providence health magazine - spring 2012

A guide to heAlthy living And quAlity cAre

providenceheAlthonline.org

SPRING 2012Providence

Reclaim YouR lifeThose with movement disorders find help

HeaRt HelpInnovative treatment for your cardiac condition

We'Re eveRYWHeRe!Providence Medical Institute brings quality care to your community

The Providence Family Tree Our vast network of providers cares for families throughout Southern California

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical CenterTorrance

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank

Providence Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana

Produced by Marketing & Communications at Providence Health & Services, Southern California

Providence Health Editor-in-Chief: Nancy Franklin

Providence Health Managing Editors: Patricia AidemJennifer FagnaniConnie MatthewsNatasha ShowsKathryn Sprague

Contributor: Tiffany DeVall

Content Editor:Colleen Ringer

Art Director:Maggie Conners

Production Technology Specialist:Sonia Washington

Imaging Specialist:Dane Nordine

Production Manager:Tanya Clark

Providence Health is published four times annually by McMurry, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Volume 4, Number 2 © 2012 McMurry.

The material in Providence Health is not intended for diagnos ing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise

Printed on recycled paper.

program or dietary guidelines. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please tear off the shipping label and mail it to Remove Me, P.O. Box 17910, Phoenix, AZ 85011 or go to acd.mcmurry.com.

PROVIDENCE hEalth

In thIs Issue

6 Regaining ControlPatients with movement disorders have a place to turn to for support.

8 The Beat Goes OnNeed heart help? We’re here for you.

10 Meet the FamilyProvidence isn’t just five world-class medical centers. We’re so much more.

16 Bringing Excellence to YouDiscover Providence’s network of clinics and urgent care locations.

IN EVERY ISSUE 3 Community Connections

14 Senior Health

15 Foundation Focus

17 Calendar of Classes and Events

thoughts from Your Chief executives

The Providence Brand of CareThis is a very special edition of Providence Health. We have joined our two community magazines to bring you news about all that Providence offers—from our five hospitals to our extended “family” of services, such as Providence Medical Institute—in one publication.

Our five award-winning hospitals each have their own unique specialties, but all provide the same Providence brand of quality and compassionate care. We work together to ensure our patients are matched with the best services for their needs.

At Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, for example, we have experts in deep brain stimulation, a state-of-the-art treatment for those with movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. Among Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro’s signature services are its renowned Rehabcentre, the South Bay’s only acute rehabilitation facility, and its Stroke Center, the first Advanced Primary Stroke Center in the South Bay.

Providence Southern California not only provides for your family’s health care needs from birth to end-of-life, but our physicians, nurses and clinicians also are encouraged to participate in research projects, many of which have led to new and better practices. Michele Del Vicario, M.D., a cardiologist at Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance, is developing a protocol to reduce hospital readmission rates for congestive heart failure patients. And our new Providence Nursing Institute encourages nurses to conduct research programs to improve patient care.

Information about all our services is available through our Health Resource Center, which you will read about in this issue. By calling 1-888-HEALING (432-5464), you can get a referral to a physician, as well as information on health services and community resources.

We hope you enjoy our expanded coverage. Learn more about Providence by visiting providence.org.

Barry WolfmanChief Executive Providence Saint Joseph

Larry BoweChief Executive Providence Holy Cross

Dale SurowitzChief ExecutiveProvidence Tarzana

Elizabeth DunneChief ExecutiveProvidence Little Company of Mary Torrance

Nancy CarlsonChief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro

2 | Providence health spring 2012 providencehealthonline.org

Community ConnectionsOur MissiOn

As people of providence, we reveAl God’s love for All, especiAlly the poor And vulnerAble, throuGh our compAssionAte service.

core vAlues

compassionCaring for each person as part of our family.

Justice Working for a fair and equitable society.

respect Affirming the God-given dignity and worth of each person.

excellence Continually improving all that we do.

stewardship Wisely caring for and sharing human, environmental and financial resources held in trust.

Diabetes, heart attack and stroke are serious health issues that affect millions of Americans—and counting. But many people aren’t diagnosed until they develop symptoms as serious as a heart attack.

The Cardiometabolic Center at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance now offers specialized testing that can identify at-risk patients earlier than usual in the disease process. Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance is one of the first community hospitals in the country to offer these coordinated metabolic and vascular exams, which go beyond conventional lab tests and assessments and include a modified glucose test, a computer-enhanced carotid artery exam using ultrasound, and specialized cardiovascular lab tests.

“These evaluations allow us to more accurately pinpoint where a person is along the spectrum toward disease,” says John Armato, M.D., an internist and co-director of the center with endocrinologist Ron Ruby, M.D. “Recent studies have shown that if you identify these patients earlier on, you can develop treatment strategies that prevent progression toward heart attack, stroke and diabetes.”

Patients are referred to the center by their primary care physicians, who receive all the test results. “As part of the testing and evaluation, we provide information to practitioners that they can use in concert with their patients to develop preventive strategies,” Dr. Armato says. After an appropriate interval, follow-up studies can validate the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Early Detection saves Lives

Talk to your doctor about your risk for heart disease or diabetes. To learn more about the Cardiometabolic Center, including physician referral

details, call 1-888-HEALING.

Find Out if You’re at risk

providencehealthonline.org spring 2012 Providence Health | 3

Community Connections

Download the mobile application so that your mobile device can read this scan. It will launch the new providencehealthonline.org on your mobile device.

