Less Pain and Faster Recovery
Learn more about the advantages of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery.
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- About Us
- Details of Expanding Care
Details of Expanding Care
In order to meet the demands of our community, we are continually expanding services, facilities and programs.
Click on the following links for all the comforting details.
Less Pain and Faster Recovery
Minimally invasive spinal surgery, also known as MISS, was developed to perform procedures with minimal damage to muscle and tissue. For more than 12 years Michael Liu, MD, has used MISS to help patients through surgery with minimal pain and shorter recovery.
“My patients’ pain affects their quality of life. The ability to perform this type of surgery means they get back to activities they love,” said Liu, who is board certified in neurological surgery. “It’s extremely beneficial.”
For McMinnville resident Michael Massey, this is especially true. Liu performed a lower lombar fusion on Massey in May to alleviate the pain from several bulging discs in his back. Three months after his surgery, Massey enjoys fishing and hopes to return to his favorite pastime, golf,
as soon as he is medically cleared. “Ever since I woke up from my surgery, the pain has been gone,” Massey said. “I’m feeling 100 percent better. Dr. Liu is a great surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone."
Smarter Radiation Therapy
Cancer treatments continue to improve as technology advances. The Cancer Center at Willamette Valley Medical Center has installed new equipment to provide patients with these latest improvements. According to Dr. Ted Williamson, radiation oncologist, enhancements of hardware and software improve patient comfort by shortening treatment time, enhancing accuracy, and lessening radiation exposure.
SmartArc Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a key for bringing cutting-edge therapy to our community, said Dr. Williamson. SmartArc is the latest evolution of a technology that allows great precision and control over which parts of the body receive cancer-killing doses of radiation and which organs are spared,” he explained. “The older IMRT technology typically used five to nine fixed beam positions and required 15 to 30 minutes per treatment. With SmartArc, the radiation beam rotates about the patient for one or two minutes and is continuously changing shape under computer control to deliver the dose into areas suspected of having cancer cells.”
The Cancer Center at Willamette Valley Medical Center is only the second in the state to offer rotational-based IMRT. In addition to reducing treatment time, new methods improve patient
safety through an advanced computer-controlled system that ensures and documents accurate delivery. Another system provides instant digital verification that the radiation beam is properly shaped and positioned.
Just as important as advanced equipment is the experience of oncology staff. At Willamette Valley Medical Center, nurse Jo Weinstein, RN, OCN,h as more than 25 years of oncology experience; therapists have a collective experience of 45 years; physicist Dr. Robert Cacak has 30 years experience in radiation therapy and Dr. Williamson has been a radiation oncologist for 35 years. His associate, Dr. Kenneth Stevens, is a former OHSU Radiation Oncology Chairman with 40 years experience in the field.
The Comfort of Knowing...Sooner
With the addition of a second digital mammography machine and a same-day approach for diagnostic exams, women will have access to mammograms sooner, know the results sooner, and the process will be quicker and more comfortable.
Diane Coady, Breast Center Supervisor, said advances in technology have paved the way for many positive changes in mammography, especially in comfort. The newest machine will continue that trend. “It provides a ‘softer’ mammogram,” said Coady. She explained that the speed of the machine requires less compression time for the breast. “Digital machines take less than half the time of film machines we replaced back in 2006, and the new one is even faster.” The ergonomic design of the machine also increases comfort. “It has smooth corners and indentations on the side to provide more comfortable places for patients to rest their arms,” explained Coady.
Another reason the mammograms are softer at Willamette Valley Medical Center is because they’ve adopted the use of mammogram pads. Invented by a woman, the MammoPad cushions the breast without interfering with the image quality. Three out of four women experience an average 50 percent decrease in discomfort with MammoPad, according to the company’s clinical studies. “The soft padding makes the machine warmer, and that in itself helps make it more comfortable,” added Coady.
“It’s the most advanced mammography machine currently available,” said Dr. David Siepmann, radiologist. “It’s faster than anything else and will improve scheduling and comfort.” But according to Dr. Siepmann, the advantages don’t stop there. The new machine is designed to be able to utilize new technology that is so cutting edge, it hasn’t even been approved by the Federal Drug Administration yet. “When it’s approved, we’ll be ready,” he said.
In addition to the new machine, Willamette Valley Medical Center’s new same-day results offers a comprehensive approach for women who may be experiencing new symptoms, like a lump or discharge. “With their diagnostic mammograms, we also offer same-day results, consultations with a radiologist and surgeon and a follow-up ultrasound if needed – all on the same day she is here for her mammogram,” explained Coady. With this comprehensive one-day approach and the new machine, women will have the comfort of knowing … sooner.
More Comfort, Better Images New Open MRI
MRIs with better images, more comfort and greater speed are the result of our newly installed high-field open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner. The Philips Panorama 1.0T is the first and only 'open' MRI scanner able to provide the high quality images and give patients the comfort of a wide-open design. The new MRI is one of only two of its kind in the entire state of Oregon. The new design is especially helpful for patients who feel claustrophobic, for large patients and for children. The new scanner is ideal for children because the new design enables parents to accompany and comfort their child during the MRI. The stronger magnet also means scans are quicker than other open scanners. By having another MRI scanner available, the hospital can provide next-day exams, which means a faster diagnosis. For more information on MRIs and other diagnostic imaging services, visit our Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology Department webpage.
Fragile. Handled With Care. Family-Friendly Private Rooms
The Birthing Center at Willamette Valley Medical Center is all about comfort – that's why it's been designed with family-friendly private rooms and jaccuzi tubs. Welcoming your new little one into the world is a family affair... and you'll have your own private room for the occasion.
C-Section? See Comfort. New Fully Equipped Birthing Center Surgical Suite
To continue our high standards of comfort for mothers who may require C-sections, the Birthing Center has added a special Surgical Suite. Fully equipped with all the technical necessities to make it a safe and sterile operating environment, it also boasts the convenience of being right in the Birthing Center. Mothers can be assured that if they require a C-section, they will be able to remain in the Birthing Center with the same, nurturing staff to provide care.
Head-to-Toe in 10 Seconds: New High Speed CT Scanner
A new high speed CT scanner helps physicians quickly diagnose patients in life-threatening situations, when seconds matter, as well as complete more accurate exams of the heart, brain, blood vessels and organs. The new, state-of-the-art VCT (Volume Computed Tomography) scanner is a non-invasive imaging system from GE Healthcare that is faster than any other CT scanner on the market today. It can capture images of whole organs in seconds, the heart in 5 beats or go head-to-toe in under 10 seconds. For more information on CT scans and other diagnostic imaging services, visit our Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology Department webpage.
Space When You Need It
New ICU & ER FacilitiesWhen you or a family member are unexpectedly taken to the Emergency Department, you can rest assured that even though you haven't planned to be there, the department has planned for you. The recent expansion has added a brand new 20-bay Emergency Department that includes a new central monitoring system, three state of the art trauma rooms, two chest pain rooms and two triage rooms. Built-in flexibility of the design enables the Intensive Care Unit beds to be shared with the Emergency Department, that way they can be used wherever the need is greater.