during those last weeks of life.” 

Hospice care is an option for families when home care isn’t enough, and specialized support is needed in a peaceful atmosphere.  

“We’re really trying to meet that patient and family where they are. We want to come alongside them for that entire journey,” Stulgis said. We’re able to use that support from our donors to help with those things, like final wishes, whether that’s a meal that they want with their loved ones or that’s a special experience that they want. That all makes it possible for us to continue to support that patient and family where they are during those last weeks of life.” 

To learn more about OhioHealth Hospice services, click here.  

To make a donation to OhioHealth Hospice, click here.  

Multiple sclerosis can affect people in different ways depending on their symptoms and medical history. Symptoms can include fatigue, trouble walking, memory issues, bladder problems and pain. Jacqueline Nicholas, MD, System Chief of MS at OhioHealth, said that looking at a patient’s symptom history has been very important when looking at treatment options in the past, but recently providers are discussing getting rid of these types of diagnoses to look at the symptoms as one disease. As this research continues to evolve, so do the treatment options.  

“We had no treatments before the 1990’s and now we have over 20 treatments for multiple sclerosis, and counting. There are many ongoing clinical trials. We’re even looking at therapies used in the cancer world that may be able to shut down MS long term.”  

Even though more people are getting diagnosed with MS, Dr. Nichalos said receiving an early diagnosis can help people face fewer physical problems and give them more freedom throughout their lives. This patient centered approach to care at OhioHealth has allowed patients more flexibility and comfort.  

“The focus is on the patient. It is really about centering the care around them, and because we’ve been so dedicated to that, we have a whole team of people here to help that individual. It’s been really wonderful that here they can get most of what they need within one place and not having to make about ten different appointments to get all of those resources.”  

“It’s an ultrasound ablation machine,” said David Arrese, MD, OhioHealth Chief of Surgical Oncology.  “It goes on top of your body.  There are no incisions, no scars.  It's a minimal recovery.”

Histotripsy is a 60-90 minute procedure done in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia. Patients who weren’t originally candidates for surgery may be a candidate for this procedure.  It’s best for patients with liver tumors that are small to medium in size, less than three centimeters. 

Dr. Arrese said another benefit is that patients don’t have to stop any active systemic therapies – for example, chemotherapy or if they are on a blood thinner.    Talk with your physician if you think you might be a candidate for this procedure. 

To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here. 

“Human trafficking is all over our community,” said Megan Schabbing, MD, OhioHealth medical director of Psychiatric Emergency Services. “It’s something that we here in the hospital systems really need to be aware of because we have a huge opportunity to identify trafficking victims and find a way to help them.”

OhioHealth staff receive training to recognize warning signs and approach these situations with care.

“Number one, we provide education for all of our frontline associates to help them identify warning signs for if a patient may be a trafficking victim,” Dr. Schabbing said. “And then the second part is helping them to know kind of how to start that conversation or how to address this very sensitive issue with the patient.”

This work relies on collaboration with partners across central Ohio. One of those partners is SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) which provides free, confidential services to survivors of sexual violence.

“This is very prevalent,” said Mary Culver, SARNCO associate manager. “You can’t go a day without hearing that somebody may be involved in human trafficking.”

Trafficking can have lasting physical, emotional and psychological effects. Beyond immediate crisis support, survivors often need long-term resources like counseling, housing stability and ongoing advocacy.

Awareness starts with paying attention and speaking up. “If you see something, say something,” Culver said. “When you identify it, being able to provide the proper resources is our goal.”

Survivors and community members can reach out directly for confidential support at any time.

Support available through SARNCO:

• Trained Advocates are available 24/7 to provide immediate care to survivors of sexual assault at all emergency departments within Franklin County.

• Advocates offer free resources and community aftercare advocacy, including emotional support, safety planning, and social, legal and financial assistance.

• Survivors can speak privately with an Advocate by phone or online chat at any time.

• The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline serves all 88 counties statewide, ensuring help is available wherever someone lives.

To get support or learn more:

• Visit www.sarnco.com

• Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline: (844) 644-6435


• CLICK HERE TO CHAT NOW

To support SARNCO and free services provided, visit Giving.OhioHealth.com/SARNCO.

Dr. Meyer and his team are at the forefront of addressing this crisis, thanks to a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. “We wouldn’t be operating this program at O’Bleness if it wasn’t for grant money,” Dr. Meyer explains. The funding has allowed the hospital to build a dedicated team, including addiction medicine specialists, nurse practitioners, substance use navigators, a counselor, and a therapist. This team is now active both within the hospital and in the broader community.

Inside the hospital, the team focuses on identifying patients with substance use disorders, many of whom go unrecognized. “About 20% of patients admitted to any hospital in the country are struggling with substance use disorders, oftentimes under the radar,” Dr. Meyer notes. The team also collaborates with emergency room physicians to assist patients dealing with overdoses or intoxication.

Beyond the hospital walls, the team partners with community organizations such as libraries, housing shelters, and domestic violence shelters to extend their reach. “We’re trying to become a partner with organizations that encounter folks with substance use disorders,” Dr. Meyer says.

The work is challenging, but Dr. Meyer’s passion for helping those struggling with addiction is evident. “We’re here to offer treatment and opportunities for recovery,” he emphasizes, underscoring the importance of community collaboration in tackling this pervasive issue.

The Addiction Medicine Team at O’Bleness Hospital provides evidence-based comprehensive treatment to patients suffering from substance use disorder (SUD).

Services: 

• Medical management of alcohol/stimulant/opioid/benzodiazepine and other SUDs
• Medical management of withdrawal from alcohol/stimulant/opioid/benzodiazepine and other substances
• Pain management in the setting of opioid use disorder
• Substance use assessments
• Assessing readiness for change
• Linkage to residential or outpatient treatment facilities for follow up care
• Harm reduction discussion and services
• Patient centered plan and initiating treatment for substance use disorders 

If you would like to talk about your options, please call our Substance Use Navigator, 614-398-5217.

“This time of year invites all of us to give a little something back,” said Simon Bisson, vice president of philanthropy, OhioHealth Foundation. “It helps fuel our mission, provide additional resources and programs to support the exceptional care we provide every day.”

Bisson said contributions of any size help fuel programs, resources and scholarships that strengthen care teams and expand services. Donors can also designate gifts to the sites or programs most meaningful to them, ensuring every dollar goes exactly where intended.

For Craig and Heidi White, giving back has been personal for more than 20 years. Their commitment began after a family member received critical care at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in 2001. That care had a lasting impact, touching their family in ways that inspired them to support the trauma program for years to come.

“It makes us both feel remarkable,” Heidi said. “We’re able to continue the gratitude that we had, past being in the hospital. We know that we are helping programs within the hospital and helping other families that were going through what we were going through.”

“I think of our family, our next generation and anyone these gifts can continue to assist,” Craig added.

They shared that supporting healthcare benefits everyone in the community and helps provide critical care to those who need it today. “Give whatever you can give. Care impacts all of us.”

To give today and explore a full list of programs and sites you can support, visit giving.ohiohealth.com/donate.

“A mental health crisis is a medical crisis,” said Megan Schabbing, MD, medical director of psychiatric emergency services at OhioHealth. “I tell my patients all the time, if you’re suffering from anxiety or having depression, that is just as if you are suffering from diabetes. There is no reason to be embarrassed. You need to reach out and get some help because this is a fixable problem."