Caring FOr ChrOniC WOunDs anD OstOMiEs

Visit providencehealthonline.org for health news, tools, tips and more

GetProvidencenewstailoredtoyou.Customize the email messages you receive from Providence based on your hospital choice. Simply update your preferences online at providencehealthonline.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Calculateyourhealthrisksbyusingouronlineassessmenttools. They’re easy to use and provide a quick snapshot of your likelihood to develop certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Go online and assess your health today.

Needadoctor?Use our online physician referral tool and search by specialty, location, hospital affiliation and more. You can view the physician’s profile, which includes education and training, clinical interests, practice information and much more.

Staytuned. Providence Health & Services, Southern California will be launching a new and much more robust website later this spring. Be sure to check back for plenty of fresh content and new tools to keep you healthy.

On thE WEb

got Questions? We’ve got answers If you’re living with a

nonhealing wound or an ostomy, you know that it’s more than a physical challenge. It can be an emotional one, too. At the Providence Tarzana Wound Center, a team of skilled experts takes a total “body, mind, spirit” approach to evaluating and treating chronic, nonhealing wounds and ostomies.

“Addressing the whole person, including the psychosocial, is a natural part of each patient visit,” says Terry Daggi, R.N., CWOCN (certified wound and ostomy care nurse), the center’s program director.

“Plus, we have nationally certified wound and ostomy nurses who can identify any problems and come up with a solution.”

The center’s multidisciplinary team also includes plastic, orthopedic and general surgeons, and each patient receives an individualized treatment plan.

You see it all over this magazine: 1-888-HEALING. That’s the phone number for the Providence Health Resource Center (HRC). You might be surprised to learn how much information you can access with a single phone call.

The HRC is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. by Providence team members who are experts in the services and resources Providence provides.

Thanks to these knowledgeable professionals, the HRC is a one-stop source of information for:

• Physician referrals: Find the right Providence physician or specialist for your needs and insurance.

• Classes and programs: Register for everything from CPR classes to chemical dependency counseling in your community.

• Health information: Request details about programs and resources available at Providence facilities and in the community, as well as brochures on preventive health topics.Best of all, calling 1-888-HEALING

is free and available to everyone.

Access a wide range of health information and interactive tools, including quizzes and

health risk calculators, at providencehealthonline.org.

To speak to a health expert, call 1-888-HEALING.

get health info Online or

Over the Phone

need help healing?if living with an ostomy or chronic wound is a chal-lenge, providence can help. you don’t even need a physician referral. call 818-757-8839 for more information.

4 | Providence Health spring 2012 providencehealthonline.org

Community Connections

It’s never too soon to start planning for the summer months. From June through August, Providence High School (PHS) will offer a variety of summer school classes and camps.

The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) camp is open to students in grades K-9. Participants enrolled in the VPA camp will explore acting, stagecraft, script writing, stage combat and filmmaking.

For those interested in athletics, PHS will once again offer volleyball and basketball camps for students in grades 2-8. Weeklong sessions will be available in June and August. PHS also offers summer basketball and volleyball leagues for students who are already enrolled at the school.

Additionally, PHS provides summer classes in math, science, English, study skills and digital information literacy, as well as study labs sponsored by Brigham Young University.

For more information about Providence High School’s summer programs, please call818-846-8141 or visit providencehigh.org.

Providence high Offers Exciting summer school Opportunities

Plenty of surgery centers offer bariatric surgery for weight loss. But the quality designations that have been awarded to the Bariatric Wellness Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center are tough to beat:

• Bariatric Center of Excellence 2011, HealthGrades

• Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

• Center of Excellence, American College of Surgeons

“We’re one of very few programs in California certified by both the ASMBS and the ACS,” says Sharon Sperling, M.S., R.D., bariatric program coordinator. “We offer a truly multidisciplinary program that includes education and support before and after surgery.”

What’s more, the program performs many procedures—including LAP-BAND®, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass—using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques that offer smaller incisions and less healing time.

When it Comes to Weight-Loss surgery, You’re in good hands

Bariatric surgery could help you restart your life. For more information about the Providence Saint Joseph Bariatrics Program, including patient testimonials, visit restartlife.org.

Is WeIght Loss surgery for you?


Regaining Control

Even the most experienced neurosurgeons will tell you that we’ve only just begun to understand the brain’s inner workings. And to treat such a complex organ, you need a great deal of knowledge and skill.

That’s why when it comes to neurological care, many people turn to the experts at the Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

In addition to a Stroke Center and Neurovascular Center, the institute features a new Outpatient Neuroscience Center that’s essential to diagnosing neurological disorders. There’s also a full-service Movement Disorders Center that takes a family-centered approach.

“Our environment allows for a kind of intimacy that creates connections between clinicians and patients, which is something you don’t see everywhere,” says Roberta Greenberg, R.N., clinical manager of the Movement Disorders Center. “Forming those connections helps improve outcomes.”

Treating Movement DisordersMovement disorders comprise a set of neurological conditions, says Michael M. Marvi, M.D., M.S., a neurologist with a subspecialty in movement disorders. These conditions include Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia. Although each is unique, they all cause involuntary movements or shaking that can make daily activities difficult—or close to impossible.

Providence’s expertise in movement disorders helps patients get their lives back


Make an appointMentFor more information or to schedule a

consultation at the Movement Disorders Center, call 1-888-HEALING.

Wondering just how much deep brain stimulation (DBS) can improve someone’s life? Just ask Joe Valero, who had struggled with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease for more than five years before trying DBS.

