Deborah Gordon finds success in Healthy Me! Program

Healthy Me! Program participant, Deborah Gordon, has made the program her “job” this year. 

As a way to encourage the community to become healthier, The Medical Foundation spearheaded the Healthy Me! Program with the help of partners from Family Medicine of South Bend, P.C., Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Memorial Health and Lifestyle Center and Dr. Jeffrey Mader’s Office.

Six participants were chosen from the community and three men and three women agreed to have their weight published in the newspaper while they received quarterly lab work and met regularly with a dietitian, a physician, a fitness specialist. 

“I wanted to find a way to give these participants the tools they needed to become healthier individuals. I also hoped that through the process, they would inspire people to become healthier at home,” said Healthy Me! Coordinator Colleen Hahn.

On April 1^st when the program started, Deborah began her journey weighing 244 pounds.  She was eager to begin sessions with the dietitian, Erin, and immediately began working out.

“I work out every day, Monday through Friday, and sometimes I will pick up a Saturday or Sunday at Memorial Health and Lifestyle Center.  Prior to starting with the Healthy Me! Program, I was totally sedentary, so I took it easy at first with my workouts, but I wasn’t so out of shape that I was unable to perform any activities,” said Deborah.

Now, she is seeing a noticeable difference in her clothes and her muscle tone. She begins her 90 minute workout with rowing, then moves to the elliptical and treadmill, followed up with another rowing session.  She’s even started spin classes twice a week.

Her persistence in the gym, along with watching her intake of food has proven successful so far, marking the scale at 196 for her November weigh in. She’s lost a total of 48 pounds since the beginning of the program. More importantly, her laboratory test results have improved tremendously and during her November labs, Deborah had lab work that was completely within the reference ranges.

In April, Deborah’s triglycerides were 162, approximately 12 points above the highest recommended reference range. In July, they were as high as 203.  Last week, her triglycerides were at 72, completely in the middle of the recommended reference range.  She also was able to elevate her HDL cholesterol, which is typically referred to as the “good” cholesterol from 38 to 45.  These successes have led to her overall cholesterol numbers to fall within the recommended reference ranges.

“It’s exciting to know that doing a course correction in my daily food intake and exercising could change those numbers in my lipid panel, which will have lasting effects on my health. It was all well worth it,” said Deborah.

Early in the program, Deborah’s lab work reflected a sluggish thyroid and her Healthy Me! Program physician, Dr. Scheel, recommended medication for her. Since then, her thyroid has been performing at an optimal rate, allowing her to have energy to exercise.

The program has not only led to a change in the way Deborah feels about herself, but it has also changed the way her family approaches their health.

“My husband and I waited to have children and I am considered a ‘non-traditional’ mom.  I felt that it was vitally important that my children see the importance of a healthy lifestyle, because I would not want them to encounter poor eating habits from me.  Now my children are much more conscientious with regard to reading nutritional labels and looking for goods that are better for them to eat,” she said.

As Deborah reflects on her new “job,” it’s clear that she has put in the work necessary to be successful in the program and she’s using the tools that have been provided to her. 

“The Healthy Me! Program is appropriately named, because I am living a healthier life.  I’m excited that I’ve kept at it and have amazed myself with regards to how far I have come in my weight loss journey,” said Deborah.

Holiday Meals: From Bland to Grand

Shared meals and elaborate feasts often become the main focus for holiday celebrations.  The traditional holiday meal with cheese and crackers, turkey and stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie contains more than 75% of your daily calories, nearly twice the amount of fat and contains all of the sodium you should consume in one day…and all of this if you eat recommended serving sizes without having seconds.
Fortunately your holiday celebrations do not have to derail your health goals or leave you feeling tired and bloated.  Follow a few of these helpful hints to take your holiday meal from bland to grand.
• Add color to your plate.  Traditional holiday meals come in varying shades of brown and beige, which are typically the colors of added fat and starchy foods.  Fruits and vegetables add a variety of colors and flavors to any dish.  The more colorful your plate the more fruits and vegetables you consume, which means you get more fiber, fewer calories and less added sugar and fat

• Use smaller plates for your entrees.  Smaller plates hold less food and prevent you from dipping a supersized portion

