Our voıceA publication about the team that cares for our patients.

September 2017

JEREMY JENNINGSThe Peak of Fitness

YOU ARE HEREFIND YOUR WAY

WITH POINTSMAP

JEREMY JENNINGS learned from a very young age that the best way to tackle a problem is head-on. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13, and he quickly took responsibility for his blood sugar and managing his insulin levels.

“The first day I found out about my diabetes, a nurse came in with a needle and syringe and asked if I want-ed to give myself a shot. I remember thinking that I can put this off or do it now. It was going to be part of my life from then on, so I decided to go for it.”

Diabetes isn’t Jeremy’s only health condition. He also has celiac disease and began suffering from chronic pain at 17, which is rare for someone that age. His pain was bad enough that he couldn’t attend his senior year of high school. When he made it to college, Jeremy was still suf-fering with severe pain every day. One day, his roommate invited him to go rock climbing at a local gym. Little did he know how much that invitation would change his life forever—and for the better. “I started going once a week for 30 minutes at a time, but then I’d be in three hours of terrible pain. I decided that if I was going to be in pain anyway, at least I could earn it,” says Jeremy. “I started seeing strength improvements and progression that kept me going. One unique thing about rock climbing is that you can legitimately see week-to-week gains.”

A Real BreakthroughA few months later, some friends Jeremy had made in the gym invited him to go outdoor rock climbing for the first time. During the climb, he was struggling and in so much pain that he asked his friends to let him down. They said no. Turns out Jeremy had what it took to finish that climb, and something changed inside him that day.

“It really helped me shift my mindset and come to accept that I’m going to be in some pain, but there is hope. After that day, I started pushing a little harder and pursuing the sport even more,” remembers Jeremy. “And after a little more than a year, my baseline pain retreated and was much more tolerable than it had been in years.”

J E N N I N G S

jeremy

RN // 2 years // Unit 2CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson

FUN FACT Jeremy is a musician who has been playing guitar and singing since the

7th grade.

The Peak of Fitness The Peak of Fitness

Rock climbing has continued to be Jeremy’s preferred method of exercise and passion for the last 81/2 years. He’s made his best friends in life—and even met his wife, Nicole—through climbing. In April 2017, he fulfilled a longtime dream of going on vacation to the international climbing destination of Kalymnos, Greece. Jeremy, Nicole, and two friends spent 12 days climbing and exploring near the Aegean Sea.

“The improvement in my overall health has been amazing. I’ve significantly reduced my medication for chronic pain—and a little pain while climbing gives me something to fight against,” Jeremy explains. “It’s hard to tell someone who’s in pain that they need to exercise and keep moving, but it’s true. I’d encourage anyone to not let fear keep them from trying something new and to listen to the people who are trying to help you. In my case it was some 18-year-old guys that wouldn’t let me off that cliff. Looking back, I can’t imagine where I’d be without them and their unwillingness to let me quit.”

How to Exercise Safe

& Smart

how do you persevere?

INSULIN AND EXERCISE— TIPS FOR STAYING ACTIVE AND SAFE WITH DIABETESWhile climbing, Jeremy also has to keep his insulin levels in mind. Moderate exercise—like walking or swim-ming—gets your heart rate up and causes your muscles to use more glucose. With prolonged exercise, this can lower blood sugar levels. Over time, it can make the insulin in your body work better and even lower your A1C. What’s more, the benefits of exercise last hours after you work up a sweat.

According to the American Diabetes Association®, people with Type 1 diabetes are at greatest risk of hypoglycemia—often called low blood sugar—that can cause heart palpitations, sweating, anxiety, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness if not treated quickly.

To prevent exercise-related hypoglycemia, follow these tips:

“We know that activity helps regulate blood sugar and metabolism, and people with diabetes should pay close attention to how their blood sugar responds to exercise. That means I check mine right before and after my climb,” says Jeremy. “I also make sure to have snacks with me and drink plenty of water—I never want another climber to feel uncomfortable about a dangerous drop in my blood sugar.”

+ Check your blood sugar before and immediately after exercise.

+ Avoid alcohol prior to or imme-diately after exercise.

+ Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms should be avoided directly after exercise because they keep your heart rate up longer.