Suicide is not only a concern for those with known mental health conditions. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, more than half of people who die by suicide had no prior mental health diagnosis. Dr. Schabbing said stressful life events can lead someone to experience what is called  “frantic hopelessness,” a feeling of being trapped with no way forward.

If you or a loved one is struggling, Dr. Schabbing recommends reaching out to a primary care physician to start addressing the issue. In urgent situations, when someone expresses thoughts of suicide or plans to harm themselves, immediate action is critical, such as visiting an emergency department or contacting a local mental health crisis center.

If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 

To learn more about behavioral and mental health services at OhioHealth, click here.

The donation, made by a grateful patient family, funded the purchase of the Tempus system. This tube transport technology quickly moves blood samples straight to lab analyzers. Riverside Methodist Hospital is only the second hospital in the country to implement the system, which has already made a major impact.

“Because it went right to the machine and to the technician that's in that area, it decreased turnaround time by 68%,” said Warren Yamarick, MD, medical director of Riverside’s emergency department. “When you have 87,000 people, a majority getting lab, this really improves our turnaround. Just one piece of the puzzle to get our patients more efficiently through the system.”

Riverside’s emergency department is one of the busiest in the region, treating some of the most complex and high-risk cases in the Midwest. Fast, accurate lab results are a critical part of the process, especially for patients experiencing bleeding, infections or strokes.

“You get the results back faster when a patient's waiting for their lab, waiting for an answer,” Dr. Yamarick said. “It just gives it that piece that we need. So it's very helpful to make a decision which way we're going to go.”

Simon Bisson, OhioHealth Foundation, vice president of Philanthropy, said gifts like these make a meaningful difference for patients and care teams alike.

“Any gift to the health system helps fuel innovation,” Bisson said. “It helps drive new technologies, new equipment, especially gifts from grateful patients and their families are especially meaningful to us.”

For those interested in supporting advancements in patient care, visit OhioHealth.com/Foundation to learn more.

After years of research and clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved TNK (tenecteplase) to help treat ischemic strokes in adults. 

While this drug is newly approved, OhioHealth has been ahead of the game with clinical trials, research and administering TNK for patients who are having an ischemic stroke.

Nirav Vora, MD, OhioHealth medical director of Cerebrovascular explains that in an ischemic stroke, “the arteries to the brain are blocked, and because the brain can’t survive without blood supply or oxygen, the function of that brain tissue that isn’t getting blood supply starts to die or malfunction. That’s function that you can lose permanently.”

In the past, TPA was widely accepted and used to treat ischemic strokes. While TPA and TNK are very similar, there are small differences that make TNK more effective for patients. “The small tweaks in TNK makes it a much more specific medicine for the clot, makes it resistant to breakdown within the body and therefore more effective,” Dr. Vora said.

Earlier in the decade, there were studies published that indicated TNK is more successful and safer than TPA. Dr. Vora and his team decided early on that TNK was the best decision to make for his patients due to the groundbreaking data and research.

“Studying that data as a team across the OhioHealth system, we decided that it’s time to make that change and adopt TNK, even before it was FDA approved because that was giving the best opportunity for our patients,” Dr. Vora said.

OhioHealth has been leading the way for clinical trials and research to provide patients with the most effective care. These results are important for medical professionals to make informed decisions about different treatment options, such as TNK.

As stroke care continues to evolve, it is crucial to stay ahead of new treatment options to offer better outcomes for patients.

“Clinical research is the innovation of stroke care. We want to provide the best state of the arch stroke care available for all our patients that we serve here in central Ohio and beyond. That’s why we try to stay abreast of what’s next,” Dr. Vora said.

For more information on stroke care at OhioHealth, visit Stroke Care | OhioHealth. 

As part of Gun Violence Prevention Month, OhioHealth is giving away free gun lockboxes at several care sites across central Ohio. These events are designed to promote safe firearm storage and open up conversations around gun safety — conversations that OhioHealth trauma surgeon, Keshav Deshpande, DO, said are long overdue.

“What I don't think a lot of children, or even the adults that get affected by this, realize is just the ever lasting effects of the minute it takes to fire a gun,” said Dr. Deshpande. In 2024 alone, OhioHealth’s five trauma centers and network of freestanding emergency departments treated more than 400 patients with gun violence-related injuries. Many of them were children.

The first two giveaway events will be held at the OhioHealth Grant Family Medicine clinic (332 E. State St., Columbus, OH):

• Monday, June 16, 1–3 p.m.
• Monday, June 23, 1–3 p.m.

The lockboxes were in high demand during last year’s events, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. OhioHealth Doctors Hospital (5100 W Broad St., Columbus, OH) will also be hosting a giveaway event on Thursday, June 26 from 12–2 p.m. at the main hospital entrance, while OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital will host a giveaway in the main lobby on Thursday, June 19 from 1-3 p.m.

While safety tools help reduce risk, starting conversations is just as important. That’s why OhioHealth is proud to support the Ad Council’s Agree to Agree campaign, a national initiative that encourages people to find common ground around gun safety.

“Everybody has a role to play in reducing gun violence,” said Dr. Deshpande. “Whether you’re a parent, a gun owner or non-gun owner or just a concerned citizen, we can all help by starting conversations about safe gun storage and working together to reduce injuries.”

These conversations, though sometimes uncomfortable, have the power to save lives. AgreeToAgree.org offers tools to help people discuss gun safety in a respectful and productive way, including conversation starters, facts about firearm injuries and guidance on secure gun storage.

Visit OhioHealth.com/AgreeToAgree to explore ways you can help prevent gun violence before it happens.

This article will be updated with additional OhioHealth lockbox giveaway events as they are scheduled.

With more than 30 years of experience as women’s health provider, Craig Hanson, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology at OhioHealth Van Wert says from his perspective -- women wait an average of ten years before they seek help for their symptoms of pelvic floor health issues. 

“Pelvic floor disfunction is anything from urinary leakage, to prolapse, to muscle weakness, and urologic disorders,” explains Dr. Hanson. “They can be brought on by back disorders, herniated discs, and just general problems like obesity or poor muscle tone.” 

Pelvic floor disorders are common – at least one in three women will experience one at some point in their lives. 

“A lot of people assume that nothing can be done for this,” Dr. Hanson says. “To help, there are a combination of things. First, physical therapy.” 

Dr. Hanson cautions – there is a lot of misinformation on social media about this topic. The best source to get help or information from is a certified pelvic floor physical therapist. 

“They can help a lot. Especially if you’ve had a nine-pound baby or larger – you may want to consider seeing one sooner rather than later,” Dr. Hanson says. “No matter how you delivered, you can benefit from pelvic floor therapy.” 

Dr. Hanson explains it’s mandatory in Europe for women to receive pelvic floor therapy for the first three months after childbirth. 

Natalie Koester is a physical therapist and the director of rehabilitation services at OhioHealth Van Wert Health Center. She explains it’s important for physical therapists to get to know the patient and knowing their deficits, and building a plan that’s specific for them. She also cautions against relying on information you find online. 

“It’s important to know the source and understand their credibility,” she says. “For specialized therapy, we do years’ worth of training to learn and to learn it really well and then to be able to provide patients the best care.” 

The OhioHealth Van Wert Health Center provides additional rehab services -- beyond those seeking help for pelvic floor disorders. To learn more visit: Rehabilitation Services | OhioHealth Van Wert Health Center. 
 

“We are seeing it in our practice … and also nationally,” said Vijay Kudithipudi, MD, a radiation oncologist with OhioHealth. “Why is this happening? Many doctors don’t know, but we have some good ideas.”

