SHANNON January/February 2017

Shannon Installs APTIO Lab TechnologyPage 3

Stay Connected to your Retirement Savings in the Shannon 401(k) Savings and Retirement PlanIn addition to MillimanBenefits.com and the Benefits Service Center, you have additional ways to connect with your future. Did you know that you can enter your email address and cell phone number at MillimanBenefits.com? Then, you can receive email updates such as statement notifications, transaction confirmations and other benefit information. Having an email address on file will also speed up the process of resetting your password if you forget it.

In 2017, Shannon plans to share more helpful retirement news via email updates. Milliman will also add text messaging during the year for certain reminders. To ensure that you stay in the know, we encourage you to log on to MillimanBenefits.com today. While there, go to the Personal Profile menu and enter your cell phone and email information. Doing so will ensure that you stay connected to your retirement savings.

Account AccessTo access your account by phone or online, you will need your login ID and password. Your initial login ID will be your Social Security number. Your initial password will be the month and year you were born (MMYY). For example, if you were born in May 1960, your initial password would be 0560. If you have questions, call the Milliman Benefits Service Center at 1.888.880.5060. They can help you Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm Central time.

Kara James, CNA Shannon float pool, loves taking care of patients. She is grateful for the opportunity to take care of others, especially because she knows firsthand what it is like to be the patient.

At the age of two, Kara was adopted by Buck and Norma James. Prior to her adoption, the couple was told Kara would be intellectually and developmentally disabled. She was born with Moebius syndrome and Poland syndrome.

Moebius syndrome is a rare, neurological condition which affects the muscles controlling facial expression and eye movement. In Kara’s case, it affected her

ability to smile. Individuals with Poland syndrome are born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of their body. This results in abnormalities that can affect the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.

Despite this news, the James’ adopted Kara and raised her with love and kindness. She says this is where her story begins. During her childhood, the James’ spent many hours traveling to make sure Kara received the medical attention she needed.

“Living with Moebius syndrome was very difficult,” Kara says. “I was ridiculed and hardly had any friends. Because I had no facial expressions, everyone thought I was mad all the time. My family members were the only people who

could identify my emotions. As a child it was very difficult for me to understand why I was so different from everyone else.”

Kara’s syndromes did not affect her intellectually, but throughout elementary she was placed in a class for students with disabilities. Her family pressed on and she passed a test in fifth grade to allow her to enter the general population classroom.

“When I was 13, my mom and I were watching

the Oprah Winfrey Show when a young girl named Chelsea Thomas came on and talked about a miraculous surgery she had,” Kara recalls. “She had Moebius syndrome like me and the surgery gave her the smile she was not born with. That’s when the journey that would change my life forever began.”

Kara’s family contacted the surgeon, Dr. Ronald Zuker at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. After an evaluation, he determined Kara was the perfect candidate for “smile surgery.” The operation, which included taking muscles from the inner thighs and placing them in Kara’s face and rerouting the nerves that cause her to smile, took 13 hours. But, she recalls the day not long after surgery that she and her mom saw the first twitch on her left side.

“After the twitching started and with the help of the exercises for my muscles, my smile began to grow,” she says. “I was so excited and felt so blessed when I looked in the mirror for the first time and saw my smile. I called my whole family into the bathroom and smiled for everyone for the first time.”

In addition to her “smile surgery,” Kara has endured multiple procedures to correct symptoms of her syndromes including: five hand surgeries, two muscle transplants, DIEP flap surgery to correct her Poland syndrome, and 18 eye surgeries.

More than 20 years after her first surgery, Kara shares her story with the hope of encouraging those around her and changing the way they think. This summer she had the exciting opportunity to speak in front of hundreds of people at a conference focused on Moebius syndrome.

“It was a very rewarding experience for me,” she says. “I was able to meet people who were familiar with Moebius and also other people who have the syndrome. I realized I’m in the middle of the spectrum.”

Kara has worked at Shannon since 2012 as an ER tech and in the float pool. She has aspirations of attending nursing school that sprouted from spending so much time in hospitals as a teenager. She is grateful for the opportunity to help others.