+ Limit exercise sessions to one or two per day. More sessions increase the likelihood of a blood sugar drop.

+ Complete any physical activity at least two hours before bed.

Jeremy in Greece Jeremy and his wife, Nicole

“I WON’T SAY that I restore old cars,” laughs Harold Camp, clinical engi-neering manager at CHI Memorial. “But I’ve got two or three cars and trucks that I like to tinker around with a little bit. And I just bought a 2004 Corvette from my son, and I’m starting to get it into shape.”

Fixing up cars and trucks (Harold says he’s really a truck guy) is something that he’s always done. His dad was an engineer who rebuilt motors in the driveway, and Harold learned from him as a young kid. Always working to make one of his cars run a little bit better, Harold is currently refurbishing a 1954 GMC. He also has a 1983 Chevy truck that is his current favorite and that he calls his “pride.”

“I’ve been into cars all my life, and I have several friends and a brother-in-law that also have old cars that really got me into it,” says Harold. “I love going to car shows—especially Cruisin’ the Coast®—to see the restorations and to talk with people about their love of cars.”

Shared Interests Foster Connections Updating old cars is just one of the hobbies Harold pursues that keeps him connected with friends and family. When he’s not replacing brakes or an old transmission, Harold also sings with the Voices of Faith choir at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he’s been a member since birth.

“I come from a musical family. My mom made sure we all took piano lessons and learned to play a musical instrument. Even though it’s been years since I’ve tried to play, the love of music and singing

always stuck with me,” he shares. “When my family gets together, one of my sisters will play the piano, and we’ll all join in four-part harmony with some of our favorite songs. It’s something that we’ve all enjoyed through the years.”

Keeping Stress in Check For Harold, pursuing activities that bring him joy is one way he manages stress—by taking his mind off the craziness of the day and turning his attention to something enjoyable. “We all have responsibilities, worries, and jobs to do, but it’s so important to carve out time for fun,” says Harold. “It doesn’t have to be old cars or singing or anything specific; it just has to speak to you, spark your creativity, and make you come alive.”

STAYING IN TUNE

What makes you come alive?

C A M P

Harold

30 years // Manager Clinical Engineering

FUN FACTHarold served nearly 21 years

in the Army Reserves and retired as a chief warrant officer.

Making a

Joyful NoiseYou can hear

Harold perform Mary, Did You

Know? with the Voices of

Faith Choir by visiting Mnet.

Cruisin’ the Coast Are you ready to hit the road? Dubbed America’s largest block party, Cruisin’ The Coast® began in 1996 with 374 vehicles to celebrate antique, classic, and hot rod vehicles and nostalgic music. Last year’s 20th anniversary event celebration included an astounding 7,957 registered vehicles. Car enthusiasts from 41 states plus Canada and Sweden drove to the Mississippi Gulf Coast last year to showcase their rides and to cruise the beautiful 30-mile stretch of beachside highway. Designated stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Pass Christian, and Ocean Springs host mini festivals with a stage for live bands, food vendors, and event merchandise.

The week-long event includes cruise-ins, a special salute to veterans, a car auction, a swap meet, a car corral, and a parade. Spectators are welcome and find that the cruisers love to talk “old cars.” For more information or to join the cruisers on the Mississippi gulf coast from October 1–8, 2017 for their 21st annual celebration, visit cruisinthecoast.com.

“I WATCHED MY daughter’s dad die from lung cancer more than five years ago, and I started to see in her eyes how much it hurt her when I smoked,” remembers Bebe Rich, catering supervisor at CHI Memorial. “I knew I had to quit—not only for her, but also for a healthier me.”

Bebe picked up smoking 21 years ago, when she stopped using illegal drugs. Smoking became a way of addressing one problem, and she continued to smoke out of habit and for stress relief. But she decided that she wanted to see her kids and (grandkids one day) smile—and more importantly, she wanted to be a good role model.

“As a caterer, I helped set up for the Freedom From Smoking® class and kept hearing people talk about how much better they felt after quitting and how it’s helped bring their families together,” says Bebe. “A change in my schedule meant that I could take the classes, so I decided to give it a try. On October 24th, 2016—four days before ‘quit day’—I stopped smoking for good.”