Although DBS doesn’t cure Parkinson’s, it can help manage some of its symptoms, especially tremors. Valero chose the Movement Disorders Center at the Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center for his treatment after having tried medication therapy.

For Valero, the positive effects of DBS were almost instantaneous. Within moments, Valero’s arm went from shaking uncontrollably to becoming perfectly still.

Unable to write, hold a cellphone or type on a keyboard because of his shaking, Joe was concerned about losing his management job. Now, with the tremors completely under control, Joe is considering running for Mayor. “This is a miracle,” Valero says. “I have my life back.”

Life-Changing TReaTmenT

Therefore, the goal of the Movement Disorders Center is to provide a single, comprehensive resource for treatment, says Ronald F. Young, M.D., a neurosurgeon and medical director of the program.

“I mean ‘treatment’ in the broadest sense of the word,” he says. “People can receive neurological and psychological evaluation, medication treatment, rehabilitation services and surgical treatment.”

The Movement Disorders Center provides both medical and surgical treatment options to patients including deep brain stimulation (DBS), which uses an implanted device to reduce tremors, similar to how a pacemaker regulates heart rhythm.

“All of the treatments are focused on decreasing the severity of symptoms,” says Dr. Marvi. “We tend to use a combination of these treatments to improve patients’ function—but especially with DBS, wonderful changes can occur.”

Once involuntary movements and shaking are controlled, many patients are able to engage in activities they couldn’t before—sometimes tasks as simple as holding a glass of water or buttoning a shirt.

“Restoring mobility and function to someone who thought it was lost to them is an incredible gift to be able to give,” Greenberg says.

Understanding DBSGenerally, nonsurgical options are tried before a procedure like DBS is recommended. But there is a window of opportunity when DBS is most effective, which means patients should be evaluated as early as possible.

DBS involves the implantation of thin wires deep into specific areas of the brain. The wires are connected to a battery-operated device implanted in the patient’s chest that provides electrical stimulation to the brain.

“No one is exactly sure how DBS works, but there’s some thought that it blocks certain excessive kinds of electrochemical activity in the brain,” Dr. Young says. “But what we do know is that it does work.”

Using a combination of surgical techniques and imaging technology, surgeons insert the wires into very specific targets in the brain. Patients are awake, but kept very comfortable, during part of the procedure so that the surgeon can refine the target based on observations of the symptoms being treated.

After surgery, programming the stimulator is essential to getting the desired results, and it often requires repeat visits and ongoing fine-tuning.

“With most surgeries, the closing stitch is the end of the story,” Greenberg says. “With DBS, the closing stitch is just the beginning of the journey.”

Patients are seen about every six weeks at first, then for maintenance as needed. Greenberg works with patients and their families, both before and after surgery, to educate them on the process. It’s especially important that they can recognize changes, so the stimulator can be adjusted accordingly over time.

“DBS can completely eliminate symptoms in some cases, but it’s not a magic wand, which is why we provide such comprehensive resources,” Dr. Young says. “We achieve the best results by everyone working together.”

Joe Valero


One minute, 18-year-old Patrick Artner was driving down the Ventura Freeway. The next minute, he had passed out at the wheel, causing an accident.

Tests soon revealed the reason Artner lost consciousness was tachycardia, a condition where

the heart beats too fast.To restore Artner’s heart rate to normal, cardiologists at

Providence Tarzana Medical Center performed a procedure called an ablation, during which they inserted a thin flexible tube into his heart. A special machine delivered energy through that catheter to the tiny area of the heart muscle that was causing the abnormal rhythm, eliminating the problem. A couple of days later Artner returned to high school, and today he is attending college, grateful for the lifesaving care he received.

Artner’s story is just one of countless examples of the care Providence’s experts and facilities can provide to people with cardiac rhythm problems and other heart conditions, such as blocked and narrowed arteries, heart attacks and congestive heart failure.

Keeping a Steady RhythmProvidence Holy Cross, Providence Saint Joseph, Providence Tarzana and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance all have developed heart arrhythmia evaluation and management programs that address abnormal heart rhythms.

“Cardiac electrophysiologists are like electricians working on the electrical systems of the heart,” says Dave T. Kim, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist at Providence Tarzana.

With their dedicated electrophysiology labs, Providence Tarzana and Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance can perform the spectrum of procedures related to electrical problems with the heart, such as tachycardia and arrhythmia.

In fact, electrophysiology studies are performed at Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance through the Vasek Polak Cardiovascular Institute. These studies can test, record and correct the abnormal pathways in the heart, and physicians can safely reproduce the abnormal heart rhythm to determine if medication, radiofrequency ablation or the placement of an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator is needed. Procedures are performed on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

For those with cardiac conditions, Providence is the place to turn for innovative treatment

The Beat Goes On


“A lot of the technology assists us in being more precise and working more quickly, hopefully with better outcomes,” Dr. Kim says. “Plus, we’re always looking for new technology that can help us further expand our capabilities.”

Maintaining the FlowInterventional cardiology is another area of expertise at Providence. Examples of interventional cardiology procedures include angioplasty and stenting, minimally invasive procedures that open blocked arteries to restore blood flow to the heart.

Providence Holy Cross, Providence Saint Joseph, Providence Tarzana and Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance are all STEMI Receiving Centers, meeting guidelines established by

Help for Your HeartWant to learn more about the cardiology services

available at Providence? Call 1-888-HEALING.