“I can’t imagine what my adult life would be like if I didn’t have a smile,” she says. “God has a purpose and a plan for everyone. I believe we have one life to live and we need to live it to the fullest with a smile from the inside out.”

Moebius Syndrome Awareness day is January 24. For more information, visit www.moebiussyndrome.org.

Smiling through it allShannon Associate discusses life with rare syndromes

A new resident has taken up space in the Shannon Medical Center Laboratory and it wasted no time getting to work. The installation of the Siemens APTIO Automation Line was completed in September.

“This new technology attaches our chemistry analyzers onto

an automation line,” says Carla Schwartz, BS-MT (ASCP), Laboratory Services Director. “It has an in/out module where the samples are loaded. It then sorts the samples and sends the samples to the centrifuge, loads them back onto the line, de-caps the tubes, loads the analyzers for the appropriate tests, recaps and scans samples for storage.”

The APTIO, which spans the length of the lab, combines nine laboratory functions into one line. During the six-week installation, 42 lab Associates received training while using the line.

“We increased our volume over the last five years,” says Schwartz. “About five years ago, we were doing around 50,000 tests per month. Now we’re running up to 64,000 tests per month, but we haven’t increased our professional

staff. The automated line helps us handle the volume with less manual steps and allows us to decrease our turnaround time and also keep it consistent. It takes on the responsibility of moving the sample through each test step it needs instead of the technologist manually moving it each time. We still have the exceptions to work through and results to review so this technology does not decrease our number of techs we need. It actually allows us to handle more volume with the same amount of techs.”

Schwartz says this aspect is especially helpful during the second and third shifts because these techs have to cover more than one area within the lab. Therefore, the sample is not waiting on them to finish their task at hand and move it to the next area. They can fully focus on what they are doing and come back to the results when the sample is finished moving through the automated line.

During the first month using the APTIO, the lab reduced their completion turnaround time by 15 minutes.

“This process drastically decreases the number of times we touch the sample which is projected to save almost four hours of technologist time per day,” Schwartz says. “This allots for more time to focus on the exceptions. We are excited to streamline our work processes and maintain efficient work flow. Our Associates love it.”

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APTIO Lab TechnologySaving time while increasing volume

Please join us for the 2017 Go Red For Women Luncheon.

Wednesday, February 110:30 am to 1 pm

McNease Convention CenterComedienne Kat Simmons will provide the keynote address. The event will also include a silent auction and exhibit booths.

This is the eleventh year for Shannon to sponsor the luncheon. Reserved tables of 10 are $1,000 and individual tickets are $50 each and will be available through the end of January. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call 481-6300. All proceeds help advance educational outreach and research programs of the American Heart Association.