Our daily habits could be a driving force. Not smoking, reducing alcohol intake and getting regular movement can all help lower your lifetime cancer risk. 

“If you can get 10 to 20 minutes of what we call moderate activity, which is walking, playing with your kids, things like that, that has been shown to reduce the rate of cancer occurrence,” Dr. Kudithipudi said.

So can swapping out processed foods for more fruits and vegetables, and making an effort to schedule regular health screenings.

“Screening is fundamental,” Dr. Kudithipudi said. “The goal is to catch something before it causes a problem.”

The “big four” cancers - breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal - are especially important to screen for and each have effective early detection options available. And while these screenings are typically emphasized for older adults, physicians want younger people to start paying attention, too, especially when symptoms appear.

For many, the first step is building a solid care team. A primary care physician can help connect you with specialists and guide you to care.

“It can be scary to hear that word [cancer] or even the thought of that word,”  Dr. Kudithipudi said. “But whether close to home or if it needs to be somewhere further away, we can get you the care you need.”

In addition to his work in the Columbus area, Dr. Kudithipudi also provides care in Marion and is expanding his services to Cambridge. 

To schedule a screening appointment or to learn more, call 1 (800) 752-9119 or visit ohiohealth.com/services/cancer/schedule-a-screening.

“Some patients are told over the phone that they have diabetes,” says Rachel Sayre, BSN, RN, CDCES Grant Diabetes Program Nurse Educator and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.

Getting told you have diabetes and to seek education over the phone can be daunting, which is where Sayre and her team come in to make it a little bit easier.

While new patient education is crucial, so is a touch-base every once in awhile. Diabetes affects every part of the body and understanding new technology and medications is the best way to avoid complications.

The program covers essential topics like understanding diabetes, its effects on the body, medication management, potential complications and any recommended lifestyle changes. Patients have the opportunity to meet one on one with a registered nurse educator and a dietitian to receive personal guidance. The program includes ten hours of diabetes education and a binder filled with resources from each session. Weekend sessions are even offered as an option.

To register for classes you need a referral from your primary care provider or endocrinologist. Don’t let this stop you from calling the office with questions about referral options or the program. They are always welcomed.

“We can help go about that process. We can help them place the order. We can help the patient learn more about the program and we can provide the options for the schedules,” says Sayre.

You can call the office at 614-566-7803.

To learn more about the diabetes programs that OhioHealth offers, click the link below this video: https://www.ohiohealth.com/services/diabetes/our-programs

“Hypertension is sometimes referred to as a silent killer,” said Justin Morrison, MD, cardiologist with OhioHealth. “It can be very asymptomatic for many years, could be up to decades. So some of the early symptoms or signs would be a headache. If their blood pressure is extremely high, you would get vision changes. But that doesn't occur in all people. By the time it's really affecting your body, it could be causing kidney damage, could be causing damage in your other organs, such as the eyes.”

Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, making the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. A blood pressure reading greater than 130/80 mmHg is considered hypertension, and if left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. 

Risk factors include obesity, diabetes and an unhealthy diet. However, Dr. Morrison said that high blood pressure can be managed, and even improved, with lifestyle changes. 

“The most important thing up front is diet and exercise,” he said. “The healthier you eat, the better your blood pressure will be. So reducing your sodium, eating less fatty foods and less high cholesterol foods, and then exercising at least three to four days a week, ideally five days a week for 60 minutes doing some good cardio work … just being active will lower your blood pressure, and of course that goes into losing a little bit of weight as well.”

If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or need help managing hypertension, visit https://www.ohiohealth.com/services/heart-and-vascular/our-programs/cardiovascular-disease-prevention/.

"What we've seen recently in the media are some headlines that sound kind of scary, saying there's a 40 percent increased risk for breast cancer with the hormonal IUD. This is in women who are premenopausal, so 49 and under, and they already have a really low risk," Dr. Bucher said. "That 40 percent increase is really just about 14 extra cases per 10,000 people."

Many other daily activities carry similar or higher risks, and the overall health benefits of hormonal contraception, like IUDs, generally outweigh the minimal risks. 

Hormonal IUDs, a type of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), can provide reliable birth control for women for anywhere from three to eight years, depending on the device. These small plastic devices inserted into the uterus release hormones that help prevent pregnancy. While they are highly effective, Dr. Bucher encourages individuals to have informed discussions with their healthcare provider to determine the best choice for their needs.

"There's a whole host of contraceptive options, and there's definitely one right for everyone out there," she said.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more, click here.

“When we do the right thing, it makes us feel good,” said Simon Bisson, OhioHealth Foundation, Vice President of Philanthropy. “An act of charitable giving, making that contribution out of gratitude or in recognition of someone else, can really just make us feel good in our hearts.”

The OhioHealth Foundation works year-round to raise and invest funds that drive innovations in medicine, support new technologies and sustain vital community programs and services. By engaging with the community, corporate partners and the general public, the Foundation ensures that donations support areas of greatest need, whether at a care site, a clinical program or by assisting OhioHealth associates.

“We couldn’t do it without the generosity of literally thousands of donors every year who help support our work,” Bisson said. “We know that giving is embedded in the core values of OhioHealth. Making a charitable contribution, no matter what the size, is a great way to champion OhioHealth values and to support our mission.”

The foundation’s We Give campaign, which runs through Giving Tuesday, also invites OhioHealth associates to join in supporting these efforts.

To give today, click here. 

In partnership with OhioHealth, Notes of Hope invites guests to create heartfelt cards filled with warm wishes, drawings and encouraging messages for cancer patients receiving treatment at OhioHealth facilities. The station, located in the cozy Asia Quest building just after the Tree Trail and across from the bats and tortoises, is a bright spot for holiday visitors to make a difference in the lives of others.

Now in its third year, the program continues to grow. Last year, visitors created over 2,200 notes for patients, along with more than 50 for zoo staff – and even some of the animals!

“It’s really a wonderful way for us to give back,” said Erica Clouse, Coordinator, Partnership Activations at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “Guests are already coming here, so being able to share that holiday spirit with the patients while they’re going about their normal day is really special.”

For patients undergoing cancer treatment, these notes can be a powerful source of comfort.

“A cancer diagnosis is life-changing and often scary,” said Kara Davis, BSN, RN, oncology nurse navigator at OhioHealth Berger Hospital. “These cards remind our patients that they’re not alone and that their community supports them. Just knowing that someone took some time out of their day to wish them well really brightens their experience when they come in for treatment.”

The Notes of Hope station is open during all normal operating hours of Wildlights, including daytime zoo hours.

To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here.

To learn more about Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, click here.

"We collect bone marrow from a donor, usually a sibling donor,” said Basem William, MD, clinical director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant program and medical director of the Cell Therapy Laboratory and Immune Effector Cell Program at OhioHealth and John P. McConnell Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “We take them to the operating room. They get general anesthesia, they lie on their belly and in about an hour, we pull a liter of marrow out of their hip bone and their pelvic bone. And that would go into the recipient.”

Although using a patient's own marrow has largely been phased out, donors can be unrelated individuals registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. However, OhioHealth has not yet begun those procedures, Dr. William said.

While bone marrow harvesting is a critical component of stem cell recovery, it is not the only method available. 

“Actually, the more popular method we use now is collection of peripheral blood stem cells,” Dr. William said. “And this is what we use for about 90 percent of our allogeneic transplant, which is transplant from another person to the patient … But there are certain clinical scenarios where collecting the bone marrow would be advantageous.”