• Make bite-sized desserts such as crust-less pumpkin pie in muffin tins, chocolate mousse made in ice cube trays or bite-sized cookies cut from holiday-shaped cutters

• Put down your eating utensil between each bite.  Focus on eating slowly and actually tasting each morsel of food you chew.  This will lead to better digestion with less gas and bloating, while also giving your body time to signal when you actually become full.  People who eat slower tend to eat less, even if they take longer at the table

• Follow the "one and done" rule.  Take a single serving of each item, then clear your plate and leave the table.  Take a 15-minute break before considering second helpings

Local medical partnerships make targeted therapies a reality for local cancer patients

With an unprecedented level of community involvement, The Medical Foundation, Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI), Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Beacon Health Systems are collaborating to bring personalized medicine using the Sequenom MassARRAY technology to the Michiana area.

Through grants and allocation of funds from each facility, The Medical Foundation will be able to provide mutational profiling for new cases of certain cancers in the area. Approximately 650 patients who present at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka and Plymouth, and Beacon Health Systems including Memorial Hospital and Elkhart General Hospital, with new cases of metastatic melanoma, lung cancer or colon cancer over the next two years will take advantage of the latest technology available.

The MassArray analyzer is able to examine the DNA in a tumor by looking for 105 mutations in one reading. The 105 mutations have been identified by researchers who have examined whether certain drug treatments benefit various patients with these specific actionable mutations. This testing allows pathologists and oncologists to spare patients the extreme toxicity associated with treatment that may never kill their particular tumor.

“This hits the whole idea of patient centered care from many different ways and it’s my hope that this will truly help patients who need this data to get optimum care for their tumors,” said Medical Director of Molecular Pathology at The Medical Foundation, Bobbie Sutton, M.D.  “That’s the bottom line here, I’m hoping that this will help change people’s lives for the better and help them fight their disease,” she said.

For Medical Oncologist Dr. Robin Zon, the information provided by the MassARRAY analyzer allows her to use targeted therapies for patients. Before the arrival of the Sequenom MassArray instrument, patients were mostly treated with a standard drug therapy that may or may not attack the cancerous mutations in the patient. Having tests performed to pinpoint the mutations was very expensive and hard to obtain locally with some tests costing patients several thousands of dollars.

“From a patient perspective, what this means is that if we can discover that a particular patient’s cancer has the right signature to be treated for a particularly targeted therapy, as opposed to chemotherapy, where you don’t know if it is going to work or not, with targeted therapy there is an increased, but not 100% guarantee that the therapy we are offering based on this information is going to be useful,” said Zon.

Zon encourages patients who are eligible for this type of testing and other clinical trials to become involved if possible because these types of trials are often instrumental in helping with further research endeavors.

“It’s all very much a learning curve so I think we’ve made advances for some actionable targets for lung, melanoma and colon, which is why those are the three that are being targeted with this new technology,” said Zon.

Dr. Sutton and Dr. Robert Tomec, President of The Medical Foundation, in accordance with recommendations from The College of American Pathologists (CAP) determined that concentrating on actionable mutations in metastatic melanoma, adenocarcinoma of the lung and colon cancer would be most beneficial to the community.

According to Dr. M. Sharon Stack, who applied for the Walther Cancer Foundation Grant on behalf of the Harper Cancer Research Institute and The Medical Foundation, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Indiana claiming over 4,000 lives annually.  She also noted that colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the state.  Additionally, in a study released in 2012, cancer rates in Northern Indiana, particularly in St. Joseph County, were significantly higher than the state average. These are just a few of the reasons her staff would like to begin researching these three types of cancers in patients at our local hospitals.

The Medical Foundation has agreed to provide testing during this pilot program at cost and Beacon Health Systems and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center have each contributed funds to offset costs so patients can receive this state-of-the-art technology free of charge. Currently, many insurance companies don’t reimburse charges for certain types of molecular testing.

