@Affinity Magazine - Fall 2012 - Hand in Hand

Personalized Care

Fal l 2012

y o u r g u i d e t o h e a l t h & w e l l n e s s

It was Mother teresa who said, “i alone cannot change the world, but i can cast a stone across the

waters to create many ripples.”i interpret her words to mean

community and collaboration. how can we work together to make a difference? it’s something we set our sights on in this issue of @Affinity.

There are examples of community printed all over 24 pages of this magazine. For our Be well article, we look to one local mom as an example of how to stay organized and stave off stress. a neenah restaurant owner shares a healthy recipe that is bound to have you rethinking cranberries this Thanksgiving. The history Museum at the Castle in downtown appleton is exhibiting 40 operational, actual-size replicas of leonardo da Vinci’s machines, while we detail the story of one man’s testament of his surgeon’s decision to use the da Vinci surgical robot to treat his cancer.

when it comes to health and wellness, it’s important to be collaborative. we cannot grow as an organization – as a community – if we don’t work together to improve and provide the very best.

Mother teresa also said, “i can do things you cannot, you can do things i cannot; together we can do great things.”

Community is a powerful thing. let’s create some ripples.

sincerely,

daniel e. neufelder, FaChePresident, affinity health systemsenior Vice President of hospital operations, Ministry health Care

AFFINITY HEALTH SYSTEM IS.. . • St. Elizabeth Hospital - Appleton• Mercy Medical Center - Oshkosh• Calumet Medical Center - Chilton• Affinity Medical Group Clinics• Affinity Occupational Health

For a complete list of Affinity clinic locationsor to find a physician, go to our website atwww.affinityhealth.orgor call Affinity NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900.

Our blog: www.affinityhealth.org/blog Follow us:

AbOUT THE COVER

In the planning of this issue, we noticed two underlying

themes taking shape in the stories: community and

collaboration. To drive home those fundamentals, we

looked to commission a local artist to create an original

work for our cover. Our curiosity led to Appleton artist,

Chad Brady.

Recognizing his talent in creating murals and large-

scale artwork, we welcomed Chad to pitch an idea that

would call on other community players and Affinity

team members to come together in the name of art

and information.

He hatched a concept to create a woodcut using

the handprints of patients and Affinity health care

providers interviewed in this issue. The handprints

would become the wings of birds. After tracing them

onto a 4-by-8 piece of birch plywood, he started

carving. The final woodcut would be pressed into a

piece of paper with a one-ton steamroller.

The process involved the magazine team; A2Z Design;

the artist, Chad; patients and care providers; Affinity’s

facilities team leader, Glenn Romenesko; and the paving

company, Asphalt Sealing and Repair in De Pere.

Dubbed Steamroller Saturday, the print was made

on September 29 with the helping hands of many and

photographed by Shane Van Boxtel of Image Studios

before swiftly becoming the cover of this issue. Watch

the behind-the-scenes video of the method, machinery

and magic on our blog at www.affinityhealth.org/blog.

We hope this collaboration inspires you to reach out

and pave a path that is uncommon to you.

— The @Affinity Team

w w w. af f i n i t y h e a l t h . o rg / b l o g Fa l l 2 0 1 2 • @Affinity | 3

Affinity Health SystemMenasha, WIwww.affinityhealth.org

Senior Vice President of Hospital Operations, Ministry Health CarePresident, Affinity Health SystemDaniel E. Neufelder, FACHE

Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Planning, Ministry Health CareVince Gallucci

Editorial ManagementJennifer Wagner MaukJohn EganAlison Fiebig

Volume 2, Number 2The material in @Affinity is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

@Affinity is published four times annually by Affinity Health System.

For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, change your address, discontinue multiple copies or stop receiving @Affinity, please contact us at [email protected].

© 2012 Affinity Health System. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from Affinity Health System.

F E AT U R E s 10 Staying PowerAn athletic Appleton woman endures a pursuit unplanned for when a cancer genetics screening leads to a breast MRI, revealing an unexpected heart condition.Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios

15 Robotic PrecisionThe da Vinci robot provides long-term benefits for one Oshkosh man who fought back against prostate cancer.Photographed by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios

Cover art by Appleton artist, Chad Brady

SHORT ClIPS 4 Every Child Deserves a

Chance The creation of an outpatient

behavioral health service for children and adolescents called Catapla Health

By THE NuMBERS 5 Wisconsin’s winning crop, celebrating

family history and a new clinic debut

In SeASon FAll 6 Knocking Out the Flu The importance of the vaccine that

tackles this season’s flu viruses

GOOD EAT’N

7 Cranberry Conundrum A local chef, Peter Kuenzi, shares a

sweet and savory recipe using the bewildering Thanksgiving staple

GET GREEN 8 Greener Grasses The advantages of native plants

F A L L 2 0 1 2

D E PA RT M E N T s

Mission, Promise and Values

At Affinity Health System, our mission guides our actions.

MissionThe mission of Affinity Health System is to live out the healing ministry of Christ by providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve, especially the poor.

PromiseWe promise to provide personalized care by listening, treating you with respect and putting your needs and interests first.

ValuesThe way we accomplish our mission is as important as the mission itself. These values of our sponsor, Ministry Health Care, guide our actions.

SERVICE

TEAMWORKJUSTICE

INTEGRITYCREATIVITY

STEW

ARDS

HIP

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BE WEll 9 Rx for Happiness Staying organized improves

wellness

AFTER CARE

18 The boys are back in Town Two Fox Valley natives return to

the area as doctors to pick up where they left off

GIVING BACK20 Leading by Example An Affinity employee anticipates

another year of mentoring

lEARN & lIVE22 beyond Textbooks Students learning through

“living labs”

KIDS@AFFINITy23 Grow Your Tree Branch out with a new art

project celebrating family history

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c o n t e n t s

4 | @Affinity • Fa l l 2 0 1 2 w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o rg / b l o g

S H O R T C L I P S

F ifty-two suicides occurred in the outagamie, Calumet and winnebago counties in 2010 and more than half of the 10,825 calls to the 24-hour crisis center in outagamie County addressed

emotional or mental illness for youth and adults.That same year, there was an estimated

4,241 untreated pediatric mental health cases in the Fox Valley. it became clear to health care leaders in the community that there is a growing number of children who need outpatient behavioral health services.

The Fox Valley Children’s Mental health Center (FVCMhC), which offers diagnosis and treatment of the full spectrum of mental health disorders to children and adolescents up to age 18, opened in 2009 as the first collaboration between affinity health system, ThedaCare and Children’s hospital of wisconsin – Fox Valley to address a shortage of pediatric mental health services.

within three months, FVCMhC received more than 5,000 patient referrals. in its first three years, patient volumes exceeded 8,300 visits. all indicators pointed to a rising demand in appointments, lengthy waitlists and a growing need to bolster staff, recruit and retain additional psychological services providers.

Then, the 2011 leading indicators for excellence (liFe) study, conducted by united way Fox Cities to develop a clear understanding of the overall quality of life in the Valley, confirmed the need and access for a broader continuum of care for behavioral health services, especially for youth in our community.

affinity health system, ThedaCare and Children’s hospital each provided various aspects of care to children as separate entities, but none were able to provide a full continuum.

“The old approach for providing behavioral health services to children and adolescents in the Fox Cities was not optimal,” says dan neufelder, president of affinity health and senior vice president of hospital operations for Ministry health Care. “we had to think differently about our collective approach to care.”