One of the key considerations in the bone marrow harvesting process is the timing of the transplant. 

"With bone marrow harvests, we try to transplant the cells on the same day, because usually freezing the bone marrow is technically more challenging than freezing peripheral blood stem cells. So in most instances, we infuse it into the patient on the same day,” Dr. William said.

For the recipients of these stem cells, the journey continues with a hospital stay of about two to three weeks for recovery. As for the donor, Dr. William assured that the process is relatively smooth.

"The donor himself is taken to the recovery room, and they usually are able to go home the same day and just be on light work for another week, and then there will be a full recovery. It’s a total outpatient procedure,” he said.

Those interested in supporting the cause or learning more about the National Marrow Donor Program can visit BeTheMatch.org.

To learn more about OhioHealth’s Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy program, click here.

That’s why it’s important for men to stay on top of their health screenings, giving them the best chance of a positive outcome if something is found.  But when should men start certain screenings – and how often? OhioHealth has developed a check-up checklist for men to use as a guide for which tests should be done at each age.   However, men should also talk to their physician about these screenings.  Don’t have a primary care physician?  Click here to find one near you.

You can learn more about prostate cancer screening options at OhioHealth in the Medical Minute video with Dr. Khemees above.

“We all want to maintain our independence,” said Wendy Gunder BSN RN, Injury Prevention Nurse for Mansfield Hospital. “We want to keep doing the things we enjoy with the people we love. But as we age, it's harder to bounce back after illness or injury, especially if it's severe. So it's really important to stay active and build those health and safety strategies so you can stay ahead of and hopefully completely avoid any of the challenges.”

One of Mansfield Hospital's most successful injury prevention programs is Stepping On. The seven-week program has been proven to reduce falls for seniors up to 31 percent. “People receive not only individualized balance and strength training, but we'll discuss how vision plays with keeping your balance, and how medications can contribute to falls,” said Gunder. “We talk about what to look for in safe footwear, how to eliminate those fall hazards from your home to make it a safer space, and even how to stay safe and be confident when you're out in your community.”

Stepping On is a free program at the OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center for both members and non-members of the facility. To learn more or sign a loved one up, call the fitness center at 419-526-8900 and hit option one. A team member will put you or your family member on a wait list and will contact you the next time a workshop is available. 

Tom Sonnanstine, MD, medical director of bariatric surgery with OhioHealth, said both treatments can be highly effective depending on individual circumstances.

Ozempic is in a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. "This is a pretty new class of medication that's been approved by the FDA recently and has really gained in popularity over the past year and a half,” Dr. Sonnanstine said. More patients are asking their doctor about these medications and many have already started using them, he said.

When it comes to deciding between medication and bariatric surgery, there is considerable overlap in the patient profiles for both treatments. 

"We really treat the same group of patients, but we like to tailor that treatment based on their needs, whether that's their size and their weight, the medical problems that they have that are related to their obesity and of course, whatever their motivations are," Dr. Sonnanstine said. 

The decision depends on a personalized approach that considers the patient's specific circumstances and preferences. For some, bariatric surgery might be the best fit.

“There are pretty standard parameters for who qualifies for bariatric surgery,” Dr. Sonnanstine said. These criteria have been established for over three decades and typically include individuals who are morbidly obese. "That's having a BMI or body mass index of 40 or greater, or 30 to 35 or greater if they have the presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease.”

Whether opting for the new medications or considering bariatric surgery, the choice should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional who can tailor the treatment to the patient's unique needs. 

To learn more about OhioHealth’s Weight Management programs, click here.

“We’re worried about traffic gridlock,” said Michelle Wright, senior consultant, safety & environment of care for OhioHealth Marion General & Hardin Memorial Hospitals. “We’ve been planning for this for well over a year now. It’s definitely an all-hands-on deck approach.” 

Wright explained the hospital is conducting additional decontamination training, as Kenton and Marion can have rail traffic transporting potentially dangerous chemicals. 

“We’re trying to think of everything and anything that could be a possibility,” said Wright.

“Most of the time, we don’t know in advance before we’re going to have an increase in visits,” Matt Akers, director of safety, environment of care and emergency management at OhioHealth, said. “With Columbus and the big cities getting most of the resources, OhioHealth works with our rural providers to be a beacon of light in a way for these areas as far as support.” 

 

“Colon cancer is common,” said William Main, DO, colon and rectal surgeon with OhioHealth. “It’s the third most commonly diagnosed cancer here in the United States.”

Screenings are key for detecting colon cancer in its early stages, especially for those with a family history or predisposing factors.

“Patients who have a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps may need to get screened at a younger age, and they should discuss that with their primary care provider,” Dr. Main said.

Traditionally recommended at the age of 50, screening guidelines for average-risk patients have recently shifted to 45 due to the increasing prevalence in young people within the last several years. More than 100,000 patients in the U.S. are given a colon cancer diagnosis every year and around 18,000 of these individuals are younger than 50.

“There are a lot of screening options,” Dr. Main said. “Colonoscopy is the gold standard, and that’s an outpatient procedure that requires a bowel preparation and some sedation.”

This exam can reveal problem areas and identify changes in the colon earlier than ever before. Enhanced imaging technology, new tools, and effective medications now make it possible to remove polyps that were once impossible to remove.

“There are some tests that can be done at home like Cologuard or FIT,” Dr. Main added.

In an interview with anchor Rachel Ramsey of NBC4, William Wise, MD, colon and rectal surgeon with OhioHealth, attributed the decreased screening age to various lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and obesity.

But even individuals in good health can be affected.

“Think Chadwick Boseman,” Dr. Wise said. “Not exactly the picture of poor health … who died at 43 of colon cancer.”

Bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or the sensation of incomplete bowel movements, “those are the most common symptoms that people need to pay attention to and not ignore in conversations with their families and physicians,” Dr. Wise said.

To schedule a screening or learn more about OhioHealth’s colorectal cancer care, click here.

To learn more about screening options, click here.

Click the NBC4 logo below to view their story with Dr. Wise. 

Founded in December 1983 as a collaborative effort between OhioHealth Grant Medical Center's LifeFlight Program and the Franklin County Firefighter's Association, the paramedic school saw its first graduating class in 1984. Over 2,000 students have graduated since its inception, with the most recent class, 121, enrolling 42 students in August 2023. 

“It's successful because of our instructors and our partnership with the area fire departments,” said Holly Herron, system director of OhioHealth Emergency Medical Services. “These students go to school at Grant for 15 months, which when this program started, it was at about nine months. That tells you the demand and expectation that our hospital providers now have, that it just keeps growing and growing.”

The program's emphasis on preceptorship and mentoring provides students with clinical hands-on and observational experience. Paramedic students spend over 250 hours at Grant Medical Center, working with staff, physicians, and patients in various units, including the emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, CAT scan, labor & delivery, nursery, ICU and CCU. 

“Then they spend almost 200 more hours in the field doing field ride time,” said Herron, “Which all the fire departments collaborate with us and our students ride with them.”

Grant Medical Center works alongside the high-volume fire departments in the city, giving students an extensive and valuable learning experience in the field.

The program sets high expectations, having a Paramedic National Registry pass rate of 95 percent and a strong reputation. 

“Over 50 percent of our students are being sent and sponsored by fire departments,” said Herron. “By the time our students graduate. Almost 100 percent of them are already hired. The reputation precedes itself. I'm very proud of that.”

The impact of the program extends beyond the classroom, as alumni, shaped by the program, now play vital roles in providing care throughout the state. 