“We agreed to participate in the personalized testing fund for patients who have that need because it fits in the mission of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.  Part of what is embedded in St. Joe’s legacy and who we are in the community is to care for the poor and the underserved and there’s a lot of changes in the healthcare system, many for the good, but at the same time, it’s very challenging when you’re uninsured or underinsured or there’s testing that’s available for patients who just don’t have the wherewithal to have the testing,” said Christopher Karam, Chief Operating Officer at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Greg Losasso, President of Elkhart General Hospital which is a part of Beacon Health Systems, agrees with Karam that both organizations have support and care of their patients as their number one priority when venturing into this partnership with HCRI and The Medical Foundation.

“We’ve always been committed to doing research and partnering with The Medical Foundation and Notre Dame, it gives us the breadth within the community to do things locally and really try and bring our care to a higher level.  That’s part of our ongoing commitment and that’s why it was so easy for us to get involved in this project,” said Losasso.  “Through research we make improvements not just in our local communities, but around the country and the world,” he said.

As for the future of this type of testing or use of the Sequenom MassARRAY analyzer following the two year grant, the possibilities are endless according to Tomec, Sutton and Andy Bullock, Ph.D., M.B.A, Associate Director at the Harper Cancer Research Institute.

For the team at HCRI, each patient who benefits from the mutational profiling will have a personal profile built which researchers will then analyze to see if certain geographical, lifestyle or other correlations can be drawn between patients.

Also, The Medical Foundation will work closely with HCRI to analyze DNA from paraffin blocks that have been stored at the Foundation for several decades.  The paraffin blocks contain small cancerous tumors which may contain several samples from certain patients over time.  When the DNA is run on the analyzer, researchers will be able to examine mutation profile changes over time. Researchers are hoping to learn more about how treatment may have affected the mutations over time.

As for Sutton, she believes work may continue with tumors, but there is also the possibility of creating better testing for hemoglobin electrophoresis among other DNA based projects.

“I anticipate going forward, that this analyzer will still be the workhorse churning out data on a regular basis. Maybe not on tumors, but there are other options, other topics that I want to aim at just because I think it’s good medicine,” said Sutton.

Tomec believes there are numerous possibilities, as well.  “As technology changes I think there will still be a role for this MassARRAY technology not only in solid tumor testing but in other areas such as pharmacogenetics and tissue identification, so the value of the technology will be ongoing,” he said.

The collaboration and partnerships with the hospitals, HCRI and The Medical Foundation continues to grow because, “we can all unite by putting the community and our patients first, because we all have that as a priority, which is a great example of why we should be participating and working together,” said Karam.  “We all have that common goal, to take care of the people in the Michiana community,” he said. 

Healthy Me! Makeovers bring great reactions!

In my words…
(This blog was written by Colleen Hahn, Public Relations for The Medical Foundation and Coordinator of the Healthy Me! Program)

I’m not sure why Reactions Hair Studio chose that particular name, and I didn’t ask the owner, Chris, when I was there today. But I have a feeling it has something to do with the way people feel when the styling is done.

Owner Chris, JJ, Lori and Kimmie volunteered to give up part of their day off Monday to help Healthy Me! Program participants feel a bit more confident about themselves.

Several months ago, Lori and Chris contacted me, offering to provide makeovers for the participants in the program. I figured that about half way through the program, they might need a little motivation and this just might be the thing. I was excited to be able to offer this to our participants.

I wasn’t sure how the men in the program would feel, but Bob and Bret decided they would participate.

“Although this is not really my gig, I am letting my short hair grow out to be medium length hair to let them do their thing.  Can they make me look like Brad Pitt or Pierce Brosnan?” Bob joked.

JJ worked his magic and had Bret and Bob looking dapper before the end of the afternoon.

Deborah and Joni were next in line for their new looks. Deborah, fond of her long locks, opted for some highlights but kept the length about the same.  Kimmie put some finishing touches on Deborah’s make-up and Chris cut and styled her hair to frame her face. It was an amazing touch for Deborah, as she has worked extremely hard in the program, shedding nearly 40 pounds since the beginning of April.

As Joni walked into the studio, I could easily tell that her weekend of work at Nedderman’s mobile unit at the Niles Apples Fest had taken its toll on her and she might rather opt for a few hours on the couch. But it wasn’t long before Lori worked her magic, picking out swatches of color and highlights and giving Joni and I a small vision of what she could see as the end product.