5 yearsStuart Abramson, MD, PhD, Allergy/Immunology

Anna Aguero, Business Office

Christl Aguirre, Compliance

Kelly Baggett, RN, Labor and Delivery

Angelita Barron, HIM

Alfredo Becerra, III, RN, ED

Jungeun Bechtol, 5S

Charles Benham, MD, ED

Sami Benslimane, MD, Cardiology

Eddie Bonner, PA, ED

Rebecca Bonner, HIM

Amanda Bowie, Medical Records

Elisa Brantly, MD, Urology

Chanthy Bunla, LVN, Outpatient Dialysis

Steven Burgess, MD, Family Practice

Amy Burttschell, Registration

Paulette Cabrera, RN, 5N

Rosario Capers, 4N

Mary Carnes, RN, Allergy/Immunology

Kara Chambers, RN, Surgical Services

Sharon Chapman, RN, ED

Misty Collier, RN, Women’s Health

Pamela Cooke, EVS

Carol Cooper, Internal Medicine

Heather Dallas, MSN, NP, Family Practice

Patricia De La Cruz, Business Office

Jessica De La Garza, Business Office

Jason Dexter, PA, ED

Rafaela Diaz-Salinas, Registration

Gloria Dienert, FNP, Neurology

Esmerelda Dominguez, LVN,

Home Health

Frances Duarte, CMA, Pediatrics

Michael Duncan, RN, 4N

Jacob Eimer, Food and Nutrition

Martha Fay, Schleicher County

Wellness Center

Ashlee Felton, CMA, Orthopedics

Anna Fierro, CNA, 5N

Mary Flora, RN, ICU

Estephanie Flores, RN, 5S

Theresa Foster, RN, Labor and Delivery

Mark Frausto, RN, Registry

Thomas Fulfer, Orthotics

Daniel Garcia, EKG

Heather Gipson, RN, Surgery Center

Rosalina Gonzales, Communication

Allison Green, RN, Float Pool

Patricia Guerra, CNA, Float Pool

Samantha Gully, RN, PACU

Lance Hafter, DO, ED

Tina Hall, Materials Management

Anna Heimbecker, RN, Cardiology

Andre Hernandez, Registration

Tiffany Hernandez, Radiology

Larry Hill, AirMed1

Sherry Huckabee, OB/GYN

Celinda Jio, Registry

Kary Johnson, LVN, Ozona Clinic

Carol Jones, RT, Cardiopulmonary

Debora Jones, Pediatrics

Charles Jones, MD, Internal Medicine

Gloria Juarez, Urgent Care

Samuel Justiss, PA, Orthopedics

Jennifer King, RN, Oncology

Margaret Kruse, RN, Stroke Unit

Nana Laird, Nursing Administration

Terri Lane, Compliance

Gina Lara, Endocrinology

Angel Lopez, RN, Women’s Health

Margarito Luna, Engineering

Joyce Luther, Volunteer Services

Christian Martell, LVN, Coumadin Clinic

Anastasia Martinez, LVN,

Outpatient Dialysis

Dulce Mascorro, RN, 5S

Chelsea May, Surgical Services

Mallory McGarry, Case Management

Twila McMurtrey, Nursing Administration

Kelsy Millican, RN, Women’s Health

Antonia Mireles, Linen Services

Christina Morris, NA, ICU

Sean Murphy, ER Registration

Sandra Myers, PT, Physical Therapy

Anita Navarro, RN, 4S

Roman O’Balle, Cardiopulmonary

Jessica Oberg, Radiology

Zachary O’Neal, PA, ED

Petra Orrosquieta, Women’s Health

Linda Ortiz, LVN, OB/GYN

Norma Ortiz, Surgery Center

Shauna Owens, PT, Physical Therapy

Adriana Perez, EKG

Lorena Perez-Povis, MD,

Infectious Disease

Douglas Pinson, Facility Safety

Lisa Pittman, EMR Implementation

Stephan Pizzola, MD, Anesthesiology

Ivy Puente, RN, 4N

Bianca Ramirez, Business Office

Juanita Ramirez, Volunteer Services

Kari Rector, Radiology

Leticia Rios, Women’s Imaging

Maria Rodriguez, EVS

Monique Rodriguez, PAR

Tammy Royall, LVN, Urgent Care North

Ashley Ruiz, Pharmacy

Jose Ruiz, Business Office

Anne Said, Business Office

Janette Samaniego, LVN,

Geriatric Medicine

Katrina Sanchez, Rheumatology

Heather Schkade, RN, Behavioral Health

Norma Cerna Schneemann, MD,

Family Practice

Billie Scott, LVN, Family Practice