To learn more about OhioHealth Emergency Medical Services, click here.

OhioHealth Orthopedic Surgeon, Brian Steginsky, DO, said typically with his patients they say it begins with a pop and feeling as if they got kicked in the back of the leg.

“After that, they have some swelling, pain in the back of the Achilles region and in the back of the ankle,” Dr. Steginsky said, “They’ll have difficulty walking, particularly with stairs, they might limp.”

According to the surgeon, an Achilles injury is common in males.

“About 83 percent of patients with Achilles ruptures are males versus females and age demographic is normally between 30 and 50 with an average age of about 40 to 45,” Dr. Steginsky said.

He said it normally happens in patients who are “weekend warriors,” meaning they’ll actively move around every so often whether that’s by running, playing Soccer, Basketball or Pickleball.

For years, Dr. Steginsky has been using a knotless technique which essentially is more biological friendly technique when repairing an Achilles tendon rupture.

“I’m able to do it by a two-centimeter incision, which is less than an inch,” Dr. Steginsky said, “Classically, we’ve done it through larger incisions, maybe three to four inches, and you can imagine that a larger incision might lead to post operative adhesions or scarring in that area.”  

This less minimally invasive technique is becoming more popular for surgeons and patients around the world.

“It allows patients to be more active sooner, resting assure that the Achilles tendon remains approximated with relatively lower rupture rates, so there’s a lot of advantages of doing it minimally invasive,” Dr. Steginsky said.

For Dr. Steginsky, his patients are typically back up walking around three weeks, back in tennis shoes around eight weeks, and encouraged to slowly introduce activity back into their lives around three to four months. However, the journey to recovery can look a little different for each person, depending on age or their physical status prior to surgery.

“It’s harder to return a pro-athlete back to a professional sport after an Achilles rupture than a more sedentary patient like myself that maybe just does things on the weekend like running,” Dr. Steginsky said, “I think it’s probably a little bit easier of a task for me to return.”

For more information on OhioHealth Orthopedic Care, click here.

“I don't have direct knowledge of Bronny James' situation other than what's been publicly reported, but here at OhioHealth we do evaluate a lot of athletes who have suspected or known heart issues,” said OhioHealth cardiologist  Kanny Grewal, MD.

Dr. Grewal explained that during a cardiac arrest, there's a sudden stoppage in the heart's pumping ability which causes a person to lose consciousness and pass out. 

When it comes to heart health and heart disease, anyone could be at risk. 

“Heart disease is definitely more common as people get older because most heart conditions develop over time due to different common risk factors, we all hear about,” Dr. Grewal said, “So when something like this happens in a younger person whether it's an athlete or young adult, it does generate a lot of attention and surprise.” 

A younger person going into cardiac arrest could happen due to different reasons than what could be seen in older adults. 

“It could be a congenital problem they could be born with, an electrical problem, or sometimes an unusual structural problem in the heart,” Dr. Grewal said. 

Dr. Grewal recommends that young athletes report any unusual health symptoms to their coach, a parent or an adult. 

“This would include chest pain, dizziness while they're exercising or competing, difficulty breathing that's out of the ordinary,” Dr. Grewal said, “Any of those symptoms should get attention right away.” 

If a younger person or athlete doesn't have these symptoms but does an activity that puts a strain or the heart or if heart disease runs in the family, there are screenings that go beyond a typical physical. 

“This could include an ultrasound of the heart to look for structural problems, or what we call an electrocardiogram (EKG) to look for irregular heart rhythms,” Dr. Grewal said. 

OhioHealth does provide these resources for anyone or for athletes, who may be experiencing symptoms or who aren't, but want to get checked just in case. 

For OhioHealth sports screenings, click here. 

For a list of OhioHealth cardiologists, click here.

For more information on heart disease prevention, click here.

"When it [kidney stone] gets stuck, it can cause a lot of pain, causing people to miss work, end up in the hospital, sometimes even get sick,” Dr. Yu explained. Kidney stone treatment often involves waiting weeks before receiving specialized care. The new program at OhioHealth is working to transform this process completely, getting patients in front of a doctor within 12 hours.

"The facilitator program is at the emergency room as well as all healthcare centers,” said Dr. Ho. “We could have instant access to our office where we actually reach out to the patients proactively.”

This approach ensures that patients receive timely follow ups and attention, reducing waiting times. “So, rather than to be hanging out there wondering when the pain is going to come back and when you're going to be able to see the person that can get rid of your stone, we have a facilitator process that we proactively reach out to the patients to say, ‘Hey, let's close the gap here, and let’s get rid of your stone."

The procedure itself has also seen exceptional advancements, particularly at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. "We can actually break the stones up into essentially dust that can then pass with almost no pain,” said Dr. Yu, highlighting the use of new high-power laser technology.

"Once that is done, we actually have also an additional program, which is to try to prevent stones,” shared Dr. Ho. The new protocol not only focuses on quick relief but preventive measures beyond immediate treatment.

With OhioHealth’s Kidney Stone Pathways program and advanced treatment options, patients can take back control of their lives in just a matter of days. 

To find an OhioHealth urologist near you, click here.

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship, established in 1974, has graduated nearly 80 fellows. Program director, Bruce Kerner, MD, highlighted the fellowship’s widespread influence and impact their graduates have made worldwide. “They’re in the continental United States, all the way to Hawaii, all the way to Puerto Rico, and even the Middle East,” said Dr. Kerner.

The Family Medicine Residency Program, accredited in 1971 and having graduated its first class in 1973, is also celebrating this same milestone. As one of the oldest and largest family medicine programs in the country, it has trained over 500 physicians.

“Our mission really is to train comprehensive, equitable, and innovation physicians,” said Alysia Herzog, MD, program director of the Family Medicine Residency program. The program takes pride in their full scope approach, bringing up flexible and adaptable physicians to successfully serve any community.

“We have a great team, and I think that really gives you a lot of opportunities for success,” Dr. Herzog said. She is thankful for the dedicated staff and OhioHealth leadership’s support in educating the next generation of physicians.

To learn more about both programs, click the links below:

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship - https://www.ohiohealth.com/medical-education/fellowships/colon-and-rectal-surgery-fellowship-grant-medical-center

Family Medicine Residency - https://www.ohiohealth.com/medical-education/residencies/family-medicine-grant-medical-center

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is considered Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving in place since 2012. While some choose to give their time and effort into causes, others donate money to organizations doing good around the country and globe.

Simon Bisson is the Vice President of Philanthropy at the OhioHealth Foundation.  He says Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to make a tremendous difference. The OhioHealth Foundation engages with the community, corporate partners and the general public to ensure donations made will support areas of greatest need, whether at a care site, a clinical program, or to help OhioHealth associates.

“Our role is to inspire gifts of gratitude from a variety of sources,” Bisson said. 

The Foundation raises and invests funds to support innovations in medicine, new technologies and vital community programs and services.

“We receive gifts from grateful patients, those who want to recognize a nurse or caregiver who truly helped them at a time of need.  We see gifts that help sponsor larger programs, but there are so many different ways to make a difference, and every dollar counts,” Bisson said.

Gifts to the OhioHealth Foundation can happen anytime of the year, but if you'd like to give today, you can click here.

Angela Parsons, DO, is an epileptologist with OhioHealth.  She sees patients at different stages of the epilepsy journey. From those who have just started medications, to those who have used 2 different medications and are looking for other options.

