summer 2017 connections - summit medical group · 2 healthy connections summer 2017 connect with...

CONNECTIONSNEWS AND HEALTH INFORMATION FROM SUMMIT MEDICAL GROUP summitmedicalgroup.com

healthySUMMER 2017

How a Surgeon Saved a Model’s Life and Career

page 4

Help for Pelvic Floor

Disorders

Men’s Health

Screenings

2 healthy connections ◆ Summer 2017

Connect with Us! Keep up with breaking health news,

new physicians, new services, events, videos, and more from

Summit Medical Group.

Summit Medical Group CentersIn addition to more than 80 medical services and specialties, Summit Medical Group offers coordinated, comprehensive care through specialized centers:

Ambulatory Surgery Centers—Patient-centered, state-of-the-art, “same-day” surgical facilities for patients who do not need a hospital stay.

Arrhythmia Center— Diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, in-cluding complex arrhythmic conditions and expertise in catheter ablation.

Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center—Counseling services for chil-dren, adolescents, and adults with a variety of emotional and situational problems.

Breast Care Center— Comprehensive support and care of benign breast health conditions and all stages of breast cancer.

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An illness or need for surgery can sometimes put a patient’s life on hold. Not so for one of our Summit

Medical Group (SMG) patients, an active artist and model. For her, laparoscopic surgery, a technique that uses tiny incisions performed by one of our surgeons at the Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center, preserved her career and life goals. Find out more about this mini-mally invasive technique and our team approach to care beginning on page 4.

Men: it’s time to get screened. SMG offers all men between ages 40 and 64 three key screenings, performed by board certified physicians, to protect and preserve their health. See our recommended health screen-ings on page 3, or call your SMG provider for more information.

Summer’s opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound, and this summer ticks and Lyme disease are at the forefront of our health concerns. On page 8, one of our SMG infec-tious disease specialists shares a list of tips to protect you and your family against ticks and Lyme disease.

From all of us at Summit Medical Group and Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center, have a happy and healthy summer.

Yours in good health,

A Message to Our Co mmunity

Jeffrey Le Benger, MD Chairman of the Board and CEO Summit Medical Group

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Cardiopulmonary Center—Diagnosis of and treatment for conditions of the heart and lungs, including special-ized programs for adults and children.

Chronic Care Center—Fills the gap in care between hospital stay and doctor visit. Provides intense, multidisciplinary treatment and disease management for patients discharged from the hospital or with serious medical conditions.

Ear Specialty Center—For patients with hearing loss. Offers comprehensive surgical and nonsurgical treatment of pediatric and adult diseases of the ear and facial nerve.

Genetic Counseling Center—Risk assessment and genetic testing for individuals and couples with family concerns.

Plastic Surgery Center—A variety of surgical and nonsur-gical procedures for the face and body.

Sleep Disorders Center— Diagnostic and treatment options for a variety of sleep problems.

Spine Surgery Center—Specializes in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders, including degenerative conditions, deformities, infections, tumors, and metabolic diseases.

Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center—Offers access to the finest cancer, surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic ancillary services.

Urgent Care Centers— A fast, reliable alternative to hospital emergency depart-ment visits. No appointment necessary.

Vein Care Center—Surgical and nonsurgical techniques to treat spider veins and varicose veins.

A Key to Men’s Health:

Get Screened

J une is Men’s Health Month, and according to the National Institutes of Health, men between ages 40

and 64 should get checkups every year, which may include screenings. Screenings for heart disease, prostate cancer, and skin cancer may be at the top of the list.

Preventive health and key screenings can help identify current health prob-lems and prevent the development of conditions that are the leading causes of death among men. The number and fre-quency of screenings should be discussed with your physician, but here are some general recommendations.

Heart DiseaseHeart disease is the leading cause of death for American men of all ethnic and racial groups and is responsible for one in every four deaths. Half of all men who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms, so screenings are essential. The two most widely ordered screenings measure blood pressure and cholesterol levels. • Have your blood pressure checked every

year. If your blood pressure is high, your physician might recommend life-style changes or medication.

• If you are 35 or older, try to get a cho-lesterol screening every five years. By age 55 or older, a cholesterol screening should be part of your annual checkup.