The Freedom From Smoking® classes really helped Bebe through the process of quitting smoking by providing support and encouragement to stick to her goal. She sought medication from her doctor to help control the initial cravings and discovered what she actually needed was help with anxiety and depression.

“I was afraid of becoming addicted to any type of drug again, and I ignored what was going on with my health. Quitting smoking started me in a direction that changed my whole life—I feel like a new person,” says Bebe.

Quitting smoking

started me in a

direction that

changed my whole

life—I feel like a

new person.

R I C H

bebe

Catering Supervisor // 5 years Nutrition

FUN FACT

Bebe loves to go fishing with her kids at Prater’s Mill

or Carter's Lake.

LIVING LIFE in Full Color

Struggling to Quit? We Can Help! Helping you live a healthier life is part of our mission! That’s why CHI Memorial has partnered with Mission Health Care Network to offer the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program. The seven-week program is absolutely free, provides group support and relapse prevention, and is proven to be effective.

New groups begin monthly across four area locations—Chattanooga, Hixson, Ooltewah, and Ringgold. Call (423) 495- 7778 for more information or to enroll today!

Bebe proudly shares that she’s now on the path to health and wellness that she dreamed of just a few years before. She initially applied for a job at CHI Memorial because she wanted to be in a more positive environment and to work alongside people who seek out a higher purpose in their daily life. Now that she’s kicked her smoking habit, she also joined a gym in Dalton with her family, where she enjoys running on the treadmill and lifting weights while she listens to gospel music! It’s her favorite new way to de-stress.

“I’ve let go of a lot of things that happened in my past—unhealthy activities and attitudes—and I’m focused on being a better person and helping others,” says Bebe. “This change has really opened my eyes to what’s going on in other people’s lives around me. I can hear with listening ears and be ready to do my part to get something done. It’s a great feeling.”

The Perks of Quitting smoking20 MINUTES Your blood pressure and heart rate drop to normal.

8 HOURS Levels of carbon monoxide in your blood drop, and your blood oxygen level returns to normal.

24 HOURS Your risk for sudden heart attack, once higher than average, decreases.

48 HOURS Damaged nerves repair themselves, restoring your sense of taste and smell.

2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS Blood flow improves throughout your body. Your wounds heal more quickly. It’s also easier to walk and breathe.

1 TO 9 MONTHS You’ll have more energy and fewer symptoms such as coughing, congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Tiny hair-like structures in your lungs called cilia resume clearing mucus, reducing your risk for infections.

1 YEAR Your risk for heart disease is cut in half.

5 YEARS Compared to people still smoking a pack a day, you’re half as likely to develop cancer in your mouth, throat, bladder, or esophagus. Your risk for lung cancer falls by nearly 50 percent.

10 YEARS Your risks for stroke and lung cancer are similar to those of someone who never smoked.

15 YEARS You’re now no more likely to develop heart disease than if you’d never lit a cigarette.

how do you stay healthy?

Support to Stay on Track

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Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDChattanooga, TN

Permit No. 256

Memorial Hospital2525 deSales AveChattanooga, TN 37404

OUR VOICE EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lisa McCluskey, MBA MANAGING EDITOR Sonia Moss WRITERS Lauren Lawson CONTRIBUTORS Vickie Cox, MBA, PHR

John Steele, MSM, PHR, SHRM-CP DESIGN LEADER Victoria R. Carlson DESIGNER Caitlin Rozell PHOTOGRAPHERS Derek Peters Andrew Riley

PointsMap App

CHI Memorial’s free interactive PointsMap application helps our patients and visitors navigate CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga. With point-to-point internal wayfinding and an option for verbal directions, users can easily locate the quickest route to their destination.

The new physician finder app allows users to search for providers by name or specialty and includes information such as the provider’s address, telephone number, and medical training.

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CHI MEMORIAL

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CHI MEMORIAL

Let’s continue the conversation

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Begin by listening and sharing your own experiences. Ask yourself what makes CHI Memorial different, special, and amazing. What does it mean to be memorable? CHI Memorial is different because you are different. You are our team, and you are our family. You are committed—we see that every day and we honor your commitment with our own. We’re here to share Our Voice and ask you to do the same.

ASK YOURSELF. START A CONVERSATION.

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