“For some, surgery is a very real option,” Dr. Parsons said.  “ In some of those cases we can perform surgery that can actually take out a part of the brain that is causing the seizure.  Of course, that is easier said than done, but very possible and I've have the great opportunity to take patients through that process and they are now seizure free."

In addition to medication and surgery, there are other devices that can be used to control, or in some cases eliminate seizures.

Epilepsy can be a real challenge for patients.  On the surface patients look to be living a normal life, but there can be physical and emotional challenges.

“It can be undetectable, but this is very common so some people might be struggling with a burden of seizures and what is happening in their every-day life.”

There are different types of seizures, there are different lengths of time a seizure can last.

“The way to think about epilepsy is hyper-excitability in the brain,”  Dr. Parsons said.  “For some reason a certain part, or entire brain is misfiring and causing the person to have a seizure.”

To learn more about epilepsy, or to schedule care with OhioHealth, click here.

“I absolutely think it is a big deal, I really have a lot of great honor and pleasure of serving with our folks within OhioHealth, we are part of an elite group of folks and every time I meet someone within OhioHealth who served in the military, you automatically have this bond because of your service," said Cherie Smith, chief nursing officer at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital.

She described this service as another level of commitment, and that having military members as a part of the OhioHealth organization highlights diversity and brings different experiences to the table. 

 Smith is a veteran herself and for her, it was an honor to serve for 24 years. 

“In high school, I was looking at college, but college seemed a little bit overwhelming for me and my family at the time,” Smith said, “My mom was a single parent raising 3 girls and it was a little bit out of reach for me.” 

Smith was involved in ROTC in high school, which piqued her interest in serving. 

“At the age of 17, I decided I wanted to enlist, my mom actually had to go sign the papers for me because first you had to be 18 to do that,” Smith said, “No one believed I was going, but I tricked all of them and I ended up enlisting and actually was a member of the U.S. Air Force for 24 years.” 

She was stationed in various locations in the U.S., Asia and Europe. As an enlisted member, she was a military instructor and was an Air Force medic. Throughout that time, she knew nursing was in her future. 

“I attended school part time, while raising my family and eventually I committed to enlisting and submitting my application for commissioning program,” Smith said, “I was accepted and went to nursing school full time.” 

After she completed her school, Smith became a commissioned officer and RN. 

November 11 is an important day, but every day is a day to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country. 

“Special group of people, special level of commitment to the country and many people join just being really self-aware and wanting to do good just by serving their country. and knowing that the ultimate sacrifice could be death," Smith said, “So, Veterans Day and other days outside of Veterans Day really gives us the opportunity to pause, honor and celebrate those who raised their hand in that commitment to our country.” 

“This was the hardest week of my life,” wrote Schumer in an Instagram post.  “Shout out to all the parents going through this right now.”

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. It's so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2. Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus can also infect adults.

In adults and older, healthy children, RSV symptoms are mild and typically mimic the common cold. Self-care measures are usually all that's needed to relieve any discomfort.

RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger (infants), especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system (immunocompromised).

Ben Bring, DO, is the program director of the Family Practice Residency at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital.  He says his office, and emergency departments are seeing a wave of children suffering.

“We are in the heart of RSV season, so we are recommending good hand washing, and hand hygiene,” Dr. Bring said.

One of the toughest things about RSV is treatment.  

“The biggest treatment is supportive care,” Dr. Bring said. “Pfizer is working on a vaccine for expectant mothers to give immunity to their newborns."

Dr. Bring says you should monitor your child's breathing.  If they are struggling to breathe or spiking fever, you should visitor a clinic or emergency department.

It's called the OhioHealth Survivorship Clinic.   The staff makes every effort to improve our patients' well-being by developing personalized plans that meet their needs and refer them to any needed treatments, therapies or other services to restore, maintain and improve their overall wellness.

“Cancer survivorship is now recognized as a phase of cancer care,” said Collen Zombek, OhioHealth advanced oncology clinical nurse specialist.  "It involves health and well-being of anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.  It can start at diagnosis and continue through their lifetime.  So the survivorship clinic focuses on the total person.  It's a multidisciplinary team of experts that are assembled in the same place, at the same visit, to address all areas of concern related to cancer and cancer survivorship. 

The survivorship care team creates a personalized survivorship plan that includes:

• Cancer screening recommendations
• Genetic counseling
• Managing late and long-term side effects of your cancer treatment
• Managing emotional and social effects of your cancer treatment
• Healthy lifestyle choices to help reduce your risk of cancer returning, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and any recommended immunizations and medications
• Any other necessary referrals based on your personal needs

If you are interested in becoming a patient of the OhioHealth Survivorship Clinic, please talk with your provider or nurse navigator about a referral.  Interested patients may also call the clinic directly at 614-566-2300.

Click here to learn more about the OhioHealth Survivorship Clinic.

On his YouTube page, Bieber told fans "the nerve in my ear, facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis. You can see this eye is not blinking. I can't smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move."

“A lot of people might know someone who has something called Bell's Palsy,” Geoff Eubank, MD, OhioHealth system chief, general neurology said.  “That would be weakness on one side of the face,  and that is one thing people see with Ramsay Hunt.  Above and beyond that you can have a rash in and  around the ear and that can be painful, along with being off balance.”

Many of the stops on Bieber's tour have been canceled.  Bieber was slated to be in Columbus on May 16th, but that show has been listed as rescheduled. No date has been noted.

As for treatment for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome,  it can take some time.

“We end up giving these patients antiviral medications, as well as giving them a course of steroids,” Dr. Eubank said.  “We think the combination can be beneficial.”

"This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn't the case but obviously, my body is telling me I got to slow down, and I hope you guys understand, and I'll be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100 percent so that I can do what I was born to do," Bieber added on his social accounts.

“It's important to check-in with yourself,” Megan Schabbing, MD, OhioHealth Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services said.  “Make sure you are feeling good.  Make sure you can function at work, be with the ones you care about.  When you struggle with mental health concerns, you can have a tough time connecting with others.”

The pandemic has shown to impact those who have mental health concerns, but there is a new group of people suffering from depression and anxiety.  That group is people who have never shown to have any diagnosed mental health disorders.

“You can develop problems later in life,” Dr. Schabbing said.  “We see people now without past mental health issues having problems at school, at work and at home.”

One thing experts say is happening though, all around the country,  an openness of discussing these critical issues of mental health.

“For so long people have been embarrassed or afraid to talk about mental health issues,” Dr. Schabbing said.  “Now people are coming forward saying I have anxiety, depression, I see a therapist, I take anti-depressant medication.  That helps people feel encouraged to say something themselves, and seek help.”

If you are struggling with your mental health,  click here to get more information from OhioHealth.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

"It is critically important that we take warning signs very seriously," Aaron Loochtan, DO, vascular neurologist at OhioHealth said. "Time lost is brain lost, and we need to be sure to get folks to the hospital if they exhibit signs and symptoms of a stroke.  Outcomes are better if we can start the live-saving treatments earlier," Dr. Loochtan said.

What can we all do to turn some of those numbers around?  Well, it starts with knowing your numbers.

Risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol

If you smoke – quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.

Treating Stroke

When it comes to treating a stroke, time is of the essence. If a stroke victim gets medical attention within three hours of symptom onset, they’re less likely to have long-term disability.

Many strokes can be treated with a drugs  that dissolve the blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. But the window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three hours, so in order to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes.

Use the acronym BE FAST to remember how to spot the signs:

If you or someone around you shows any signs of a stroke, it’s imperative to be fast and seek care immediately.

