OMCNews. Fdiploma this past spring held. Graduation walk holds special meaning for Bakersfield teen ISSUE. The Right Care, Right Here.

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1 OMCNews The Right Care, Right Here IN THIS ISSUE OMC Rehabilitation Services Spotlight Graduation walk holds special meaning for Bakersfield teen Survivor Story Marcia Robson shares her battle with breast cancer, Are you at risk? Page 2 Blue Jean Ball raises more than $45,000 Page 3 Dr. Melinda Reed joins Rheumatology Clinic medical staff Page 3 Lights of Life is Dec. 7, Don t miss your chance to honor someone special! Page 2 NOVEMBER 2010 or Bakersfield graduate Ben Williams, the walk to receive his Fdiploma this past spring held extra special meaning. That s because Williams, who typically uses a wheelchair to get around, stepped out of his chair to walk with the class of When Williams was six months old, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He began physical therapy as a young child at Ozarks Medical Center Rehabilitation Services. Walking was always a struggle for Ben, particularly as he grew older. During his junior year of high school, Williams decided to set a goal for his high school graduation. I started to build up confidence and I wanted to walk, Williams said. He shared his goal with his physical therapist Bethany Underwood, with OMC Rehabilitation Services, and together they made a plan. With physical therapist and patient committed, the pair began a journey that would last a year and a half and end at the Bakersfield High School gym on graduation night. Continued on page 4 Pictured is Ben Williams with OMC Rehabilitation Services Physical Therapist Lee Adams

2 Ozarks Medical Center 2 RISK FACTORS Gender - women are at the greatest risk Age - Risk increases with age Family history of breast cancer Personal history of breast cancer - A woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four-fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. Race and ethnicity - White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African- American women. African- American women are more likely to die of this cancer. At least part of this seems to be because African-American women tend to have more aggressive tumors. Dense breast tissue Menstrual periods - Women who have had more menstrual cycles because they started menstruating at an early age (before age 12) and/or went through menopause at a later age (after age 55) have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Not having children, or having them later in life - Women who have had no children or who had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher breast cancer risk. Recent oral contraceptive use Excessive alcohol use Being overweight or obese Breast Cancer Awarness Month Chief Nursing Officer stresses importance of mammograms I had been a nurse for 30 years when I received my cancer diagnosis but it's a lot different when you are receiving care rather than giving care. or Marcia Robson, the year led to her diagnosis. As a health care 2009 did not begin well. It was professional and long-time nurse, FNew Years Eve, Dec. 31, 2008 Robson knew the importance of and Robson was at the beauty shop regular check ups and mammograms. receiving a hair cut for the New Year. She had been faithfully receiving one She was unaware that her doctor was each year since she turned 40, as desperately trying to track her down. recommended by the American Cancer Society. He had been to her office at Ozarks Medical Center, where she served as In December of 2008, doctors spotted Chief Nursing Officer, and to her something suspicious during her home. With no luck locating her, he screening and sent Robson on to a resorted to her cell phone. So it was surgeon, who performed a biopsy. there, in a barber chair, where she The lump they were looking at had received life changing news. been there for two or three years so She had breast cancer. we weren t terribly concerned, Robson said. It was just something Sitting there, I remember thinking they were keeping an eye on. that this was the last hair cut I was probably going to have for awhile, Family she said. Although doctors weren t too A routine mammogram for Robson, concerned about the lump, Robson who was a healthy, active 51 year old and not at high risk for breast cancer, Continued to page 6 The 21st Annual LIGHTS OF LIFE 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2010 Main Lobby, Ozarks Medical Center For more information or a donation form, contact the OMC Foundation at or visit

3 Ozarks Medical Center 3 Dr. Melinda Reed joins Rheumatology Clinic medical staff BLUE JEAN BALL Denim, dancing, food and fun were enjoyed by approximately 400 people at the second Ozarks Medical Center Foundation Blue Jean Ball, held Sept. 25 at Risner Stables in West Plains. Thanks to the generous support of the community, the event raised $45,591, which will all go to support health care in our community. The event included dinner, drinks, dancing, live music by the Allie Catz of Springfield, a silent auction and Road Apple Bingo. OMC, R-7 recognized for student transition program A collaborative program between West Plains R-7 School District and Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) that assists students with successful integration into the world of work and society has been named a model of success by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The SWAT (Students Working at Transition) program gives students opportunities to job shadow OMC employees, which increases the student's jobs skills, encourages them to accept responsibility and assists them with future vocational options. By naming the SWAT program a Model of Success in Transition, DESE recognized OMC for its outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to excellence in this transition program. elinda Reed, MD, a board- Mcertified rheumatologist, has joined the medical staff at the Ozarks Medical Center Rheumatology Clinic, providing quality care to those suffering from arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. Dr. Reed joins Drs. Winkler, Jarek and Tay at the clinic, which now provides rheumatology care five days a week. I am excited to be here working with OMC, Dr. Reed said. Growing up in a small southern Missouri town myself, I know how important it is for patients in rural southern Missouri to receive quality care. Dr. Reed is an outstanding addition to our talented team of physicians at the OMC Rheumatology Clinic. We welcome her to OMC, said David Zechman, OMC President and CEO. Dr. Reed graduated from the St. Louis University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in rheumatology, both with St. Louis University. Dr. Reed is a member of Premier Specialty Network of Columbia. Most recently, she was a clinical instructor at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Reed is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and the American College of Physicians. She is certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Melinda Reed is the wife of Dr. Jeremy Reed, a sports medicine physician with the OMC Orthopaedic Clinic. They have two children, a twin boy and girl, who are 10 months old. The OMC Rheumatology Clinic entrance is located on 6th Street, on the south side of Ozarks Medical Center. For more information, contact the clinic at

4 Ozarks Medical Center 4 Rehabilitation - Continued from page 1 For 18 months, the pair worked on strength training, coordination and walking exercises, with the assistance of a mobility device called a gait trainer. As graduation drew near they began to carefully plan the ceremony. They measured the distance Williams would need to travel and made plans on how he would get to the starting line and into position. For several weeks before, Ben s good friend, who was walking with him at graduation, came to his physical therapy sessions so that they could work together on how to steady him if he became off balance. We walked all over that gym, Williams said of the practicing. Finally, graduation day came. OMC honors volunteers Ozarks Medical Center honored its team of volunteers during an annual appreciation dinner on Sept. 23. Approximately 190 volunteers and their guests attended the event, held at St. Mary s Catholic Church in West Plains. Awards were presented for service hours of more than 500 hours in 2009, and for five, 10 and 20 years of volunteer service. Volunteers really make a difference at OMC with over 28,000 hours of service each year, totaling to almost $500,000 in value, said Mary Dyck, who oversees the volunteer program at OMC. Their contribution helps all of us provide compassionate care to patients and families. For more information about volunteering at OMC, contact Dianne Mariani, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at Pictured, six volunteers were honored for giving more than 500 hours of service to OMC in Pictured, front row, is Diana Bradley, 509 hours. Back row, from left, Dorothy Metz, 566 hours; Alva Bandy, 728 hours; and Doug Bandy, 884 hours. Not pictured is Kevin Lott, 755 hours, and Francis Anderson, 1040 hours. Community Event The West Plains Christian Clinic will hold an open house 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1115 Alaska Street, Suite 212 (in the Doctor s Pavillion). Come learn about the services offered and the clinic s hopes for the future. Everyone is invited. The clinic is an independent, non-profit organization, which provides free emotional, spiritual and medical care to West Plains area residents who lack the income or insurance support to access such care. The clinic is staffed by volunteers. For more information, contact the clinic at Underwood took the day off work to be at Bakersfield for the graduation practice as the pair did a final test of the walk. As the big event began, she and Williams held their breath as the moment they had worked 18 months for arrived. Williams was ready. I felt better. I felt like I could do it, he said. When I came out, they started applauding for me. My family and my friends were applauding me. Underwood said it was an amazing moment to witness. He was the first one to walk out, Underwood said. Everyone saw he was walking and everybody stood and went crazy. He walked the whole way. Everything was perfect and he did a really good job. For Williams, he said it was the end to a good year, a memorable year. For Underwood, this was the moment a physical therapist works for, to see a patient accomplish their goal. During Physical Therapy Month in October, therapists are recognized for the assistance they provide in helping patients to achieve their goals. Physical therapists assist patients with a variety of injuries and conditions including sports or orthopaedic injuries, balance and flexibility issues, musculoskeletal problems, amputations, stroke or head injury and neurological problems. OMC Rehabilitation Services offers physical and occupational therapy, as well as speech-language pathology services in inpatient, outpatient, nursing home, home health and school settings. For more information about OMC Rehabilitation Services, call