Marian Seidenberger, LVN,

Internal Medicine

Stephen Seifert, MD, ED

Katherine Sharp, EKG

Christina Sherrod, MD, Pediatrics

Connie Shook, NA, ICU

Tricia Sims, LVN, ENT

James Slauson, MD, ED

Marielyn Smith, Lab

Nathan Smith, PA, ED

Amanda Terry, Float Reception

Melanie Thomas, RN, Chemotherapy

Alejandro Tovar, Surgical Services

Christopher Turner, ED

Laura Valdez, EVS

Mary Vega, Transcription

Cynthia Vineyard, Reimbursement

Melissa Vongprachanh,

Centralized Scheduling

Joshua Watts, Information Technology

Kayla Welge, RN, Women’s Health

Brandi Whitehead, PA, Urgent Care

Dennis Williams, MD, Anesthesiology

Genivive Wojtek, ED

10 YearsCrystal Aguilar, Cardiology

Susana Alcantar, Business Office

Shelia Allbright, RT, Cardiopulmonary

Isabelilly Andros, EVS

Gwendolyn Baker, Home Health

Dana Behrens, RN, ED

Diane Blanchard, Food & Nutrition

Susan Boatright, Business Office

Jill Bradbury, RN, Surgery Center

Phoebe Branham, EMR Implementation

Bobbie Bryson, RN, 5N

Maira Cadena, Cardiology

Ivy Compton, Business Office

Velma Cook, Ophthalmology

Jennifer Corbitt, Pharmacy

Ramiro Cortez, Biomed

Kimberly Cramer, LVN, Surgery

Anthony De Mory, MD, Nephrology

Sidney Dickens, Engineering

Laci Dixon, LVN, Coumadin Clinic

Amy Eckert, LVN, Women’s Health

Karen Ellis, Lab

Diane Emerson, LVN, Dermatology

Donna Erwin, HIM

Wendy Falcon-Simmons, LVN, Family

Practice

Margarita Flores, EVS

Veronica Galindo, Neurology

Nelva Galvan, Pulmonology

Alejandrina Garcia, EVS

Andres Gonzales, OB/GYN

John Guthals, Engineering

Maria Gutierrez, RN, Ozona Clinic

Kaci Halfmann, RN, Quality Resources

Linda Hall, Linen Services

Shelly Hartin, Human Resources

Regina Hartnett, PT, Physical Therapy

John Harvey, MD, Internal Medicine

Cassandra Henderson, RN, ICU

West Herbert, EKG

Gloria Hernandez, Food and Nutrition

Stefany Holik, RN, Pediatrics

Nan Holloway, Volunteer Services

Jennifer Hostetler, Business Office

Rosalva Huerta, Patient Access

Billy Jackson, Engineering

Amanda John, Women’s Health

Shannon Service Awards Recipients2017

Troy Johnson, EKG

L’Ren Jones, Women’s Fitness

Aaron Leech, Information Technology

Olga Lopez, CNA, 4S

Ginger Manis, LVN, Urgent Care South Farahh McMillan, RN, Labor and Delivery

Anna Montemayor, Surgical Services

Dwayne Moore, Transportation

Marchelle Paul-Harry, RN, ICU

Jackie Preston, MD, Hospitalist

Dora Rivas, Surgical Services

Debra Robertson, LVN, 5N

Tammie Robinson, RN,

Outpatient Dialysis

Norma Ruiz, Urology

Christina Samaripa, Lab

Marlene Santellano, EVS

Glynda Scott, Pharmacy

Tammy Searcy, EKG

Lisa Sneed, CMA, Urology

Hilda Trejo, EVS

JT Tucker, Pastoral Care

Michelle Weaver, RN, 5S

James White, MD, Family Practice

Jennifer White, PT, Sports Medicine

Marlee Willis, LVN, Internal Medicine

Thomas Wingo, Registration

15 YearsAlejandio Aguilera, RN, 5S

Gabriel Aguilera, Materials Management

Lydia Aguirre, Materials Management

Maria Barron, Linen Services

Roger Bejil, Engineering

Dora Cabral, LVN, Podiatry

Sherry Calcote, HIM

Amalia Chacon, NA, Same Day Surgery

Cornelius Chinn, MD, Family Practice

Jane Cocuzzi, RD, Outpatient Dialysis

Chris Cole, MD, Radiologist

Susan Cummings, LVN, Family Practice

Kelly Esparza, LVN, Family Practice

David Falk, Surgical Services

Paul Foxcroft, MD, Orthopedics

Debra Friend, ED

Stephanie Gesch, RN, NICU

Robin Guiliano, Nursing Administration

Maura Hagood, Speech Therapy

Priscilla Halamicek, Human Resources

Christy Hall, CMA, Orthopedics

Angelica Hernandez, Radiology

Raul Hernandez, Linen Services

Sylvia Hernandez, NA, 5N

Roy Huckabee, ED

David Huchton, MD, ENT

Ashley Kasper, Sports Medicine

Ayda Klee, LVN, Nephrology

Nicole Lamura, EMR Implementation

Patricia Lang, PAR

Sharon Lankford, Podiatry

Stacy Latham, Radiology

Jackie Lewis, Endoscopy

Altagracia Martinez, EVS

Rosemary Mata, Business Office

Sandra Muncey, Business Office

Kimberly Parks, Speech Therapy

Thomas Perkins, Information Technology

Patrick Preston, Engineering

Karla Reed, RN, Infusion Clinic

Rita Rios, Ozona Clinic

Carlos Robledo, Pharmacy

Ramiro Rodriguez, ED

Marie Valdez, Pharmacy

Sandra Villareal, Lab

Michael Wagnon, MD, Pediatrics

Mary Zapata, Stroke Unit

20 YearsGabriel Aguero, Engineering

Tresa Anderson, Pulmonary Rehab

Consuelo Arredondo, Ozona Clinic

Tabitha Baker, Home Health

Susan Bilano, Ozona Clinic

Julie Book, Radiology

Steven Boyd, RN, Behavioral Health

Deeon Caudle, RN, ED

Jessica Chappa, RN, Cardiology

Kelley Cooper, Patient Care Services

Larry Cuellar, Food and Nutrition

Gloria De La Cruz, PAR

Susan Flores-Thompson, CMA,

Float Pool

Sylvia Gatica, 5N

Yolanda Gomez, Cath Lab

Eva Gonzales, Communication

Glenda Harvey, RN, 5S

Robyn Harvey, RN, NICU

Bobbie Heath, Spirometry

Patricia Kirkham, Business Office

Holly Klein, EMR Implementation

Josephine Lara, Ozona Clinic

Elisa Martinez, Ozona Clinic

Elisia Mascorro, Rehab Unit

Sonya McCarthy, RN, Surgery Center

John Meyer, MD, OB/GYN

Jackie Necessary, Ozona Clinic

Virginia Nunez, Orthotics

Anna Perez, Wound Care

Ernest Perez, CNA, 4S

Polly Rackley, LVN, Cardiology

Courtney Schwertner, Trauma

Elizabeth Shaw, Compliance

Jimmy Shupe, Biomed

Marcus Sims, DO, Family Practice

Louine Strakos, Cardiopulmonary

Darlene Ubando, RN, Labor and Delivery

Amy Watkins, Home Health

Robbie Wilson, Histology Lab

Irvin Zeitler, DO, Administration

25 YearsDolores Acosta, Cardiopulmonary

Irma Aguirre, Surgical Services

Harold Brothers, Pharmacy

Mary Conoly, Human Resources

Mary Davis, Lab

Rosa Davis, Outpatient Neurotherapy

William Dodson, Radiology

Donna Douglas, EMR Implementation

Mary Duryea, RN, ICU

Viki Forlano-Halfmann, MD,

Family Practice

Cynthia Garza, HIM

Hilda Guffey, Lab

Carrie Hallman, Physician Recruitment

Amanda Herrera, Practice Management

Dana Hoffman, RN, Labor and Delivery

Ava Hunt, Practice Management

Gayle Kalina, Radiology

Gail Longo, Patient Access

James McAden, Engineering

Graciela Munoz, Home Health

Yvonne Novak, MD, Gynecology

Teresa Rainey, Inpatient Rehab

Kimberly Schaefer, Materials

Management

Tony Sturdivant, RN, AirMed1

Leslie Vaughn, Business Office

30 YearsBrenda Buselli, RN, W&C Same

Day Surgery

Barbara Columbus, Ophthalmology

Carol Lange, RN, ED

Tony Mackey, CT

Eddie Najera, EVS

Marilyn Pritchett, RN, 5S

Carolyn Tegeler, Materials Management

Theresa Turnbow, Pediatrics

35 YearsSherry Dorotik, Transcription

Raymond Duarte, Cardiopulmonary

Gloria Gutierrez, EVS

Sandra Halfmann, Radiology

Janet Kiser, PAR

Jodine McFadden, RN, OB/GYN

Jill Plott, RN, NICU

Mary Rosales, Linen Services

Sharon Rose, RN, NICU

Bertha Rutledge, RN, ICU

Brenda Sides, RN, PACU

Pamla Thomas, Lab

Georgina Trevino, Labor and Delivery

40 YearsPamela Derby, LVN, Skilled Nursing

Maria Gonzales, Lab