Before cardiac treatment can begin, an accurate diagnosis is essential. And in some cases, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is the answer—especially for patients at intermediate risk of heart problems who are having symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain.

This cardiac imaging technology is a noninvasive test that examines the arteries that supply blood to the heart. CCTA uses a CT scanner to capture images of those arteries, with the help of dye injected through an IV that “lights up” the arteries.

“The test gives us very accurate anatomical data as opposed to a stress test, which sometimes only tells us how the heart is functioning,” says John Tsakonas, M.D., director of noninvasive cardiology and assistant director of CT angiography at Providence Tarzana Medical Center. “CCTA will show us whether or not there’s a significant amount of plaque in the arteries, and we can use that information to develop a treatment plan.”

GeTTinG The RiGhT DiaGnOsis

“We’re doing everything we can to give patients the best possible care,” says Providence Little

Company of Mary Torrance cardiologist Michele Del Vicario, M.D.

the American Heart Association and approved by the Los Angeles County Department of Emergency Medical Services.

As STEMI Receiving Centers, these hospitals have protocols in place to respond rapidly when a patient having a heart attack is brought into the emergency department (ED).

“We’re staffed 24/7,” says Jack A. Patterson, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at Providence Holy Cross, “and we have an excellent track record of door-to-balloon times and outcomes.”

This means Providence Holy Cross evaluates a patient and performs angioplasty to open blocked arteries within the established timeframe proven to deliver optimal results.

Providence Holy Cross performs other interventional procedures, too, such as one that removes blood clots from arteries and another that can eliminate hard calcifications in the blood vessels.

Staying StrongProvidence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance was recognized as one of the 2011 Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals. That’s because the hospital is committed to achieving superior outcomes.

Not only does the hospital offer a range of cardiology services that use minimally invasive techniques meaning less trauma and faster recovery for patients, but about a year ago, Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance instituted a protocol for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hospital readmission rates are extremely high for people with CHF, so Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance set out to change that.

The protocol involves educating patients on exactly what they need to do to successfully manage their CHF at home. A nurse provides detailed instructions on medications, diet and warning signs of worsening CHF, which the patient and family members repeat back to confirm their understanding of the regimen.

“We’ve reduced the readmission rate to about 18 percent overall,” says Michele Del Vicario, M.D., a cardiologist at Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance. “We’re doing everything we can to give patients the best possible care.”

In addition, the hospital offers a specialized endovascular suite, where, using advanced technology, physicians are able to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms. And because the doctors use smaller incisions, the patient is able to recover quicker and go home sooner.


FamilyMeet the

To find out where to turn for the services you need, call 1-888-HEALING or go to

providencehealthonline.org.

Let Our FamiLy HeLp yOurs


Think of the Providence system as a family—a very large family. It’s not just five world-class medical centers. It’s Providence Medical Institute (PMI), a network

of medical clinics and urgent care centers, Providence TrinityCare Hospice, Providence High School, Providence St. Elizabeth Care Center, Providence Home Health, plus a host of other specialized programs reaching throughout Southern California.

“Our mission always has been to provide care to the communities in which we reside,” says Michael Hunn, senior vice president and regional chief executive for Providence Health & Services, Southern California. “We have a long history of caring for generations of families.”

As a family of its own, Providence is deeply committed to collaboration. Each medical center and facility has specific areas of expertise and service offerings (see pages 12 and 13 to learn more). What makes Providence even stronger is the fact that these resources are shared across the entire network.

“We still have our community-based focus, but we’re one ministry committed to excellence and expert collaboration,” Hunn explains. “We are a large system and our physicians all can communicate and benefit from each others’ best practices. Our goal is to have each community get the best of the best from across the Providence system.”

Team ProvidenceThere are a number of ways members of the Providence family collaborate across communities. For one thing, colleagues from throughout the Providence system have regular conferences to discuss every aspect of care delivery. According to Hunn, few outside consulting groups

could provide the level of expertise that’s gathered in these meetings.

In addition, Providence facilities are always prepared to support one another. If a child is brought into the emergency department (ED) at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, for example, there’s a special ambulance to provide transportation to Providence Tarzana Medical Center, which offers specialized pediatric care.

Providence is further enhancing collaboration by implementing an electronic medical records (EMR) system. Once EMRs are up and running system-wide, patient records will be instantly available at every Providence location.

“This effort is really focused on the big picture around coordinated care and efficiencies—and making sure our patients get exactly the care they need,” Hunn says.

For instance, the EMR system will eliminate the chance of duplicate tests being ordered by different doctors, because every physician will be able to see every test administered and the results.

“Not performing duplicate tests saves money for patients and Providence,” Hunn says. “Those are health care dollars we can spend on expanding the resources we offer to everyone.”

Right Place, Right TimeBetter coordination doesn’t just mean improved efficiency and cost savings. It also means making sure people are receiving the right care in the right setting. Providence’s physicians and staff are well prepared to educate patients in navigating their health care choices.

The robust program of palliative and hospice care is one excellent example. Some patients need disease management and pain management care while others require end-of-life care. It’s important to differentiate so that each person receives the appropriate treatment in the proper setting—something Hunn says Providence’s palliative and hospice

From the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities to the South Bay, Providence has your health care needs coveredFamily

Meet the


care providers are extremely good at.“They are trained in telling people realistically what their care options

are and in supporting patients and their families through difficult times,” he explains. “At every stage of a patient’s life, we can make sure they’re in the right place, whether it’s in a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, a medical center or at home with home health care or hospice.”

The Sum of Its PartsProvidence is able to excel as a whole because the individual team members are extremely good at what they do—and they truly care for the communities they serve.

“We’re very fortunate to have incredibly well-trained and, in some cases, world-class physicians who bring some of the highest levels of expertise to the treatment of diverse, complex diseases,” Hunn says. “At the same time, these are truly community-based physicians, who live in the communities where they practice and really do care about the health of the community.”

This superior level of care, available at every Providence facility, is recognized by a long list of awards and designations. This includes rankings among the top hospitals in the nation by U.S.News & World Report and high ratings for quality surgical outcomes and various specialties.

Providence also has been acknowledged for its community outreach programs, which extend across Southern California and around the world.

“From wellness support groups to monetary assistance for underserved communities, I don’t know any other health system that’s as embedded in the community as we are with outreach,” Hunn says. “For the people of Providence, it’s more than just doing a job. It’s being part of something that’s greater than themselves.”

Our Family

TreeEvery Providence medical center

offers comprehensive services,

but each one has its own areas of

expertise, too.

Providence Tarzana Medical Center

• Providence Tarzana Wound Center: Designed for the

evaluation and treatment of chronic, nonhealing wounds,

the center develops individualized care plans to treat the

most difficult cases.

• Vascular Services: Providence Tarzana was named one

of the best hospitals in California for vascular surgery by

HealthGrades and is one of the few hospitals in the Valley

to offer carotid artery stenting—for which it’s ranked

among the top two in the state. In fact, Providence Tarzana

has received numerous quality awards from HealthGrades

for its cardiac, pulmonary and vascular services.

• Pediatrics: The facility offers a pediatric intensive care

unit (PICU) staffed by experts around-the-clock, along

with pediatric outpatient therapy programs including

physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as a

pool therapy program for children with juvenile arthritis.


Providence Holy Cross Medical Center• Emergency and Trauma Care: Providence Holy Cross is one of only two hospitals in the San Fernando Valley with a Level II Trauma Center designation. Certified trauma surgeons and specialists, such as neurosurgeons, are on call 24/7.• Women’s and Children’s Services: A new Women’s Pavilion unites all Ob-Gyn services on one floor and features a new 12-bed neonatal intensive care unit, dedicated cesarean section operating rooms, private rooms and in-room couplet care for mom and baby.• Nurse Magnet Designation: This facility is the only hospital in the Valley and neighboring communities to be awarded this national honor from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes excellence in nursing services.

Providence Little Company of Mary

Medical Center Torrance• Heart and Vascular: Named one of the Top 50

Cardiovascular Hospitals 2011 by Thomson Reuters, the

program provides treatment for people with disorders of the

heart, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels—from emergency

care and diagnostics to treatment and rehabilitation.

• Women’s Health: Providence Torrance features one of

the area’s most active in-patient obstetric units, offering a

full range of women’s services including reproductive and

breast health, pregnancy, labor and delivery, menopause and

aging issues.• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Prepared to handle

newborns’ special needs, this high-tech NICU includes an on-

site neonatologist and staff specially trained in newborn care.

The intimate healing environment offers newborns a greater

chance to thrive.

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center• Bariatric Wellness Center: One of the country’s leading centers of bariatric weight-loss surgery, the center is one of the few programs in California certified by both the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, and recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by HealthGrades. The center performs LAP-BAND®, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass—using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.• Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute: The Valley’s only comprehensive neuroscience institute delivers the full spectrum of care—from diagnosis to treatment through its Stroke, Neurovascular, Movement Disorders and new Outpatient Neuroscience Centers.• Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center: Here, advanced technology combines with complementary therapies to provide customized treatment that delivers outcomes better than national averages for many types of cancers.

Providence Little Company of Mary

Medical Center San Pedro• Acute Rehabilitation: A leading rehabilitation facility,

the Rehabcentre offers comprehensive services for

conditions such as stroke and spinal cord and brain

injuries. This includes physical, occupational and

speech therapy.• Addiction Medicine: Providence Little Company

of Mary San Pedro’s premier chemical dependency

rehabilitation program addresses the needs of the

chemically dependent and their loved ones. It features an

experienced interdisciplinary team and uses a broad array

of therapies.• Center for Optimal Aging: Experts at this outpatient

center help seniors stay healthy and age gracefully

by evaluating mobility, balance, nutrition and

cognitive performance.


Maintaining an active lifestyle and independence as we age is important to almost everyone. But some people do need help adjusting to the changes in their lives as they grow older. And that’s why Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro has established the Center for Optimal Aging.

This outpatient center is essentially a one-stop-shop, featuring a multispecialty assessment team focused on the needs of older adults. These experts are skilled in evaluating mobility, balance, nutrition and cognitive performance. From there, they provide information and resources that help patients retain or improve their vitality.

“Our program really addresses body, mind and spirit because the aging process affects all three,” says Anne Lemaire, director of business development at Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro. “We look at the whole person—and their family—to address their needs as aging adults.”

The team collaborates with primary care physicians who refer patients to the center for evaluation and recommendations.

“We want to be a resource for information and expertise that can empower physicians, patients and their families in decision-making that can improve the quality of an older adult’s life,” Lemaire says.

Making ConnectionsA geriatric care manager helps patients find the resources they need. The center can connect seniors and caregivers with housing options and in-home care, mobility and home safety specialists, support groups, legal resources, palliative and hospice care, fitness and social clubs, volunteer opportunities and much more.