Balance: loss of balance or coordination

Eyes: trouble seeing out of one or both eyes

Facial weakness

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time

Once at the hospital, there are a number of life-saving techniques that can happen. To learn more about that, and other stroke information from OhioHealth, click here.

“If you have a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child, who had colon cancer at a young age, screening should start 5-10 years before the youngest age of diagnosis in the family,” said Bob Maxwell, MD, general surgeon at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital. “Unfortunately, there aren’t that many signs, which is why screening is so important. Certainly, if someone experiences bleeding, crampy pain, or start losing weight and appetite, those could potentially be signs. Many people have no signs at all.”

Dr. Maxwell described screening options:

• Stool test is the most dated and least accurate option. The test checks for blood in the stool. Unfortunately, the test can be impacted by diet, such as high iron, which can cause a false positive test result.
• Cologuard tests DNA and is more accurate. The screening looks for DNA from polyps and cancers.
• Colonoscopy is the most complete and accurate screening. This exam can reveal problem areas and identify changes in the colon earlier than ever before. Enhanced imaging technology, new tools, and effective medications now make it possible to remove polyps that were once impossible to remove.

“The number of times that screening occurs really depends on when which test is chosen,” said Dr. Maxwell. “For instance, if a blood test is used for blood in the stool, that has to happen every year. Cologuard is probably about every 3 years, and colonoscopy, if nothing is found, can be 5-10 years.”

The OhioHealth Colon Cancer Program provides a multidisciplinary team of colorectal cancer experts, including those from the MD Anderson Cancer Network®, work together to provide comprehensive treatment options.

To get in touch with a cancer specialist who can answer your questions and help connect you to screening options close to home, contact OhioHealth CancerCall Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM at (800) 752-9119.

“Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women,” said  Katie Exten, MD, medical oncologist and hematologist at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital. “The biggest risk factor by far is smoking.”

OhioHealth recommends these criteria for lung cancer screening:

• Patients should be 50-80 years of age with at least 20 pack years, which equals 1 pack per day for 20 years of smoking.
• If patients have quit smoking, it should be within the past 15 years.
• Patients should have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

The screening is done with imaging technology, more specifically a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. The process is simple, and the scan only takes 20 seconds. No preparation is needed prior. Patients may eat and drink non-alcoholic beverages as usual, and comfortable clothing without metal should be worn. The CT is an open machine and no dye is needed, so there are no concerns of claustrophobia or needles.

The OhioHealth Lung Cancer Program provides a multidisciplinary team approach with dedicated radiologists by combining the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommendations, nurse navigation, and education on lung cancer screening and smoking cessation.

If you are interested in taking a six-week course to curb your use of tobacco, contact Kathy Johnson, RRT, RCP, at (419) 526-8455. The program emphasizes group support, education, and motivation to eliminate barriers to stop tobacco use.

To get in touch with a cancer specialist who can answer your questions and help connect you to screening options close to home, contact OhioHealth CancerCall Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM at (800) 752-9119.

“The seven day moving average for the state of Ohio has 1600 new cases a day,” Joe Gastaldo, MD, OhioHealth medical director of infectious diseases said.  “That is up about 60 percent from where we were 14 days ago.”

But it is not all doom and gloom. While numbers are ticking up, the cases haven't put the strain on the hospital systems as we've seen during some of the heaviest of surges.

“During Omicron, we were averaging 20,000 new cases a day,” Dr. Gastaldo said.  “That isn't the case currently.  While community cases are up in Ohio, and in other states, the stress on the hospital system isn't what it was.”

Dr. Gastaldo says as people start to get together again, they need to have a plan.  “If you get COVID-19, where are you going to get a test, and if you  have an at-risk condition, what is your plan to get access to the FDA approved treatments,” Dr. Gastaldo said.

That includes keeping up to date on vaccines, and knowing where you can get access to items like antiviral pills.

“These pills are designed to keep people out of the hospital with COVID-19. In the past, these pills were hard to come by.  Now, they are available at many pharmacies around the country,” Dr. Gastaldo said.

To see where pills are available, and to get all the information you need regarding the virus, log onto COVID.GOV.

Donnamarie Packer, MD, general surgeon with OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, explained, the most common risk factors are family history and history of hormone exposure. “We are concerned about those have had children later in life, who started menopause later in life, who had long-term birth control exposure, hormonal replacement therapy exposure during menopause, and patients who have had extreme family history with first degree relatives, such as a parent or sibling,” she added.

Dr. Packer recommended that all women focus on annual screening mammograms when they reach the age of 40. Mammograms can reveal nearly 90 percent of breast cancers as early as 2 years before a lump can be felt. The mammogram appointment generally takes 30 minutes or less, and no referral is necessary for a screening mammography for women 40 and older.

Mansfield Hospital and Shelby Hospital offer advanced 3D digital mammography, known as breast tomosynthesis. A screening mammogram allows for baseline image to be collected, so subsequent screening mammograms can be compared for any changes.

“3D mammography allows a radiologist to have some clearer pictures and hopefully be able to detect cancers when they are even smaller and earlier staged,” explained Dr. Packer. “There are some cases when we do recommend getting an MRI of both breasts for patients who are higher risk or have very dense tissue. An MRI can also be obtained here.”

The OhioHealth Breast Cancer Program provides support from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. The program includes early detection through screenings, advanced treatment options, multidisciplinary collaboration among cancer experts, including those from MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a patient navigator who provides personalized assistance throughout your cancer journey, Breast Cancer Second Opinion Clinic for extensive case review and treatment recommendations, High Risk Breast Clinic to understand and manage your breast cancer risk, cancer survivorship and supportive care, cancer genetic counseling and testing, and access to the latest research and clinical trials.

To get in touch with a cancer specialist who can answer your questions and help connect you to screening options close to home, contact OhioHealth CancerCall Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM at (800) 752-9119.

BMT is a process where non-functioning, deficient bone marrow or cancerous cells are eliminated by chemotherapy and/or radiation and then replaced by new, healthy cells. The ultimate goal is for a cure or at least to control the disease.

The program is available system-wide to all eligible patients. It will be located at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center. Medical director Yvonne Efebera, MD, MPH, brings over 20 years of international experience to OhioHealth Cancer Care. 

“I am excited to have joined OhioHealth and for this new BMT program to impact the lives of patients in the community,” said Dr. Efebera. “While new to OhioHealth, the program encompasses decades of physician experience, education and clinical trial experience. We will provide a comprehensive and compassionate environment to care for patients and help them deal with not only their cancer, but their mental, physical and emotional health.”

The BMT program will serve patients with hematologic or blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.  Patients with non-cancerous disorders, like bone marrow failure, metabolic disorders and primary immunodeficiency disorders will also be served through this program.

“These diseases are very complex conditions to treat,” said Dr. Efebera. “The acuity of patients is severe and their treatment must be carefully managed.  In fact, many medical specialties are brought in to bear in support of their care, including critical care, immunology, pulmonology, nephrology, cardiology and, of course, hematology and oncology.”

The program was developed after seeing a need for these services at OhioHealth. 

“We realized we were disrupting our patients’ continuity of care when we had to send patients who needed BMT services to other health systems,” said Praveen Dubey, MD, OhioHealth VP of Cancer Care.  “Having this program allows our patients to receive all of their care in one place, which is much more convenient for them. This new BMT program addresses the current unmet needs of our patients and allows us to keep the safe and high-quality continuity of care for patients closer to home and within our system.”

The number of BMTs are continuing to rise steadily in the United States and are expected to grow 9 percent in the next five years.  OhioHealth is hoping to do 150 transplants per year over the next five years.

An inpatient unit is currently being built within 17,000 square feet of existing space at Riverside Methodist Hospital and a 10,000 square foot portion of the atrium level of the Bing Cancer Center, previously occupied by conference room spaces, has been converted to include an infusion space for BMT patients, ambulatory care and outpatient clinics, a lab and a pharmacy.

 Elwood “Woody” Martin, MD, a general surgeon, with the Heartburn Treatment Clinic at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, was the first in Ohio to use a new screening procedure to check for the risk of esophageal cancer. “We can look for tumor markers within that specimen… and predict the likelihood of the patient progressing towards cancer over the next 5 years.”

Dr. Martin said historically, white males over the age of 50 have been in the highest risk category and make up 75-80 percent of esophageal cancer findings. With this new technology, providers will be able to better understand the risk of esophageal cancer across all patient populations. He added that once patient is diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, they enter a surveillance protocol based on their risk.

GERD, also referred to as “reflux,” is a chronic disease of the digestive track in which stomach acid and bile flow backward into the esophagus. The esophagus does not tolerate exposure to gastric contents. Chronic long-term GERD can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life.

Normally, GERD is prevented by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a circular muscle at the bottom of the esophagus which essentially functions as a one-way valve that prevents backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. GERD occurs when the LES fails to function correctly.

Symptoms of reflux disease may include:

 ·        Heartburn

·        Regurgitation

·        Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

·        Bloating • Excessive belching

·        Abdominal pain

·        Nausea/Vomiting

·        Chest pain

·        Shortness of breath

·        Chronic cough

·        Chronic bronchitis

·        Recurrent pneumonia

·        Ear pain

·        Post nasal drip

·        Chronic sore throat

·        Chronic hoarseness

·        Tooth decay/gingivitis/bad breath

·        Globus (feeling like something is caught in your throat)

 Ineffective treatment of chronic GERD can result in damage to the esophagus and potentially increase the risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. It is estimated that 50-60 million Americans have meaningful reflux symptoms on a monthly basis and about 20-25 million adults in the United States experience daily reflux symptoms. About two of five patients on acid suppression medical therapy indicate that they do not have adequate control of their GERD symptoms.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Heartburn Treatment Clinic at Mansfield Hospital at 419-526-8504.

The Mayo Clinic describes alopecia as a condition that can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men.

Frank Morocco, DO, is a dermatologist with OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, and says that hair loss can impact men, women and children.

“It can come from inflammation, from scarring, really a number of different things can cause hair loss,” Dr. Morocco said.

Dr. Morocco says there are some treatment options.

“Treatments can be difficult, so it is very important to work with a dermatologist who can come up with the best option.  There are topical treatments, systemic medications, as well as shampoo and medications, as well as some new, exciting medications coming that could really help," Dr. Morocco said.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:

• Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
• Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
• Sudden loosening of hair. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.
• Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
• Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

Jacqueline Nicholas, MD is the OhioHealth system chief for neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis.  She says patients with MS have something attacking the myelin covering their neurons. That something is their own immune system.

“MS onsets in the younger years quite often, in the 20's and 30's,” Dr. Nicholas said.  “The immune system thinks there is a foreign invader, and attacks.”

And just like no one person is the exact same, no MS is the exact same. It can impact patients completely differently. However, there are two main types of MS.

“85 percent of MS cases are what is called relapsing-remitting MS,” Dr. Nicholas said.  “That is when their first symptoms come on in the form of a relapse, meaning over hours to days.  The other main form is called primary-progressive MS, and that is when someone has a gradual worsening over time where it can hard to pinpoint when it started.”

There is hope for patients with MS. Treatments have come a long way, especially over the last few decades.

“I've been saying if you have to MS, now is the best time to have it because of so many options. Some people will take shots from daily to once a month, others will take pills daily, and others will get infusions. For many of these patients, it's all about finding what works best, and allows the patient to live their best life with MS,” Dr. Nicholas said.

If you would like to learn more about the MS programs at OhioHealth, click here.

 “CenteringPregnancy is an evidence-based model of care that we offer at OhioHealth Grant Family Medicine,” said Lauren.  “This model of care allows physicians to provide women with pregnancy and birth-related information.  They receive prenatal education, social support in a group setting among their peers, as well as one-on-one private physical checkups with their provider.”

So what does a typical CenteringPregnancy session look like?

“Our groups meet on a regular prenatal schedule,” said Lauren.  Appointments include checking weight and blood pressure, followed by private appointments with a physician.  After that, the group discussions begin.

“The group discussions include, but aren't limited to, breastfeeding, nutrition and pregnancy, infant safety and much more,” said Lauren.

Data shows that women who participate in CenteringPregnancy have higher rates of reaching a full-term pregnancy and decreased rates of infant mortality.

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about CenteringPregnancy or setting up an appointment, please call (614) 788-5400. To learn more about the CenteringPregnancy model, click here. 

According to Jeff, there’s a continuum of harm between sexual harassment and sexual assault. He says that sexual assault can include sexual touching/groping, physical force, fondling and rape, while sexual harassment can include things like crude comments, gestures that are gender-focused, vulgar photos, catcalls, whistles and unwanted flirting.

Jeff also points out that there are societal attitudes and behaviors that can be detrimental to the victim survivor.  This includes:

• Victim blaming, which places the survivor in the role of being responsible for what happened to them
• Denying the existence of sexual violence or diminishing the severity of a behavior
• Objectifying people through slang and crude comments
• Gender norms that men should be in control and women should just follow and the belief that only men/boys should initiate sex

He says that our culture can support sexual assault and harrassement.  Examples include:

• Media, movies, tv – can normalize harmful behavior as romantic or seductive – like kissing someone when they say ‘no’, stalking, etc.
• Language – use of jokes and phrases that minimize harmful behavior – like “boys will be boys,” and other locker room talk/antics that are deemed socially acceptable
• Unfair dress codes
• ‘Policing’ boys or men who act different than the stereotypical “real man”

Click here to learn more about SARNCO's work.

One example from Eliza Sabo, program coordinator for the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), is to think about your emotional bandwith.

Eliza shared the story of a friend asking her if she had the emotional bandwith to listen to her rant and decompress about a bad day.  Eliza noticed that even though they've known each other for decades, her friend still asked - she didn't assume.  And Eliza said that even though her voluntary, informed answer has been yes 99.8 percent of the time, she knows she can say no or offer other alternatives if she doesn't have the capacity that day, protecting both her time and her mental health.

"In anti-violence prevention work we use an expanded definition for consent as it relates to intimate interactions and relationships, but consent is also a key communication factor with family, friends, colleagues, community members and patients," said Eliza. "Consent is what I like to call an 'empowered choice' – each person gets to have an active role in the decisions, big and small, that have an impact on their life. It can be a healthy part of a variety of human interactions."

Eliza shared some example of how people can actively incorporate consent into their daily lives, which offers more choice to others as you interact with them:

• A good place to start is with awareness. What if this week, you became more aware of the different ways we hear and experience consent?
• What if you thought about how you felt when you gave consent and how you felt when you wanted someone to ask you what you wanted and they didn’t?
• Situations when you hear or say the words yes and no.
• Situations where you would have preferred to have been asked for consent or provided with anticipatory guidance.
• Situations where you might have asked for consent from someone else.

Click here to learn more about SARNCO's work.