Yolanda Talamantes, LVN, Admission

45 YearsDonna Riddle, Quality Resources

Shannon Service Awards Recipients

Thank you for providing exceptional

care

Daisy Award Winners GEM Award Winners

Accomplishments

Clover Award Winners

Valor Award Winners

Daisy Team Award Winners

The Valor Award is given to individuals who exhibit acts of courage and outstanding performance under unusually difficult and dangerous circumstances. Deeon Caudle, RN, ER; Ricky Salvato, RN, 5S; Sarena Salvato, RN, Float Pool; and Alex Robles, RRT, RN, Cardiopulmonary, were commended with the Valor Award. On November 4, an attendee of a high school volleyball game collapsed on the gym floor. He had no pulse. These four Shannon nurses, who were spectators at the game, went to his aid without hesitation and administered CPR. This quick action brought the man’s pulse back. They stayed with him until EMT’s arrived. Thank you for providing exceptional care at Shannon and in our community!

Ashley Arispe, LVN, GYN/Dr. Novak, was nominated by a fellow Associate who said: “This young lady is amazing! We had an incident with a patient fainting while registering for their appointment. Ashley was on her lunch break, but she was at the right place at the right time. She immediately took charge of the situation. This was not her patient, but she was quick to her knees and gave me and others instructions to assist

her in helping the patient. She was quick to act, professional and comforting to the patient. It was great to see her in action. She is amazing and I just wanted to make sure Shannon knows there are so many great employees who are the true face of Shannon- even off the clock!”Thank you for providing exceptional care, Ashley!

Kurt Wirth, RN, ICU, was nominated by a patient’s family member who said: “Kurt came on shift and briefed the family on the current condition of my father. However, his professionalism, bedside manner, level of knowledge and temperament were exceptional and world class! Kurt is a truly gifted person and deserves recognition of the highest level.”

Congratulations, Kurt! Thank you for providing exceptional care.

The ICU Team received the Daisy Team Award. They received several nominations which said:

“They went above and beyond caring for my father. They reassured us and kept us updated. The quality of care was excellent.”

“My sister has been in the ICU several times due to her condition. The knowledgeable nurses, doctors, aides, and respiratory therapists all deserve this award. Our family knows we can worry less when she is with them and that she is in the best care. All of you have brought her back to life. Her condition is so hard to balance, but yet all of you have done that. Thank you and God bless you all.”Congratulations to our wonderful ICU Team!

Scott Aguillon, CMA, ASU Clinic, received several nominations from his fellow Associates who said: “He helps everyone out and gets everything done quickly. He always knows the patients and remembers their situations. He keeps a positive attitude, even when the clinic gets busy.”

“It’s a daily thing with Scott to ‘fly’ around the office with a smile on his face. He helps everyone with such a wonderful attitude.”

“Scott is extremely caring of his patients. He is always one step ahead of what needs to be done. The ASU Clinic has run much smoother since he transferred here.”Thank you for providing exceptional care, Scott!