The center also offers a lecture series for caregivers. Scheduled topics include senior depression and memory loss, ways to evaluate a nursing home, and determining if an older adult can still drive safely.

If there are driving concerns, patients can be referred to a training program at the Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro Rehabcentre that’s tailored to the needs of people with illness- or age-related issues. The Rehabcentre also offers occupational, physical and speech therapies, as well as experts trained in stroke recovery.

Senior Health

Want to age gracefully?

For more information about the Center for Optimal Aging, call 1-800-618-6659. To learn more about the Caregiver Lecture Series, turn to page 18.

Watch for these signs that your older loved one might benefit from a referral to the Center for Optimal Aging:• Loss of balance or mobility• Loss of memory or confusion• Depression• Inadequate nutrition• Issues with medication use• Impaired driving

Stay healthy and active with help from the Center for Optimal Aging at Providence San Pedro

Aging Optimally

Time fOr experT AssisTAnce?

“Our San Pedro campus is uniquely equipped with expertise including one of the very few geriatric psychiatric units in a California hospital; plus, we’re recognized as a certified primary stroke center by The Joint Commission,” says Nancy Carlson, chief executive of Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro. “This, combined with our center’s skilled team, gives us the resources we need to help patients lead their best lives.”


During these tough economic times, everyone has to work a little harder to make ends meet. It’s as true for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, as it is for most families. And now, more than ever, Providence depends on grants to purchase equipment and fund programs that serve the community.

Big BenefitsThe Providence Mobile Chronic Disease Management Clinic wouldn’t have been possible if not for a $200,000 grant from Health Net Foundation.

The mobile clinic provides disease management services to lower-income communities in the San Fernando Valley. It travels to 12 sites throughout the region and has served more than 1,000 residents, receiving most of its referrals from Providence’s Valley Service Area emergency departments (EDs). The clinic provides a more cost-effective alternative to treating people in the ED for chronic, but non-urgent, diseases such as obesity, diabetes and asthma.

Another significant grant came from UniHealth in the amount of $500,000 to establish a new Critical Care Transport Program. The program will transport critically ill heart attack and stroke patients to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center from all over

the Valley Service Area—every day, around-the-clock. Ultimately, the program will make it possible for Providence to provide advanced care to more patients.

Small Yet MightyGrants don’t just cover big-ticket items. “Sometimes it’s the smaller things that could get overlooked that we’re able to fund through a grant,” says Rose M. Wright, grants manager for the Valley Service Area.

For example, although the price tag was a relatively low $400 each, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center needed more specialized carts to care for infants in its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“Having equipment like that available can mean the difference between transferring babies to another facility or keeping them close to home,” Wright says. “That might not seem that important at first, but think about the burden on a family if they had to travel a long distance to visit their newborn at another hospital.”

Although grants are an important source of money for Providence’s Foundations, the economic climate has forced organizations to cut back on what they can give.

“As important as grants are to our work,” Wright says, “we always appreciate individual donations.”

Foundation Focus

Financial grants prove crucial to furthering Providence’s mission

Wishes Granted

Want to donate to one of Providence’s Foundations? Visit

providencepowerofgiving.org to make an online donation to the medical center

that means the most to you.

make a Donation to Your

community


HealtH InformatIon and tools at Your

fIngertIps Providence Medical Institute offers a complete listing of all PMI physicians, including profiles, online. You’ll also find an extensive health education library and interactive wellness tools. All this and more is available at providencemedicalinstitute.org/health-education.

You know the Providence medical centers in the Valley area and South Bay are always there when you need them. But did you realize there’s a network of 34 convenient medical clinic and urgent care locations across the region that are ready to help, too?

This network is Providence Medical Institute (PMI), a group of clinics and urgent care centers staffed by experienced doctors and care providers who are affiliated with the entire Providence family.

“Most of the care people need can be provided in a doctor’s office,” says David Asplund, PMI’s director of business development and physician relations. “But PMI gives people the option of saying ‘I want a doctor who, if necessary, can care for me at a Providence hospital’—while still getting most of their care close to home.”

These aren’t just any doctors, either. Many of them are leaders in their areas of expertise. For example, some of the top physicians at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center and the Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center are PMI physicians.

Convenient, Quality CareLocated throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Conejo valleys, the South Bay and Harbor Cities, PMI clinics provide primary and urgent care, with many locations open evenings and weekends. Plus, same-day appointments are usually available, and many locations offer onsite lab and X-ray services.

“We try to make the maze of health care as easy to navigate as possible with our multiple locations and easy access to ancillary services,” says Barbara Yosses, CEO of PMI.

In addition to primary care, some clinics provide subspecialty services including dermatology, Ob-Gyn, cancer care, internal medicine, endocrinology and physical therapy.

“If someone does need a referral to a specialist, we’ll make those arrangements,” says David Zembik, chief operating officer of PMI.

Indeed, being part of Providence, an integrated health system, has distinct benefits, including the electronic health record system called EPIC, which will be implemented across Providence over the next year or two. That means every detail of a patient’s care—such as test results and charts from office visits—will be stored electronically for instant access at any Providence location.

“We’re not just five hospitals in Southern California,” Asplund says. “We’re doctor’s offices and urgent care centers, we’re specialty care, we’re imaging centers and laboratory services. Our vision is to continue developing our network of care centers so people can receive the excellent care Providence is known for, whether at one of our hospitals or in a community-friendly location.”

