What a race this turned out to be!  Not one, but TWO photo finishes for first and third place!!!  With the preliminary results in (final results still need to be tallied), it  appears that MASH held on to defeat our partners from the west, Valverde Regional Medical Center; and in the race for “show”, Northeast Methodist Hospital nosed out both Metro and Stone Oak by less than one employee.  And they say that a single vote doesn’t matter???

Everyone should be proud, as Methodist Healthcare System passed the HCA average with almost 85% of our employees participating in the Employee Engagement Survey.

As a reminder, we should have the results of the survey in a few weeks, then will begin communicating the results to you and starting the action planning process for improvement for the coming year.  We’ll need everyone’s help to maximize our success, but based on the participation rate of the survey, it looks like participating in our action planning and improvement won’t be a problem at all.

Congratulations again to everyone.  You should all be proud of your efforts!

Coach B.

KSAT 12 reporter Stephanie Serna did a story about the blanket drive and the remarkable 80-year-old Mary Ellen Hooker, who is well on her way to getting 600 blankets to donate to the drive.

Click here to watch the video.

The blankets will go to families receiving help from many area organizations including Any Baby Can, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Hill Country Family Assistance Program, The Children’s Shelter, Healthy Families-San Antonio, Healy-Murphy Center, Ronald McDonald Houses and the SAMM Shelter.

 You can find the collection boxes at: 

Methodist Children’s Hospital, 7700 Floyd Curl Drive

Methodist Hospital and Methodist Heart Hospital, 7700 Floyd Curl Drive

Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, 8026 Floyd Curl Drive

Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital, 9150 Huebner Road

Northeast Methodist Hospital, 12412 Judson Road

Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, 1310 McCullough

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, 1139 E. Sontera Blvd.

Methodist Healthcare Administrative Offices, 8109 Fredericksburg Road

–SA Health

 The kidney transplant program, part of the Texas Transplant Institute at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital (MSTH), is ranked among the top ten percent of centers nationwide with nearly 3,000 transplants performed in its 25-year history.  It is the largest kidney transplant program in Texas.  Earlier this month, the program reached a national transplant milestone—its 50^th paired kidney exchange transplant.  This unprecedented number of exchange transplants at a single center makes the program at MSTH the busiest exchange transplant program in the country.

 The program also is a leader in utilizing living donors with 1,345 of the nearly 3,000 kidney transplants performed using a family member, friend or paired exchange. Fifty-four paired exchanges have taken place since March 2008.

Dr. Francis Wright

“The average person who receives a kidney transplant lives 10 years longer than the average person on dialysis,” said Francis Wright, M.D., Solid Organ Transplant Program director and transplant surgeon.  “It is rewarding to see the many lives that have been saved through kidney donation and transplantation.  The recipients and donors are an inspiration to us. They embody the spirit of hope and sharing that is such an important part of kidney donation.”

 More than 85,000 people are on the national kidney transplant waiting listing, and most of them wait three to six years or more to receive a donor kidney.  About 4,500 Americans die every year on while on the waiting list.  The waiting list for kidney transplants in South Texas is higher than the national average due to the prevalence of diabetes. For more information about incompatible kidney donor matching, phone 210-575-8425 or 1-800-888-0420.

– SA Health

“When we received our allotted shipment, it was more than sufficient to cover the vaccination needs of our staff,” said Geoffrey Crabtree, senior vice president for Methodist Healthcare. “We learned that Val Verde Regional Medical Center had not received any, and we were pleased to be able to make this donation and partner with them in protecting their front-line caregivers.”

“Influenza is a serious threat this year,” Crabtree said. “Making the vaccine available to the staff that cares for patients in the most high-risk areas of the hospital keeps these valuable employees on the job and ready to serve their community.”

He added that in keeping with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, protecting health care workers from H1N1 is a priority.

“We are very appreciative of Methodist’s willingness to offer an allotment of vaccine so that our employees will be protected and are able to care for our patients during this winter season,” said Polly Davenport, CEO of Val Verde Regional Medical Center. “It is typical of Methodist to lend a helping hand and only further validates how positively our upcoming relationship will benefit VVRMC and our community.”

– SA Health

 This unprecedented number of exchange transplants at a single center makes the San Antonio program the busiest paired exchange transplant program in the country. According to recent research into paired transplants, only a handful of transplant centers around the country have performed a significant number of these procedures. 