5 Ozarks Medical Center 5 Waiting Room dedicated in honor of the Greg and Courtney Beykirch family Nurses Station dedicated in honor of Air Evac EMS, Inc. Pictured is Seth Myers, President and CEO of Air Evac Trauma Room 11 dedicated in honor of Ozzie and Betty Franz by Phillip and Nancy Franz (pictured). Trauma Room 10 dedicated in memory of Dr. Joe L. Sellers, III by three physicians and their families. From left, Dr. Richard Tompson, Dr. Walter Rick Holloway, and Dr. Bryan Eck. OMC Emergency Department Capital Campaign Thanks to the generous support of the community, the Ozarks Medical Center Foundation has raised more than $2.2 million for the new OMC Emergency Department. The Foundation hopes to raise a total of $3 million to assist with funding the new $6 million state-of-the-art facility, which opened in July. According to OMC Foundation Director Robin Morgan, naming opportunities are available to recognize the generous support of donors. Available opportunities include patient rooms and the Emergency Department entrance. Zechman speaks at national health care convention Ozarks Medical Center President and CEO David Zechman was a featured presenter at the Community Hospital 100 Executive Management Conference Oct. 3-5 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Community Hospital 100 is a national organization committed to leading the future of community health. The organization provides valuable learning and relationship building opportunities for top executives of community hospitals and health systems with more than 100 beds. Zechman is a founding member of the organization and serves on its Advisory Board. Zechman presented on the subject of hospitals and physician alignment strategies to best respond to community health needs. It was an honor to be asked to present at the inaugural Community Hospital 100 Executive Management Conference, Zechman said. I am appreciative to have had the opportunity to share with and learn from my peers. Involvement at this conference is one more example of how OMC is positioning itself to be a leader in the future of community health care.

6 Ozarks Medical Center 6 Several OMC departments, including the Cancer Treatment Center, left, and Imaging, right, showed their support for Breast Cancer PINK GLOVES Awareness in October by wearing pink gloves. had a strange feeling from the beginning. cheerleaders when it was tough and they coordinated my care leaving me to only focus on getting better. With two teenagers still living at home, her biggest concerns were for her children. She remembers in November 2008 having a strong Throughout her treatment, Robson continued her active lifestyle. feeling that she had to be sure to see her son, a senior, run in the She walked a mile almost every day and continued going to work state high school cross country competition. and caring for her family. Everybody really rallied around me, When she received her diagnosis, she thought ahead to his high she said. The Cancer Treatment Center worked with my schedule school graduation in May. so my life could remain as normal as possible during treatments and I never missed a day of work. My colleagues at OMC kept a close I said I just want to see him graduate and my daughter, who is two eye on me and always stepped in to make sure my health came years younger, I needed to be alive to make sure she was taken care first. of and self sufficient, she said. But then I realized that I was bargaining and I couldn t do that. I was in God s hands. She also received support from her fellow patients at the Cancer Treatment Center. Treatment You develop relationships with total strangers and you really Less than a month into 2009, Robson underwent surgery and support each other, she said. You can really relate when you know reconstruction to remove the cancer. In February 2009, she began exactly how that other person is feeling and what they are going chemotherapy to further treat any cancer cells, which might have through. spread. Chemo, Robson said, was the part of the treatment she was most dreading. She worried about losing her hair and becoming nauseated. I was very fortunate that I had no nausea and losing my hair wasn t journey. a big deal at all, she said. Robson worked with her beautician to select a wig that matched her hair color. There is something to be said for picking up your wig and being out the door in two minutes, she now jokes. Cancer - Continued from page 2 Robson completed chemotherapy in June 2009 and then underwent 26 treatments of radiation. She has been cancer free for more than a year and is now supporting other cancer patients during their As a nurse and a cancer survivor, I m always available for cancer patients, who want to talk, she said. For those who are facing a cancer diagnosis, Robson said her advice is to stay positive. It s all about your attitude, she said. You have to surround yourself with positive people. You have to take it one day at a time and set goals for yourself. Robson received her treatment at OMC s Cancer Treatment Center with her care coordinated by Dr. Charles Morgan, a medical For all women, Robson emphasizes the importance of screenings. oncologist/hematologist. Get those yearly mammograms faithfully and do monthly self I had been a nurse for 30 years when I received my cancer exams, she said. It really can save your life. diagnosis but it's a lot different when you are receiving care rather than giving care, she said. The staff was very kind and understanding. They never assumed I knew anything and did a great Imaging Department at job of educating me every step of the way. They were my For more information about mammograms, contact the OMC