Prostate CancerProstate cancer is the second leading cause of death for American men, according to the American Cancer Society. Experts recommend that regular screenings include a prostate-specific

antigen (PSA) test, which measures a protein level in the prostate—a high level can indicate prostate cancer.• Men with a family history of prostate cancer and men ages 50 and older (ages 45 and older for African-American men) should be screened every year. • Men ages 55 to 69 without a fam-ily history of prostate cancer can be screened about every two years.

Skin CancerAn estimated 5 million new skin cancer cases will be diagnosed this year in the U.S. That is more than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined, and it continues to rise. Fortunately, most skin cancers are treatable. • Men ages 15 to 39 are 55 percent more likely to die of melanoma skin cancer than women of the same age.• One in 33 men will develop melano-ma skin cancer in their lifetime—most are white men ages 55 and older.

MEN’SHEALTH

908-273-4300 ◆ summitmedicalgroup.com 3

Schedule a Visit TodayThe board certified physicians at Summit Medical Group can help you stay on track with the screenings you need. For more information, visit summitmedicalgroup.com.

A Message to Our Co mmunity

LIFE AND CAREERSURGERY PROGRAM


S even years ago, Jill Appleheimer felt like she did not have any good options. The former soccer

player, commercial actor, and print model from Philadelphia was only 26 years old when she developed liver tumors. They caused her to bleed internally and feel very sick.

“The first doctor I saw wanted to re-move more than half my liver,” Apple-heimer explains. “My life today would be very different if I had gone ahead with that surgery. It really causes you to reflect on how meeting one gem of a doctor can have a profound impact on the rest of your life.”

In despair, Appleheimer turned to Andrew Gumbs, MD, who is now direc-

tor of the Minimally Invasive Hepatic-Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery Program at Summit Medical Group, which is part of the Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is one of the few surgeons in the country who specializes in minimally invasive hepatic-pancreatic-biliary surgery—a technique that uses tiny incisions rather than one large opening—to treat benign and malignant disorders that affect the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Immediately, she felt understood. Dr. Gumbs listened to Appleheimer’s entire story and understood how important her career goals were. Together, they came up with a plan to get her back on track.

“I was very active and needed to get back to powerlifting, modeling, and most importantly my art, which is my passion, as soon as possible. When you are in the artistic field, missing two weeks of work can rob you of an oppor-tunity you have been building up to for a year,” says Appleheimer. “Dr. Gumbs empathized with that. To him, I was not just a case file. I was a person.”

A Life-Changing Approach With traditional open surgery, Apple-heimer would have had a large scar across her abdomen, less than half her liver, and several months of recovery. Thankfully, Dr. Gumbs specializes in a minimally invasive approach that removes tumors using three tiny incisions (each about 1 centimeter in length) and preserves liver function. This approach has many benefits:• Minimally invasive surgery is per-

formed using small incisions, tiny tubes, long instruments, and cameras.

• With such small incisions, there is less trauma to the abdominal wall; and the fiber-optic camera and high-definition monitors offer better visualization when compared with open surgery.

• Patients who have minimally inva-sive surgery typically recover faster and have less pain and bleeding, as well as shorter hospital stays.

• Laparoscopic liver resections and ablation use a needle to burn away cancerous and noncancerous tumors. To find the tumors, a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end is inserted into the incisions made in the belly button and abdomen. A small ultra-sound probe is also inserted directly on the liver, which is the most sensi-tive way to detect liver tumors.

How a Surgeon Saved a Model’s

Model and commercial actor Jill Appleheimer enjoys yoga.


LIFE AND CAREERA day after surgery, Appleheimer was back home. Two weeks later, she was able to return to casting calls for model-ing. But most importantly, her liver function was 100 percent preserved.

“We are unique here at Summit Medi-cal Group MD Anderson because we specialize in more than just cancer— we treat all problems of the liver and pancreas,” says Dr. Gumbs. “These mini-mally invasive techniques are safer for the patient because there is less bleed-ing, fewer adhesions and scarring, and less need for narcotics after surgery.”

Furthermore, Dr. Gumbs says these minimally invasive techniques offer new insights into treatments for cancer. “At SMG, surgeons are able to innovate more because we also perform non-cancer surgeries. We learn about new techniques in benign tumors and work with our colleagues at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, to see how we can apply them to help patients with cancer,” he adds.

