healthyu · 100th birthday on feb. 25, and while he has slowed down some with time, he has by no...
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HealthyUMAGAZINE JAN 09MAGAZINEHealthyU
Jan-Mar 2010
INSIDE > University has the only nationally accredited Breast Center in the region> W.G. Watson, M.D., turns 100> Patients benefit from University Hospital’s da Vinci Surgical System
ONE huNdrEd yEArs is a long time. It’s genera-
tions come and gone; it’s technological advances
and miracles of science.
It’s a century of history; especially for W.G.
Watson, M.D.
Dr. Watson, the namesake of University Hospital’s
W.G. Watson, M.D., Women’s Center, celebrates his
100th birthday on Feb. 25, and while he has slowed
down some with time, he has by no means turned in
his stethoscope.
Dr. Watson remains a driving force within the
Women’s Center, where he is the chairman of the
hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
He also still sees patients at his practice, Obstetrics
and Gynecology Associates of Augusta.
But more than that, Dr. Watson is a testament to
the miracle of childbirth, having delivered more than
15,000 babies during his tenure at the hospital.
“I just saw a patient the other day, and I delivered
her, her mother and her grandmother,” Dr. Watson
said recently. “I don’t go anywhere without meet-
ing one of my patients.”
Liz Price, director of women’s services at University
Hospital, said Dr. Watson holds high standards for
the physicians in University’s OB/GYN department.
“He says that it’s not just a job, or a practice, but
that we’re the physicians and this is our hospital, our
patients and our staff, and we need to work together
to make things better,” she said. “He really sets the
tone for professionalism, respect and the patient-
focused care for the whole women’s center.”
Dr. Watson’s routine has changed little for the
bulk of his career in medicine. He still gets up be-
fore the crack of dawn and is at the hospital seeing
patients first thing in the morning.
“I love medicine,” he said of his career, which
began in Augusta in 1947.
His humble beginnings in Trenton, S.C., fueled
a thirst for knowledge that took “Curly” Watson
from The Citadel in 1931 and eventually landed him
at the Medical College of Georgia – by way of a
yearlong stint on the family farm and seven years
coaching high school football. Dr. Watson, who is
recognized as the oldest graduate of The Citadel,
still maintains his love affair with football; attend-
ing high school games whenever he can.
“I don’t think he’s missed a game this season,”
Audrey Watson, his wife of nearly 65 years, said
with a laugh.
Dr. Watson has seen innumerable changes,
in both medicine and the world at large, but ul-
timately this hands-on physician made himself a
part of history and we at University Hospital want
to help celebrate his amazing accomplishment on
this amazing birthday. v
University Honors One of Nation’s Oldest Practicing Physicians
Health News
To send Dr. Watson a birthday greeting, log on to www.universityhealth.org/ watson100. We will compile these messages into a special gift for Dr. Watson.
>
Dr. Watson celebrates his 100th birthday on Feb. 25
A brEAst cANcEr dIAGNOsIs starts a per-
son down what might seem an unending road of
physician visits, treatments, therapies, questions
and anxieties.
University Hospital’s Breast Health Center staff
members have made it their mission to help
patients navigate the maze and fear of cancer –
whether it be through education or just a support-
ive shoulder.
That’s why it was no surprise when University
Hospital’s Breast Health Center was recently
granted a three-year full accreditation designation
by the National Accreditation Program for Breast
Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the
American College of Surgeons. University has the
only nationally accredited breast health center in
the region and is the second one in the state to be
honored with this recognition.
Randy Cooper, M.D., a surgeon who practices
at University Hospital, said the accreditation is the
culmination of years of work by physicians, clini-
cians and University employees.
“We made a commitment to try and provide high-
quality patient care as fast as possible – within 24-36
hours at the maximum,” he said. “This accreditation
just confirms that our breast health center is based on
national standards and evidence-based treatments.”
Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to
those centers that have voluntarily committed to
provide the highest level of quality breast care and
that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and
review of their performance. During the survey
process, the center must demonstrate compli-
ance with standards established by the NAPBC for
treating women who are diagnosed with the full
spectrum of breast disease.
“The standards include proficiency in the areas
of center leadership, clinical management, re-
search, community outreach, professional educa-
tion and quality improvement,” explained Pamela
Anderson, University’s Cancer Services Program
Coordinator. “A breast center that achieves
NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm
commitment to offer its patients every significant
advantage in their battle against breast disease.
This is something our team works hard to accom-
plish every day. To receive this accreditation af-
firms that our efforts are directed appropriately.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated
that there would be 184,450 patients diagnosed with
invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2008.
In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who
will deal with benign breast disease this year will re-
quire medical evaluation for treatment options. v
For more information about university’s breast health center, call 706/774-4141 or toll free 866/774-4141.
Health News
University’s Breast Health Center – Here for all aspects of careHospital’s center the only nationally accredited program in the region
Members of University’s Breast Cancer Team work together across disciplines to make the best treat-ment decisions for patients.
>
Health News
EducAtION hAs cOME A lONG wAy in helping
people understand more about colorectal cancer.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still some
misconceptions about the disease.
“People are certainly more aware of the risk fac-
tors than they have been in the past,” said Matthew
Cranford, M.D., a gastroenterologist who practices
at University Hospital. “But the biggest miscon-
ception that persists is that people have to have a
family history to get colorectal cancer.”
Only a small percentage of colorectal cancer pa-
tients have a family history of the disease, with 80
percent having no connection to the risk factor.
“Those people who have a family history are at
greater risk, but age is actually the greatest risk
factor,” Dr. Cranford said. “Your risk for colorectal
cancer increases at age 50, and goes up signifi-
cantly after that point.”
That doesn’t mean the cancer doesn’t show up
in younger patients, but Dr. Cranford noted an
increased awareness of screening guidelines that
stresses the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
“The number of patients being screened is still
insufficient, but it’s much greater than we use to
see just 15 to 20 years ago,” he said.
Early screening is very important because it is the
best way to find and remove polyps in their benign
stage, before they become a problem later on.
“The earlier you find colorectal cancer, the bet-
ter your chances are of successfully treating the
disease,” Dr. Cranford said.
Since colorectal cancer can appear before age
50, Dr. Cranford remarked that everyone should
be aware of possible changes in their bowel habits
as well as note any signs of rectal or gastrointesti-
nal bleeding, and see a physician for an evaluation
if they have any questions or concerns. v
For more information about colorectal cancer, call university hospital’s AsK-A-NursE at 706/737-8423 or toll free at 800/476-7378.
Early Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives
rIsK FActOrs • Age: While younger adults can develop col-
orectal cancer, the chances of developing col-
orectal cancer increase markedly after age 50.
More than 90 percent of people diagnosed
with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
• Personal history of colorectal polyps or col-
orectal cancer
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Racial and ethnic background: African
Americans have the highest colorectal can-
cer incidence and mortality rates of all racial
groups in the United States. The reason for
this is not yet understood.
scrEENING GuIdElINEs (men and women age 50+)One of these five testing schedules should be
followed. Your physician can help you decide
which is best for you:
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or
fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
• Yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidos-
copy every five years
• Double-contrast barium enema every five years
cOlOrEctAl rIsK FActOrs ANd scrEENING GuIdElINEs
“The biggest misconception that persists is that people have to have a family history to get colorectal cancer.”- Matthew Cranford, M.D., Gastroenterology
Health News
trAdItIONAl hystErEctOMy surGEry often
involves a large abdominal incision and a signifi-
cant recovery period.
But a new surgical option available at University
Hospital is changing the way women experience
this life-altering procedure.
The da Vinci Surgical System, which has been
used at University for prostate cancer surgery, is
now being used for hysterectomies and other gy-
necological procedures.
This robotic system offers patients many ben-
efits over traditional surgery, including:
• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Quicker recovery
• Small incisions for minimal scarring
John Paul McDonough, M.D., an obstetrics and
gynecology physician who practices at University
Hospital, said the da Vinci system has been a re-
markable step forward in surgical technology.
“With traditional laparoscopic surgery, you operate
through small incisions using rigid instruments that
have limited maneuverability,” Dr. McDonough said.
“However, with the da Vinci system, the instruments
are articulated, which means they have multiple
joints and can mimic the movement of the human
hand. So it’s truly like having an extension of
your hand in the abdomen but through tiny
incisions.
“It’s truly amazing.”
Patients who have had a hysterectomy
using the da Vinci system noted its many
benefits to traditional surgery.
Chasity Rabun, a 31-year-old Augusta
resident, said Miche McDonough, M.D., an
obstetrics and gynecology physician who
practices at University Hospital, per-
formed a da Vinci hysterectomy on
her in August after trying various
treatments for a uterine cyst and
vaginal bleeding.
“I have three little girls, and this cut my
down time in half,” she said. “The healing
process is just so much faster; I was sitting
up the very next day.”
Dr. John Paul McDonough said that ultimately the
da Vinci system hysterectomy helps ease some of
the pain and discomfort, helping patients recover
faster and with fewer complications.
“Patients are going home within a day of the sur-
gery as opposed to three days with traditional sur-
gery,” he said. “The patients I’ve seen after using
the da Vinci have all reported less pain than they
expected, which is a great thing to hear.” v
For more information about university hospital’s da Vinci surgical system, log on to www.universi-tyhealth.org/daVinci.
da Vinci Hysterectomy Offers Remarkable Benefits to PatientsUniversity Hospital’s surgical option can shorten hospital stay, reduce recovery time
“With the da Vinci system, the in-struments have multiple joints and can mimic the movement of the human hand. It’s truly like having an extension of your hand in the abdo-men but through tiny incisions.”- John Paul McDonough, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology
Saturday, Feb. 27 • 9 a.m.-2 p.m.North Augusta community center495 brookside Ave.
hEArt dIsEAsE ANd strOKE are the leading
causes of death and disability in the United States.
Fortunately, lifestyle changes and early detection
can reduce your risk, and the University Smart
Heart Expo is the perfect place to begin. We’ll pro-
vide the education, encouragement and support
to help you embark on a healthier lifestyle – and
all of it is absolutely free. Presented in partnership
with The Augusta Chronicle.
FrEE ActIVItIEs INcludE:• Blood sugar testing
• Blood pressure screening
• Total cholesterol
• Body fat and BMI testing
• Heart-healthy cooking demonstration
• Healthy heart information
• One-on-one heart counseling
• Special gifts and door prizes
EducAtIONAl brEAKOut sEssIONs: • Understanding Your Lipids
• Benefits of Exercise
• Reading Food Labels and Eating Out
• Stress Management v
thIs spEcIAl EVENt, benefiting University
Health Care System’s Heart & Vascular Institute,
will feature a Trunk Show, a Fashion Show and
much more! One hundred percent of the pro-
ceeds will benefit University’s Heart & Vascular
Institute and help raise awareness of women’s
heart disease in the CSRA. Heart disease is the
No. 1 killer of women in our community.
NIcOlE MIllEr truNK shOwFriday, Feb. 511 a.m.-2 p.m.4 Orleans place, AugustaThere is no charge for the Trunk Show although
you must register for this event, and different
items will be available for purchase at each show.
NIcOlE MIllEr FAshION shOwFriday Feb. 57 p.m.saint paul’s churchriver room, Augustatickets are $125 per person and $225 per coupleThis black tie event
will feature heavy
hors d’oeuvres, cock-
tails, music from The
Dr. Rock Band, great
raffle prizes and an
auction of unique
items donated from area businesses.
Katherine Mullen, owner of the Nicole Miller
boutique in Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall, will be
presenting the Spring 2010 collection straight
from New York City. Nicole Miller will be of-
fering a 20 percent discount on all purchases
made at the Fashion and Trunk shows. v
For more information or to register, contact university health care Foundation at 706/
667-0030.
Special Events
University Health Care Foundation Invites You to ‘A Heartfelt Affair’
University Hospital’s Smart Heart Expo
Vanessa dixon, Md, Internal Medicinehavon Knight, Md, Internal Medicineluke dolan, Md, Internal Medicine
Professional Center 4
1303 D’Antignac St., Suite 1200
Augusta, Ga. 30901
706/774-7760
charles shaefer, Md, Internal Medicinedonald McAlexander, Md, Internal MedicineAndrew sanders, Md, Internal MedicineAmber Morris, pA, Internal Medicine
Professional Center 1
820 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 4C
Augusta, Ga. 30901
706/774-5995
Jimmy lemke, Md, Internal Medicinerobert rychly, Md, Internal MedicineIan herskowitz, Md, EndocrinologyLeyla El-Choufi, MD, Endocrinology
Professional Center 1
820 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 7A
Augusta, Ga. 30901
706/722-0463
robert Mendes, Md, Vascular Surgeryhouman tamaddon, Md, Vascular Surgery
Professional Center 2
818 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 408
Augusta, Ga 30901
706/774-7022
FYI
Physician FinderThese University Physicians are accepting new patients for same- or next-day appointments:
thE NAtIONAl rEsEArch cOrpOrAtION (Nrc) has named University Health Care System the
Consumer Choice Award winner for best overall
quality and image in the region for the 11th con-
secutive year.
The Consumer Choice Award is based on an inde-
pendent survey of consumers conducted by National
Research Corporation (NRC) to recognize the most
preferred hospitals in metropolitan areas across the
country. University is one of an elite group of hospi-
tals nationwide, and the only one in the region, to win
the award each year since 1999. v
For more information, visit www.universityhealth.org.
www.universityhealth.org
uNIVErsIty hEAlth cArE chOsEN hOspItAl OF chOIcE FOr 11th yEAr
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