There was limited access, patients were not able to move easily between the various health systems, and the model was not financially sustainable.

every Child Deserves a Chance By AlISON FIEBIG

in February 2012, the three health care systems announced the formation of Catalpa health, a new organization that will provide comprehensive, outpatient behavioral health services to children, adolescents and families in the Fox Valley. it is a unique partnership – unlike any other in the united states – that will give local youth the strength, courage and support they need.

This november, the doors will open for a soft launch at the appleton location (444 n. westhill Boulevard) with the hope to meet full-capacity by January 2013. an oshkosh location is expected to open in spring 2013.

with this collaboration between health care systems, kids won’t have to leave the area for service, nor will they need to go from one system to another for testing, medications and therapy. youngsters will be able to receive the services they need, such as individual and group therapy, psychological and neuropsychological testing and medical management.

The community is an integral part of the Catalpa health team, supporting area schools with prevention efforts and outreach, and working with police departments/crisis intervention teams, primary care physicians and other community resources.

“Catalpa will be a strong voice, but we’re also looking for ways to partner and collaborate with existing resources in the community,” says lisa Kogan-Praska, president and Ceo of Catalpa health. “when we identify a need, we’ll consider whether or not we develop a resource or support one that already exists. we want to take and expand on what’s best in the community, not duplicate it.”

Breaking down the barriers and raising awareness of mental health care through the creation of Catalpa Health

Known for its heart-shaped leaves, the catalpa tree is recognized as a symbol of love, strength and shelter.

Make a Difference On Saturday, October 27, the nation rejoices for Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others.

The nationwide project is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine, which is published by Gannett Co. Inc. Also published by Gannett is The Post-Crescent (P-C). About 100 P-C employees, along with family and friends, have signed up to make a difference this year with three seasonal projects – assisting at youth Go/Children’s Day Annual Haunted House held at the Neenah City Garage, working on garden building and trail development at Riverview Gardens in Appleton, and raking leaves and clean windows for those in need through an effort called CHAIN Reaction Day organized by Outagamie County Volunteer Services.

“We want to put our time and physical labor into helping to make the Fox Cities a better place,” says Genia lovett, president/publisher of The P-C and vice president of Gannett Wisconsin Media. “We produce stories, photos and videos about how special our community is all the time. This adds to our sweat equity and real life experience so we can understand the community’s needs more deeply and make someone’s life better that day as well.”

A volunteer kick-off will start at 8 a.m. with breakfast at the Thompson Community Center downtown Appleton and continue until 11 a.m. with a community volunteer fair.

If you can’t get out on October 27, don’t sweat it. Check in with the Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin for a lists of projects in our community that need helping hands any day of the year. Visit www.volunteercenter.net, or call 920-832-9360 (Appleton) / 920-230-3663 (Oshkosh). Be the change!


B Y T H E N U M B E R S

Downtown Neenah is about to gain a new tenant! Affinity Medical Group’s Lincoln Street clinic in Neenah will close after business hours on Thursday, November 8 and reopen at 101 Main Street on Monday, November 12. One change to note: the adult walk-in care clinic at the old location will now be an all-age urgent care clinic at the new location, which will be open Mon-Thurs, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Fri, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sat-Sun, 8 a.m. - noon.

The number of cranberry barrels the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts Wisconsin will harvest this fall.Our state was named the nation’s top cranberry-producing state for the 18th consecutive year! For a healthy, unexpected cranberry recipe, turn to page 7.

This year, Calumet Medical Center marked its 10th anniversary of Night for Women – an evening event to celebrate the health and wellness of women – with motivational speaker Suzy Favor Hamilton, a three-time Olympian (’92, ’96 and ’00) and Stevens Point native. Her message of passion, hope and happiness was heard by more than 550 women in the audience.

The total funds raised at the 20th annual Women’s Golf and Luncheon Benefit held this past August, which will go to renovating and equipping a postpartum room in the new St. Elizabeth Hospital BirthPlace Unit.

The fraction of Americans who have gathered their family’s health history. Thanksgiving shares space on the calendar with National Family History Day. While you’re with your kin, take the opportunity to write down health conditions that run in your family. This knowledge may ensure a longer, healthier future together!

$100,0001/34.5 million

10 101


If you’ve ever found yourself down for the count, immobile on the couch with chills and severe body aches, you may have experienced a bout with influenza (known to most as the flu).

Brenda ehlert, coordinator of infection prevention for affinity health system (ahs), says, “There are a lot of misconceptions that the flu is the ‘stomach flu.’ we’re talking about the respiratory flu.”

Main symptoms include fever (or feeling feverish or chills), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches or body aches, including headache.

while the flu is inconvenient, it’s also a serious and contagious respiratory illness. in most people, the flu can be mild to moderate, but in older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, serious complications can potentially lead to death.

That’s why the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CdC), along with affinity health system, state the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

This season’s flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses doctors and the CdC expect to be most common this season: an influenza a (h1n1) virus, an influenza a (h3n2) virus, and an influenza B virus.

“There is no way to know what the incidence of the influenza virus will be this year, and we have no idea whether we are in for a particularly severe influenza season,” explains dr. Mark Kehrberg, senior vice president and chief medical officer for affinity health system.

“we do know, however, that getting the vaccine, if appropriate, is the way to decrease the incidence and severity of flu this year,” he adds.

some patients have legitimate reasons for declining vaccinations. Kehrberg says, for example, those who have had guillain-Barré syndrome should probably not receive the vaccine and those with allergies to eggs (or have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine) should consult with their physician first.

But other concerns – such as the old wives’ tale that the vaccine can cause the flu – are unmerited, according to ehlert.

“The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection,” she says, rendering that

misconception false. she urges those who are hesitant to speak with their provider about their concerns.

ahs started offering it to staff and patients in september and will continue throughout the season.

Knocking out the Flu

fall 6 • good eat’n 7 • get green 8 • be well 9

Vaccines tackle three strains this seasonBy Sharon VerBeten

in season fall

Patients aren’t the only ones at risk for influenza. That’s why a system-wide “Flu Fighters” initiative shared between Affinity Health System (AHS) and Ministry Health Care is aimed at preventing health care workers from becoming ill.

“Most health care organizations are moving toward stronger approaches to preventing influenza,” says Juan Banda, system director of human resource operations and workforce analytics for Ministry. “Our goal is to ensure that our employees either get the vaccine or wear a mask as a suitable alternative.”

According to Banda, this will affect more than 11,000 workers in Ministry/Affinity’s 15 hospitals throughout the state.

“When crafting this policy, we wanted to strike a balance between

respecting our employees and protecting our patients and co-workers from the spread of influenza,” says Dr. Mark Kehrberg, senior vice president and chief medical officer for AHS. “While masking may be unpopular, we believe this is a better option than making influenza vaccines mandatory as a condition of employment, as other health systems in the state have done.”

If an employee or staff member are medically unable or chooses not to receive the flu vaccine, they will be required to wear a mask throughout the high-risk flu season.

Kehrberg adds, “Stopping the spread of influenza is an important part of our mission to keep our communities safe.”

Flu Fighters Region Collaborates on Flu Prevention

I wear a maskfor your protection.

I received the vaccine

for your protection.


Knocking out the FluCranberry ConundrumPrided as the state’s Fruit,

wisconsin produces more than half of the nation’s cranberries, and americans

consume some 400 million pounds of them each year – 80 million during Thanksgiving week alone! That’s a big responsibility for a small berry.

The holiday spread is one to anticipate – crispy turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. not always as popular as the bird or spuds, a cranberry is actually the nutritional star of the Thanksgiving spread.

Cranberries contain vitamin C and fiber, and are only 45 calories per cup. They are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, which help protect against heart disease and certain cancers. The tart, tiny berry outranks nearly every fruit and vegetable on the antioxidant scale, including strawberries, spinach, broccoli, red grapes, apples, raspberries and cherries.

“They are also full of proanthocyanidins, which are chemicals that keep bacteria from sticking to the surfaces of bladder cells,” explains dawn schnabl, a clinical dietitian at affinity Medical group’s 1611 s. Madison street Clinic in appleton. “Cranberries help prevent urinary tract infections.”

Maybe fruit isn’t the first food that comes to mind when planning a Thanksgiving meal, but let’s make sure it doesn’t become an after-thought.

Peter Kuenzi, head chef and owner ofZuppas Market, Café and Catering in neenah, serves a dish at the restaurant that incorporates dried cranberries with wild rice and nuts – a hearty, healthy trio.

“nuts contain fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin e, and phytonutrients (organic components of plants),” schnabl says. “These nutrients can help prevent or delay coronary heart disease, lower ldl and total cholesterol, help decrease problems associated with metabolic syndrome, and lower blood-clotting risks. nuts also provide adequate amounts of potassium, manganese and copper.”

wild rice (which is technically an aquatic grass seed so it is gluten-free) is also a serious source of fiber and antioxidants. tossed with blueberries, golden raisins, green onions and celery (“adds crunch, not calories,” says schnabl), this dish promises to be a “berry” wholesome addition to this year’s Thanksgiving meal.

Cranberry and Wild Rice Salad Ingredients4 cups wild rice, cooked2 green onions, chopped2 ribs of celery, finely diced1 cup dried cranberries1 cup dried blueberries1 cup golden raisins1 cup walnuts1 cup almonds2 tablespoons walnut oil 2 lemons, juiced 1 bunch Italian parsley, roughly chopped Salt and pepper to taste

PreparationPlace cooked wild rice in large mixing bowl. Add the green onions, celery, dried fruit and nuts to the bowl. Pour walnut oil and lemon juice over the bowl and season with salt and pepper. Finish with chopped Italian parsley. Mix all together! This can be made ahead. Best served room temperature. Makes 8-12 servings.

What to do with those tiny berries? Think outside the bog! By AlISON FIEBIG

good eat’n

Follow Zuppas Market, Cafe and Catering on Facebook for more of Peter’s recipes and restaurant updates!


Greener Grasses

I love the sponge-like grass on the green of a golf course. This surface is amazing to walk on and look at, however it demands heavy maintenance with plenty of sunlight, wind and herbicides to keep weeds away.

while the green on a golf course is man-made, native grasses and plants are more sustainable and offer numerous benefits, aside from being a pretty sight.

outside the emergency department at st. elizabeth hospital in appleton, landscaping includes a beautiful arrangement of minimal maintenance, ornamental grasses and perennials like feather reed grass, magnus coneflower, stella daylily, blue flag iris and frosted juniper.

These plants, give sustenance and shelter to animals, but from a building perspective, green space also mitigates the heat-island effect – cooling the surrounding environment unlike concrete and asphalt, which can variably increase the temperature by retaining sunlight.

The united states green Building Council (usgBC) helps guide high-efficiency standards in the construction of facilities and projects with the leed (leadership in energy and environmental design). The rating system promotes native and adapted plants to local climates under site development for restoring and protecting the habitat, in addition to the recognition in water and irrigation efficiency. it also prohibits invasive or noxious weed species - all of which earned st. elizabeth hospital credits toward its leed certification.

natural landscaping adapts to the climate, geography and hydrology. it should require no pesticides, fertilizers or watering to maintain.

“native plants suit today’s interest in “low-maintenance” gardening and landscaping, as many species are vigorous, hardy and able to survive cold winters and summer heat,” explains Judy Peters, member of outagamie County Master gardeners association, wild ones and Fox Valley herb society. “once established, they can flourish without irrigation or fertilization, and are resistant to most pests and diseases.”

This is exactly why st. elizabeth hospital uses vegetative roofs, which help cool and heat the building during summer and winter while allowing patients to connect with nature. The campus also uses concorde bareberry, isanti dogwood and snowmound spirea shrubs and trees for minimal irrigation.

“People like to see a well-manicured garden, not the wild look of natives, however, they do not realize that natives can have a manicured

garden look but require minimal maintenance,” says Peters.

if you’re looking to do landscaping in your garden or home, consider native plants at your local nurseries, their benefits are vast as well as their variety.

Native plants on st. Elizabeth Hospital’s campus grow into sustainable benefits

get green

There are a number of resources in the Fox Valley that can advise on native gardening and landscaping, but here’s a solid start.Wild Ones: a not-for-profit environmental organization that

advocates for environmentally-sound landscaping practice to preserve biodiversity through native planting and preservation; www.wildones.org

Outagamie County Master Gardeners Association: educating and serving the community utilizing research-based horticultural information; www.ocmga.net

Gardens of the Fox Cities: promoting an appreciation and understanding of plants and gardens in a 38-acre public garden; www.gardensfoxcities.org

Iqbal MianSustainability Team leader, Affinity Health System

Feather Reed Grass

blue Flag Iris


Rx for Happiness

For many moms and dads with school-aged children at home, this time of year brings with it the commotion of a three-ring circus. summer is over,

kids are back in school and parents are juggling to keep up with the lists of things to buy, places to be, forms to fill out and people to contact– all while keeping their bosses, kids, teachers, spouses and homes happy.

in august, with the start of a new school year looming and families kicking their daily routines into high gear, we reached out to our Facebook network with the question, “how do you stay organized?”

Jamie Popp, appleton mom of three kids under the age of eight and who returned to work full-time at the beginning of 2012, responded to the query.

she understands the need for an effective ringmaster.

“we have two sports going and spanish and dance classes,” she says. “i’m looking at all the calendars that are floating around here. i haven’t quite got everything in order, but i usually have a pretty good program of keeping everybody on schedule.”

a full-time copywriter by day, part-time columnist for The Post-Crescent with an editorial interest in fashion and shopping, and a freelance writer in her “spare time,” Popp says her own deadline-oriented nature brings a bit of calm to her family’s chaos.

according to dr. Bernard green, who specializes in psychology at affinity Medical group’s Madison Center in appleton, being organized can promote well-being in a number of tangible ways.

“not only does organization help you to feel and be more efficient and productive, it also helps you to save precious time, which you can then devote to other important undertakings,” dr. green explains. “with less clutter to nag at you for not being in control, you become more relaxed and have far fewer guilt feelings and regrets to struggle with.”

Smart Phone, Smart Idea?The go-to solution for bringing order to Popp’s family chaos? The google calendar app on her smart phone.

Considered to be one of the most universal calendar applications, Popp uses the google calendar for her family the way many professionals use electronic calendars to schedule meetings at work.