A Team Approach to Care When the tumors recently grew back, Appleheimer knew exactly where to turn. Dr. Gumbs repeated the procedure

Jill Appleheimer is happy to be modeling again. She credits her superior care by Summit Medical Group surgeon Andrew Gumbs, MD.

Cancer Care AvailableSummit Medical Group patients have access to enhanced state-of-the-art cancer care as part of our partnership with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. For access to world-renowned treatment protocols, extensive clinical trials, and cutting-edge research, contact our Oncology Department at 908-277-8890.

using the same small incision sites as the first surgery. As a result, she was able to return to light yoga within two weeks, and dancing and lifting within four weeks. Her scars were virtually invisible.

“When I found out the tumors had come back, there was no question in my mind that I would travel however

far I needed to see Dr. Gumbs again. SMG made everything easy for me. They helped me coordinate my MRI and tests on the same day as my doctor’s appoint-ment,” she says. “Dr. Gumbs was a true teammate for me. I had goals, and he helped me achieve them. With his help, I healed like Wolverine.”

Photo courtesy of Bradd Eeles

How a Surgeon Saved a Model’s


Summit Medical Group Welcomes 4 New Doctors

Julie-Ann Latona, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BCChronic Care CenterHospitalist MedicineLivingston973-841-4001

Jennifer Weglowski, MD, FAAPPediatric After HoursBerkeley Heights 908-277-8601Livingston 973-436-1540Westfield908-673-7227

Kyudong Uhm, MDOncology/HematologyClifton973-471-0981

Katherine Uvelli, MDFamily MedicineWestfield908-228-3675

OUR DOCTORS

Infusion Center SafetyAt Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center, your safety is our priority.

The Infusion Compounding Pharmacy at our Infusion Center, 95 Madison Ave., Morristown, is leading the health care industry in protecting patients and health care staff.

At this treatment center, we have built a state-of-the-art Infusion Compounding Room that meets the requirements for handling drugs used in infusions, specified in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapters 797 & 800.

We are pleased to tell you that your infusions are prepared in a contained, segregated compounding area where drug receipt, storage, compounding, and dispensing are performed under sterile conditions.

Our pharmacy personnel are proud members of your care team and dedicated to your well-being.

Questio ns?Please call 973-436-1782 or visitsummitmedicalgroup.com.

Schedule a Visit TodayThe board certified physicians at Summit Medical Group can help you stay on track.

Looking fo r a Physician?Check out our Physician Finder online at summitmedicalgroup.com and scroll to “Find a Practitioner.”

All lectures are held at Summit Medical Group, 1 Diamond Hill Road, Lawrence Pavilion, Conference Center (near Café), Berkeley Heights, N.J. 07922, unless otherwise noted. For your convenience, please park in lot 1 or 2 and enter through the Lawrence Pavilion. Reservations required: 908-277-8889 or summitmedicalgroup.com/events.

Calendar of EventsSummer 2017

SAVE & POST

Free LecturesAugust Shot(s) Happen: The Importance of Vaccines in the 21st Century Wednesday, August 9, 7 p.m.David Levine, MD A brief history of vaccines, what they do, what they don’t do, and why they matter.

Living and Coping with Grief and Loss Wednesday, August 23, 7 p.m.Margaret Clarke, LPCEveryone experiences grief at some time in their life. Grief can accompany many forms of loss. The death of a loved one can be the most intense grief experience; however, there are many forms of loss that can occur. This lecture will explore how to cope with and manage a variety of losses. It will also explore how managing grief and loss is an individual process and the role compassion can play.

SeptemberUnderstanding Medicare Advantage and Your Medicare OptionsThursday, September 7, 7 p.m.Presented by AetnaAre you recently retired or approaching retirement and reviewing changes to your health benefits? Learn more about your Medicare coverage options, such as Medicare Advantage, as well as how to enroll, when to act, and strategies for maximizing your benefits. Representatives from Horizon BCBSNJ, United Healthcare, Aetna, and SMG Billing Office staff will also be present.

Series

CONSIDERING WEIGHT-LOSS

SURGERY? Does being overweight or obese have a

negative effect on your life? Learn how weight-loss surgery can help you

improve your health, feel better, and get your life back! Join us for a review of surgical options, including discussion

about lifestyle changes to keep you on track with a healthy weight after

weight-loss surgery. To register, please call 908-277-8889 or visit

summitmedicalgroup.com/events.