Mary Palos, Shannon Care Coordination, was nominated by a fellow Associate who said: “She is an over-achiever as a community health worker and goes the extra mile. We had a patient who did not know how to apply for Medicaid and who could not retrieve their financial information in order to enroll in PAP (Pharmaceutical Assistance Program). Mary assisted with all of this and went with the patient to all of these places along

with sending the appropriate paperwork to the right people. We never expected her to do this (since it is truly above and beyond), but without question she did.”Thank you for being exceptional, Mary!

Patricia Kielpinski and Corinne Hernandez, Urgent Care North, were nominated by a fellow Associate who said: “I would like to commend Patricia and Corinne for their actions while dealing with a patient who was upset and agitated. Their quick thinking and calm demeanor were instrumental during this situation. Thank you!”

Thank you, Patricia and Corrine!

Associate

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Julia Hutchinson, MD, HospitalistAfter receiving her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, Dr. Hutchinson earned her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She completed her family medicine internship and residency, followed by an internal medicine fellowship, from the University of

Washington School of Medicine in Spokane.

Dr. Hutchinson joins Shannon from Lake Granbury Medical Center in Granbury, Texas. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She has 24 years of experience as an internal medicine physician. As a hospitalist, she provides care to patients in the hospital setting.

Bonnie Wickham, PA-C, Access ClinicBonnie received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Bonnie is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Her office is located at the Shannon Access Clinic, 402 W. 26th.

You’ve seen the commercials and you’ve heard the guarantees. You’ve tried the remedies and you’ve waited for results. Despite your efforts, your acid reflux still casts a looming, painful presence over your life. You may think there are no options left and this agonizing condition is a permanent fixture. If you suffer from GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), a new way to fight and win your reflux battle is now available at Shannon— the LINX® procedure.

The LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is the body’s natural reflux barrier. When functioning properly, the reflux barrier opens to allow you to swallow and closes to prevent stomach acid from traveling up the esophagus. When you have GERD—20 percent of the population does—the reflux barrier is weak and allows the harmful acid to flow back into your esophagus.

Several common symptoms of GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, and chronic chest pain.

“Acid-reducing medications, known as PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors) are often prescribed to treat GERD,” says Benton Brown, MD, Shannon General Surgeon. “These medicines might make you feel great, but we are learning that medication might not be the solution to GERD. Medications will only treat the symptoms of reflux by making the stomach acid less acidic, but they do not treat the reflux itself. Even with meds, your symptoms can worsen, and they might become less and less effective over time. It still happens because the muscle is too weak.”

Dr. Brown adds another area of concern for those taking medication for GERD is research showing a significant increase in esophageal cancer cases.

“Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer in America over the last 30 years,” he says. “The biggest increase correlates to the use of PPI medications.”

When medication therapy is ineffective, or if you are interested in stopping these

potentially dangerous pills, LINX may be the next step for permanent GERD relief.

LINX is a ring of magnetic, expandable titanium beads the size of a quarter.

During the laparoscopic procedure, the ring is implanted around the LES, close to

the stomach opening.

“The LINX is strong enough to

constrict the LES, closing the

passageway to keep stomach

acid down,” Dr. Brown says.

“The added benefit, especially

compared to traditional anti-reflux surgery, is that the ring is weak enough to open

up when you perform normal bodily functions such as swallowing or vomiting.”

The minimally invasive procedure does not require a hospital stay and patients

can eat a regular diet the same day. Afterward, 90 percent of patients are

completely off all reflux medication within a year. It has also been proven to be

much safer than every other existing reflux surgery currently available, with over

6,000 successful cases performed around the world.

“The most common misconception of acid reflux is people think they just have to

live with it,” Dr. Brown says. “The longer you keep your reflux going, the greater

the cost of medications and the greater you are at risk for medication side

effects, which can cause problems with your heart and kidneys. You are also at

an increased risk for developing cancer in the esophagus if you don’t treat your

reflux appropriately. If you’re on medication and you are still having symptoms,

we can help you.”

If you suffer from GERD, call the Shannon Reflux Clinic to set up an appointment

and discuss your options with a surgeon. The Shannon Reflux Clinic is a multi-

disciplinary clinic. Surgeons and GI physicians work together to manage your

reflux with medications or surgery. LINX may be the right option for you.

LINX is covered by most insurance providers. Self-referrals are accepted. For

more information, call the Shannon Reflux Clinic at 325.481.2344.

For more info on any of our providers, visit our online

provider directory at www.shannonhealth.com.

Shannon Welcomes New Providers

A Simple Solution for Your Heartburn TroublesShannon introduces the LINX procedure & Reflux Clinic

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re

y,

MARKETING TEAM Kakki Allison Kori Knappe

Suzi ReynoldsLyndy Stone

Shannon Medical Center Board of Directors

Oran H. Berry, IIIMike BoydSteve Cecil

Joe HendersonAndrew Hume, MD

Len P. MertzVirginia Noelke, PhD

Mike OliphantShane Plymell

Joanne RiceMichelle Snuggs, MD

Pam TalleyTed WeatherfordAngela Williams

Volunteer Spotlight

VOLUNTEER EVENTS January 24: Brown Bag Luncheon

January 25: Service Updates, Women’s & Children’s Conference Center

January 26 & 27: Ultimate Vendor Sales

February 1: Executive Board meeting, 10:00 am; Full Board 11:30 am, Legacy 1

February 8: Membership meeting

January 21: Healthy You Health Fair, 10 am to 1 pm, Sunset Mall. Blood glucose testing, blood pressure checks, BMI information and more! Open to the public, admission is free. For more information, call 325-657-5064.

February 1: 2017 Go Red for Women Luncheon, 10:30 am to 1 pm; McNease Convention Center; Speaker: Kat Simmons. Tickets are $50 each. For more information please call 325-481-6300.

February 2: Survivor Sisters Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 pm, Cancer Empowerment & Resource Center at Shannon, 102 N. Magdalen. For more information, call 325-481-2065.

February 3: National Wear Red Day, Heart disease and stroke kill one woman every 80 seconds. Wear red on National Wear Red Day™ to show your support for women with heart disease and stroke and to promote education and actions against these deadly diseases.

February 7: Concho Valley Kidney Support Group, 7-8 pm, Legacy Meeting area, second floor, 120 E. Harris. For more information, call 325-212-3493.

February 10: Shannon Night at the San Angelo Rodeo, Foster Communications Coliseum. To purchase tickets, visit sanangelorodeo.com.

February 12: CMN Day at the San Angelo Rodeo, 3 pm, Foster Communications Coliseum. For more information, call 325-481-6160.

February 23-25: KIXY Cares for Kids Radiothon, February 23 & 24: 6 am-7 pm; February 25: 10 am-7 pm. During the three-day event, the 2017 Miracle Kids will be introduced, and listeners will hear updates on past Miracle Kids on KIXY FM 94.7. The outstanding medical staff at Shannon Medical Center will be on air to explain more about needed items on our 2017 wish list. For more information, please call 325-481-6160.

is published byShannon Medical Center

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Founded on a legacy of caring, Shannon is a locally owned healthca

system dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare for our famil

friends and neighbors

events Betty Keeney is one of our newer volunteers here at Shannon. She attended San Angelo schools where she participated in band at Central. Betty attended ASU for one year then went to work for Continental Life. She married Don and they moved to Austin so he could finish his art degree at the University of Texas. While in Austin, Betty worked for the Texas Highway Department. Don joined the Army and they moved to Fayetteville, NC for two years. They returned to San Angelo where Betty kept children in her home for ten years. After that, she returned to the workforce and recently retired. Betty and Don have two children, Jennifer and Jaylnd, who have blessed them with six grandchildren. Betty’s special interests are her grandchildren; two of them live in San Angelo and the other four in Houston. She attends their school activities and spends a week or two at a time in Houston. When asked what led her to becoming a Volunteer, Betty said it was spending much time at Shannon with her parents when they were ill. She saw it was a good place to work and felt she needed to be around people after she retired. Betty volunteers at the Front Desk and Day Surgery.