Is it a stroke? Think F.A.S.T.

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1 Commonwealth Health Corporation May 7, 2014 Relay For Life Team Medical Center EMS Celebrates 40 Years March for Babies Allen & Simpson Counties Relay for Life 90 Seconds to Better Health Is it a stroke? Think F.A.S.T. Retirements Expectant Parent Fair Accomplishments MCF Rehab Massage Special s and Golden Pineapple New Employees Get Fit Club Corner Hiking Tips Whole-Grain Cranberry Orange Muffins Commonwealth Health Corporation s mission is to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. 5 Surviving in the Stroke Belt Many people may joke about lost brain cells when they forget to water a plant or misplace their keys, but losing brain cells because of a stroke is no laughing matter. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. According to the American Stroke Association, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds and is the fourth leading cause of death, accounting for almost 200,000 deaths a year. Each year more than 600,000 people experience a new stroke and nearly 185,000 people suffer a recurrent stroke. Women make up 60 percent of stroke deaths, and the risk of death is higher for African-American men and women. Kentucky sits atop the nation s stroke belt and is ranked 8th nationally for the highest number of stroke-related deaths, said Bill Singletary, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator at The Medical Center, which is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Not surprisingly, we can attribute these disturbing statistics directly to the high number of risk factors in our state population such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. The keys to improving the health of our state are to modify our risk factors for stroke, to recognize the signs of stroke when we see them, and to take immediate action by calling To recognize the signs of stroke, think F.A.S.T. When you can spot the signs, you ll know that you need to call for help right away. F.A.S.T. is: Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person s smile uneven? Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like The sky is blue. Is the sentence repeated correctly? Time to call If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

2 2 Join Team Medical Center for the 2014 Relay For Life The Medical Center is the leader in cancer care in Southcentral Kentucky. Show the community we support the fight against cancer and join The Medical Center Team for Relay For Life in Bowling Green on Friday, June 6. There are two ways to get involved: Department Challenge Each department throughout CHC is challenged to set a minimum goal of raising $100 by Wednesday, June 4. Relay Participation Each department is challenged to have two or more people sign up to attend Relay For Life on Friday, June 6 at Bowling Green High School and walk with The Medical Center Team. Each employee who commits to walk will receive a team T-shirt. Participants should arrive at 6:30 p.m. for a team photo and stay through the opening ceremony and first team lap around the track, which will take place at approximately 8 p.m. Sign up by May 9 by contacting Vickie Taylor in Nursing Administration at VLTaylor@mcbg.org with your T-shirt size. For more information, contact Co-captain Caitlin Burklow at or burkcm@chc.net. EMS Celebrates 40 Years of Service Save the Date March for Babies Saturday, May 10 Registration: 9 a.m. Walk: 10 a.m. Preston Miller Park Simpson County Relay For Life May 16 7:00 p.m. Downtown Franklin Courthouse For more information, contact Beth Kellerman at ext Allen County Relay for Life May 16 6:00 p.m. Allen County/Scottsville Square For more information, contact Rebekah Tabor at ext Watch WBKO for these upcoming segments of 90 Seconds to Better Health, a medical news program presented by The Medical Center. Shane O Keeffe, M.D. Carotid Artery Disease Tuesday, May 13, 5 p.m. News Wednesday, May 14, AM Kentucky Medical Center EMS celebrated 40 years of operation with a cookout at the Industrial Drive location on April 18. Congratulations to all EMS personnel, past and present. Pictured above are some of the personnel who help save lives in our community. Kal Sahetya, M.D. Door-to-Balloon Times Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m. News Wednesday, May 21, AM Kentucky Tuesday, May 27, 5 p.m. News Wednesday, May 28, AM Kentucky You can view all the segments at TheMedicalCenter.org.

3 3 Retirements Debbie Y. Smith, RN, Clinical Charge Nurse with The Medical Center Nursery/ NICU (left), retired after over 40 years of service. Congratulating her are (left to right): Betsy Kullman, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer; and Connie Smith, Chief Executive Officer of The Medical Center. Accomplishments Tina Lane, The Medical Center at Franklin Food Services, has successfully completed her courses at the University of Florida and has earned the Dietary Manager/Food Protection Professional (CDM /CFPP ) certification! Expectant Parent Fair Parents-to-be from the Bowling Green area came out to take advantage of The Medical Center s semi-annual Expectant Parent Fair on April 27 at its new home in The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex Conference Center. Expectant mothers and their families were able to visit with representatives from several vendors in the community, including some of our departments from The Medical Center, to learn more about what to expect when their babies arrive. Mother s Day Special 30% off Swedish and Deep Tissue massages You can save more than $25 with The Medical Center at Franklin Rehabilitation Services Mother s Day Special. This month only, you ll get 30% off when you purchase a 30, 60, or 90 minute Swedish or Deep Tissue massage or gift certificate. Let Licensed Massage Therapists Laura and Nancy relieve your pain, stress and tension with a soothing Swedish massage or relaxing Deep Tissue massage today. Call The Medical Center at Franklin Rehabilitation Services at (270) to schedule your appointment or purchase a gift certificate. Join the Massage Services VIP Club to be the first to know about our massage specials, and to get a discount on any massage in your birthday month. Go to and click on Rehabilitation Services Brookhaven Road Franklin, Kentucky (270)