Robert Bell, MD, Bariatric Surgeon

Berkeley Heights Campus, Lawrence Pavilion Conference Center

Mondays, July 10, August 21, September 11, 7 p.m.

Florham Park Campus, 140 Park Ave., Conference Room

Wednesdays, July 19, August 16, September 20, 7 p.m.

Patrick LeMasters, MD, Bariatric SurgeonLivingston Campus, 75 E. Northfield

Road, CaféMondays, July 10, August 7,

September 11, 7 p.m.Clifton Campus, 6 Brighton Road,

BoardroomTuesdays, July 11, August 8,

September 12, 7 p.m.

Women and Heart Disease: New Concepts in Prevention and ManagementWednesday, September 13, 7 p.m.Liliana Cohen, MD Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Significant disparities exist in the prevention, diagnosis, recognition, management, and clinical outcomes of cardiovascular disease in women.

All You Need to Know About Atrial Fibrillation Wednesday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. Montclair LibraryJonathan Steinberg, MD Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, particularly as people age. It can cause stroke, heart failure, and many symptoms. There are very effective therapies today, including anticoagulants and catheter ablation.

Sleeping Better, NaturallyWednesday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. Montclair LibraryMarianna Shimelfarb, MDHaving trouble falling or staying asleep at night? Join us to learn about natural ways to promote healthy, sound, restorative sleep.

Calendar of EventsSummer 2017

SAVE & POST

Classes and events take place at Summit Medical Group, 1 Diamond Hill Road, Berkeley Heights, N.J. 07922, unless otherwise noted.

Support GroupsBariatric Surgery Support GroupRobert Bell, MD, Bariatric SurgeonBerkeley Heights Campus, Lawrence Pavilion Conference CenterMondays, July 10, August 7, September 11, 5:30 p.m.Patrick LeMasters, MD, Bariatric SurgeonLivingston Campus, 75 E. Northfield Road, CaféMondays, July 10, August 7, September 11, 5 p.m.Join the founder and former medical director of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program to share concerns, setbacks, and triumphs with weight-loss surgery.Get answers about recovery and ways to manage lifestyle changes. Call 908-277-8950 to learn more.

Living with a Vestibular Disorder?Wednesday, September 6, 6 p.m. Berkeley Heights Campus, Lawrence Pavilion, Room C1-100Dina Leyden, PT, certified in vestibular rehabilitation Mike Likier, PhD, PsychologistShare experiences and concerns and learn strategies to manage and cope with your symptoms.Reservations are required. To sign up, call 908-277-8889 or visit summitmedicalgroup.com/events.

ClassesBasic YogaWednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Chair YogaMondays, 11 a.m. to noonDina Leyden, PT, teaches both Basic and Chair YogaLocated in the Berkeley Heights Campus, Lawrence Pavilion, Conference Center (near Café). A 10-class card ($100) is good at either class. To register for either class, call 908-277-8936.

Tai ChiThursdays, 10 to 11 a.m.Risa Silverstein, MS, LAC, MSWLocated in the Berkeley Heights Campus, Lawrence Pavilion, Conference Center (near Café). The cost for 10 classes is $80. To register, call 908-277-8936.

Breast Cancer Support ProgramsAll Summit Medical Group patients are welcome to participate.

Breast Cancer Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Patients (within one year of diagnosis) Monday, September 11, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Carol Boyer, APN-C, Breast Nurse Specialist, Meredith Shufeld, MSWThis program is for those who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Patients are able to share concerns and advice about their experiences with breast cancer treatments and more.

Breast Cancer Survivorship Group for Patients Who Are a Year or More Post-diagnosisMonday, September 25, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Carol Boyer, APN-C, Breast Nurse Specialist Elizabeth Nikol, MSW, LCSW, ACTThis group is for breast cancer survivors who wish to receive support from others with similar experiences. It’s a forum for breast cancer survivors to share information and help each other manage common concerns. We alternate between traditional support groups and small group lectures of interest to survivors.

The breast cancer support groups meet from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Heights Campus, Breast Care Center Waiting Area. Registration is not required. For more information, please call 908-277-8670.

Breast Cancer Support Group at Florham Park Campus140 Park Ave., Room 1706 (near café), Florham Park, NJ 07932Tuesdays, July 11, August 8, September 12, noonKaren Loewen, RN, Breast Nurse Navigator, Margaret Clarke, LPCThis group is for all Breast Cancer Patients— both newly diagnosed and survivors within 2 years. Registration is not necessary. For additional information, call 908-277-8670.


WOMEN’S HEALTH

For nearly a decade, Linda Ortiz suffered in silence. Shortly after her second child was born, the 31-year-

old began to leak urine when she laughed and urgently needed to use the bathroom without warning. “I started avoiding many activities because I was worried I would not be able to control my bladder,” says the high school teacher who managed by wearing incontinence pads every day.

Ortiz was diagnosed with a pelvic floor disorder (PFD) known as stress urinary incontinence. PFD occurs when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue, which hold the bladder, uterus, bowel, and rectum in place, are weakened or injured.

Nearly one out of every four women suffers from some type of pelvic floor disorder, which can cause pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and fecal leakage. However, often embarrassed by the condition, few women seek treatment.

Do You Suffer from Urinary Leakage, Overactive

The Pelvic Floor Center at SMG Can Help Ortiz sought the help of a specialized physician called a urogynecologist. Urogynecologists are obstetricians/gynecologists who receive extra training to care for women with PFD. At Summit Medical Group’s PFD Center, urologists and urogynecologists partner with women to develop an individualized treatment plan that will improve their quality of life.

“If I could get one message across to women with PFD, it is that there is help and hope for relieving these frustrating and life-altering symptoms,” says Jeffrey Segal, MD, a urogynecologist at Summit Medical Group.

There are many noninvasive treatment options, such as medication and pelvic floor exercises, which can

Bladder, or Pelvic Pain? We Can Help.

help women regain pelvic function. Many disorders can be corrected with minimally invasive outpatient surgical procedures that require little recovery time. Dr. Segal and Rhonda Walsh, MD, urologist at the PFD Center, specialize in more extensive surgical procedures when necessary.

For Ortiz and so many others, life has changed for the better after surgery. A month after Ortiz had a minimally invasive surgical procedure, she is once again able to enjoy running and playing with her children. “I wish I had done this sooner,” says Ortiz. “I would encourage any woman who is experiencing symptoms to seek out treatment as soon as possible.”

Pelvic floo r diso rders can impact every aspect of a woman’s life, including her emotional, social,

physical, and sexual well-being. Dr. Jeffrey Segal, Summit Medical Group urogynecologist, offers

help for many conditions. Call 973-436-1070 for more information.

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HEALTHY CONNECTIONS Jeffrey Le Benger, MD, chairman and CEO of Summit Medical Group. Healthy Connections is published by Summit Medical Group. The information within this publication is intended to educate readers about subjects pertinent to their health and is not meant to be a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. To add or remove your name from our mailing list, please visit www.summitmedicalgroup.com/site/unsubscribe or call 908-977-9500.

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Do You Check for Ticks?

Unless you are traveling south this spring and summer, get Zika off the brain. Your biggest threats in the tri-state area are ticks. Ticks transmit the bacterial

infection, Borrelia Burgdorferi—which causes Lyme disease— to humans and pets.

Most Lyme disease cases occur in the Northeast and upper Midwest. “Any New Jersey resident can walk into their backyard and be bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease,” says Daniel Hart, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Summit Medical Group.

Here are some tips to protect against ticks:• Perform daily tick checks. Ticks look like tiny black

or dark brown dots on your skin. Search your whole body thoroughly when you come inside—don’t forget to check children and pets, too. Ticks bite and latch onto the skin.

• Remove any ticks. Use tweezers to grasp the tick tightly. Pull the tick straight up by the head. A tick must be attached for more than 24 hours to transmit Lyme bacteria.

• Wear insect repellent. Apply products that contain between 20 and 30 percent DEET every time you go outside.

• Spray clothes. Use insect repellent that contains permethrin on shirts, pants, and shoes.

• Protect pets. Cats and dogs can carry ticks. Spray them with topical tick and flea control products such as: Frontline, K-9 Advantix, or PetArmour.

• Cover up. Wear long-sleeved shirts, and tuck pants into your socks.

Lyme disease causes flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, chills, muscle aches, and stiffness. In 90 percent of cases, a nonitchy, reddish brown rash may appear in a large, round bull’s-eye mark with a clear center. Report any symptoms to your physician immediately.

summer 2017 connections - summit medical group · 2 healthy connections summer 2017 connect with...

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