2 SPRING 2011 www.mercycare.org

The Mercy Touch®magazine featuresinsightful and practical medical information,warm human interest stories, medicaltriumphs, medical breakthroughs and newtechnologies at Mercy Medical Center.

KEEP IN

The Mercy Touch®

magazine is published as acommunity service for the

friends and patrons ofMercy Medical Center,

701 10th St. SE,Cedar Rapids, IA,(319) 398-6011.

Mercy Medical Centerprovides healthcare services24 hours a day, seven days a

week, regardless of race, creed,sex, national origin, disability,

age or ability to pay.

Tim CharlesPresident and CEO

Kelly DeGrootArt Direction/Design

A.J. KoncharDesign

Sharon KoncharManaging Editor

Lead Writer

Sherry Crawford Sher Jasperse

Karen Vander SandenContributing Writers

Mike Schlotterback Photography

The information containedin this magazine is notintended to constitute

individual medical advice.It is given for general

informational purposes only.You should consult yourhealthcare provider to

determine the applicabilityof such informationto your situation.

Copyright © 2011Mercy Medical Center

2 TICKING TIME BOMBFOR HEART DISEASE

4-5 CONNECTING PATIENTS WITHRESOURCES

6-7 A LIGHT WITHINOur historic stained-glass display

8-9 DEPUTY CITES STROKE TEAMFOR SPEEDY CARE

10-11 MARKING 25 YEARS OFCLINICAL CANCER TRIALS

SPECIAL INSERT:HALL-PERRINE CANCER CENTER

12-13 CHEF ANDY’S 5 STAR FARE

14-15 NURSE OF THE YEARHAS LEADING ROLE

16-17 RADIATION THERAPYThe best possible scenario

18-19 FIGHTING LUNG CAN CERCLOSE TO HOME

20-21 BACK TO NORMAL

22-23 A FASTER LANE TO RECOVERY

24 POST A RECIPE AND WIN

touch

THE MERCYtouch 3

What you don’t know could hurt you. If you don’tunderstand what the numbers mean in yourcholesterol and glucose results, you could be aticking time bomb for heart disease – the No. 1 killerof men and women in the U.S.

Most of us know by now there is “good”(HDL) cholesterol and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol.But “bad” may not really be so bad, dependingon several other factors, such as not having afamily history of heart disease or high HDL(good) cholesterol levels.

And – you are not necessarily safe justbecause your total cholesterol is “normal.” Yourage, a strong family history of heart disease,diabetes, whether you smoke and your bloodpressure all play a role in heart disease.

Confused yet? Don’t be – you can learn allabout your risk for heart disease and have theopportunity to ask questions when you attend a“Talk to Your Cardiologist” education sessionby Dr. Cam Campbell, Cedar Rapids HeartCenter, PC, through Mercy Medical Center.

The free sessions are offered to businessesthat participate in Mercy’s Corporate Wellnessprogram, as well as to the public. To learn moreabout the next session, visit our website or call(319) 221-8567. You’ll hear Dr. Campbell’s “BillClinton Theory of Heart Disease” and walkthrough President Obama’s risk of heart diseaseas an example.

One-third of the people in the U.S. are atintermediate risk for heart disease and one-thirdhave Metabolic Syndrome (formerly known aspre- or borderline diabetes). Do you know if you

fall into one – or even both – of these groups?Factors in determining Metabolic Syndrome

include waist circumference (men > 40 inches;women > 35 inches) and blood pressure (optimalis < 130/85), as well as triglyceride, HDL andfasting glucose levels. Elevated numbers in threeor more of these conditions increase your riskof diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

If you would like to have an individualizedassessment and learn more about your heartrisk, call to schedule a Heart2Heart screening atMercy Medical Center at (319) 861-7778.

Check out several heart-health videos atwww.youtube.com/mercymedicalcentercr asDr. Campbell takes a unique look at heart-related topics and gives you an inside look attreatments.

Fast Facts• Fish oil (2 grams) lowers triglycerides• Oat hulls & flax seed reduce cholesterol• One drink per day can raise HDL and lower

your risk for heart disease• Taking calcium without vitamin D may

increase heart risk• Folic acid (0.8 mg a day) appears to lower

risk for stroke.

Cam Campbell, MD, FACCCedar Rapids Heart Center, PC

Medical Director,Mercy Cardiovascular