News for a Healthy Sonoma County
spring 2012
The D.O.
Difference
Amgen Tour
of California
Returns to
Santa Rosa!
Women and
Heart Attacks
N
ew
Hospi
tal
Under
Cons
Watch truction!
Live C
a
24/7
m On
at www
line
.sutters
a
newho ntarosa.org/
spital.
Dear friends,
Dear neighbors,
As spring approaches and the
temperatures begin to warm, it’s
time to take your exercise routine to
the great outdoors. Hop on a bike,
hike the trails, or just enjoy spending
time outdoors with your kids. You’ll
not only improve your health, but
you’ll also create great memories for
your family.
In this issue of Pulse, we’re providing valuable information
that will help you become healthier. On page 6, you can
learn about the sometimes-different heart attack symptoms
experienced by women. On page 5, you can read more about
the benefits of cycling and see how you can experience the
excitement of the Amgen Tour of California as it passes
through Santa Rosa.
The new hospital we’re building is just one way Sutter
Health is investing in the future of the health of Northern
California, and we’re building a superior network of care
that includes 26 hospitals and 5,000 doctors to meet your
every need. Watch as the hospital continues to take shape
at www.suttersantarosa.org/newhospital.
As always, let us know how you like this issue of Pulse!
I’d like to take this opportunity to
thank you for your continued support of
the growth and success of Sutter Pacific
Medical Foundation in Sonoma County.
It’s an exciting time for us, as we’ve taken
steps to expand the roster of services and
medical specialties available to you locally.
On page 4, you can read about our
addition of medical oncology services to
our area and meet the new physicians—medical oncologist
Peter Brett, M.D., and surgical oncologist Elizabeth Peralta, M.D.—
who are helping make local Sutter Health oncology services
available to patients.
If you’ve ever wanted easier access to your health care,
that’s now possible with the My Health Online app you can
read about on page 3. Page 3 also features an article about the
difference between M.D.s and D.O.s—two types of physicians
available locally to help care for you and your family. On this
page, you can learn more about classes and events available
through Sutter Health.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation physicians are here to help
guide you along the path of good health, and we’re excited about
the future of health care in Sonoma County.
Mike Purvis
Chief Administrative Officer
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa
Mike Cohill
President, West Bay Region
Sutter Health
Our Story Is
You!
Have you or a loved one recently
been a patient at Sutter Health? If so,
we would love to hear your story and
possibly feature it in a future issue of
Pulse magazine.
If you have a special story to share,
e-mail it to RalstoS@sutterhealth.org, or
visit www.sutterhealth.org/stories.
Be added to
our mailing list
today!
News for
a County
y Sonom
a Health
spring 2012
.
Difference
The D.O
Tour
Amgen ia
of Californ
s to
ReturnRosa!
Santa
and
Women
cks
Heart Atta
Pulse is published quarterly
by Sutter Health for Sonoma
County residents. For
questions or to be added/
removed from the mailing
list, please contact Shaun
Ralston, Marketing and
Communications Manager,
at 707-576-4847 or
RalstoS@sutterhealth.org.
New
Hospital
Under Construction!
Watch 24/7
Live Cam Online
at www.suttersantarosa.org/
newhospital.
2
PULSE Spring 2012
Upcoming Events
Childbirth Preparation
All childbirth preparation classes are
held at the Sutter Pacific Women’s
Health Center (625 Steele Lane,
Santa Rosa). $100/couple.
The Six-Week Series
6:30–8:30 p.m. on the following
dates: Tues., March 20–April 24;
Thurs., April 19–May 24; Tues., May
8–June 12; Thurs., June 14–July 12
The Weekend Intensive program is
scheduled for a Friday evening from
6–8 p.m. and the following Saturday
from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on the following
dates: March 16 & 17; May 4 & 5
Infant Care/Breastfeeding
Held at Sutter Pacific Women’s
Health Center (625 Steele Lane,
Santa Rosa). $35/class/couple.
Free to those enrolled in Weekend
Intensive childbirth preparation.
Infant Care, 9–11 a.m.
Breastfeeding, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
April 14; June 9
OB Tours
Scheduled on designated Wednesday
evenings from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa
(3325 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa).
Free of charge.
March 21; April 4; April 25; May 9;
May 23; June 6; June 20
Meet and Greet with the
Sutter Pediatricians
Fourth Tuesday of every month
from 12:30–1:30 p.m. Held at the
Landmark Building. Free of charge.
To learn more or enroll in
any of these programs, call Mary
Simmons at 707-576-4592, or e-mail
her at simmonmc@sutterhealth.org.
Need Health Care?
There’s An App for That!
Do you wish health care was
just a click away? Now, thanks
to My Health Online, it is.
My Health Online is provided by
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation.
When you sign up for this free service,
you can streamline your care by using
these features:
• e-mail messages to physicians and
other health care providers
• request prescription refills
• review past appointments and
instructions from physicians
• schedule and cancel appointments
• view lab test results
Now Available for Android
Originally available for the iPhone®
and iPad®, My Health Online is now
available for other smartphones,
including AndroidTM. Users simply
download the free app to sign up from
home. A physician-provided access code
is not required.
Though the service is available to
patients older than age 18, parents
and other caregivers can also access
their family members’ accounts
through the Proxy Access for
Children and Adult programs.
To learn more about My
Health Online or to sign up for your
free personal account today, visit
www.sutterpacific.org.
The D.O. Difference
Did you know that not
all physicians have
M.D. attached to their
names? Find out what
a D.O. is and how these
physicians can help you
and your family.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine, or D.O.s, undergo the same rigorous medical training as
doctors of medicine (M.D.s), but their philosophy of care has a more holistic focus. A D.O.
addresses each patient as a whole person, taking into account his or her emotional well-being
and the interconnectedness of the human body.
Many D.O.s can also perform osteopathic manipulative treatment, a method of diagnosing
and treating illness using human touch. By using osteopathic manipulation to treat the
musculoskeletal system, a D.O. can assist the body’s healing of common conditions such as
back pain, headaches, and sinus problems.
“Osteopathic doctors supplement standard medical care with more holistic practices,” said
Ann Figurski, D.O., family medicine physician with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation. “No
two physicians are the same, so it’s important to find a primary care provider whose medical
philosophy agrees with your own.”
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation has D.O.s in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and Rohnert Park.
To schedule an appointment with a Sonoma County D.O., call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627).
Looking for a
family doctor?
Ann Figurski, D.O.,
has special interest
in family-centered
pregnancy care and
integrative medicine.
As a family medicine
physician, Dr. Figurski
says many doctors
such as her can provide
seamless care through
the stages of family
life, from pregnancy to
delivery, and can care for
children as they grow.
www.sutterpacific.org 3
Comprehensive Cancer Care
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is devastating,
but learning you’ll have to travel for care can
make the information even tougher to handle.
Thanks to the addition of medical and surgical
oncology to its roster of services, Sutter
Pacific Medical Foundation is making access
to comprehensive cancer care easier for
residents of the Sonoma County area.
In December 2011, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation Medical
Oncology opened the doors of the temporary oncology center at 4702
Hoen Avenue in Santa Rosa—the first time medical oncology has been
available locally from Sutter Health physicians. In late spring, Medical
Oncology will move to its new location in the Landmark Building on
Airway Drive, a move that will permanently bring together all aspects
of cancer care.
“Once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it’s critical that he or
she connect with the medical oncologist who will provide in-office
services such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and targeted
treatments, yet is also able to coordinate care with other specialists
the patient may need, such as radiologists, radiation oncologists, and
surgical oncologists,” said Peter Brett, M.D., a medical oncologist who
joined Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation in late 2011. “Having this
consolidated center allows us to provide local, comprehensive cancer
care as seamlessly as possible for our patients.”
Multidisciplinary Approach
Additional Oncology
Services Available
• Clinical trials. Patients in Sonoma County
will soon be able to participate in clinical
trials for new medications and treatment
protocols through collaboration with Sutter
Pacific Medical Foundation physicians
in the West Bay area. Peter Brett, M.D.,
medical oncologist at Sutter Pacific Medical
Foundation, will oversee the clinical trials in
Santa Rosa.
• Genetic counseling. A new genetic
counselor at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
is available to provide genetic testing and
counseling when familial cancer is suspected.
• Patient navigator. This nurse is available to
work with cancer patients from the moment
of diagnosis throughout the treatment process
and into recovery by coordinating medical
care, access to community services, and
holistic care available through the Integrative
Health & Healing Program. The navigator
can answer questions and coordinate
appointments.
4
PULSE Spring 2012
Medical oncology has brought together a wide array of cancer
services, including many support services that make the treatment
process easier for patients. However, one of the most beneficial
changes initiated by Dr. Brett is the tumor board, a multidisciplinary
round table of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, radiology
specialists, oncology nurses, and representatives from other specialty
services. During regularly scheduled meetings, the group gathers to
discuss difficult patient cases and make treatment recommendations.
“The addition of medical oncology allows us to take Sutter Health
cancer care to a level that’s never been available before,” Dr. Brett
said. “Patients benefit tremendously from the team approach to care
we’re providing.”
Meet Dr. Peralta
In October 2011, Elizabeth Peralta, M.D.,
surgical oncologist, joined the staff of Sutter
Pacific Medical Foundation. Dr. Peralta focuses
her practice on the treatment of women with either
newly diagnosed breast cancer or those who
are at a high risk for developing it.
In addition to traditional and minimally invasive
surgery for breast cancer treatment, Dr. Peralta coordinates her
operations with the Sutter Women’s Health Center radiologists to
include breast magnetic resonance imaging and 3D ultrasound to
locate difficult-to-image lesions.
“We know that women sometimes postpone seeking medical
attention if they’re the primary caregiver at home,” said Dr. Peralta.
“Having comprehensive cancer care more accessible means
they’ll be able to seek treatment earlier and possibly have overall
better outcomes.”
To learn more about cancer care in Sonoma County, visit
www.sutterpacific.org.
Of Fitness and Finish
Lines
The Amgen Tour of California has all the excitement of the world’s most thrilling races: overwhelming
challenges, expert contenders, and hyped-up fans. And it starts right here in Santa Rosa.
For five of its six years, Amgen has included a segment of
its eight-day Tour of California, the premier cycling race in the
United States, in Santa Rosa. This year, officials fire the starting
gun here on May 13.
“The Tour, with all its excitement and activity, strikes
you as a traveling circus,” said Raissa de la Rosa, Economic
Development Specialist with the City of Santa Rosa. “The
festival area incorporates a music stage, booths from local and
national organizations, and a wine village featuring the tastes
of Sonoma County.”
Other activities include:
• a gala featuring professional cycling teams
• autograph opportunities
• giveaways
• stationary bike sprints
• criterium races on May 12
Sutter Supports Cycling
“Sutter Health is truly committed to serving the cycling
community,” de la Rosa said.
Benefits on a Bike
Sutter Health values the Tour of California not only as a form
of community entertainment, but also as a way to promote
fitness. Cycling promotes healthy lifestyles by reducing the risks
for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and
osteoporosis.
“Cycling benefits people in the same way as other aerobic
exercises, and it has the additional perk of limited joint impact
on the body,” said Jonathan Lee, Professional Cycling Coach and
Captain/President of the Red Peloton Cycling Team. “Riding for
an hour two or three times a week can energize you, improve
your sleep patterns, and help you potentially lose weight. The
greatest benefit, though, is it’s just plain fun.”
Visit the Sutter Health booth downtown at the start of the
Tour of California for a free health screening.
The City of Santa Rosa partners with various organizations,
including Sutter Health, to enhance the town’s abilities as a host
of the Tour. This year, Sutter Health will provide screenings for
Tour spectators and athletes, in addition to supplying physicians
during the race as needed.
Cycle City
lifornia
12 Amgen Tour of Ca
The first leg of the 20
and finishing
ma County, starting
winds through Sono
e north out
Rosa. Cyclists will rid
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“Cycling is a vital pa
omic
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nta Rosa.
Sa
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geographical
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www.suttersantarosa.org 5
The Heart of the Matter
What Women
Need to know
Heart disease is a woman’s disease. In fact, heart disease is
the No. 1 killer of American women and is the leading cause
of their disability.
Five-Star Quality
6
PULSE Spring 2012
ve-
2012
e
d
Fi
ery
Ca
r
For the fifth consecutive year, Sutter
Medical Center of Santa Rosa was
awarded the HealthGrades® Cardiac
Surgery Excellence Award. The award
recognizes SMCSR for outstanding
patient outcomes in cardiology, cardiac
surgery, and orthopedics. SMCSR’s
Heart and Vascular Center was also
rated the best in the region for cardiac
services and surgery. This regional
rating recognition included all hospitals
in Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Mendocino,
Napa, and Solano counties.
“The cardiologists, cardiac surgeons,
nurses, hospital administration,
and staff all dedicate themselves to
providing exceptional cardiac care,”
said Patrick Coleman, M.D., Director
of Cardiac Catheterization Services
at SMCSR. “Their dedication extends
beyond the walls of the hospital and
into community outreach programs as
well as geographic networking efforts.”
SMCSR has received Five-Star ratings
in the following cardiac treatment
categories:
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
c Valve Surg
dia
•V
alve Replacement
(six years in a row)
St ar R at
Often perceived as a men’s condition, cardiovascular
disease is just as likely to develop in women, and
women are more likely to die from the disease. It’s
estimated that nearly 42 million women across the
nation are living with cardiovascular disease—and
many don’t even know it.
“As baby boomers continue to age, more women are
at risk for heart disease,” said Patrick Coleman, M.D.,
Director of Cardiac Catheterization Services at Sutter
Medical Center of Santa Rosa. “Heart disease isn’t the only concern, though.
Individuals who are at risk for developing or who already have heart disease
are also at increased risk for stroke.”
Risk factors for heart disease include:
• age
• high blood pressure
• alcohol use
• high cholesterol
• being overweight or obese
• lack of exercise
• diabetes
• poor diet
• family history of the disease
• smoking
While classic heart attack symptoms such as chest pain, numbness or
tingling in the arm, and shortness of breath still apply, women often present
a broader range of symptoms than their male counterparts. These more
vague signs include jaw, back, or neck pain or tightness, unexplained fatigue,
lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, and sweating.
“Because women’s symptoms can be so subtle, it’s imperative to have
your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly,” Dr. Coleman said.
“I also encourage women, as well as men, to quit smoking, participate in
daily physical activity, and maintain a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol.”
To learn more about cardiac services in Sonoma County, visit
www.suttersantarosa.org.
five times more likely
Women are
to die from a
heart attack than breast cancer.
Sutter Health Care in Sonoma County
Healdsburg
101
12
101
16
7
Advanced Imaging
2
2449 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-523-7253
1
Breast Care Center
3
Sutter Pacific Women’s
Health Center
625 Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-576-4800
Breast Surgery
1
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7766
2
2449 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-523-7226
Cosmetic Skin Services
1
Family Medicine
4
500 Doyle Park Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-545-1300
19
4700 Hoen Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-526-3360
2
2455 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-523-2666
5
652 Petaluma Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-823-2334
4
510 Doyle Park
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-526-1800
12
7
717 Center Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-473-0833
Pediatrics
13
255 Farmers Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-545-2255
Gastroenterology
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-8966
Maternal Fetal Medicine
6
1400 Medical Center Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-585-7700
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
707-521-7755
7
1
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7766
10
10
Sutter VNA & Hospice
1110 N. Dutton Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-535-5600
19
1
11
2449 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-523-7220
6
1400 Medical Center Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-585-7401
6
5300 Snyder Lane
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-585-8347
1
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7780
6
1400 Medical Center Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-586-0440
5
652 Petaluma Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-823-8627
1144 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-526-7920
Outpatient
Surgery Center
11
Laboratories
2
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-8930
Otolaryngology (ENT)
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Internal Medicine
2455 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-523-2666
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-545-6433
OB/GYN
1
1111 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-578-4100
Pediatric Cardiology
12
18
95 Montgomery Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-525-2902
Residency Education
9
3569 Round Barn Circle
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-576-4070
Rheumatology
19
4725A Hoen Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-576-3322
Sutter VNA & Hospice
Thrift Stores
14
6350 Commerce Boulevard
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-588-8015
15
510 Lewis Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-528-9310
16
1620 Piner Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-523-1775
17
748 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-824-4712
3536 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
415-600-0750
Pediatric Complex
Specialties
10
Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
4702 Hoen Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-521-7750
Neurology
Hospital
Sutter Medical Center
of Santa Rosa
3325 Chanate Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-576-4000
990 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
415-600-6400
Medical Oncology
Home Health Care
2
2
1
451 March Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-433-8844
9
19
990 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
415-600-1020
5
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7766
Ave
Liver Disease
Management & Transplant
555 Petaluma Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-829-8426
8
Hoen
717 Center Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-433-7258
General Surgery
Cancer Support Services
ve
ma A
Sono
d
1
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7777
Dr
ld R
rfie
me
14 6
10
4
11
ery
om
ntg
Mo
Sum
101
Rohnert Park
Sutter North Bay Health Plaza
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-8830
8
18
116
1
Santa Rosa
r
kD
Par
W College Ave
Sebastopol 5
Administrative Offices
Ave
12
tton
Du
12
15
le
Doy
North St
116
Ln
te Rd
Chana
Ave
el
Ste
3
12
9
ino
doc
Men
r Rd
Pine
Windsor
17
Parker Hill Rd
1
Farmers Ln
7
Urology
1
3883 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-521-7766
990 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
415-600-0750
Our network of care includes doctors, urgent care centers, and hospitals throughout
Sonoma, Lake, Marin, and San Francisco working together to meet your complete
health care needs. Call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) to find a doctor near you.
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Sutter Medical Center
of Santa Rosa
3325 Chanate Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
A Lifesaving
Pediatric
Checkup
When 13-year-old Xander Sugarman of Santa Rosa
underwent a routine physical two years ago, his
parents were shocked to learn that he suffered from
a heart defect.
A competitive swimmer and overall healthy
athlete, Xander had never suffered from any
abnormal medical conditions.
“We scheduled Xander’s annual checkup
with Fred Brewer, M.D., pediatrician with
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, expecting
to hear how healthy he was,” said Xander’s
mother, Lisa Sugarman. “But as soon as
Dr. Brewer began listening to Xander’s heart
with a stethoscope, he paused and said he heard
something. Based on the subtle heart sounds
triggering concern, Dr. Brewer referred us to
a pediatric cardiologist for further evaluation.”
Taking Action
After Xander’s cardiologist confirmed a
congenital heart defect, it became apparent
that his heart murmur would require openheart surgery.
“This was a very frightening experience,
but thank goodness Dr. Brewer discovered the
defect and it could be repaired,” Sugarman said.
“We will always be grateful to Dr. Brewer for
giving our son the opportunity to live a long
and full life.”
In June 2011, Xander underwent open-heart
surgery. Six weeks later, he was back in the
pool, and it was not long before Xander was
competing again.
“Xander’s heart condition could have
led to serious, long-term heart and lung
complications,” Dr. Brewer said. “Through a
simple routine checkup, we were fortunate to
catch a life-threatening health issue, and today,
Xander is healthier than ever.”
To schedule an appointment with a Sonoma
County pediatrician, call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627).