Francis Wright, M.D.

This innovative program is giving hope to individuals who have been repeatedly told that a match is not available for them.  The paired exchange program identifies living donors who wish to donate their kidney to a loved one but cannot because of blood or tissue incompatibility.  Incompatible pairs are matched with other incompatible pairs, and the donors are exchanged, providing kidney patients with a transplant from a matched donor and a second chance at life. The transplant team at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital performed their first exchange procedure in March 2008 and completed the 50^th procedure just 19 months later, with 42 of the exchange transplants performed in just the past 10 months. 

“The average person who receives a kidney transplant lives 10 years longer than the average person on dialysis,” said Francis Wright, M.D., Director of the Solid Organ Transplant Program and transplant surgeon.  “Our exchange program has given over 500 years of life back to these kidney transplant recipients.”

 “The success of our program has broad national implications,” he explained.  “It is estimated that there are more than 6,000 people currently are on the national kidney transplant waiting list with donors who want to donate a kidney but cannot since they are not a match.”

 The patients involved in the 50 exchange operations range in age from their early 20s to their late 70s and are ethnically diverse. Many are from Texas, but some are from as far away as Louisiana and Alabama. A 53-year-old man who had been on dialysis for 12 years, unable to find a match due to high levels of antibodies in his blood, was transplanted with an exchange operation just four months after visiting Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital (Hear his story in his own words here). A young woman drove all the way from Alabama with two incompatible donors to find out if the program could help her; she received a transplant less than six months later.

Adam Bingaman, M.D.

“Each of these patients represents a wonderful story of hope,” said Adam Bingaman, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Paired Exchange and Director of the Incompatible Program, and transplant surgeon. “Patients needing kidney transplants and having incompatible donors no longer need to take ‘no’ for an answer. There is new hope.”

 Key to the success of the program at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital has been a dedicated team of medical professionals with a special emphasis on blood type and antibody matching. Typically, there is at least a one-third chance that two people will not be a match. If patients have received a previous transplant, had a blood transfusion or been pregnant, their odds of finding a match can be much lower due to the immune system making antibodies.

 Dr. Bingaman and the “incompatible team” manage a large database that currently contains more than 200 recipients and 300 donors. Comprehensive analysis of such a large database has allowed each of the exchange transplant recipients to receive a kidney from a donor who was a complete match, making it unnecessary to utilize high risk therapies to enable a match between incompatible pairs.

 More than 85,000 people are on the national kidney transplant waiting listing, and most patients wait three to six years or longer to receive a kidney from the list. Approximately 4,500 Americans die every year while on the kidney transplant waiting list. 

 Dr. Bingaman says that the goal of the paired exchange program at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital is to “turn a ‘no into a yes’ for all patients with incompatible donors.  Paired exchange operations give these patients new hope to receive the gift of life.”

 For more information about incompatible kidney donor matching, phone 210-575-8425 or 1-800-888-0420.

You can listen to more first-person accounts from recipients on our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/sahealth210 .

– SA Health

Methodist Healthcare presents a series of FREE seminars to help you learn about a variety of health concerns. These seminars are lead by physicians who are eager to share their knowledge and answer your questions. They are open to the public but registration is required. Please register by calling the Methodist Healthcare HealthLine at 210-575-0355 or 1-800-333-7333.

Migraines: A Thing of the Past

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 to 7 p.m.

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd.,

Conference Room

Presented by Nasha Holt, M.D., Family Practice.

Are headaches or migraines draining the life out of you or your loved one? Dr. Holt will speak about a ground-breaking, non-drug approach to healing the source of headaches! Come see what over 1,000 patients have learned about this innovative approach. 

Lung Cancer: Information and Answers

Friday, Nov.  13, 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Crossroads Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.

Second Floor Meeting Room

Presented by Zulfaqqar Jaffar, M.D., Oncologist.

Thousands of patients are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. Learn about causes, treatment and prevention.

Past, Present, Future: Fight Against Cancer

Monday, November 16, 6 to 7 p.m.

Boerne Hill Country Family YMCA, 1361 S. Main St.

Boerne, Texas 78006, Multipurpose Room

Presented by Joaquin Mira, M.D., Oncologist.

