Inpatient satisfaction ranks above national average; 99% core measures score; physician satisfaction above national norm.

Each year, Willamette Valley Medical Center participates in surveys mandated by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), intended to make important data available to consumers. Recent results from a Fall 2010 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) report shows that inpatient scores for overall satisfaction with care are well above the national average. Patients also rate WVMC higher than the national norm for communication with nurses, pain management and discharge information.

The fact that the hospital provides high quality care is further confirmed by core measures scores for care to patients with heart attacks, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and surgery. These measures, meant to ensure patients receive the care they need when faced with these health events, rate actual care. The medical center’s composite score for these measures was 99% out of a possible 100%.

Other results from Physician Satisfaction surveys from October 2010 show that WVMC’s medical staff is extremely happy with the hospital, with their Overall Satisfaction and Overall Satisfaction with Nursing ratings above the national norm.

Local surgeon Erik Swensson, MD, FACS, has been named Chief Medical Officer of Capella Healthcare, Inc., the parent company of Willamette Valley Medical Center.

The position is new and has been structured so that Dr. Swensson will be able to continue practicing medicine at the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic while serving simultaneously in the corporate role. 

As chief medical officer, Dr. Swensson assumes senior leadership responsibility for facilitating the work of Capella’s National Physician Leadership Group. He will also be charged with providing leadership for Capella’s affiliated hospitals’ quality and service excellence initiatives, as well as for ongoing communication with staff.

“Dr. Swensson is the ideal individual for this role in our growing company,” said Dan Slipkovich, Capella’s Chief Executive Officer. Rosemari Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Willamette Valley Medical Center, called the appointment “a welcome recognition of Dr. Swensson’s passion for patient care and excellent physician skills.”

Dr. Swensson has practiced in McMinnville since 1998, serving in leadership positions within the hospital and in the community. He was the first president of the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation, a non-profit that provides support to low-income cancer patients.

Dr. Swensson earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1979, with honors. He completed his general surgery internship and residency with the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, where he was selected as Chief Surgical Resident. He also completed a vascular surgery fellowship at St. Louis University in 1985. He has earned board certification in general surgery and vascular surgery from the American Board of Surgery, as well as completing extensive education and training in wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Willamette Valley Medical Center’s Birthing Center is taking advantage of its online presence to provide expectant and new parents with helpful information.

The hospital’s website features sixteen pages dedicated to the Birthing Center, including classes information, downloadable free e-books (on a variety of subjects such as smoking cessation, breastfeeding, and immunizations), introductory videos, and a photo gallery. The Birthing Center staff knows that accurate information is vital for birth preparation and recovery and infant care. Visit our website, wvmcweb.com, to take advantage of this great resource.

Tuesdays 10 am–Noon
Birthing Center Classrooms

New moms can often feel isolated and harried, especially when babies are young. The New Moms Group, which meets on Tuesdays from 10 am to noon in the Birthing Center classroom, is facilitated by the hospital in order to help build a supportive community for these mothers.
Moms with babies up to one year old can join in these very informal sessions. A registered nurse and other mothers provide a welcoming forum for discussing infant development, health and social issues, breastfeeding and other important topics. Siblings and toddlers are welcome! For more information, call 503.435.6537 or visit wvmcweb.com.

When the Willamette Valley Medical Center Cancer Center was built in 2002, the goal was to have radiation and medical oncology in one area so that staff could work cohesively. The Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation was created in tandem to provide for needs of cancer patients who may be struggling financially during treatment and to assist with other resources.

Since then, the Foundation has averaged assistance of $50,000 a year to patients, helping with necessities such as rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, prosthetics, and medical premium insurance payments and other areas of need. The Foundation also provides cancer education to the community with programs such as Tar Wars, which partners with McMinnville High School to teach school children about the dangers of smoking.

Kelly McGraw, Executive Director of the Foundation, says assistance is especially important during weak economic times. Some patients have cutbacks in work due to treatment or have lost jobs altogether. “We’re able to pay for food and keep the electricity turned on until other programs can help or they’re able to get back to work,” she explained.

The Willamette Valley Medical Center Cancer Center has been renamed the H. R. Hoover, MD Cancer Center in honor of Dr. Joe Hoover, who  passed away on November 30, 2010, at the age of 61. There will be a ceremony commemorating the name change in the spring.

Dr. Hoover practiced general surgery with Physicians Medical Center  and was a devoted staff member to Willamette Valley Medical Center for  25 years. He served as Chair of the Cancer Committee and Interim Chief  of Surgery and Anesthesia. He volunteered his services on several other  hospital committees and medical staff projects and never turned down an  opportunity to improve patient care.

Dr. Hoover was a humble, private man who did not seek any recognition  for his contributions. He loved his work and the numerous individuals who shared his passion for medical care. He believed in service and offering a helping hand to those in need, including strongly supporting education. A public celebration of Dr. Hoover’s life was held at the hospital in December. He was a integral part of our community and medical family and he will be remembered by colleagues, staff, and patients alike.

It’s a small inconvenience. Every ten years. If we catch a polyp, it saves your life. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
—Sandeep Kumar, MD

Colon cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Men and women should have a colonoscopy every ten years beginning at age 50*. Don’t put it off—colon cancer can be prevented.

“Colon cancer screening is so important because it’s a preventable cancer,” explained Dr. Nazmul Hoque, internist/gastroenterologist. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 50%–60% of colon cancer deaths could be avoided if men and women aged 50 and older were screened regularly (at least every 10 years).

“Lung cancer starts out as cancer, but colon cancer starts out as pre-cancerous polyps that develop for five to ten years before actually becoming cancer. If we find the pre-cancerous lesion and remove it, we avoid cancer,” explained Dr. Hoque. When cancer is found, early treatment can also be more effective. For example, patients diagnosed with stage I colon cancer have a 90% five-year survival rate. These patients usually don’t have symptoms. Stage IV colon cancer, in contrast, has a 10% five-year survival rate.

“Our body makes billions of new cells every day,” said Dr. Erik Swensson, general surgeon. “Whenever a new cell is made, there’s a chance that it could be abnormal. Sometimes the body doesn’t see it. You’ve got to find problems before they proliferate.”

*An important note: Those with a family history of colon cancer may need earlier screening—usually ten years before the family member’s cancer occurrence (if a first-degree relative, like a sibling or parent). If you have a family history of colon cancer, consult your physician for a screening schedule.

 “I just had my head in the sand.”

Karen Evers lives in a peaceful house on a hill overlooking the tree-rimmed Willamette Valley, with a distant view of Mt. Jefferson. A retired interior decorator and home stager, Evers has been married for 38 years and has three sons and two grandchildren. She was 56 when she had her first colonoscopy.
“I guess I just thought, ‘Not me. That wouldn’t happen to me. I don’t need to have it done.’ I just had my head in the sand,” said Evers. She was at an appointment for a separate medical issue when her physician saw that she had a family history of colon cancer—her brother had passed away from the disease at age 49.

“When my doctor recommended a colonoscopy, he had a lot of urgency in his voice. He was very insistent, pressing me to be sure and do it,” said Evers. “I thought, ‘Well, maybe I should, if he’s that concerned.’”

Evers’s gastroenterologist found a dysplasic (pre-cancerous) polyp during her colonoscopy. It was removed, preventing the possibility of it developing into cancer. “It’s just so important to get screened,” said Evers. “I’d like everyone to know how important it is to do.”

“I promptly waited nine years.”

David Heida is an insurance manager for an industry trade association. When he has a day off, he manages the young forest he planted himself on his seven acres. He’s grown a variety of tree species and knows their ages and needs. His redwoods have beautiful orangey bark, his cedars are graceful and fragrant, and tiny Ponderosa pine saplings lay hopefully in the slanting morning sun.

When Heida turned 50, his wife and his physician urged him to schedule a colonoscopy. “So, I promptly waited nine years,” he said.

“It’s a guy thing. My whole life, I’ve prided myself on not needing a doctor. I thought, ‘I don’t need a colonoscopy. I’m a healthy guy, I’m not sick.’ Which is dumb.’”

Heida’s wife and doctor finally convinced him to make an appointment. “They didn’t have to tie me up and drive me down there, but their continued encouragement is what made me finally go,” he said.
During his colonoscopy, his gastroenterologist found a large polyp. “I was two to four years away from full-blown cancer,” he said. “Now we’ve had follow-ups and I’m confident that everything is okay. But it might not have been. I prevented my doctor from helping me earlier.”

• Shaped like an upside-down “U,” the colon (also called the large intestine) is the last part of the human digestive system.

•  Its role is to absorb water, electrolytes (like sodium, magnesium, and chloride) and some vitamins (like B and K), and to move waste.

•  Millions of good bacteria live in the colon, where they ferment food material, which in turn nourishes the colon’s lining.

•  90% of digestion has already occurred in the small intestine before food matter reaches the colon.

•  Your GI tract is a large part of your immune system. A healthy colon contributes to your overall ability to fight disease. Colons also contains neurons and neurotransmitters like those found in your brain!

Willamette Valley Weight-Loss Surgery Offeres New Service to Patients Needing Surgical Weight-Loss Options

The clinic opened in late 2010 with the arrival of Katayun (Katy) Irani, MD, a board- certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. Dr. Irani specializes in advanced laparoscopic surgery, including weight-loss procedures such as laparoscopic gastricband placement, gastric bypass surgery (also known as Roux-en-Y) and the newer sleeve gastrectomy, all performed at Willamette Valley Medical Center.

Connie Pullen, Chief Nursing Officer, said hospital administrators were aware of the increased need for weight-loss surgery in Yamhill County when Dr. Irani interviewed for a general surgery position.

“When I met Dr. Irani, I was impressed with her education and clinical background. She has trained with the most prominent bariatric surgeons in Oregon,” said Pullen. “When she shared her vision and goals for providing customized, patient-centered care, I knew the hospital had found the right person to be in charge of our program.” 

Dr. Irani said bringing the program to the community gives patients access to tools they need to be successful and healthy throughout their lives. She added that ongoing local access to healthcare management and support is the key to success with weight-loss surgery.

“Routine, readily available follow-up care is the key to long-term success,” said Dr. Irani. “The nature of the disease makes it important for patients to have the support they need after surgery, to encourage them and let them know they can be successful.”

Willamette Valley Weight-Loss Surgery helps patients through the entire process. It begins with an informational session taught by Dr. Irani. The purpose of the session is to educate patients on their surgical options. Then, if the patient is interested in surgery and meets various requirements, he or she is scheduled for a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Irani. 

Many insurance companies cover the surgery, but a financial counselor is also available to discuss financing options. After consultations, all patients are evaluated by a dietician, a psychologist, and a physical therapist. These evaluations ensure that patients have all the tools they need to optimize weight loss after surgery. If everything goes as expected, surgery can be scheduled.

“For most patients, weight-loss surgery is not a quick fix. It is the start of a  journey to gaining a healthier and more active life,” said Dr. Irani.

Pullen said she is looking forward to the clinic’s impact on the community, particularly the monthly support group lead by psychologist Dale Veith, PhD, a weight-loss surgery patient himself. The support group provides patients who have undergone weight-loss surgery the opportunity to meet others who have also had the procedure.

If you are interested in weight- loss surgery, visit the clinic's website to learn more about options, seminars and support groups.

According to the National Institutes of Health, anyone weighing 20 percent or more than the ideal for his or her body is obese. At that point, the extra weight becomes a health risk, contributing to a number of conditions—many of them life-threatening.
One way to determine whether you are obese is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). An individual whose BMI is in the 25-29.9 range is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher signals obesity. A BMI of 40 or greater is considered morbidly obese, or obesity at a level significant enough to be life-threatening.

Weight-loss Surgery Seminars

If you are considering weight-loss surgery, we encourage you to attend a free seminar led by our fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Katayun Irani, MD, to determine if you are a candidate for metabolic and weight-loss surgery. You will also be able to meet others who are considering surgery.
If you are interested in attending one of our seminars, please visit our website at www.WillametteValleyWeightLossSurgery.com and find a date that works for you.

Willamette Valley Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic Provides Comprehensive Care

Two otolaryngologists—Dr. John Topping and Dr. Cristian Slough—have joined practices to form Willamette Valley Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, housed on the fourth floor of Willamette Valley Medical Center.

Otolaryngologists treat diseases that affect the ear, nose and throat region, as well as performing surgery in the head and neck. Dr. Topping and Dr. Slough made the decision to practice together in order to provide patients with a complete array of services.

 “We want to provide comprehensive care to patients,”  said Dr. Topping. “The advantage is that, by combining resources, we’ll be more efficient, with a breadth of ENT care all under one roof.”

Dr. Slough also emphasized the greater abilities of the clinic. “Two heads are better than one,” said Dr. Slough. “We want partnerships with each other and with our patients. We don’t want to just offer medication and treatments, we want to help patients take control of their own health. If patients are involved in their solutions, they’ll feel more connected and we can be more effective.”
The clinic offers a variety of care, from audiology services (such as hearing aid care) to sinus allergy testing to facial reconstructive surgery. An audiologist is also an integral part of the practice.

Drs. Topping and Slough will also be offering a new technology called image-guided surgery. This tool allows physicians to fuse CT imaging with the patient while operating. This gives the surgeon a 3D scan of head anatomy, allowing safer and more effective surgery that helps keep the brain and nervous system safe.

For more information about Dr. Topping and Dr. Slough, please visit WillametteValleyENTClinic.com.