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Northside Hospital in Atlanta is developing and launching a new Fetal Therapy Program to treat some of Georgia’s sickest unborn babies.

Northside entered into an agreement this month with Texas Children’s Fetal Center^®, located within Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston, to train Northside’s maternal-fetal medicine physicians on a procedure to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Affecting 10 to 15 percent of identical twin pregnancies with a shared placenta, TTTS is a serious complication that, if left untreated, can result in the death of one or both of the babies in more than 90 percent of these pregnancies.

Intrauterine selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation, or SFLP, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses laser energy to stop the abnormal blood vessel connections that cause twins to share a blood supply, sometimes disproportionately, and often halts the progression of TTTS. Currently, Georgia mothers requiring SFLP are transferred out of state during pregnancy for treatment as no doctors or hospitals in Georgia offer the procedure.

“This new fetal therapy program is the next step in the evolution of our care at Northside and to enhancing the services we already provide to our mothers and babies,” said Dr. Kevin Gomez, Northside Hospital Center for Perinatal Medicine and Georgia Perinatal Consultants. “We’re continuing to provide the highest quality maternity and newborn services to ensure the best possible clinical outcomes for high-risk and complicated pregnancies.”

For more than a generation, Northside Hospital in Atlanta has been the undisputed leader in maternity and newborn services, delivering more babies than any other single hospital in the United States. Physicians at Northside perform a variety of interventional and invasive fetal therapies. Melissa Sisson, Northside’s director of women’s services, said this latest initiative is an important expansion of a highly regarded perinatal program.

“Women who experience difficult or high-risk pregnancies often come to Northside Hospital because we are so well-equipped to support them,” said Sisson.“We have sophisticated early warning systems designed to manage maternal complications, and our staff is remarkable in the care they provide.”

“As one of the nation’s leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities in unborn and newborn infants and one of only a few providers nationally of the full spectrum of fetal therapies, Texas Children’s Fetal Center is pleased to partner with Northside Hospital so women whose babies are affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can get the care they need, closer to home,” said Dr. Michael Belfort, chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief at Texas Children’s Hospital. “Our mission at Texas Children’s Fetal Center is to deliver the highest quality of care and patient satisfaction and we are delighted to help Northside Hospital establish this definitive program.”

Northside Hospital’s Fetal Therapy Program will be offered within its Atlanta-campus Women’s Center. Northside hopes to have the program operational by late summer 2018.

For more information about maternity and newborn services at Northside Hospital, visit northside.com/maternity.

The Northside Hospital health care system is one of Georgia’s leading health care providers with more than 150 locations across the state, including three acute care, state-of-the-art hospitals in Atlanta, Cherokee County and Forsyth County. Northside Hospital leads the U.S. in newborn deliveries and is among the state’s top providers of cancer care and surgical services. Northside has more than 2,800 physicians and 15,000 employees who serve 3 million patient visits annually across a full range of medical services. Follow Northside on social @NorthsideHosp or for more information, visit www.northside.com.

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO for children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go towww.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The CDC estimates 610,000 people in the U.S. die of heart disease each year – approximately one in every four deaths. Heart disease affects both men and women, with no regard for race or ethnicity. Deaths related to heart disease are particularly high in Georgia and the Southeast.

While statistics on the deadliness of this disease are staggering, there are steps individuals may take to improve the health of their heart. Navicent Health is dedicated to battling heart disease by giving central Georgians the tools they need to live heart healthy lives. Celebrate Heart Fest 2018 with Navicent Health during February, American Heart Month. Make your plans to attend the following events:

For more information on Heart Fest 2017, please visit www.navicenthealth.org, keyword “Heart Fest.”

About Navicent Health
Navicent Health was incorporated on November 17, 1994, as a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to coordinate The Medical Center, Navicent Health and other affiliated entities in their mission of providing a comprehensive continuum of high quality, reasonably priced healthcare services to the region. Navicent Health has 970 beds for medical, surgical, rehabilitation and hospice purposes. The health system includes The Medical Center, Navicent Health, a nationally recognized tertiary teaching hospital; Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health, the region’s only dedicated pediatric hospital; Navicent Health Baldwin and Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health, both rural critical access hospitals; Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health, the region’s oldest and most experienced rehabilitation provider; Pine Pointe, Navicent Health, which provides palliative and hospice care in homes and in its facility; Carlyle Place, Navicent Health, the area’s first continuing care retirement community; Navicent Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Navicent Health; as well as diagnostic and home care services. For more information, please visitwww.navicenthealth.org.

February is Heart Health Month and South Georgia Medical Center is celebrating National Wear Red Day and hosting several lunch and learns to promote awareness of heart disease throughout our region.

SGMC is partnering with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and encouraging everyone to wear red on Friday, Feb. 2, National Wear Red Day, to raise awareness of women and heart disease. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

SGMC will host three lunch and learns, one in Valdosta, Nashville and Lakeland. Registration is limited, RSVP to Kathy Smith at 229-433-1070. Registered attendees will receive a complimentary lunch.

Valdosta lunch and learn, featuring guest speaker Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Cary Rose, on Friday, Feb. 2 from noon – 1pm at Birdie’s Market on 206 N. Patterson Street.

Nashville lunch and learn, featuring guest speaker SGMC Registered Dietician Susan Smith, on Tuesday, Feb. 6 from noon – 1pm at Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library on 315 W. Marion Avenue.

Lakeland lunch and learn, featuring Smith, on Thursday, Feb. 8 from noon-1pm at the SGMC Lanier Campus Lobby on 116 W. Thigpen Avenue.

According to the AHA, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world and the United States, killing nearly 801,000 Americans each year. Over 92.1 million Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or the after-effects of stroke.

American Heart Association Recognizes Macon Hospital Among Peers for AFib Management

The Medical Center, Navicent Health (MCNH) has received the Get With The Guidelines^®-AFIB Bronze Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Get With The Guidelines-AFIB was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke and other complications.

MCNH earned the award for meeting specific quality achievement measures at a set level for a designated period. These measures include proper use of medications and aggressive risk reduction therapies such as safe anticoagulants to prevent stroke. Also evaluated is the use of medications to stabilize the heart rate and rhythm and other medications needed to treat additional heart disease. Before they are discharged, patients also receive education on managing their condition and stroke risk, counseling if needed, and plans on follow-up care.

“The Medical Center, Navicent Health is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients with atrial fibrillation, and implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-AFIB program helps us accomplish this goal by tracking and measuring our success in meeting internationally-respected clinical guidelines,” said Tom Oliver, MD, Chief Medical Officer for MCNH.

“We are pleased to recognize The Medical Center, Navicent Health for their commitment to atrial fibrillation care,” said Paul Heidenreich, M.D., M.S., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. “Research has shown there are benefits to patients who are treated at hospitals that have adopted the Get With The Guidelines program. Get With The Guidelines research has demonstrated the impact of lowering 30-day readmissions and reducing mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association, more than 2.7 million adults suffer from atrial fibrillation. The condition accounts for about one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbance and is associated with a five-fold increase risk of stroke. Proper treatment of atrial fibrillation can reduce these risks.

In the attached photo – the Luce Heart Institute at The Medical Center, Navicent Health

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 6 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Northside Hospital’s Cancer Institute is offering a community screening to determine men’s risk for developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, aside from skin cancer.

The screening is administered by health care professionals and will include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A nurse navigator will be available to help arrange follow up care, if indicated. Spanish interpreters will also be available free of charge during the screening.

Registration is required to confirm your time at the screening. Call 404-531-4444 to schedule an appointment.

The Northside Hospital health care system is a 926-bed, not-for-profit health care provider with more than 150 locations across Georgia, including three acute care, state-of-the-art hospitals in Atlanta, Cherokee County and Forsyth County. Northside Hospital leads the U.S. in newborn deliveries, diagnoses and treats the most cancer cases in Georgia and is among the state’s top providers of surgical services. Northside has more than 2,500 physicians and 15,000 employees who serve 2.5 million patient visits annually across a full range of medical services.

For the fifth consecutive year, Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, FACHE, President and CEO of Navicent Health has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s annual list of “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know.” The list, published since 2010, features some of the most impressive female healthcare leaders in the nation.

“Becker’s Hospital Review is one of the foremost publications in the healthcare industry, and it is truly an honor to be recognized once on this prestigious listing, much less for five consecutive years. This consistency is a testament to the work continuing to take place at Navicent Health for the benefit of our region and the communities we serve. I am truly humbled to work with our physicians, our staff, and our partners at such a wonderful organization,” said Saunders.

Individuals included on Becker’s list lead some of the largest and most prominent hospitals and health systems in the nation. The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team selected leaders through an editorial review process that considered a wide range of demonstrated management and leadership skills and career accomplishments.

Since joining Navicent Health in September 2012, Saunders has made continuous contributions to healthcare, and is recognized nationally for her innovative approach to business. Her efforts to consolidate local healthcare options, collaborate with competitors and increase Georgia’s medical profile have drawn increased attention to both Saunders and Navicent Health. The current chair of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, Saunders is frequently called upon for her expertise on topics related to the transformation of healthcare delivery and response to industry change.

To view the complete list of “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know,” please click here.

Note: Individuals cannot pay for inclusion on this list and are presented in alphabetical order.

WellStar Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in Georgia, provided more than $648 million in charity and unreimbursed care, as well as community programs during the 2017 fiscal year.

As a community-based health system, WellStar’s physicians, nurses, advanced practice professionals and team members are committed to helping patients and communities live healthier lives. Currently, 10 percent of WellStar’s patients do not have insurance. As part of its mission, WellStar cares for these patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Through 11 hospitals and 250 medical office locations, WellStar provided more than $250 million in charity care and more than $117 million in care for those who were unable to pay for services but did not apply for charity care. Additionally, community and outreach programs are important tools to help patients and families meet their health goals and understand their options, and WellStar funded $10 million in community programs during fiscal year 2017.

The amount of charity and unreimbursed care dramatically increased in 2017 due to WellStar’s recent expansion. In 2016, WellStar grew to an 11-hopsital system when WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center South, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital, WellStar Sylvan Grove Hospital and WellStar West Georgia Medical Center joined the health system.

WellStar Health System, the largest health system in Georgia, is known nationally for its innovative care models, focused on improving quality and access to healthcare. WellStar consists of WellStar Medical Group, 250 medical office locations, outpatient centers, health parks, a pediatric center, nursing centers, hospice, homecare, as well as 11 hospitals: WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center South, WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center (anchored by WellStar Kennestone Hospital), WellStar West Georgia Medical Center, and WellStar Cobb, Douglas, North Fulton, Paulding, Spalding Regional, Sylvan Grove and Windy Hill hospitals. As a not-for-profit, WellStar continues to reinvest in the health of the communities it serves with new technologies and treatments. For more information, visit wellstar.org.

GACH commissioned a video with Dr. Karen Kinsell, the only physician in Clay County, Georgia. In addition to her practice, Dr. Kinsell was appointed to the Senate Study Committee on Georgians’ Barriers to Access to Healthcare.

The Alliance has used this video in several legislative committees, because Dr. Kinsell’s practice illustrates the types of problems that face Georgia’s hospitals, especially our rural providers.

In telling the story of her single-physician practice in rural Georgia, Dr. Kinsell tells the story of major challenges facing our state.

Dr. Kinsell identifies the three major challenges facing her practice as:

1. Poverty/payor mix

2. Distance to care

3. Access to care

Dr. Kinsell’s video gives us a great entry point for discussing the importance of payor mix and Certificate of Need as the only tool the state has to stabilize healthcare finance and ensure healthcare access across the state.

One of the things Dr. Kinsell mentions in describing her practice is that she lacked an EKG machine or an x-ray – two of the basic tools of modern healthcare.

We are proud to report to you that Alliance member Northside Hospital has since generously donated a GE MAC 1200 EKG machine for Dr. Kinsell’s clinic to help her provide a higher level of service to her patients.

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals recognized Navicent Health as Large Hospital of the Year during its 34^th annual conference last week. The event also marked the beginning of president and CEO Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders’ term as chair of the statewide organization. She succeeds Jerry Fulks, president of WellStar West Georgia Medical Center.

“Navicent Health has played a critical role not only in the lives of its patients but also the health of the community and region it serves for over 120 years,” said Monty Veazey, president of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. “They deserve this recognition not only for all they have done in the past, but for what they continue to do to ensure the health and wellness of people throughout the region.”

The annual Hospital of the Year award recognizes the impact a hospital has had both on individual patients and the overall quality of life in the community it serves. Navicent Health was recognized specifically for its proactive approach to addressing disparities in outcomes for patients with issues such as cardiovascular disease and COPD as well as the new MedLaw Program created in partnership with Georgia Legal Services and Mercer University. This innovative program assists patients and their families with non-medical issues that create barriers to health.

Recognized by CEO Connection as one of 2017’s most influential women and named the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals’ CEO of the year in 2014, Dr. Ninfa Saunders assumes the role of chair at a critical time for non-profit hospitals across the state as they face the uncertainty of changes to federal health care law.

“It has never been more important for our non-profit hospitals to work together to advocate for laws and policies that will allow us to continue to provide quality care to our patients and support both the physical and economic health of our communities,” said Dr. Saunders. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and look forward to working with my peers from across the state and with elected leaders at the state and federal level to ensure access and affordability for all Georgians.”

Other awards presented during the conference included Northside Hospital Cherokee as Small Hospital of the year, Don McKenna, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Health Care System, as CEO of the Year, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle as Legislator of the Year in recognition of his long history of support for the state’s non-profit hospitals.

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals named Don McKenna, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, Georgia, as its CEO of the Year during the organization’s 34^th annual conference last week. The award recognizes leaders who have made a positive impact on their patients, the institutions they lead, and the communities they serve.

“Don McKenna is a true leader who, through his spirit, vision and leadership skills has transformed and grown St. Mary’s Health Care System while ensuring its financial stability and long term ability to serve patients throughout northeast Georgia,” said Monty Veazey, president and CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals.

McKenna was recognized for his overall leadership and accomplishments including the creation of the region’s first residency program and high levels of satisfaction among both patients and employees. He also was lauded for the role he played in preserving access to local health care by bringing two struggling rural hospitals into St. Mary’s Health Care System — Ty Cobb Health System in Lavonia, Georgia, now known as St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, and St. Joseph’s at East Georgia in Greensboro, now known as St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.

“He is a consummate professional, an exemplary leader, a visionary chief executive offer, and a staunch advocate for our patients and for the profession,” said Jean Chin, MD, Chair of St. Mary’s Board of Directors and Executive Director of the University Health Center at the University of Georgia. “He has improved the health of this community, inspired countless staff, senior leadership, and newly minted residents to excel, guided the hospital system brilliantly through the economic recession and these turbulent health care reform years, and maximized the talents of those around him. Mr. McKenna is most deserving of this prestigious award.”

McKenna joined St. Mary’s Health Care System in 2008. Since that time, the system has grown from 196 licensed beds at one hospital to 275 beds in three hospitals and today employs over 2,100 people. St. Mary’s was recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals in 2016 and again for its specialty areas of stroke and gastrointestinal care in 2017 by the online consumer resource Healthgrades.

Other awards presented during the conference included Navicent Health as Large Hospital of the Year, Northside Hospital Cherokee as Small Hospital of the year and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle as Legislator of the Year in recognition of his long history of support for the state’s non-profit hospitals.

In addition, Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, president and CEO of Navicent Health was welcomed as the organization’s new chair, succeeding Jerry Fulks, president of WellStar West Georgia Medical Center.