Science and technology are constantly changing the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Join Dr. Mira as he discusses the latest advancements in technology and new approaches in the fight against cancer.

Do You Know Your Heart Numbers?

Tuesday, December 8, 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Westside YMCA, 2900 Ruiz St.

Community Room

Presented by Rene Fletcher, MSN, RN.

Knowing your heart numbers is an important part of keeping your heart healthy.  These numbers help you and your doctor determine your health risks. Learn the basics of how your heart works and what simple lifestyle changes you can make to achieve your ideal heart healthy numbers.

Sleep Apnea in Kids: Is Your Child at Risk?

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 to 7 p.m.

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd.,

First Floor Conference Room

Presented by Kelly J. Smith, MD, Pediatric Pulmonologist

Sleep is especially important for children. Anything disrupting their sleep may significantly impair mental or physical development. Millions of children suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. This can cause behavioral, emotional and social problems, difficulty learning, even impaired growth and cardiovascular problems. Treatment of pediatric sleep apnea can reverse many of these symptoms.  Join Dr. Smith to learn more about pediatric sleep apnea. Learn to identify signs and determine if your child could be at risk. 

Cancer: Am I at Risk?Find Out Before It’s to Late

Friday, Jan 8, 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Crossroads Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.

Second Floor Meeting Room

Presented by Syed Raza, M.D., Oncologist.

Did you know that doctors can assess your risk for developing cancer before it happens? Science and technology have enabled them to detect gene mutation that can indicate a predisposition to cancer. Dr. Raza will discuss this miraculous capability and answer your questions.

Living with Arthritis

Thursday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Northeast Methodist Hospital, 12412 Judson Rd.

Community Health Center,

Presented by Joseph Gabriel, M.D. Pain Management

Arthritis is a painful condition involving damage to the joints of the body. It can affect nearly every aspect of your life. Dr. Gabriel will discuss symptom, treatment and management of arthritis.

– SA Health

The San Antonian traveled far and wide for a kidney and pancreas the first time and then another replacement years later. When it came time to replace her kidney again to get off dialysis, Amanda began looking again, a search that took her to the some of the most noted hospitals in the country.

Even though she had plenty of people willing to donate, there were no matches among the 25 people tested from among her friends, synagogue and church members and even her sales lady at Saks Fifth Avenue. She got on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor, but was told it could take nine years before they got to her on the list and the right match emerged.

Then she found out about the kidney transplant program at Methodist Healthcare and TTI spearheaded by Dr. Adam Bingaman and Dr. Francis Wright. She was told that if she had a donor, although incompatible, willing to give a kidney to a stranger, she could be part of a three-way transfer with two other patients and their donors within a short time.

After receiving three transplanted organs from deceased donors, “I like knowing it was a live donor,” Amanda said. “I never met the person who gave it to me. I know she was a 24-year-old woman and I’m sure that she gave it on behalf of somebody she really loved. And the person who gave on behalf of a me cared a great deal about me.”

After years of tenuous health and full disability, Amanda started working again this fall as a tutor.

– SA Health

“Methodist Healthcare has a long history of providing quality care to the residents of South Texas.  We are now making it more convenient to rapidly transport patients from rural locales to a Methodist Healthcare facility,” said Geoffrey Crabtree, senior vice president for Methodist Healthcare.  “One call can summon a state-of-the-art emergency medical transport helicopter piloted and staffed by a team of highly trained specialists.  Whether the need is to rush an infant to a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, transport a high-risk expectant mom or stroke patient or a myriad of other medical emergencies, Methodist AirCare is at the community’s call 24/7/365,” he said. 

“Methodist Healthcare is an outstanding partner and provider and REACH is pleased and proud to be a partner in enriching and extending their already-excellent care network,” said Jim Adams, CEO of REACH Air Medical Services. “Collaborations of this quality greatly benefit the communities we serve.”

Methodist has had formalized specialty transport teams in place for more than fifteen years.  These pediatric, neonatal and maternal transport teams have been experiencing an increase in emergency transports, reaching nearly 800 patients in 2008.  Methodist AirCare will begin by dedicating the helicopter to these teams in the first month of service.  This increase in continuity of care by flying Methodist specialty care transport teams in a Methodist AirCare helicopter will add a new quality of care dimension not now experienced with current transport services.  Shortly, Methodist AirCare will evolve to 911 trauma, scene and adult transports from throughout South Texas to complete the spectrum of air transport care.

 REACH was chosen as Methodist’s partner due in part to its extensive experience in emergency air transport.  REACH Air Medical Services is well established and experienced with bases throughout California and Oregon.  REACH has performed more than 50,000 air ambulance missions since its inception in 1987.  

The Methodist AirCare helicopter is the Eurocopter EC-135, a twin-turbine engine helicopter renowned for its outstanding reliability and maneuverability.  Its Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating gives Methodist AirCare the ability to perform in almost any weather condition, even when others cannot.  For added safety, the aircraft is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Terrain Avoidance Warning Systems (TAWS).  Pilots for Methodist AirCare average over 5,000 hours as a pilot-in-command and are all instrument-rated and current under a rigid training and check-ride program controlled by the FAA.  Not only are Methodist AirCare pilots familiar with South Texas terrain, their training with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) technology allows them to perform life-saving operations in the darkest conditions. 

The bright yellow helicopter and its crew will be housed at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, the newest Methodist Healthcare facility.  “The staff and doctors at this hospital are pleased that we were chosen to serve as home base for this new transport service,” said Dean Alexander, CEO of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.  “We have only been open seven months yet we have proven we are filling community needs in North Central San Antonio and rural markets to the north of us.  From March through September, we have admitted over 2,400 inpatients, 9,030 emergency department visits and 797 outpatient surgeries.   We are already adding beds and expanding services, including beginning an open heart program by year-end.  Now, we have this much needed air transport service here for all of the residents of South Texas, he said.

Methodist Healthcare is the largest and most preferred health care system in South Texas with 24-facilities.  Eight facilities are acute care hospitals:  Methodist Hospital; Methodist Heart Hospital; Methodist Children’s Hospital; Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital; Northeast Methodist Hospital; Metropolitan Methodist Hospital; Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital.

– SA Health

Carol Mulumba (left) thanks RNs Gloria Muniz and Star Ross for caring for her after her bone marrow transplant a year ago. Her 6-year-old brother Mark, second from the right, donated his bone marrow to help cure his sister of sickle cell anemia.

To thank Dr. Michael Grimley and the staff, Carol and her family paid a surprise visit this week with healthy fruit baskets and a violin performance from Carol, who is now free of the painful symptoms of the disease.

“Carol is living because of the work of Dr. Michael Grimley and the staff at the hospital,” said Lukiah Mulumba, Carol’s mother.  Carol was experiencing severe pain that required hospitalization.  Treatment options included continued pain management through blood transfusions, which in many sickle cell patients can lead to iron overload and long-term health implications including shorter life expectancy. 

Carol Mulumba with Dr. Michael Grimley of Methodist Children's Hospital.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes pain, organ damage and early death.  Of the approximately 80,000 individuals with sickle cell anemia in the United States, most are of African descent.  Carol’s parents are both from Uganda. Persons with the disease have abnormal hemoglobin in their red blood cells.  The hemoglobin molecules cluster together after releasing oxygen, causing the red blood cells to become rigid and curved like a sickle. 

Carol plays the violin for, from left to right, Dr. Michael Grimley, mother Lukiah Mulumba, Dr. Veronica Jude, Transplant Coordinator Denise Lim, brother Mark and father Abudallah Mulumba.

The sickle-shaped cells get trapped in the blood stream and can no longer deliver oxygen to organs and tissues.  Some are destroyed by the liver or spleen.  The body is unable to produce new red blood cells rapidly enough to replace the trapped or destroyed cells.  As a result, organs and tissues do not receive sufficient oxygen.  Frequent episodes of pain are the most common symptoms of sickle cell anemia, usually in the stomach, arms, legs, hands or feet.  Feeling tired and difficulty fighting infections also are among the common symptoms.

You can learn more about sickle cells at the Web site of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Carol was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when she was only 3-years-old . It progressed as she grew older and she was in constant pain and at risk of having a stroke.

 The Children’s Cancer and Blood Center of the Methodist Children’s Hospital is among the busiest pediatric blood and marrow stem cell transplant programs in the U.S.

– SA Health