Chances are, there’s a Providence Medical Institute location in your

neighborhood. To learn more, or for a physician referral, call

1-866-909-DOCS (3627) or visit providencemedicalinstitute.org.

Find a PMI Office

Near You

Providence Medical Institute

Providence Medical Institute offers care in your community

Bringing Excellence to You


Childbirth and Parent EducationAll Providence medical centers offer a full schedule of classes to prepare parents-to-be for pregnancy, birth and parenting. For more information or to download a schedule of our 2012 BabyWise Schedule of Classes, visit providence.org/baby or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464).

Support GroupSSupport groups offer patients and families a chance to share experiences of learning and healing. For those who have experienced health issues, we offer the following support groups, including:Breast CancerBetter Breathers’ ClubCancerCardiac RehabilitationCaregiversCongestive Heart FailureDiabetesGriefHeart Disease Liver and Pancreatic CancerLymphedemaOsteoporosisStress Reduction

StrokeSurvivors After SuicideTraumatic Brain Injury Valley PumpersWomen’s Cancer

FItNESSArthritis Friendly Exercise ProgramExercise Safely with Guidance & SupportGet PhysicalLively LungsBurbank Mall Walkers*South Bay Galleria Gaitors Walking

ProgramWestfield Fashion Square/Sherman

Oaks Mall Walkers* *Call 818-847-4535 for more information.

WELLNESS CLASSES ANd SCrEENINGSAsthma EducationNutrition RoundtableOutpatient Nutritional CounselingPre-Operation Total Joint

Replacement EducationPulmonary Education ProgramPulmonary Rehab Self-Training

dIABEtES CLASSESBasic Diabetes Education ClassDiabetes 101 & Self-CareDiabetes and PregnancyDiabetes Self-Management ProgramHealthy Living with DiabetesIndividual Sessions with a Diabetes

Specialist

prEpArE For BIrtHBabyWise Maternity TourBig Kids and Babies Sibling Maternity Tour

prEpArE For BAByAnesthesia and Cesarean SectionThe Amazing NewbornBaby CareBreastfeedingChildbirth Preparation Lamaze Classes *Spanish-language classes availableChildbirth Refresher Course Preparing for Your Newborn,

four-part seriesTransition to Parenthood Childbirth Preparation Intensive Course,

one-day intensive classParents Expecting Multiples

CLASSES ABout BAByBaby Signs Basics, Baby Sign Language for

Hearing BabiesInfant Safety and CPR, a class for expectant

and new parents; newborn to age 1Infant/Child Safety and CPR, a class for

parents who have children from newborn to age 8 *Spanish-language classes available

AFtEr BABy IS BorNSafe Sitter/Super Sitter, a program that teaches

young adolescents how to care for childrenSign, Say and Play Continuing Program, six-

week baby sign language program

Support GroupSBreastfeeding MommyWise, a weekly support group for

new mothers and their infantsPerinatal Loss

From support groups to fitness classes, each Providence medical center provides the programs you need to live healthfully. For more information on any of the classes, events and screenings listed below, visit providenceclasses.org or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464).

Calendar April-June

Community Classes and Events


Go to providenceclasses.org for class descriptions, times

and locations, and to register.

OnlineCalendar

Featured events

Are You At risk For colon cAncer?One in 20 will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. Don’t become a number. Schedule your colonoscopy today.Location: Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., BurbankInfo: 818-748-4762

tAke control oF Your breAst heAlthSchedule your mammogram today. Weekend and evening appointments available.Location: Providence Saint Joseph Breast Health Center, 191 S. Buena Vista St., BurbankInfo: 818-847-4999

ProstAte screeninGs sAve livesDon’t delay this crucial exam. Schedule one today.Location: Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, 181 S. Buena Vista St., BurbankInfo: 818-748-4762

YoGA, MeDitAtion AnD MoreNumerous classes are open to the public, including yoga, acupressure, Reiki, meditation, massage, qi gong, acupuncture, tai chi and guided imagery.Meets: Various days and times. Visit triumphovercancer.org for a full schedule.Location: All classes held at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, 181 S. Buena Vista St., BurbankInfo: 818-748-4701

chilDbirth PrePArAtionLearn what to expect during labor, delivery and recovery. Certified childbirth educators also will share breathing and relaxation techniques. Meets: Mondays, May 7–June 4; Wednesdays, May 16–June 6; 6:30–9 p.m.Location: Providence Tarzana Medical Center, 18321 Clark St., TarzanaInfo: 1-888-432-5464

PeAceFul PArentinGThis two-hour course for parents of children ages 3 to 12 will help you understand your child and respond effectively to various behaviors. Meets: May 1, 6:30–8:30 p.m.Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, DeMucci Center for Health Education, 1300 W. Seventh St., San PedroFee: $20Info: 1-310-548-9118

conGestive heArt FAilure suPPort GrouPLive well with CHF by learning to recognize the symptoms and manage medications and diet. Family members welcome.Meets: May 2, June 6; 5–6:30 p.m.Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, 4101 Torrance Blvd., TorranceInfo: 1-800-618-6659

robotic surGerY oPtions For kiDneY AnD Pelvic DiseAsesLearn what options are available and get your questions answered. Presented by Garrett Matsunaga, M.D., and Shelby Morrisroe, M.D.Meets: April 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m.Location: Doubletree Hotel, 21333 Hawthorne Blvd., TorranceInfo: 1-888-HEALING

treAtMent oPtions AnD cAre For ArthritisDiscover how you can live better with arthritis . Presented by Albert Reff, M.D.Meets: May 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m.Location: Doubletree Hotel, 21333 Hawthorne Blvd., TorranceInfo: 1-888-HEALING

DiAbetes selF-MAnAGeMent ProGrAMThis comprehensive approach to diabetes self-management education will help you gain control of your diabetes, improve your health and help you feel your very best. The program is customized to meet your unique needs. Doctor referral required to schedule an appointment.Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, Del Webb Center for Health Education, 4101 Torrance Blvd., TorranceInfo: 310-303-5560


briDGes PsYchiAtric outPAtient DAY ProGrAMThis program offers psychiatry, group therapy and socialization. A wide range of topics is covered, from depression and anxiety to coping skills and healthy relationships.Meets: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, 1300 W. Seventh St., San PedroInfo: 310-241-4325

the cAreGiver lecture seriesJoin the team at the Center for Optimal Aging to discuss topics including:April 19–”Should My Senior Loved One Be Driving?”June 14–”Understanding Senior Depression and Memory Loss”All lectures are from 6:30–8:30 p.m.Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, 1300 W. 7th St., San PedroInfo: 1-800-618-6659

AArP Driver sAFetY ProGrAMsThis two-part AARP/Driver Safety Program is for people 55 or older who want to reduce their automobile insurance premiums. You must attend both four-hour sessions to receive your AARP certificate.Meets: April 11 and 18; June 13 and 20; 1–5 p.m. Location: Providence Occupational Health Center, 3413 Pacific Ave., BurbankInfo: 818-847-4535

burbAnk MAll WAlkersJoin the Burbank Mall Walkers for information that can help your health. Presentations include: May 9–“Ladies, Take Control of Your Bladder” by Michael Hyman, M.D.;June 13–“You and Your Bones” by Boyd Flinders, M.D.All classes are from 9–10 a.m.Location: Burbank Town Center, Food Court, third level, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., BurbankInfo: 818-847-4535

GAlleriA GAitors WAlkinG clubJoin the Galleria Gaitors for group exercises and quarterly presentations. Galleria doors open to members at 7 a.m., seven days a week. Applications are available at Guest Services, first level, in the Nordstrom wing.Meets: Thursdays, 8 a.m.Location: South Bay Galleria, Food Court, third level, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo BeachInfo: 310-371-7546

WestFielD FAshion sQuAre/sherMAn oAks MAll WAlkersJoin the Westfield Fashion Square Sherman Oaks Mall Walkers group for presentations including:April 12–”Happy Healthy Bones”May 10–”Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men: Causes and Treatment Options” by Shahin Chandrasoma, M.D.June 14–“You and Your Bones” by Boyd Flinders, M.D.All classes are from 9–10 a.m.Location: Westfield Fashion Square, Food Court Mezzanine, 14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman OaksInfo: 818-847-4535

MoNtHLy SAFEty CLASSES

• Basic Life Support for Health Care providers

• Basic Life Support for Health Care providers, part 2: Skills Evaluation

• Heartsaver Cpr and AEd (automated external defibrillator)

• Heartsaver First Aid with Cpr, AEd (automated external defibrillator) and Super Sitter

• Infant/Child Cpr

Call 1-800-618-6659 or visit providenceclasses.org to register.

StrokE AWArENESS EvENtSMAy IS NAtIoNAL StrokE AWArENESS MoNtH: GEt SCrEENEdJoin us for a stroke awareness event offering a lecture, information, risk assessments and more.

Providence Holy Cross Medical CenterMeets: May 15, 6–7:30 p.m.Location: North Building, 15031 Rinaldi St., Mission HillsInfo: 818-496-7536

Providence Saint Joseph Medical CenterMeets: May 23, 6–7:30 p.m.Location: Hope Conference Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., BurbankInfo: 1-888-HEALING

Providence Tarzana Medical CenterMeets: May 9, 7 p.m.Location: Auditorium, 18321 Clark St., TarzanaInfo: 1-888-HEALING


Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center501 S. Buena Vista St.Burbank, CA 91505-4809

Non Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDProvidence Health

providence health & services, southern california

PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTERS

Providence Holy CrossMedical CenterMission Hills

Providence TarzanaMedical CenterTarzana

Providence Little Company of MaryMedical CenterSan Pedro

Providence Saint JosephMedical CenterBurbank

Providence Little Company of MaryMedical CenterTorrance

When minutes count, depend on Providence Medical Centers and our Emergency Department teams. Emergencies are unpredictable. That’s why you should remember to go to a hospital you can trust when you experience emergency symptoms.

Our physicians, nurses and specially trained team members are prepared to handle every emergency, from broken bones and the flu, to strokes and heart attacks. Most of our facilities are designated by the L.A. County Department of Emergency Medical Services as heart attack receiving centers. This means we coordinate with in-route paramedics and have our heart attack specialists and equipment ready to provide life-saving care and treatment. All of our medical centers have received Gold or Silver recognition from the American Heart/American Stroke Association, as well as recognition and certification from the Joint Commission as Advanced Primary Stroke Centers.

For less urgent care, each hospital provides “fast track” service so those with flu, sprains or minor illness spend less time in the emergency department and can return home to get well sooner. With expanded capacity and advanced facilities, our five Southern California hospitals are prepared for any emergency — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about our Providence hospitals, visit us online at www.providence.org/california or call us at 1-888-HEALING.

Don’t wait longER.

We’re closER, fastER, bettER.

providence health magazine - spring 2012

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