“i set up meetings with everybody and anybody (including the kids), whether it’s

Good organization can have a positive effect on your health By SHEREE ROGERS

be well

For fresh and fun ideas to keep family and functions organized, check out our “Tips for Momagers” (moms who manage) board on Pinterest.

social, school or sports. i send meeting requests to myself so i get an email at work that reminds me. The email gives me 30 minutes notice that a family activity is coming and i need to get there.”

a whiteboard calendar in the kitchen complements Popp’s electronic calendar.

“i might have those dates and times in my google calendar, but the kids need to see what’s going on for the week,” she says.

dr. green agrees that today’s technology - appropriately used in moderation and in the right context – can be an asset to organization and creating a sense of well-being.

“Freeing up one’s concentration by not having to remember routine things allows one to focus instead on other things, often leading to a greater sense of control and accomplishment,” he explains.

The Prescriptionorganization may not be the only path to well-being but its contribution cannot be denied.

Being organized, according to dr. green, is conducive to happiness and increased energy. in contrast, the chronic stress brought on by disorganization and other major stressors can be highly detrimental.

“while it can destroy brain cells and have a marked adverse effect on the endocrine, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular and immune systems, stress also appears to have important

ramifications pertinent to cancer,” he explains, adding that a growing body of evidence suggests a link between stress and the progression of certain types of cancer.

in addition to becoming more organized, dr. green offers these tips for busy families looking to reduce stress and increase happiness:

• Plan ahead — short term and long term — for personal family needs, goals and aspirations• Establish or re-establish important priorities• Strive for balance• be realistic in your expectations• Avoid procrastination• Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise• Maintain a balanced diet• Stay socially connected• Take mental health breaks• Pay close attention to your physical health• Remember the power of optimism, kindness

and faith• Learn to focus on the present and take

pleasure in the simple things• Count your blessings

TR

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St yingP ow e r

10 | @Affinity • Fa l l 2 0 1 2


St yingP ow e r

The long-distance race to save an athletic Appleton woman who

suddenly f nds herself f ghting an uphill bat le against an unexpected heart condition

By Alison Fiebig with photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios

hand i n hand


On Your Mark, Get Set…Gustafson had her first mammogram at age 34, for a good reason.

Her mother was diagnosed and fought breast cancer, and her older sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. Knowing this, her primary care physician referred Gustafson to Thea Johnson, a cancer genetic counselor at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.

Johnson consults with patients who recognize a need to map out their family health history in order to increase awareness about cancer and disease. In Gustafson’s case, cancer was the condition of interest.

“I have various statistical models that generate a cancer risk assessment for a given patient,” Johnson explains. “This risk assessment is based on the types of cancer in the family, the ages of cancer diagnosis, and the degree of relation to the patient, such as a parent versus a great-aunt. These factors will be different for every patient.”

After meeting for the first time in January 2011, Johnson discovered breast, ovarian and prostate cancers in Gustafson’s family health history and ordered a breast MRI. It is typically preferred to alternate every six months between imaging studies and, because she just had a mammogram that same month, Gustafson waited to have her MRI until August 2011.

“Not all patients with a family history of breast cancer are eligible for annual breast MRI surveillance,” explains Johnson, who carefully evaluated four generations of Gustafson’s family history.

Nothing could have prepared Gustafson for the news she’d receive next.“They called me and said, ‘Well, we have good news: you don’t have

cancer. But we found something on your results that we want to discuss,’” Gustafson remembers. “They said on the phone that they thought they found an aortic aneurysm but wanted to confirm with cardiology.”

An aortic aneurysm is the bulging of the aorta (one of the large arteries in which blood passes from the heart to the rest of the body) that causes the walls to become thin and over-stretched.

In 2011, KierSten GuStafSOn was In the best shape of her lIfe. That summer, she completed one duathlon, two triathlons, one sprint distance race, one Olympic distance race, one marathon and one half-Ironman. ♥ Comprised of a 1.2-mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike and culminating with a 13.1-mile run, the half-Ironman was a test for Gustafson, who was training for the marathon at the same time. ♥ “It was a challenge, but one I did with excitement and diligence,” she says. “I rarely missed a day of training, even the days I had to do two or three exercises in the same day.” ♥ Little did the mother-of-three know that the thrill for extreme running would be something she’d have in common with her cardiologist. In fact, little did she know she’d have a cardiologist at 38 years of age.

“ T h e y c a l l e d m e a n d s a i d , ‘ W e l l , w e h a v e g o o d n e w s : y o u d o n ’ t h a v e c a n c e r . B u t . . . ’ ”


“When we see someone with an ascending (thoracic) aortic aneurysm at a young age, we wonder if there are any associated abnormalities in the valve,” says Dr. Zenoun Abouzelam, a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon for Affinity Medical Group at St. Elizabeth Hospital. “We sent her to have a cardiac echo, which found a bicuspid aortic valve, which is abnormal.”

A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets instead of three. Because of this, the valve doesn’t function perfectly; it may function adequately for years without causing symptoms. This condition is more common among males than females.

“She was born with this,” Dr. Abouzelam says. “Family members typically have a higher incidence.”

Additionally, a bicuspid aortic valve also affects the tissue layers that form the walls of the aorta. As the tissue layers degenerate, the aorta walls lose their strength and stretch out of shape. For Gustafson, this caused the formation of an aneurysm, in which the valve was both enlarged and leaking.

In order to confirm the size, Dr. Abouzelam referred Gustafson to Dr. Kenneth Geller, a cardiologist with Affinity Medical Group in Appleton (who shares Gustafson's love for competitive running).

“He really made an impression on me,” she says. “We had a lot in common, and he was very careful to tell me that I had to stop running.”

The tests indicated that her aorta was dilated five centimeters in diameter. At five-and-a-half or six centimeters, “you usually can’t make it to the hospital; most people don’t survive that,” Dr. Abouzelam explains.

“I could have been running, driving with my kids, but all

I could focus on was how lucky I was,” Gustafson admits. “I knew what needed to be done and I felt very comfortable with the team. They were very concerned with my health and took a personal interest in me.”

Open-heart surgery was scheduled for October 24, 2011.

road to recoveryThe main purpose of open-heart surgery to treat an aortic aneurysm is to replace the weakened portion of the aorta with a fabric tube called a graft.

If all goes well – as it did with Gustafson – the patient is discharged from the hospital four or five days post-surgery.

The sternum (or breastbone) requires diligent time to heal after being opened during surgery. That can sometimes take up to three months.

Not long after returning home, Gustafson experienced significant pain, which her cardiac rehab team helped her manage. Dr. Abouzelam's team determined that Gustafson's bones weren’t mending properly.

To help the bones heal and diminish pain, Dr. Abouzelam and his team performed sternum reconstruction surgery, which requires a series of plates and screws. Because of this, Gustafson was recommended to see a physical therapist.

In June 2012 – four months following sternum reconstruction and eight months after open-heart surgery – she was referred to Kayla Letterman, a physical therapist for St. Elizabeth Hospital at the East College Avenue rehabilitation facility.

Having endured two serious surgeries in a short time, Gustafson had been far more inactive than she was before her operation.

“She was used to doing high-level strength and plyometric training and prided herself on this,” Letterman explains. “That being said, we had to take a big step back, look at the big picture and start with the basics. We kept in mind that she was still healing and respected that while still developing a program that would appropriately challenge and interest her.”