4 4 Employees with Service Excellence! May 2014 s and Golden Pineapples are individuals who rise above day-to-day expectations. The monthly award recognizes hourly and salaried employees; the quarterly Golden Pineapple is for supervisors and managers. If you would like to nominate someone for or Golden Pineapple, nomination forms are available in your unit or department, and by logging on to Service Excellence through Citrix. Welcome new CHC employees! Debbie Harris CHC - Information Technology Debbie is always willing to do what it takes to accomplish her many assignments. She continuously handles her numerous challenging tasks with a positive attitude and in a professional manner. Debbie has superior dedication to her work and is top notch in all she does. Her customer service is extraordinary. Left to right front row: Nicole Richards, CRSH; Veca Murphy, Labor & Delivery. Back row: Anna Mae Weldy, Care Coordination; Angie Dills, CT Radiology. Melanie Keen The Medical Center at Franklin - Radiology Melanie goes the extra mile to ensure her patients are always comfortable and have good care. She is happy to assist her co-workers regardless of the situation. She is committed to her profession and is an inspiration every day. Melanie exemplifies excellence in customer service to her patients and to the staff. Left to right front row: Wilma Priquette, 3B Nursing; Tonya Flewallen, Labor & Delivery. Back row: Fielder Walblay, Nursing Resource Team; Christina Bell, MCF Acute Care. Valerie Macey The Medical Center at Franklin - ESD Valerie is a team player. She is a caring person and is always willing to provide assistance to anyone. Her work ethic and efforts are outstanding. Valerie s wonderful smile and considerate manner to the patients and to the staff characterize great customer service. Golden Pineapple nd Quarter Katrina Wood The Medical Center at Franklin Emergency Department Katrina is an asset to the Emergency Department as well as other areas with her knowledge and caring attitude! She always is helping staff in various situations and provides support and encouragement to all. Her kindness, positive demeanor, and compassion are exhibited to every patient and staff member. Left to right front row: Nathan Sullivan, Central Transport; Taylor Orihuela, Nursing Resource Team. Back row: Carly Simpson, Patient Registration; Bethany King, Ultrasound.

5 NUTRITION HEALTH EXERCISE RELAXATION CHC Get Fit Club Hiking Tips By Derek Reeder, RN It is spring time in Kentucky...grab your walking stick, fill up a canteen, and grab a friend! Kentucky is filled with great places to hike! In and around Bowling Green, you have numerous walking trails and greenways. Lost River Cave, right in the middle of the city, offers many walking and hiking trails. Just outside of Bowling Green, you have Mammoth Cave National Park with over 84 miles of hiking, and there are several parks in the area with miles of hiking trails to explore! Hiking is considered a great weight bearing exercise. As you walk upright, you are moving your body weight against gravity. It also helps with muscle strength, especially your core and lower extremities. It improves your balance and helps with weight control. Being out in nature s fresh air and sunshine helps many people with anxiety and depression. Hiking is a great activity to do with your kids. They will love getting outside and hiking the great outdoors! When hiking, it is always important to remember to use these tips: Start slow with short flat trails and gradually work your way up to longer and more strenuous trails. Bring a friend you never know what may happen out on the trail. You could get lost or injured. Familiarize yourself with the trail map and your surroundings. Know the weather forecast dress and plan accordingly. Use common sense by following marked trails and avoiding contact with any wildlife you may see. Always use bug and tick repellant. Be safe by packing a small bag complete with water, snacks, and a basic first aid kit. Also, remember when you head out for your hiking trip, don t forget to grab your pedometer and to log your steps for the Step into Spring Step Challenge! 5 Get Fit Club Corner A benefit that partners with me. Whole-Grain Cranberry Orange Muffins 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour ¼ cup ground flaxseed 1 Tbsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ¾ cup low-fat cottage cheese ½ cup fat-free milk 1/3 cup sugar ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce 2 tsp grated orange peel 2 egg whites ¾ cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries ¼ cup powdered sugar (optional) 2 tsp orange juice (optional) 1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Line 12 muffin cups with paper baking cups or spray with nonstick spray. 3. In a large bowl, stir together flour, flaxseed, baking powder and salt. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, milk, sugar, applesauce, orange peel, and egg. Stir the wet mixture into the flour mixture just until the flour is moistened (the batter will be thick). Fold in the cranberries. 5. Divide the dough evenly among the muffin cups. Bake for minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and set on wire rack to cool. 6. If you want to make a glaze (optional), stir together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm muffins. Nutrition information (Makes 12 servings) Serving size: 1 muffin Calories: 130 Total fat: 1 g Saturated fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 290 mg Total fiber: 4 g Protein: 5 g Carbohydrates: 27 g Sugar: 9 g Get Fit Club: Get Fit Portal: Get Fit Club Calendar: