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spring 2007 $2.95

HEALTHY LIVING FOR THE GWINNETT COMMUNITY

PICTUREPERFECTA LOOK INTO THE GRAND OPENING OF GMC – DULUTHPAGE 4

CHRONIC PAINWHAT YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD DO IF YOU SUFFER PAGE 54

GMC HELPS LOCAL TEEN DANCE AGAINPAGE 52

HOW MEREDITH VIEIRA STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN CAREGIVING AND CARING FOR HERSELF

TodayLive for

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vim & vigor1spring 2007

Does Cancer Run in Your Family?A cancer diagnosis in the family can have a ripple effect, from worry about your loved one’s future to concerns about your own health down the road. For patients worried that they’re at higher risk of developing cancer because of heredity, Gwinnett Medical Center offers risk assessment counseling and genetic testing.

Cindy Snyder, R.N., MSN, FNP-C, Gwinnett Medical Center’s cancer risk counselor, says there are red flags that warn family members that they should seek genetic counseling for cancer risk.

“Anytime there is breast or colon cancer before age 50 in your family, it’s a good idea to have your risk factors examined by a cancer specialist,” Snyder says. Other warning signs include ovarian cancer at any age, male breast cancer, multiple primary cancers, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, and a family history of a known cancer gene mutation, she adds.

If you’re interested in a cancer risk assessment, ask your primary care physician about

a referral for counseling and possible genetic testing

using a simple blood test.More information

on cancer risk assess-ments is available

by calling Snyder at (678) 442-3235.

Making

Gradethe

A cancer diagnosis brings patients face to face

with fear—and the need for the best medical

treatment available.

But here’s some reassuring news:

Gwinnett Medical Center’s cancer pro-

gram has landed top scores from the Commission on

Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. The

CoC granted the cancer program a three-year Approval

with Commendation last fall. In fact, Gwinnett’s cancer

program received eight out of nine possible com-

mendations as part of the CoC’s rigorous evaluation

and performance review, making it eligible for the

Outstanding Achievement Award. Recipients of the

award will be announced this spring.

For patients, the CoC’s stamp of approval means

top-quality cancer care from a nationally recognized

program is available on their home turf. Areas included

in this scope are cancer committee leadership, cancer

data management, clinical services, research, commu-

nity outreach and quality improvement.

Raising the BarThe CoC is dedicated to improving survival rates and

quality of life for cancer patients by standard-setting,

prevention, research, education and the monitoring

of comprehensive, quality care. The approv-

als program sets quality-of-care standards

for cancer programs and reviews them to

ensure they conform to these standards.

Approval is granted only to facilities

that voluntarily commit to provide the

highest level of quality cancer care and

undergo this rigorous evaluation and

performance review. To maintain

approval, facilities with CoC-approved

programs must undergo an on-site

review every three years.

For more information about the CoC,

visit www.facs.org/cancer/index.html. ■

GMC’s cancer programlands top scores in

a rigorous national performance review

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vim & vigor 2 spring 2007

p h i l ’ s f e at u r e

Ending one era to start anew

If you were driving in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill and

Howell Ferry roads on the morning of Oct. 18, 2006,

you may have seen a curious and wondrous sight: a

steady wave of ambulances plying through traffic

toward our brand new hospital, Gwinnett Medical

Center – Duluth.

The only thing comparable to this rare event was

when Button Gwinnett Hospital closed and Gwinnett

Medical Center opened in Lawrenceville—just over 22

years ago.

That October day last year marked the end of an

era and the beginning of a new one—the closing of

Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital and the official opening of GMC – Duluth.

This bittersweet time was filled with nostalgia and flooded with memories

of the community action that made Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital a real-

ity more than 60 years ago, and the years of loving care Glancy’s staff gave

in return.

“We’ve been here a long time,” says Cathie Dowd, who’d been a nurse

at Joan Glancy since 1975. “It’s like leaving the home you were born in.” But

those memories would have to be put on pause—we had patients to move.

Months of planning became a flurry of action packed into one day. It all

started at 6:30 a.m., when the chaplain and a crowd said prayers as part of

the opening of Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. Thirty-nine patients were

at Joan Glancy at 7 a.m. that morning, and by 2 p.m. they all were resting

comfortably in the first all-digital hospital in north Atlanta.

From the smiles on the faces of patients, visitors and staff, I’d say it was

all worth it. The legacy of Joan Glancy is alive and well at Gwinnett Medical

Center – Duluth, and the years of serving our community with top-notch

care just got a major technology upgrade.

It’s not every day that you open a new hospital. And as exciting and satis-

fying as it was, most of us are quite content to return to a more normal hum

of activity at our beautiful new hospital.

Now we turn our attention to the new patient

tower at GMC in Lawrenceville …

Sincerely,

Philip R. Wolfe

President and CEO

Gwinnett Health System

GWINNETT MEDICAL CENTERPresident and Chief Executive OfficerPhilip R. WolfeGwinnett Health System Board of DirectorsWayne Sikes, Chairman; Steven Boyd; Jayaprakash Desai, M.D.; Joseph C. Finley, M.D.; Willard Hearin, M.D.; Carolyn Hill; Tommy Hughes; Eric Kreimer; Chung H. Lee, J.D.; Miles H. Mason III, M.D.; David McClesky; Edward Radford; Marc Unterman, M.D.; Kathryn Parsons Willis; Philip R. WolfeMedical Staff OfficersPresident, Miles H. Mason III, M.D.Vice President, Scott Schorr, M.D.Secretary, Richard Delgado, M.D.Anesthesia, Chris Hosfeld, M.D.Emergency Medicine, Kent Cohen, M.D.Medicine, Paul Weinberg, M.D.OB/GYN, Joseph Pohl, M.D.Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Asif Taufiq, DDSOrthopedic Surgery, Gary Levengood, M.D.Pathology, Robert Siegel, M.D.Pediatrics, Neill Videlefsky, M.D.Psychiatry, Steven Lee, M.D.Radiology, Jon Siegel, M.D.Surgery, James Majors, M.D.Vim & Vigor Regional EditorPaula MartinEditorial BoardKyle Brogdon, Kathy Cochran, Ginger PowellEditorial AdviserJohn RiddleClinical Contributing EditorsRichard Reisman, M.D.; Cindy Snyder, R.N., MSN, FNP-C

PRODUCTIONEditor in Chief, Stephanie ConnerSenior Editors, Jeff Ficker, Matt Morgan, Kari RedfieldEditors, Andrea Decker, Shelley FlanneryManaging Executive Editors, Steven Beschloss,

Leigh FlaytonCopy Editor, Cindy HutchinsonV.P./Creative Services, Beth TomkiwSenior Art Director, Susan M. KnightArt Directors, Lisa Altomare, Laura Butler, Kay MorrowGraphic Designer, Tami Rodgers Production Manager, Laura MarloweImaging Specialist, Dane NordinePrep Specialist, Julie Fong Circulation Director, Joseph AbeytaV.P./Sales and Product Development, Chad Rose,

888-626-8779V.P./Strategic Marketing, Heather BurgettStrategic Marketing Team, Brady Andreas, Robyn LaMont,

Barbara Mohr

ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Sales RepresentativesNew York, Phil Titolo, Publisher, (212) 626-6835Phoenix, Soliteir Jaeger, Associate Publisher, 888-626-8779Chicago, Tom Meehan, (312) 726-7800Mail Order, Bernbach Advertising Reps, (914) 769-0051

ADMINISTRATION Vim & Vigor Founder, J. Barry JohnsonChairman, Preston V. McMurry Jr.President/Chief Executive Officer, Christopher McMurryPresident/Custom Media, Fred Petrovsky

Vim & Vigor,™ Spring 2007, Volume 23, Number 1. Georgia Region 2is published quarterly by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014, (602) 395-5850. Vim & Vigor™ is published for the purpose of disseminating health-related information for the well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & Vigor™ is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Vim & Vigor™ does not accept advertising promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright © 2007 by McMurry. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $4 for one year (4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For subscriptions and address changes, write: Circulation Manager, Vim & Vigor,™ McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014.

Gwinnett Medical Center(678) 442-4321

1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30045gwinnettmedicalcenter.org

If you prefer not to receive Vim & Vigor™ from Gwinnett Medical Center, please call 888-626-8779.

InsideSee the move in pictures on pages 4-7.

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1Making the Grade GMC’s cancer

program has landed a three-year

stamp of approval from the Commission

on Cancer. Find out what the commendation

means for you.

4Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth One hospital closes its doors and another

begins its service to the community: Check

out a pictorial timeline that captures the

celebration, emotion and hard work that

made the grand opening a success.

8The Way to a Patient’s Heart Meet

Gwinnett Medical Center’s queen of

customer satisfaction, and discover how she

developed her plan to benefit you.

18Head to Toe Exploratory

surgery used to be standard when

doctors wanted to peek inside you to make

a diagnosis. But today, imaging technology

lets doctors see everything from head to toe

without even touching a scalpel.

22Catch It Early Because of improved

cancer screening technology, colorec-

tal cancer is more preventable than ever. Find

out how doctors can catch the disease before

it even begins.

34For Women Only Some women

may find certain health conditions

unmentionable—even with their doctors.

Read about three conditions that women

should never hush up about.

38Get ’Em While They’re Young Heart disease is the

leading cause of death in the U.S.

and often starts with obesity and

diabetes in childhood. Here are

five real-world ways to make your

home a heart-healthy one for you

and your kids.

46It’s Good to Give When you

donate to Gwinnett Medical Center,

you’ll be giving the gift of better health to

others. Learn more about the emotional and

financial benefits that come from making

a contribution.

50People Who Make a Difference The Foundation’s

Keystone Leadership welcomes three new

members for their significant gifts to the

Legacy Campaign for Gwinnett Medical

Center – Duluth. Read their stories.

52Back on Her Toes Again After a

well-known dancer broke her neck

in a serious auto accident, she feared she may

never perform again. Thanks to GMC, her

future stayed bright.

54Pain, Pain, Go Away Chronic

pain strikes millions of Americans.

Are you one of them? Seek help from the

experts at the GHS Pain Management Center.

56New LandscapeTake a look at the

enhancements to GMC’s

campus in the past six

months, and see how the

hospital can serve all of your

healthcare needs.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY GWENDOLEN CATES

contents S P R I N G 2 0 0 7

In This Issue2 Phil’s Feature9 Seniority10 Appetite for Health 12 A Healthy Dose

Cover FeatureSticking with It. Meredith Vieira delivers more than just the morning news. As a successful journalist, mother of three and caregiver for her husband, she is an inspiration to all. Page 26.

FeaturesFeatures


page 54

page 4

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Gwinnett Medical GGwwininnneettt t MMeeddiiccaall Center – Duluth


In pictures: The making of a new hospital

In a whirlwind lasting two weeks in October 2006, Joan

Glancy Memorial Hospital closed its doors and Gwinnett

Medical Center – Duluth opened. In these pages you’ll see

some of the celebration, some of the emotion and a lot of

the hard work that made it happen.

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006The grand opening celebration kicks off in

black-tie style, as community leaders and donors

gather to celebrate and tour GMC – Duluth.

Clarence Whitfield, CEC, CFE, GMC, corporate chef, shows off an ice sculpture and a sample of dishes available through GMC – Duluth’s room service for patients.

Richard and Peggy Tucker, Legacy Campaign donors, arrive at the grand opening celebration. The Legacy Campaign has raised more than $2 million to support building and equipping the new hospital.

Gwinnett County Commission chair Charles Bannister toasts the new hospital: “To the reality of knowing the very best of healthcare is available right here in our own community, and the comfort of knowing our families and friends will benefit from it for years to come.”

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Center – DuluthGwinnett Medical CCeentnteerr –– DDululuthuth


Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006Gwinnett County gets a sneak peek at

Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth

during the Community Open House.

Jim and Billie Ellis of Duluth, for whom the chapel and serenity garden are named, have a seat while Jim has his picture drawn. Caricature artists were on hand to portray children and adults alike as doctors or nurses at the new hospital.

The crowd gathers to see the opening festivities and get a tour of their new hospital.

From left, Wayne Sikes, chair, GHS board; Phil Wolfe, GHS president and CEO; Kathryn Willis, GHS board member; Lea Bay, GMC – Duluth administrator; and Scott Schorr, M.D., vice president of medical staff; cut the ribbon.

The ribbon is cut, the balloons are released, and Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth is a reality!

continued on page 6



PHOTO: R.J. GRIFFINWednesday, Oct. 18, 2006

6:45 a.m. General surgeon Miles H. Mason III, M.D., president of the Gwinnett Hospital System medical staff, sits with Doris Owens of Bethlehem, Ga., before going to scrub for the first elective surgical procedure performed at GMC – Duluth.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006

Monday, Oct. 16, 2006Getting ready …

GMC – Duluth’s new, fully integrated operating rooms are ready to go.

The grand opening events are over, patients are coming, and GMC – Duluth’s Howard Atrium Lobby is empty for probably the very last time.

Moving Day is here.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY R.J. GRIFFIN



6:30 a.m. After a prayer of dedication, Lynne Mouchet, chaplain (from left), joins Lea Bay, GMC – Duluth administrator, and Miles H. Mason III, M.D., president of the GHS medical staff, to officially walk through the doors and open for business.

7 a.m. The EMERGENCY letters are added to the new sign at GMC – Duluth as the ER opens …

… and the ER closes at Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital as the letters are taken from the old hospital.

8:30 a.m. While the lobby at Joan Glancy has emptied (left), Lea Bay leads a warp-speed meeting at the GMC – Duluth Command Center to get the patient move started.

10 a.m. There were 39 patients waiting to be transferred that morning, and Rojeanne Gray was ready to move. Here, she chats with chaplain Bob Duvall while patiently waiting for her escort from Priority EMS.

11 a.m. At the same time patients were moving, the opposite end of Joan Glancy was being used as a loading dock. Equipment was transferred for weeks after the patient move, filling up many trucks just like this one.

11:10 a.m. Melissa Whitt, patient access manager (right), sits with Dixon Marlow, president and CEO of Priority EMS, who beams a map on the wall to track the progress of his four ambulances en route to and from GMC – Duluth. The company utilized GPS technology to keep tabs on the position of every patient at all times.

11:15 a.m. Rojeanne Gray has her ride. She is escorted out of Joan Glancy …

11: 18 a.m. … takes a ride on the Priority EMS ambulance …

11: 22 a.m. … arrives at Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth …11: 30 a.m. … and is attended to by her new nurse on the fourth floor. All patients were in their rooms shortly after 1 p.m.



to make customer satisfaction and

quality improvement a way of life.

“I got great feedback from every-

one,” Allen says. “My knowledge and

experience with both public and

private healthcare environments

have been beneficial in focusing on

where to put our initial efforts. My

first targets were theme areas that

are general across all our facilities.”

Allen says she likes providing

staff members with clear goals and

incentives, and she tries to main-

tain a physical presence. “I don’t

want to be in the office,” she says.

“I want to be out and about, where

people can see me and come to me

with questions.”

She reaps a great sense of per-

sonal satisfaction from her new

position. “I used to talk about qual-

ity and customer service,” she says.

“Now I can take what I know and

make a difference!” ■

QC L I N I C A L Q U A L I T Y S E R I E S

Alfreda Allen, Gwinnett Medical Center director of customer satisfaction

The Alfreda File◆ born in Gulfport, Miss., but grew up in

Tallahassee, Fla.◆ married to a graphic artist specializing in

animation and compositing◆ has a 3-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter◆ is an avid reader and owns 70 Stephen King

books◆ takes children to cultural events◆ has a Master of Health Services Administration

degree◆ favorite quote: “It’s the soft stuff that gets the

hard results.” —Quint Studer

“I want our staff members to think, If the patient

were my mom, how would I want her treated?”

HEARTThe Way to

a Patient’sMeet the mastermind behind

GMC’s customer satisfaction

Alfreda Allen is a modern-day

explorer. This corporate trail-

blazer trudges through unfa-

miliar territory until she finds her

unmarked destination, where she

can make things better. It’s her forte.

Corporate trailblazing might

daunt some, but not Allen. For five

months, she has served as Gwinnett

Medical Center’s director of cus-

tomer satisfaction, a new position

designed to help staff members

sharpen their focus on customer

service. She knows from experience

that happy, satisfied staff members

are linked to happy, satisfied patients

and customers.

BackgroundAllen came to GMC from South

Bend, Ind., where she was a regional

service manager for Press Ganey,

a highly respected vendor of satis-

faction measurement and improve-

ment services. While there, she

managed a nine-member team of

consultants for five states, including

Georgia. She also mastered skills

that prepared her for her current

work to improve the experiences of

GMC patients.

“I’m really enjoying the hands-on

side of quality improvement,” she

says. “In my previous job, I dealt

with the theoretical side. Now I can

be a true resource for improvement

and put action behind theory.”

Allen got a hefty dose of health-

care experience early in her career at

Memorial Health University Medical

Center and Georgia Gastroenterology

Group, both in Savannah. She

earned her Master of Health

Services Administration degree

at Armstrong Atlantic State

University in Savannah.

“Alfreda is proficient in

attaining patient and cus-

tomer excellence,” says John

Zedick, GMC’s vice president

of quality resources.

Plans in PlaceHere’s a secret to her success:

Allen studied the GMC land-

scape before she developed

priorities and a plan. Her first

wise step was to turn to her

co-workers for input on how

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Principal Underwriter ...$20,000Underwriter ................ $15,000Benefactor ................. $10,000

Platinum Patron ............ $5,000Gold Patron ................ $2,500Silver Patron ................. $1,000

Individual Reservations

Patron Levels

For ticket and sponsorship information or to donate an item to the silent auction, please contact the Foundation offi ce at (678) 442-4634.

Tickets ..................... $200 each

Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett PlaceBLACK TIE

Havana Nights

THE 15th ANNUAL BALL & SILENT AUCTION

Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation cordially invites you to

Saturday,

May 5, 20076 p.m.

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Kathryn’s strong ties with the

hospital system were formed

when she was a young girl

growing up in Duluth. At

that time Gwinnett’s first hospital,

Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital, was

funded and built by local residents.

Her parents, Calvin and Kate Parsons,

were key players in the creation of this

hospital for the citizens of Duluth,

and continued to be strong advocates

for healthcare throughout their lives.

In fact, Kathryn’s mother served as

Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital’s first

board chair.

Kathryn continues her family’s

wonderful legacy by giving her time

and resources to ensure that Gwinnett Medical Center

remains a top-quality healthcare facility. She has served

on the hospital system board since 1990 and has served

Cumulative gifts to the GMC Foundation of $10,000 or more are permanently recognized on the donor recognition displays at Gwinnett Medical Center and Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.

Kathryn Parsons Willis

PEOPLE


Duluth residents Kathryn Parsons Willis and Jim and Jeanine Gullett

are the newest members of the Foundation’s Keystone Leadership.

The Keystone Leadership recognizes donors whose cumulative

gifts to Gwinnett Medical Center equal $100,000 or more. These

individuals recently made significant gifts to the Legacy Campaign for

Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.

and about mingling with others,

we could bring the flu home and

infect our loved ones, and because

they depend on us for care, keep-

ing us flu-free is considered really

important as well.”

5. See your doctor regularly.

To keep an eye on your own health,

make sure to get an annual physical.

“The last place you want to spend

time is another doctor’s office,” Mintz

admits, “but taking the time for a

checkup once a year could save you

countless hours in doctors’ offices

later. Small problems that go unde-

tected and untreated can turn into

big problems that threaten your life.”

6. Inject humor. A good dose

of laughter can help, too, according

to Vieira. She told WebMD, “Humor

has also gotten us through some

tough times.”

“Humor and levity are defi-

nitely important,” Mintz agrees.

“So much of the caregiving exper-

ience is affected by your attitude.

You need to step back and see the

humor even in difficult situations.

It’s good, if possible, to laugh with

your care recipient.” ■

Sticking With It continued from page 33

Who Make a

on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 1993. As

one of the organizers of the Foundation’s Annual Ball &

Auction that began in 1992, she has helped raise several

million dollars to enhance healthcare throughout the

Gwinnett community. Because of her extraordinary

service, she was recognized with the Foundation’s first

Distinguished Service Award in 2000.

Most recently, Kathryn made a significant dona -

tion to Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. She named

the Physician & Staff Education Center and a guest

retreat in memory of her parents, who inspired her

philanthropic spirit.

“The staff and physicians exemplify a loyalty to

the system and a love of their patients that you don’t

find in most hospitals today,” Kathryn says. “I really

believe that the spirit and love that permeated Joan

Glancy for 65 years will carry through to Gwinnett

Medical Center – Duluth. I have always dreamed of a

new hospital in Duluth, but never dreamed it would be

the state-of the-art facility that it has turned out to be.”

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Golfers Tee It Up for the 9th Annual Dr. Miles H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf TournamentPresenting Sponsor: Stanford Private Wealth Management

On Nov. 21, 2006, more than 250 golfers participated in the 9th annual Dr. Miles

H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, raising more than $75,000 to purchase

equipment for Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.

The 2006 tournament was dedicated to Elizabeth Deal Mason, who passed

away Sept. 17, 2006. She was the spouse of the tournament’s namesake, Dr. Miles

H. Mason Jr. Her love, support and encouragement directly contributed to the

success of her husband’s extensive medical practice.

Thanks to all sponsors and volunteers who helped make the tournament

such a success.

Jim Ellis and Mike Hayes take time out of their busy schedules each year to participate in the Dr. Miles H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament.


Jim and Jeanine Gullett

DIFFERENCE Keystone Leadership’s newest members leave a legacy

the newest members of

the Foundation’s Keystone

Leadership.

“Providing quality services

requires quality facilities and

the latest equipment,” Jeanine

says. “We are pleased to play a

part in doing this. By honoring

our children with our gift, we

hope to encourage them, as well

as others, to be active person-

ally, emotionally and financially

in providing the best possible

healthcare for our community.

Quality healthcare provides the inspiration for the

creation of a desirable environment for community

development. Its accessibility is critical to the future of

our children and the citizens of Gwinnett.” ■

Jim and Jeanine Gullett have a long history of being

active in business, community, and recreational

projects and affairs. From running the family’s

full-service car wash to winning seven world

championship titles in horse shows, they have shared

a life full of success.

The Gulletts have been supportive of Gwinnett

Medical Center for many years. Jeanine served on the

hospital board from 1981 to 1990, serving as chair her

final term. She went on to serve as the first president of the

Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The Gulletts recently donated more than $80,000

to the new Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. They

named the fourth-floor family lounge in memory of

their late son, Michael Gullett, and the fourth-floor

guest retreat in honor of their other two children,

Patricia Gullett Tisma and Ronnie Gullett. With

this recent gift, their cumulative giving makes them

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BALLET PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD CALMES

The staff and physicians at GMC knew they had done their job well when they received an autographed photo of Jones (above), with the message, “Thanks for getting me back on my toes.”

This photograph of Whitney Sue Jones was taken in July 2006, just seven months after an accident left her with several broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken bones in her foot, six fractures in her hip and a broken neck.

toesbackon her

againvim & vigor 52 spring 2007

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On Dec. 18, 2005,

Whitney Sue Jones’

life took a drastic

turn. When the well-

known dancer for

the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre was

on the way home from school, the

car she and a friend were riding in

hydroplaned, and the passenger side,

where Jones was seated, was struck

by oncoming traffic. The vehicle was

so severely damaged that Jones had

to be cut out of the car before she was

rushed to Gwinnett Medical Center’s

Trauma Center.

“I woke up from a state of shock,

in a room full of family and friends,

but they had some difficult news for

me,” Jones recalls.

The impact of the crash was so

great that it crushed the left side of

her body against the center console.

The result was several broken ribs,

a punctured lung, broken bones in

her foot, six fractures in her hip and—

the most serious of all—a broken

bone in the vertebra called C2. While

relieved to have survived, Jones was

scared that she would never dance

again. Before the accident, several

Atlanta-area and national ballet

companies were anticipating her

upcoming auditions.

Treatment BeginsThe broken C2 bone in her neck pre-

sented a difficult decision between

surgery and a halo, a metal frame

that screws into the head to provide

support for the core of the neck and

body to encourage bones to fuse

back together.

With a recommendation from

neurosurgeon Charles Wood, M.D.,

and feedback from her family, Jones

opted for the halo and hoped for the

best. The statistics were on her side:

Ninety percent of vertebrae

patients Jones’ age have had

success with the halo. That’s

why her family, friends and

treatment team were optimistic

about her chances.

During her two-week stay

in the hospital she underwent

several surgeries performed by

trauma surgeon Barry Renz,

M.D., and orthopedic surgeon

Darrell Scales, M.D. All the

while, her dance instructor at

the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre,

Lisa Shepherd, was with her

every step of the way through

treatment and recovery.

“The level of care was

amazing—doctors jumped

through hoops, even coming in

on their days off to check on her,”

Shepherd says.

The following months with the

halo were challenging, but “Whitney

Sue never let her situation dampen

her spirit,” Shepherd says. “Her

positive nature kept her motivated,

and she focused on looking forward

to the day she could dance again.”

Overcoming ChallengesFour months after the accident,

Jones returned to Gwinnett Medical

Center and received some unfortu-

nate news. Her bones had not fused

back together with the halo, so on

March 28 she underwent success-

ful neck surgery. Jones was placed

in a neck brace, and in a few weeks

she returned to the studio to begin

with the basics of dance. Since then,

her progress has been nothing short

of amazing.

“The accident produced a level of

maturity in her dance that was not

present before,” Shepherd says. Less

than two months after her surgery,

Jones danced in a recital, an emo-

tional performance that brought

many audience members to tears.

Today, Whitney Sue Jones is a

busy college student who takes

classes at her studio and teaches

young ballet dancers. But her

dream of dancing professionally is

still within reach, and she intends

to audition for companies in spring

2008. She’ll also be featured in the

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s spring

performance of Daphne and Chloe,

in the role of Chloe, from March 9

to 11 at the Gwinnett Performing

Arts Center.

“I want to use this year for

recovery, for transition and for an

opportunity to come back a stronger

dancer than I ever was before,” Jones

says. “I am grateful to my treatment

team at Gwinnett Medical Center

for the level of care I received over

the past year.” ■

A nearly tragic accident and a ballet dancer’s dramatic return to the spotlight

Whitney Sue Jones had a special visit from Misty, a dog involved with the pet therapy program, during her two-week stay at Gwinnett Medical Center. With Jones’ permission, Misty delivered a good luck kiss before she headed home on the road to recovery.

FdVVSP0780_52-3_whitney.indd 53FdVVSP0780_52-3_whitney.indd 53 12/26/06 12:58:19 PM12/26/06 12:58:19 PM


With millions of nerve

endings in the human

body, it’s no surprise

that we feel pain in

millions of ways. Acute pain often

comes from injuries that heal and

are forgotten. But other pains are

not so forgiving.

Chronic pain ranges from back

pain, headaches, arthritis, pain

from nerve injury, cancer pain,

fibromyalgia and ear infections to

psychogenic pain—pain that is not

due to past injury or any visible

sign of damage inside or outside

the nervous system.

If you have chronic pain, you

have plenty of company. Between

15 percent and 33 percent of the

U.S. population—about 70 million

people—suffer from persistent pain.

Chronic pain costs about $100 billion

a year in medical costs, lost work-

days and workers’ compensation. It

also disables more people than heart

disease or cancer.

At the SourceThe first step in treating chronic

pain is finding its cause. This often

is difficult.

“We can help many chronic

pain patients if they understand

the causes of pain and the things

we can do to untangle what the

pain has done,” says Richard

Reisman, M.D., medical director

of the Gwinnett Hospital System

Pain Management Center. “Any

treatment a pain management

physician proposes could result in

improvement and complication.

Treatments may be adjusted over

time as we monitor how patients

respond to different approaches.

Patients should expect to invest

time in their treatment processes.”

If pain is your constant compan-

ion, the Pain Management Center

can help you manage it. You need

help learning how to keep pain at

tolerable levels, even if you may

always have some pain. Physicians

who specialize in pain manage-

ment can be your best resource and

support. Your physician should:◆ understand your overall

condition◆ communicate effectively◆ be knowledgeable about

chronic pain◆ put you at ease◆ be a good listener and

encourage your questions◆ be open with you when

you disagree◆ have a positive approach to

life and to your condition◆ be available to talk to your

family ■

A Range of TreatmentsA hospital-based pain management pro-

gram is an excellent option for compre-

hensive treatment provided by clinicians

and physicians who specialize in pain

management. Programs should offer a

range of treatments, including:

◆ steroid injections

◆ nerve blocks

◆ radio-frequency procedures

◆ assessment of surgical options

◆ biofeedback training

◆ group therapy

◆ counseling for patients and their

families

◆ occupational therapy

◆ regional anesthesia

◆ physical therapy

◆ relaxation training and stress

management

◆ education on pain management

techniques and medications

Where to find help when suffering is a constant companion

Go AwayPain, Pain,

FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 54FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 54 12/26/06 12:37:29 PM12/26/06 12:37:29 PM

A Staff of ExpertsPain experts at the GHS Pain Management Center include:

Steven R. Lee, M.D.

Richard Reisman, M.D., medical director

Stephanie Smith, M.D.

Jorge Alvear, M.D.

Guru Setty, M.D.

Christopher Hosfeld, M.D.


No Pain, Your Gain

The Pain Management Center is located at 575 Professional Drive in

Lawrenceville. For more information, call (678) 442-5200.

FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 55FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 55 12/26/06 12:39:52 PM12/26/06 12:39:52 PM

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gwinnettmedicalcenter.org©2006 Gwinnett Hospital System gwinnettmedicalcenter.org

The one that practices at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Same coat. Same stethoscope. But they’re totally different.

So which doctor is best for you?

Located on Howell Ferry Roadbetween Pleasant Hill Road andPeachtree Industrial Boulevard

Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. Now Open.When it comes to finding the doctor that’s right for you, look to Gwinnett Medical Center.

Our new Duluth location is the first hospital in north Atlanta to combine all-digital,

leading-edge technology with the doctors you already know and trust, in a wide range

of specialties. And it’s all delivered with exceptional care, in utmost comfort. The kind

you’d expect from hospitals that ranked among the top 5% in the nation for

clinical excellence in 2006. So when it comes to choosing the best doctors for

your family, choose the ones that practice here. Gwinnett Medical Center.

Gwinnett Medical Center1000 Medical Center Blvd.Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDMcMurry

FdVVSP0780_C4.indd 56FdVVSP0780_C4.indd 56 12/26/06 12:42:01 PM12/26/06 12:42:01 PM

healthy living for the gwinnett community · healthy living for the gwinnett community picture...

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