New medical staff officers selected to serve at St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS – Three physicians affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis Health have been appointed to new leadership roles for 2013-2014.

Steven Carr, MD, and Don King, MD, will serve as president and vice president, respectively. Heidi Dunniway, MD, moves into the role of immediate past president.

Carr is affiliated with Southeast Anesthesiologists; King is a member of Franciscan Physician Network Indy Southside Surgical; and Dunniway has a practice with Otolaryngology Associates of Indianapolis.

The president is responsible for communicating the needs of medical staff to Franciscan St. Francis administrative and clinical leadership and chairs the Medical Executive Committee.

CARR

KING

DUNNIWAY

High-end technology used at St. Francis Health prevents esophageal cancer

INDIANAPOLIS – An outpatient treatment that destroys pre-cancerous tissue in the lining of the esophagus is being used by physicians at Franciscan St. Francis Health–Indianapolis.

The procedure, endoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy using the HALO System, is a highly effective treatment for complete eradication of Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition that affects three million adults in the United States each year. Esophageal cancer is presently the fastest growing form of cancer in the country.

“Barrett’s esophagus occurs when the esophagus is chronically exposed to gastric acid of the stomach caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD,” said Brian Sperl, MD, with Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology. “With prolonged acid exposure, normal cells in the esophagus can undergo a genetic change and are then vulnerable to further changes that can lead to cancer.”

During the procedure, a catheter (HALO³⁶⁰ or HALO⁹⁰ Ablation Catheter) is positioned on the abnormal esophageal tissue. Using the HALO Energy Generator, the physician delivers a rapid burst of energy which removes a very thin layer of the diseased tissue.

The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, without incisions, and usually takes less than 30 minutes.

“The main purpose of the ablation procedure is to ablate, or remove the abnormal lining of the esophagus,” Sperl said. “The tissue then regenerates and normal tissue grows back. This eliminates or markedly reduces the chances of cancer developing.”

For a person with Barrett’s esophagus, Sperl said the risk of developing esophageal cancer is similar to the risk of developing colon cancer for patients who have a colon polyp. However, unlike a colon polyp which is removed immediately upon diagnosis through a colonoscopy, the standard treatment for Barrett’s esophagus was “watchful waiting” or surveillance to monitor the progression of the disease.

With the HALO System, clinicians can be proactive in treating Barrett’s esophagus just as they are with colon polyp removal.

“Previously we could use ablation therapy to remove or destroy pre-cancerous tissue, but the technology had limitations and wasn’t widely used,” said Sperl. “The HALO System provides uniform and controlled ablative therapy, which not only removes the abnormal cells but also allows for regrowth of normal cells. It also effectively treats patients without injuring healthy underlying tissue.”

Individuals with Barrett’s esophagus have a 40 to130 times higher incidence of developing esophageal cancer than those without the condition. Sperl said esophageal cancer is often incurable because the disease is frequently discovered in the advanced stages.

Esophageal cancer has a five-year patient survival rate of just 16 percent.

“It usually starts with GERD, which can cause Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer,” Sperl said. “That’s why it’s important to seek medical treatment for symptoms of GERD, the most common being heartburn.”

St. Francis Health employees conjure holiday ‘magic’ to benefit bereavement program

 INDIANAPOLIS – Employees and volunteers at Franciscan St. Francis Health opened up their wallets – and more important, their hearts – in a recent activity to bolster a hospital program which provides support to parents grieving the loss of their babies.

More than $5,000 was raised in a recent auction dubbed “Christmas Magic.”  Donations included gift and food baskets, toys, decorated Christmas trees and wreaths and myriad items.

The proceeds will benefit St. Francis Health’s Memories to Hold program, which offers support to families who have lost a child due to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

“Many of our departments and employees, both clinical and support, generously offered items for bid and also placed their bids,” said Joni Cutshaw, bereavement coordinator for the hospital’s Women and Children’s Services. “We are grateful for their support.”

To learn more about the program, go to ww.franciscanalliance.org/hospitals/indianapolis/services/women/pregnancy-loss/Pages/memories-to-hold.aspx.

Franciscan St. Francis Health nurses lauded for going extra mile for their patients

NINA PATTERSON

INDIANAPOLIS – Two registered nurses at Franciscan St. Francis Health have been praised by patients and peers for above-and-beyond the call in caregiving.

Registered nurses Erika Nance and Nina Patterson have been named the November 2012 recipients of the hospital’s DAISY Awards.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a national program that honors the compassionate care and clinical excellence. Franciscan St. Francis localized the program in 2010 to recognize its nurses for their achievements.

Nance, a nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis, was nominated by a co-worker for her compassionate caring way with a patient. “Erika takes wonderful care of her patients. She was extraordinary when she gave one of her patients a spa day,” wrote her co-worker. “Her simple act of kindness really helped boost her patient’s morale and spirit.”

ERIKA VANCE

Patterson, an Emergency Room nurse, was nominated by a family member who also happened to be a nurse. “Nina is patient, kind and compassionate not only with her patients but with staff she is also kind and helpful,” wrote the family member.

 “I never felt rushed and she never seemed to be in a hurry and took the time to explain everything.” She went on to say that, “We love St. Francis and your philosophy of caring for others in such a compassionate way at the time when it’s really, really needed. Nina is an extraordinary nurse.”

The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 an auto-immune disease. His family was so impressed by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for him that they created this national award to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere. For more information, go to www.daisyfoundation.org.

To learn more about nursing careers and programs at Franciscan St. Francis, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/nursing.

St. Francis Health Sister selected for national executive board

INDIANAPOLIS –Sister Martha Ann Reich of Franciscan St. Francis Health has been appointed to the board of directors for the International Executive Housekeeping Association (IEHA).

A member of the Order of Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration (OSF) she has been affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis Health for many years and active in helping lead hospital-wide housekeeping and recycling initiatives.  Sister Martha Ann also has spearheaded many “green” programs, which contribute to a better hospital environment and operate more efficiently.

A long-time member of the Indiana chapter of IEHA, she recently began her four-year term on the board of directors.

Founded in New York City in 1930, IEHA is a 3,500-member professional for persons who direct cleaning, maintenance, housekeeping, groundskeeping, safety and/or indoor environmental programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities.