Community Health: A Conversation About Lung Cancer Awareness
On The Valley Today this afternoon, host Janet Michael had a conversation with Dr. Shalini Reddy, Thoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery at Valley Health’s Winchester Medical Center. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health, the conversation this month focused on lung cancer screenings, the importance of having them BEFORE symptoms appear and the changes to who “qualifies.” Click here to listen to the conversation.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 236,740 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022. Lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer, accounting for more cancer deaths than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. The ACS estimates that more than 4,600 people in Virginia and West Virginia combined will die of lung cancer in 2022.
Dr. Reddy explained that in February 2022, Medicare expanded coverage for lung cancer screening for qualifying beneficiaries. Plus the screening criteria was expanded. Screening is recommended for adults without symptoms who are at high risk for developing lung cancer. Screening eligibility criteria include:
- Adult smokers and ex-smokers age 50 and older (previously, eligibility began at age 55)
- Current smokers with a 20-pack year history (previously 30 pack years) of tobacco smoking
- Former smokers who have quit within the past 15 years
Low dose CT screenings are available at all six Valley Health hospitals. It is one of the easiest screening exams to have, and it takes less than 10 minutes to perform. If criteria for a low dose lung CT screening are met, Medicare and most insurance plans will pay for yearly screenings. Financial assistance may be available for individuals who meet screening criteria but do not have insurance to cover this screening. For more information about lung cancer awareness screenings: valleyhealthlink.com/our-services/imaging/low-dose-lung-ct/
The discussion included information about Valley Health’s Lung Cancer Program. In 2019, Winchester Medical Center was the first hospital in VA to be designated a Care Continuum Center of Excellence for lung cancer care by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Valley Health has one of the most comprehensive pulmonary/thoracic programs in the region for the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of lung cancer. The program’s multidisciplinary team includes specialists in thoracic surgery, radiology, interventional radiology, pathology, pulmonology, interventional pulmonology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and thoracic patient navigation.
Lung Cancer Screening – Valley Health hopes to find lung cancer at its earliest, more treatable stage and work towards eliminating late-stage lung cancer. Low dose CT lung screening is available at all Valley Health hospitals for adults with a history of smoking who are at high risk of lung cancer. The screening program also includes patients who have an incidental lung nodule found during routine or emergency imaging.
Valley Health’s multidisciplinary Lung Nodule Clinic specializes in expediting care for patients with lung nodules or lesions and provides assessment and options for further testing and follow-up. The clinic’s team of pulmonary and thoracic specialists also includes specialists in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology.
Advanced Diagnosis – WMC interventional pulmonary specialists use robot-assisted technology combined with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for diagnosis and staging in one procedure. This technology is also used to accurately mark lung lesions for more targeted radiation therapy as well as surgery. In 2019, WMC was the first facility in the broader region to acquire Intuitive Surgical’s ION™ Endoluminal System to perform robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. The ION system enables minimally invasive biopsy in difficult-to-reach peripheral areas of the lung. The Valley Health team has completed more than 250 ION cases.
Minimally Invasive Surgery – The hospital’s thoracic surgeons are experienced in minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted techniques using the da Vinci® XI™ Surgical System. Coupled with remarkable improvements in post-operative pain management and enhanced recovery protocols, these techniques help patients feel better and return home sooner. Dr. Reddy and the Valley Health team have completed 685 robot-assisted thoracic procedures since the surgical robotics program started at WMC six years ago.
Cancer Treatment and Support – Patients who receive treatment for lung cancer at the Valley Health Cancer Center at WMC will have the personal support of a thoracic patient navigator and access to treatment options such as advanced chemotherapy, radiation therapy and interventional radiology if indicated.
The best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking, and Valley Health provides resources to help. For information: www.valleyhealthlink.com/quitsmoking
Camping for Hunger: A Conversation About Community Health
Today’s conversation on The Valley Today with host, Janet Michael about Valley Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments was pretty eye-opening and insightful. It is part of a community health partnership with Valley Health where Janet talks each month with administrators, physicians, and other Valley Health staff about health topics, events, and the community. Click here to listen to the conversation.
Joining Janet today was Jason Craig, Director of Community Health for Valley Health. He highlighted his professional journey which includes direct experience in social service, education, behavioral health, and healthcare.
They discussed the value of Community Health Needs Assessments to identify and address all the needs surrounding community health. Every three years Valley Health conducts Community Health Needs Assessments for each of their hospitals, identifying priority health needs in the communities they serve. They work with health departments, United Way and other nonprofit agencies, local government officials and other key community stakeholders to learn where gaps in services exist and to identify priorities for action. Each hospital then develops implementation strategies for addressing the identified needs. The draft is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks at which time it will be made public. The results from previous CHNAs can be found by clicking here.
Jason gave examples of the many partnerships they’ve formed with nonprofits, Shenandoah University and other organizations across our communities. He talked of programs focused on workforce development, mental health, substance use, homelessness, and food insecurity. He highlighted a recent $1 million grant awarded to Page Memorial Hospital from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program to remediate the impact of COVID-19 and improve health and access to care in Page County.
The pair also spent some time discussing all the social determinants that play a major role in community health. He spoke of a University of Wisconsin study that highlighted social determinants such as access to healthcare, health behaviors (tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol use); physical environment (access to healthy foods, quality of housing, crime and violence); and socioeconomic (education, job status, social support, family support, income, community safety.) He explained that those social determinants can be broken down into five major areas: neighborhood and build environment, health and healthcare, social and community context, education and economic stability.
FCSO bloodhound locates missing person
Frederick County Sheriff’s located a missing and endangered person in Stephens City Friday afternoon.
The person was declared missing around 10 am when a son reported his 74 year old mother had left the residence.
The woman was found in a brushy thicket by Deputy Dan Clark and his Bloodhound Beau.
She suffered from mental health problems and had taken numerous prescriptions in an attempt at self harm.
She was then transported by Stephens City Fire and Rescue to Winchester Medical Center.
Sheriff Lenny Millholand wants to remind residents that if you have family members with conditions that can cause them to wander off, contact the Sheriff’s Office for more information on Project Lifesaver to help keep them safe.
Contact the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office at 540-662-6162 for additional information.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Two fatalities in Route 50 crash
Thursday night, a 2016 Ford Fusion collided head on with a 2019 Ford F-150 on Route 50.
The passenger in the Fusion, 86 year old Janet Burke of Petersburg, WV was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver Jerry Burke, 85 of Petersburg, passed away from his injuries hours later at Winchester Medical Center.
The driver of the F150 Christopher Konka, 27, and his passengers Tina Konka 24, and their 7 year old daughter, all from Romney WV, were transported to WMC with non life threatening injuries.
The driver of the Fusion was believed to be driving the wrong way on the road at high speeds.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WMC is named a High Performing Hospital
Valley Health (VH) announced that Winchester Medical Center (WMC) has been named a 2022-23 High Performing Hospital.
WMC was named a High Performer in 12 procedures and conditions by U.S. News and World Report.
High Performing is the highest award a hospital can earn for Best Hospitals Procedures and Conditions ratings.
In addition WMC was named best regional hospital in the Shenandoah Valley and ranked 6 in the state this year.
U.S. News and World Report evaluated More than 4,500 across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions.
Fewer than half of all hospitals received any High Performance ratings.
Only four of those hospitals earned the High Performance rating in all procedures and conditions.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WPD involved in civilian crash
Wednesday afternoon, a Winchester Police officer crashed his 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor into the rear end of a civilian vehicle.
This then caused a chain reaction leaving four vehicles damaged and sent one person to Winchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Valley Pike and Apple Valley Road.
The traffic light was green but traffic slowed and the officer did not stop in time.
The accident heavily damaged the police cruiser while the three civilian vehicles had minimal damage.
Traffic was halted for roughly 45 minutes before WPD restored traffic flow.
LT. Frank Myrtle identified Officer J. Bahl as the driver of the police vehicle and determined the department will conduct an administrative review.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
High speed chase through Frederick County
An email from Virginia State Police reports pursuit of a Chrysler on Interstate 81 from mile marker 303 to exit 302 at high rates of speed.
At one point the Chrysler slammed on its breaks causing a tractor trailer to slam into its rear.
Using the emergency crossover the Chrysler sped back onto northbound 81 and exited at the 302 location.
Speeds reached over 100 miles per hour down Reliance Road.
The Chrysler at one point crossed the double yellow line to pass several cars before losing control running off the road.
The Chrysler struck two trees which fell on the pursuing trooper’s vehicle.
A passerby assisted the trooper to remove the driver of the smoking and damaged Chrysler.
The driver of the Chrysler, Damon S. Smith of Winchester was taken to Winchester Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.
The 38 year old Smith faces a number of charges including felony eluding, driving suspended and reckless driving.
Other charges include aggressive driving, operating an uninsured vehicle, expired registration and various infractions during the pursuit.
No other injuries were reported in the incident which remains under investigation.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Community Health: A Conversation about Robot-Assisted Knee/Hip Replacement
We recorded today’s conversation on location at Warren Memorial Hospital with Mesfin Shibeshi DO, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and Grace Speicher, Program and Operations Manager, Valley Health Orthopaedic Clinics, Southern Region. Click here to have a listen to the conversation.
Dr. Shibeshi shared his knowledge and experience with respect to robot-assisted total knee replacement. Using this technology, Dr. Shibeshi is able to create a 3D model of a patient’s knee before surgery, allowing for precise planning of incisions and implant placement. The robotic surgical technology offers a level of personalization and precision that can limit soft tissue damage, preserve bone and reduce post-surgical pain for some patients.
Dr. Shibeshi is using this technology to aid in same-day total knee reconstruction procedures at Warren Memorial Hospital, the first Valley Health hospital to earn the Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Knee Replacement and Total Hip Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission.
Grace explained why certification is important. Certification keeps everyone focused on providing high quality patient care by providing:
- Patient Education– patients are prepared for their total joint journey. This is accomplished by distributing a total joint book to each patient, along with teaching what to expect prior, during, and after surgery. This is a collaborative effort with the surgeon, nursing, therapy and case management involvement.
- Early Ambulation and Pain Control– Studies have shown the sooner a patient ambulates the better their recovery. In order to accomplish this, pain must be controlled. In an effort to keep narcotic use at a minimum, they have what is called a multimodal approach which includes a block placed by the anesthesia team during the surgical process, along with a periarticular injection placed by the surgeon. This approach allows for a longer pain control with less need for oral pain pills. This is easier on the patient’s stomach, as well as less of a threat for narcotic dependence.
Practice Office in Front Royal:
Valley Health’s Orthopedics practice in Front Royal is located in the multispecialty clinic on the campus of Warren Memorial Hospital. Dr. Shibeshi sees patients in clinic there, and performs procedures in the OR at Warren Memorial Hospital. Info about the clinic can be found here: Orthopedic Care in Front Royal | Valley Health (valleyhealthlink.com)
More information about the robotics and certifications can be found here:
Two Valley Health Hospitals Add Robotic Technology for Knee Replacement
Warren Memorial Hospital Earns Gold Seal of Approval for Total Hip and Knee Replacement Program
Community Health: Robot Assisted Joint Replacement
We recorded today’s conversation on location at Warren Memorial Hospital with Mesfin Shibeshi DO, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and Grace Speicher, Program and Operations Manager, Valley Health Orthopaedic Clinics, Southern Region. Click here to have a listen to the conversation.
Dr. Shibeshi shared his knowledge and experience with respect to robot-assisted total knee replacement. Using this technology, Dr. Shibeshi is able to create a 3D model of a patient’s knee before surgery, allowing for precise planning of incisions and implant placement. The robotic surgical technology offers a level of personalization and precision that can limit soft tissue damage, preserve bone and reduce post-surgical pain for some patients.
Dr. Shibeshi is using this technology to aid in same-day total knee reconstruction procedures at Warren Memorial Hospital, the first Valley Health hospital to earn the Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Knee Replacement and Total Hip Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission.
Grace explained why certification is important. Certification keeps everyone focused on providing high quality patient care by providing:
- Patient Education– patients are prepared for their total joint journey. This is accomplished by distributing a total joint book to each patient, along with teaching what to expect prior, during, and after surgery. This is a collaborative effort with the surgeon, nursing, therapy and case management involvement.
- Early Ambulation and Pain Control– Studies have shown the sooner a patient ambulates the better their recovery. In order to accomplish this, pain must be controlled. In an effort to keep narcotic use at a minimum, they have what is called a multimodal approach which includes a block placed by the anesthesia team during the surgical process, along with a periarticular injection placed by the surgeon. This approach allows for a longer pain control with less need for oral pain pills. This is easier on the patient’s stomach, as well as less of a threat for narcotic dependence.
Practice Office in Front Royal:
Valley Health’s Orthopedics practice in Front Royal is located in the multispecialty clinic on the campus of Warren Memorial Hospital. Dr. Shibeshi sees patients in clinic there, and performs procedures in the OR at Warren Memorial Hospital. Info about the clinic can be found here: Orthopedic Care in Front Royal | Valley Health (valleyhealthlink.com)
More information about the robotics and certifications can be found here:
Two Valley Health Hospitals Add Robotic Technology for Knee Replacement
Warren Memorial Hospital Earns Gold Seal of Approval for Total Hip and Knee Replacement Program
Valley Health receives “A” safety grade
Valley Health’s acute care hospitals, Winchester Medical Center and Warren Memorial Hospital, earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.
The organization is a national nonprofit which recognizes organizations for protecting their patients from harm in the hospital.
A, B, C, D, or F grades are given based on safety performance measures which includes errors, injuries, infections, and accidents as well as systems in place to prevent harm.
Only 14% of organizations evaluated receive the highest “A” rating.
Valley Health has secured that rating since 2020.
To see the full grades for WMH and WMC, head to HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.