“ T h e y c a l l e d m e a n d s a i d , ‘ W e l l , w e h a v e g o o d n e w s : y o u d o n ’ t h a v e c a n c e r . B u t . . . ’ ”

With the help of her physical therpist, Kayla

Letterman, Kiersten Gustafson uses a Bosu ball

to strengthen her core

Letterman started Gustafson on whole-body exercises to minimize localized pain and soreness before progressing to upper-back and shoulder strengthening exercises. From weight machines and free weights to more challenging activities with the Bosu and medicine balls, Gustafson’s endurance and stability began to improve.

“Our goals for her were very simple,” says Letterman. “I wanted her to be able to do her own hair and reach into her kitchen cupboards without increased sternum pain. She needs to be able to tolerate driving longer distances and do a substantial amount of lifting for her job.”

Even something most take for granted, like sleeping through the night without waking up due to pain, was an initial goal for Gustafson.

“She has demonstrated improved strength with all muscle testing and can recruit the appropriate muscle groups now without complaining of increased pain,” Letterman adds. “Her overall tolerance to daily activities has improved. She has always been positive and is highly motivated to get back to a normal and active life.”

Crossing the finish LineGustafson tells her story with the intensity of a survivor, only fighting back tears when she reflects the stage-four bone cancer her sister is currently fighting today.

“I’m still in pain every day,” Gustafson says. “When I have a hard day with pain – a really rough day – all I have to think about is my sister.”

She is grateful for Johnson, who ordered the breast MRI after mapping her family health history and uncovering three types of cancer. Otherwise the aneurysm would have gone unnoticed and possibly ruptured.

“When Kiersten contacted me regarding her aortic aneurysm, I was concerned given her young age and her family history of cardiovascular disease,” Johnson says.

In December 2011, after her open-heart surgery, Johnson referred Gustafson to Dr. David Wargowski, a UW Health geneticist who provides outreach to St. Elizabeth Hospital once a month, and Alyson Krokosky, a general genetics counselor at St. Elizabeth Hospital, to be evaluated

for a hereditary cardiovascular condition, as this would be important information for her and her family.

The health awareness Gustafson has gained from Johnson is something she hopes to pass down to her three children so they can take necessary steps to prevent similar situations.

“Having a yearly physical exam is essential to finding and preventing this type of condition,” Dr. Abouzelam adds. “If there is abnormality, we investigate. If you have family history of aneurysms or bicuspid aortic valve, then you should be talking to your physician about that.”

Gustafson continues to see both her cardiologist and family doctor once a year, Letterman a couple times a week for therapy, and – because of her family history – she will have an annual breast MRI to monitor the chance of cancer.

“Women take care of everyone else in their life, they don’t pay mind to themselves,” Gustafson says. “If I can help one person recognize a problem, that’s all I want to do.”

But she isn’t spending all her time looking back over her shoulder.

With the blessing of her doctors, Johnson and Letterman, she has dusted off her running shoes and is slowly, but surely, picking up the pace.

Gustafson's Affinity care team, from start to finish, left to right: Thea Johnson, genetic counselor; Dr. Nila Alsheik, radiologist (Radiology Associates of the Fox Valley); Dr. Zenoun Abouzelam, cardiovasulcar thoracic surgeon; Dr. Kenneth Geller, cardiologist; Kayla Letterman, physical therapist; Alyson Krokosky, genetic counselor.

continued»

“ I f I c a n h e l p o n e p e r s o n

r e c o g n i z e a p r o b l e m , t h a t ’ s

a l l I w a n t t o d o . ” — G u s t a f s o n


B y B e c k y K o p i t z k e

P h o t o g r a p h b y S h a n e V a n B o x t e l

RicK MlodziK iS no StRangeR to canceR.

in the last 15 years, he lost his father to the disease, fought his

daughter’s battle with childhood cancer, and then supported

his wife, ann, when breast cancer shook their family in 2008.

Unbelievably, last winter, the Mlodziks were struck again.

This time, it was Rick’s turn.

“it’s still a shock when you hear the word ‘cancer,’” says

the 49-year-old corrections officer from Ripon, describing

the day in January 2012 when dr. Steve Baughman, affinity

Medical group urologist at Mercy Medical center in

oshkosh, delivered the news that he had prostate cancer.

“You get the worst thoughts in your head.”

Robotic Precision

One man’s fight against cancer and his testimony of treatment that

involved da Vinci robotic surgery


Fast Track to Recovery“i just knew i wanted to recover in time for my daughter’s high school graduation in May,” Rick recalls.

He’d heard discouraging stories of other men who underwent prostate cancer treatment that took several months to heal. So when dr. Baughman recommended da Vinci robotic surgery, an advanced procedure heralded for its fast recovery, Rick quickly agreed.

“The da Vinci robotic procedure is a minimally invasive surgery with recognized benefits of shorter hospitalization, less pain, quicker recovery, lower transfusion risk, shorter catheterization need and quicker return-to-work status,” dr. Baughman explains.

Because Rick was otherwise healthy and relatively young for his diagnosis, he stood an excellent chance of maximizing these benefits.

and he did. Rick arrived at St. elizabeth Hospital in appleton for surgery at 7 a.m. on February 15, 2012. He walked out of the hospital – literally, without a wheelchair – at 3 p.m. the next day.

“after two weeks, i felt 90 percent back to normal,” Rick says. dr. Baughman advised a six-week medical leave from work, but Rick

was back on the job after five weeks. “i told him i was getting bored,” Rick jokes. “and then i told him i put

300 miles on my motorcycle during my time off.”

Added Benefitsin addition to a fast recovery, Rick was impressed to learn of other significant benefits to da Vinci surgery.

Robotic precision allows extremely delicate handling of nerves and organs surrounding the prostate, which meant he experienced less harm to normal body functions following surgery. He was also surprised to discover very little scarring from the incisions.

was able to perform Emrick’s hysterectomy using minimally invasive techniques, including small incisions, tiny instruments and gentler impact on the body.

The result? All of her endometriosis was cleanly removed, along with her uterus and ovaries. Emrick experienced less bleeding and discomfort than with a traditional surgery. After just one night in the hospital, she returned home feeling great – free of the old chronic pain.

“Post surgery, it was unexpected how good I felt,” she says. “Once I got home, I took a few ibuprofen, and that was really all I required. I was pleasantly surprised.”

To see Emrick’s surgery video, go to www.YouTube.com/affinityhealthsystem.

Curious about the da Vinci robot? Now you can see it in action on our YouTube channel.

Julie Emrick invited our cameras into the operating room for her robotic hysterectomy, performed by Dr. Christopher Wagener, an Affinity Medical Group gynecologic surgeon.

For years prior to surgery, Emrick suffered from severe endometriosis. Conservative treatments failed to relieve her chronic pain. So when Dr. Wagener recommended robotic surgery to fix the problem once and for all, she agreed.

“I feel fortunate that we were able to use the da Vinci robot to do her case,” Dr. Wagener says. “Before the da Vinci, I likely would have had to do an open surgery or laparotomy, which would have meant a much longer recovery for her.”

Thanks to the da Vinci system’s robotic precision and 3D visualization, Dr. Wagener

Lights, Camera, Robot

“The da Vinci robotic procedure is a minimally invasive surgery with recognized benefits of shorter hospitalization, less pain, quicker recovery, lower transfusion risk, shorter catheterization need and quicker return-to-work status.”

Dr. Baughman, Affinity Medical Group urologist at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh

Julie Emrick


“i have five scars, and four of them you can barely see,” Rick explains. “The biggest one is just three-quarter inches long.”

Since his prostate was removed, Rick has been able to avoid radiation treatments for now, although he continues to see dr. Baughman for monitoring. Meanwhile, he maintains a positive outlook.

“The thing about cancer is, i don’t dwell on it,” he says. “i had major surgery, but i don’t feel like i did. if this is what surgeries are about, there’s nothing to fear.”

Were there any disadvantages to robotic surgery? Rick says no, although he wishes he could have witnessed the da Vinci in action.

Part of his job as a corrections officer involves accompanying inmates to surgery at Mercy Medical center. not at all squeamish, Rick enjoys watching the procedures and hopes to one day experience da Vinci surgery as a spectator.

“My only regret about my operation is that i didn’t get to see the machine,” he says. “i had to take my glasses off before i went under.”

Personalized CareBoth Rick and his wife, ann, readily credit not only da Vinci surgery but also their affinity caregivers.

“i don’t think there’s one physician in our clinics in the area that i would not recommend to somebody,” ann says. “dr. Baughman is very personable. He’s every man’s buddy. i look at him and think there’s a reason god gave him this skill and this knowledge.”

That’s exactly what the da Vinci system aims to do. With so many advantages over traditional methods, robotic prostate surgery is catching on.

today, nearly 90 percent of all prostatectomies in the United States are performed robotically. in northeast Wisconsin, affinity surgeons are on the leading edge of this exciting technology, offering robotic surgeries in not just urology, but also gynecology, general surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).

noteably, Mercy Medical center recently received its own da Vinci robot in october 2012.

Hope for the Futureas fellow cancer survivors, Rick and his wife credit their daughter for their strength and motivation to fight.

“We did it because she is our hero,” ann says, recalling how in 2001, the family endured months of traveling to Madison where their daughter received life-saving treatment for a rare form of liver cancer. That experience, coupled with the support they received from their older son through each cancer journey, keeps everything in perspective.

“if these children can do it, what’s it for us?” she says. “We can survive it and do it for these kids.”

The Mlodziks dream of a day when cancer is no longer an uphill climb, thanks to technology like the da Vinci robot.

“The length of recovery with robotic surgery was so wonderful, hopefully some day it can help children like our daughter, too, and be less stressful for families. Kids need to bounce back,” she says.

With da Vinci robotic surgery, affinity will keep striving for that ideal.

The name “da Vinci” stems from the 15th century inventor, painter, philosopher and Renaissance man. Widely known for advancing the study of human anatomy, Leonardo da Vinci participated in autopsies, produced many extremely detailed anatomical drawings and planned a comprehensive work of human and comparative anatomy.

His study of human anatomy eventually led to the design of the first known robot in history. This design, which has come to be known as “Leonardo’s Robot,” was probably made around the year 1495 but was rediscovered in the 1950s. He was intrigued by mechanics and automation and developed a number of mannequins including a mechanical knight.

The History Museum at the Castle in downtown Appleton is hosting an exclusive Wisconsin showing of a touring exhibition called “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion.” Running through January 6, 2013, the interactive display includes 40 operational, actual-sized working machine replicas of da Vinci’s amazing machines – all built by modern day scientists and artisans. Visitors can touch and set them in motion.

For more information and hours, visit www.myhistorymuseum.org.

Experience da Vinci

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after care Get to know your care provider By Alison FieBig

r. Subhasis Chatterjee joshes Dr. Sumit Ringwala about his “GQ” tendencies; Dr. Ringwala fires back with a claim that Dr. Chatterjee memorized the dictionary in preparation for the SAT exam in high school.

It’s the banter of a brotherhood that started many years ago. The two Affinity Medical Group doctors go way back, both raised in the Fox Valley.

Dr. Chatterjee, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at St. Elizabeth Hospital, graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1989 and Dr. Ringwala, a cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, from Oshkosh North High School in 1996, but their families were part of the same social circle.

“We grew up in a very tight-knit, Indian community,” says Dr. Ringwala. “We’re American through and through, but we’re Indian, too, striving to do what our parents taught us.”

Between pick-up football games and academic achievements, they also prayed together and gathered weekly for religious services

to learn the cultural traditions of their ancestors. “Our parents are first-generation Indian-Americans; they were

pioneers,” Dr. Chatterjee adds. “We’re grateful that they came to America and gave us so much. They supported and encouraged us to

fulfill our ambitions and dreams.”Dr. Chatterjee’s father, Dr. Amar Chatterjee, was a general surgeon

at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah from 1976 to 1989. He died in a car crash when Dr. Chatterjee was a senior in high school.

“After he died, I’d go to the grocery store or a movie and run into his patients who would say good things about him or that he saved their life,” Dr. Chatterjee remembers. “People were very grateful, and that reinforced that what he did mattered to people, that he was appreciated in the community. I think for a child to follow in their parent’s footsteps when it comes to a career choice is a high compliment to that parent.”

Starting when Dr. Chatterjee was three years old, his dad would bring him on rounds on the weekends.

“The other doctors would joke around with me but I’d say to them, ‘This is very serious, we have lots of patients to see,’” he shares. “Now I take my five-year-old son to the hospital on Sundays and he’s more interested in apple juice and snacks!”

Similarly, Dr. Ringwala’s mother, Dr. Kirtida N. Ringwala, was the first female physician in Oshkosh. He has the occasional opportunity to work with his mother (who is an internal medicine physician) and see her patients.

Dr. Chatterjee even spent a day shadowing Dr. K. Ringwala when he was in medical school.

Dr. Subhasis Chatterjee, cardiovascular and

thoracic surgeon at St. Elizabeth

Hospital, performs minimally-invasive

valve surgery and has a special interest in

treating valvular heart disease, coronary

artery disease, atrial fibrillation and

aneurysms of the thoracic aorta


Dr. Sumit Ringwala, cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center, is interested in all aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including stress testing, echocardiography and coronary interventional, peripheral vascular and endovascular procedures

“We might see or operate on family or friends, and that’s a responsibility that we don’t take lightly.”— suBhAsis ChAtterjee

Two lifelong friends share stories of growing up together in the Fox Valley and what led them to a humble homecoming and partnership in caring for the hearts of our community – one as a cardiologist and the other as a cardiovascular surgeon.

“I was so impressed with her compassion and energy and ability to juggle many things,” he says. “On the other hand, I knew that my personality was more geared to surgery but learned how important it was to have excellent physicians at every level of a patient’s care.”

Both doctors scored good grades in school, but Dr. Ringwala had a different expectation his parents set for him.

“Chatterjee was always the guy who got straight A’s in high school and my parents would say, ‘Why don’t you be like him!’” he exclaims. “He used to tell my parents that it was never too early to study for your SAT!”

While Dr. Ringwala might chaff Dr. Chatterjee about reading the dictionary in preparation for college admission exams, they were both admitted to the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The program (which is no longer) granted conditional admission to the University of Wisconsin Medical School for highly qualified high school seniors. Only a maximum of 50 Wisconsin students were selected to enroll in the program each year.

“I always knew I wanted to do surgery, but in my third year of medical school, they showed me an open chest with a heart beating and, to this day, I still think it’s the coolest thing,” Dr. Chatterjee says.

Dr. Ringwala joined Affinity Medical Group at the Heart & Lung Center at Mercy Medical Center in January 2012 and Dr. Chatterjee joined Dr. Zenoun Abouzelam in July 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s Heart, Lung and Vascular Center.

“Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery work together,” Dr. Ringwala explains. “We treat people with a disease; he’s got his skill set and I have mine, and we work to determine what treatment they need. We’ll discuss which option is best for the patient, then we make a patient-centered recommendation together.”

“It’s up to the cardiologist to determine long-term care after surgery,” Dr. Chatterjee explains. “I send the patient back to Ringwala to determine the best plan of care in order to reduce the chance of the disease returning and give the patient the most benefit.”

Both doctors embrace the homecoming. Having served their residencies and worked on the East Coast prior

to joining Affinity (Dr. Chatterjee at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Cornell in New York; Dr. Ringwala at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire), they are happy to be back in Packer Nation to raise their families.

“We might see or operate on family or friends, and that’s a responsibility that we don’t take lightly,” Dr. Chatterjee says. “We have the opportunity to work at these state-of-the-art facilities and give true personalized care. We really want to do our best.”



and baseball. I told him I was a Red Sox fan and we laughed because he loves the Brewers. It was then that a friendship was born.

When I’d visit with Aidan each week, we’d spend time on the playground before walking to the cafeteria and eating lunch. We talked and laughed about a lot of things. He enjoys fishing and karate. He has a fascination with the Guinness Book of World Records. He likes animal references in the book, especially about snakes.

After our third or fourth visit, I wondered whether he enjoyed our interactions. I found my answer when I had to cancel due to a conflict one week.

When I visited him at school the following week, he asked where I had been and why I could not visit with him the week before. I also realized the impact of my visits to his schoolmates. They began calling me by name and talking with me at lunch, too. I started to notice Aidan was participating in conversations a lot more both at lunch and on the playground.

As the end of the school year approached, I became a little sad. I came to look forward to

giving back

Each issue, an Affinity Health System team member shares their story of volunteerism at a local nonprofit organization. Affinity is committed to supporting local organizations and charitable events aligned with our mission of providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Leading by example

WE HAVE ALL HAD PEOPLE WHO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE us throughout our lives. This begins when we are children as the adults we are exposed to expand beyond our parents to coaches, pastors, teachers and extended family or friends. At the time, we do not realize the positive impact these people have in our lives, only that they somehow make us feel special.

I reflected on this as I walked from my Jeep toward Carl Traeger Elementary School in Oshkosh to meet my friend Aidan, 8, for the first time. I had just joined PALs (Partners at Learning), a mentorship program organized by the school to match youngsters with Mercy Medical Center staff.

What was I going to say or do that would make a difference in this little boy’s life? Would he like me or even want to talk to me?

I met with the school counselor, Wendy Falk, before going to Aidan’s classroom. As I listened to her share background on the third grader, I began to realize how similar he was to me when I was that age. I began to feel a connection with Aidan before I even met him. This helped to calm my nerves.

We walked to his classroom where the students were just finishing class and anxious to have recess and work off some of their energy. Aidan’s teacher introduced him to me and I was faced with a very energetic, smiling boy.

His teacher suggested Aidan read a story to me during the recess. I could tell he wanted to go outside and run, but he agreed and we sat down to read. I know he was nervous but after the story we talked about fishing

By Charlie NiCkersoN, ViCe PresideNt of hosPital oPeratioNs at MerCy MediCal CeNter iN oshkoshPhotographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios

Charlie Nickersonserves as a mentorto Aidan, a third- grader at Carl Traeger Elementary Schoolin Oshkosh


Foundations for Giving Back By Alison Fiebig

SNAPSHOTPALs (Partners at learning) is an oshkosh Chamber of Commerce program designed to connect the needs and goals of the school system with the resources and talents of businesses and community organizations. Carl traeger elementary school adapted the concept into its own PAls program, seeking to benefit both students and the local business community by enhancing the continual improvement of the education of its students. helping children foster personal interaction with role models and make sense of skills and attitudes learned in the classroom, PAls is building better leaders in young people. Anyone interested in signing up as a mentor should contact Wendy Falk, school counselor at Carl traeger elementary school, at (920) 424-0221.

Generous Hearts for Health

Health and wellness is personal, and Affinity health system (Ahs) employees take it to heart by embracing an annual giving campaign called Give One!

the once-a-year campaign, which runs August 1 throughout october, asks Affinity employees to support internal improvements and charitable priorities, as well as community health and human service projects that benefit st. elizabeth hospital Foundation (sehF), Mercy health Foundation (MhF), united Way Fox Cities and oshkosh Area united Way.

“united Way and Affinity health system share a mission of building a healthy, more caring community,” says nanci Micke, vice president of communications for united Way Fox Cities. “Affinity’s support of united Way is making a difference every day in the lives of over 100,000 people in the Fox Cities. We know it takes an entire community working together to reach our mutual goals.”

Monetary donations enhance programs, services and equipment for patients and community members. sehF granted $475,000 for programs and equipment in 2011, which includes the dollars raised from the Give One! campaign, as well as other fundraising efforts.

“our annual Give One! campaign supports both our patients and the community,” says tonya Dedering, executive director of sehF. “We ask employees to give at a meaningful level – one that truly makes a difference in our ability to serve our mission and care for the health of our community at many levels.”

“through this effort, patient needs and community programs are supported that otherwise may not exist,” she adds. “We are extremely grateful for our caring and generous employees and the difference they make.”

Michelle Kalies, manager of the surgery center at Affinity Medical group’s Midway road clinic in Menasha, has donated to give one! for the last five years.

“i have been fortunate enough to see the benefits of Give One! on the nursing units i manage,” she says. “We have received equipment and technology that would not have been possible if not for the Foundation and Give One! it has directly impacted the quality and safety for my team and our patients year after year.”

in 2011, Mercy health Foundation granted $271,324, which includes the dollars raised through Give One!

“We want to encourage others in the community to partner with us to provide the best of care and service to our family and friends,” says Vicki schorse, executive director of MhF. “there are few causes as important as ours. health and health care are among the most personal and important issues of the day.”

For this year’s Give One! campaign, the goal was set to raise $400,000. At the end of september, Affinity employees had committed to donate $381,327.

to make a tax-deductible, charitable donation to support projects at Mercy health Foundation and st. elizabeth hospital Foundation, please visit www.affinityhealth.org and under ‘About us’ click on ‘Foundations.’

the time I carved out of my schedule to visit with Aidan.

Luckily, I will be one of 12 Mercy Medical Center employees who volunteer as a mentor for the PALs program this year. From reading and playing on the playground to engaging in an extra special activity (such as a field trip to the hospital for a behind-the-scenes tour), our role is two-fold: a unique relationship that is both meaningful and informative.

I have the privilege to continue my mentorship with Aidan this fall. We have more footballs to throw, books to read and jokes to tell.

Anyone who is considering giving back to the community, either through the PALs program or in some other way, should know that the good feelings you experience while you give your time, money or energy are the reward.

During my visit with Aidan in June, we were on the playground with a different group of children and one of them asked Aidan who I was. I smiled when he said, “He’s my mentor.”

I guess giving back does makes a difference.


learn & live Education happening at Affinity

Beyond TextbooksBy shAron VerBeten

Many nursing students conduct research as part of their education, and now the Living Lab, a fledgling practicum partnership between Affinity Health System (AHS) and the University of Wisconsin

Oshkosh School of Nursing, is strengthening that work by giving students more reach into real-world research and applications.

The Living Lab collaboration started in summer 2011, and both parties have agreed to another year. AHS provides a list of topics to the university, which shares those with students who then choose a related research project. Topics have ranged from emergency department chronic pain, on-boarding (nurse training) and IV issuance of acetaminophen to infection control and telemetry. The integration of AHS allows for research to be performed in a variety of health care settings.

“It’s ‘real life’ for students,” says program coordinator Rae Mead, RN MSN, Standards of Care coordinator for AHS. “One of the biggest problems with graduates coming out of school is culture shock.”

Rosemary Smith, dean School of Nursing, agrees.

“A real-life case study is so much more meaningful than a hypothetical case study…[especially] if something can influence practice in the nursing world,” she says.

While Smith says the collaboration was still “feeling its way” in the first year, she adds, “I already see the growth potential,” especially in terms of seeing research that could be published or presented at nursing conferences.

Anna Christian, a nurse practitioner for Affinity’s Heart, Lung and Vascular Center at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, participated in the Living Lab last year in an interesting three-tier role – as an Affinity employee, UWO student and researcher.

“It was very convenient for me to do my doctoral project right here where I work,” she says. “Affinity benefits because any research that the student does here is presented to Affinity. Our hope is to improve the care process.”

Christian participated in a project that translated evidence regarding the correct selection of cardiac stress testing, which was ideal since in her job she monitors 85-90 percent of the clinic’s stress tests.

“Guided by the UWO professors and the AHS staff, we were able to formulate a very good working project,” she says. “We were able to reduce the failure rate (of completing a test) to 3.3 percent (from 15.8 percent).”

That resulted in both saving money on the tests as well as improving efficiency.

More than just school work, the Living Lab research will have direct impact on Affinity protocols.

“It didn’t stop when my project was done,” Christian says. “These are long-term changes, based on the latest American College of Cardiology guidelines. We are up-to-date based on expert guidelines.”

Smith further elaborates on the benefits of the collaboration. “There’s the trust between the two organizations in the respect of

our students and faculty,” she says. “And the student is learning to work with others.”

For more information on Calumet Medical Center’s “Medical Explorers” program, call (920) 849-7521. The program is currently running through December 19!

Q&A By Alison FieBig

B eth Draeger, a Kiel native, enrolled in

Calumet Medical Center’s “Medical Explorers” program during her freshman year of high school. The program gives students interested in the medical field a birds-eye view of the profession through tours and health-

related discussions. Today, she is a senior at Minnesota State University in Mankato, set to graduate in spring 2014. The 21-year-old reflects on her journey in a rapid-fire Q&A:

@A: Here’s the infamous question: what do you want to be when you “grow up?” BD: A physician’s assistant. I’m majoring in addiction counseling and pre-med. I’ll enroll in the physician’s assistant program after getting my bachelor’s degree.

@A: What about Medical Explorers interested you? BD: A good friend invited me. I was always very interested in the medical field and thought that the program would be a fun way to learn more about it.

@A: What did you enjoy most about Medical Explorers? BD: Getting in-depth tours of the different hospital departments and seeing medical equipment.

@A: Did you know you wanted to pursue a career in the medical field before enrolling in Medical Explorers? BD: Growing up, I aspired to be a plastic surgeon. I’d watch those “Plastic Surgery: Before and After” shows constantly! When I was little, my mother, Linda, was working toward becoming a licensed practical nurse. I remember watching many hours of nursing videos for her classes. While she was taking notes and trying to study, I’d be sitting on the couch watching for the fun of it. I also looked up to my sister, who is a paramedic and now in nursing school.

@A: While studying your way through medical classes, do you ever look back and think about Medical Explorers and what you learned?BD: The program really sparked my interest in pursuing this career. It was a great stepping stone for me.

Beth Draeger (right) and her sister Sarah.

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Materials:• Construction paper (brown

and green)• Paper towel roll• Two popsicle sticks• Glue• Scissors• Markers• Pencil• String (optional)• Hole punch (optional)• Photos of family (optional)

Instructions:1 have someone trace your

arm, from elbow to finger tips, with a marker or pen on a piece of brown paper. Be sure your fingers are spread apart to allow tracing between each one! this will be the outline of the tree. (Tip: Be sure the fingers are clearly drawn, because they will serve as the branches of the tree.)

2When the tree is all traced, cut it out.

3 see how many family members you can remember

and write down. (Parents: Feel free to make this into a game, like “Who lives in st. louis?” or “Who is mom’s brother?”)

4 Draw some leaf shapes on the green construction

paper and cut them out. Make sure they’re big enough to write a name inside (and even include a small photo), but not so big that they cover too much of the entire branch.

5Write the name on the leaf. you should have a nice pile

of leaves with names on them when you’re done!

6glue the leaves onto the branches (fingers) of the tree.

7glue the popsicle sticks together to make an “X’

shape. this will serve as the stand for the tree.

8 Place glue along one side of the paper towel roll, then

press the tree against the roll as if to give it a backbone.

9 once it’s dry, glue the bottom of the paper towel

roll to the “X” made of popsicle sticks. it should be standing straight up, like a tree. if it’s tipping, wad up a piece of paper (or newspaper) into the bottom of the roll and try gluing again.

10 if you have small photos of your family, cut them

out into small sizes and glue them around the branches. to make it even more special, try dangling the leaves/photos from the branches using string by punching a hole in the tree branches, tying the string through the hole and gluing the end of the string to the photo!

grow your tree You know them by grandma and grandpa, but do you

know their first name and where they were born? With this activity, you can make a 3D family tree by tracing your arm and hands. strong and sturdy, like a true family, this tree will stand proud as a reminder of all the special people in your family.

Appleton kiddos, Abby Martinez (4) and her brother, Ricky (8), creating their family tree

Affinity Health System1570 Midway Pl.Menasha, WI 54952

sn@psWe don’t just care for the community,

we’re proud to be an active part of it.

Here is a glimpse of some of our recent

activities in the communities we serve.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day took place on Tuesday, July 17, at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton. Calumet Medical Center sponsored the hands-on, annual event that shows kids, ages 8-12, how to have fun while learning about tractor safety, hidden hazards, drug awareness, healthy lifestyles, severe weather safety and many others.

Dr. Alex Garcia, orthopaedic and sports medicine provider for Affinity Medical Group, poses by a spray-chalk logo on the 5K course at Fox Valley Technical College on Saturday, September 22 - the day before the Community First Fox Cities Marathon - of which the group was a lead sponsor.

On Saturday, August 25, Affinity Health System was one sponsor of many that participated in the first annual Race for Miracles – a mini grand prix auto race event to raise money and awareness for Catalpa Health. Travis Andersen, president of St. Elizabeth Hospital, won the event after completing seven heats!

Dr. Thomas Zoch, associate medical director for Network Health, and Jared Cunio celebrate the beginning of the fourth year of SPIRITUS, which is a team of 10 young adults who give nine months of service evangelizing thousands of youth throughout Wisconsin. Health insurance for the team is provided by Affinity Health System’s Network Health.

On Saturday, September 22, a team of 20 breast cancer survivors – called “Got Pink?” – lead by Dr. Karen Gremminger, medical oncologist at Mercy Medical Center, participated in the Oshkosh Community Dragonboat Festival. They raced a 40-foot-long, canoe-like boat down the Fox River to raise money to benefit the UW Oshkosh campus and community.

@Affinity Magazine - Fall 2012 - Hand in Hand

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