Before long, Lori was putting the finishing touches on Joni’s hair, making sure each piece was in the right spot, spraying endless amounts of hairspray to keep it perfect until she was able to show her six daughters and her husband. I think it was worth the wait, as she was grinning from ear to ear as the staff and I quickly labeled her as, “sassy.”

As the coordinator of the Healthy Me! Program, it has been a very interesting five months with the participants. It seems as though they are reaching so many milestones, each important such as achieving better lab results from the first baseline tests that were offered. I’ve felt their sadness or their success in the moments when they weigh in. They’ve become more accustomed to working out on a regular basis and are making healthier decisions.

Each participant has experienced struggles and each has experienced successes throughout this project. Deborah, Bob, Bret and Joni opted in for the makeovers and I think each of them left a little more confident than when they walked through the door. Thank you Reactions (JJ, Kimmie, Lori and Chris) for opening your studio to our Healthy Me! Participants and for producing great reactions! 

For more pictures of the Healthy Me! Makeovers visit our facebook page here. 

Read Healthy Me! Program participant Bob Vale's reflections on the program and The Logan's Run

The following is a journal entry written by Healthy Me! Program participant, Bob Vale.

Never Give Up!    8-4-2014

            Over the course of the past year, I have been doing my best to get healthy, exercise more, make healthy food choices when eating and hopefully lose weight in the process.  Fortunately the hard work and discipline in these key areas has been paying off and I have lost some weight.     Part of my overall goal to lose enough weight, is to enjoy jogging more, which was a part of my life in my younger years.  However, my knees are not what they used to be, I still carry too much weight, and I am much slower than when I was younger, so it is a bit of a challenge at 52.

            Therefore as I have lost some weight, I have been able to enjoy a bit of jogging at a very slow pace.  At the beginning of the summer I was able to slowly jog the Sunburst 5K and greatly enjoyed the event.   Following that race, I decided to jog during the summer and slowly increase my distance.   My goal was to run the 10K at the Logan run on Notre Dame Campus at the beginning of August.    I began to prepare myself for that longer race by increasing my jogging distances during the summer.      

            This past Saturday I felt I was ready and showed up at the Logan run event early to pick up my shirt, race number and information bag.    My race number was only # 6, which was very low, considering there were probably close to a thousand participants.  I thought there is no way I was going come into 6^th place, but perhaps that is how fast / slow I would run.   (6 MPH)  The 10K runners all gathered around the large balloon archway, which was the beginning of the race waiting for the begin running call.  The 10K runners took off and I was about in the middle of the pack of probably 200 runners.    I had only three goals for the race that day.  First to complete the full 10k’s.  Secondly, not to walk and always jog and thirdly to do my best to stay under an average of 12 minute miles in my slow jogging pace.   (Fortunately, I was able to accomplish all three of my goals, but it was no easy task!!!)

            After about one mile into the race, my right ham string began to feel pain and cramp up.  This has never happened to me and I thought to myself, I want to definitely finish this race, so I will slow down a bit and see if it goes away. Stopping was not an option considering how much I wanted to finish this race. Fortunately, after about another quarter mile the pain went away and I kept on jogging.   Although I thought I was doing pretty well, I was quickly put in my place as person after person began to pass by me early in the race. First it was the ten year old little boy who seemed to sprint by me.  Then a very young girl also passed by.   Then a gentlemen about 20 years older than my 52 year old body slowly but surely passed by.   I tried to pick up the pace, but reminded myself to just stick to my comfortable pace and finish the long race.

            I stayed positive and just kept my three goals in mind.  Finish, don’t stop and stay under 12 minute miles.   At the first water station I was handed a cup full of gator aid.  I have never drank that during a race, but I did my best to choke down a couple of gulps while I was running and continue down the path.     About half way through the race the runner traffic had thinned out, yet a father pushing a child in a running cart whizzed by me and a couple of ladies did so as well.   I continued to stress to myself, don’t worry who is passing you, just meet your three goals and Never Give UP!!!

            Next came the second watering area.  As I jogged by the table and multiple holding out cups for me to grab, I was handed another glass of gator aid and slowed down enough to try to drink the full glass if possible.  I felt as much as I was sweating, I needed the replenishing qualities of the gator aid in my body.    I think I need to practice jogging and drinking at the same time, because the two don’t occur naturally.  I think I choked & spit up more gator aid than I swallowed.  Now I was on the back stretch of the run with only two miles left.  (Yeah God!!!)   I could tell my pace was slowing down and I was laboring in my breathing and wheezing.  By this time the sun was up and it was getting hotter with high humidity for the day.  The beauty of jogging around the two lakes was very nice.  Not that I was feeling bad enough, about a mile left in the race, a first aid lady rode up to me on her bike and asked me if I was going to be alright because I looked rather peeked.  Which was a kind and polite way of saying, “I think you’re going to drop dead at any moment, can I help you.”  I thanked her and said, “I am fine, I just look ugly and painful when I run.”  (Which I do.)  

            I continued to slowly jog and kept my thumbs up, thanking the many volunteers who cheered me on as I meandered through the course.    Finally I could see the finish line with the welcoming archway of pretty balloons in the distance.  I picked up my pace a bit to finish strong over the finish line.   About fifty yards from the finish line there were some good friends and my wife cheering me on while ringing a cowbell.   I crossed the finish and met all three goals.  I finished, I never stopped jogging, and I was actually under an 11 minute mile average.    Wow, that’s pretty cool, I actually did it.

            I was so very tired and my legs were shaking when I crossed the finish line.  However, when I began to walk a few steps past the finish line, I could tell my stomach was saying to get rid of all that gator aid that I drank at the last two stops. Things were physically in motion and there was no stopping what was going to happen next!   (Where were the first aid folks now?)  Without hesitation, I walked over to the tall weeds on the side of the road and quickly got rid of all that gator aid. I’m sure I was a site for sore eyes.  I felt a bit better, but was still very much drained.   A cold water & banana later helped me to feel better.

This 10k race was by far the most difficult run I have ever undertaken, yet I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I met a goals, which was difficult, but very fulfilling.  I trained for nearly two months getting ready to meet that goal.   As I crossed the finish line, I was handed a small medal with a colorful ribbon, which will go on my desk with pride.  A small reminder of hard work and determination.

            Through it all, I have quickly determined that the shorter 5k run is my race rather than the 10k run at this point in my life.   I look forward to my next 5K run, hopefully soon as I continue to train, eat healthy and lose more weight.   Many thanks to the Healthy Me folks for their continued encouragement and guidance through this process to become a healthier me.   I would also like thank Colleen Hahn, the encouraging and hard-working program coordinator, Jonell, my determined physical trainer, Dr. Troyer, who gives me medical guidance and Erin, the dietitian, who teaches me about making healthy food choices.

Take the Test; Take Control

Did you know that Friday, June 27^th is National HIV testing day?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging people to “Take the Test; Take Control.” According to the CDC, black women, more than any other women in the United States are getting HIV. Of all the women in the United States, 66% are African American and 87% of these women got HIV from unprotected sex with a man. 

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) occurs when the body is unable to clear the virus as it does with common flu viruses.  Once you get HIV, you have it for life, because it attacks your CD4 cells or T-cells.  These cells are responsible for helping the body fight against disease and infection. Once HIV weakens and destroys your cells, it weakens the immune system. 

Without treatment, a person with HIV can develop Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  AIDS is the final stage of HIV. 

How do you get HIV?

Having unprotected sex is the number one way that women get HIV.  The truth about unprotected sex is that if you have had unprotected sex (anal, vaginal or oral) you may be at risk for HIV. 

You can also acquire HIV by sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with someone who is HIV positive. 

HIV can also be spread through pregnancy from the mother to the baby during birth or through breastfeeding. 

Why is it important to be tested for HIV?

Finding out that you are HIV positive can help you live longer if it is caught early.  Remember, you can screen positive for HIV and feel perfectly healthy.  Treatments are available if the HIV is detected early and can help you live a longer, healthier life.

If you know that you are HIV positive, you will be able to look out for yourself and those you love.

Finally, it’s fast, easy and confidential!

What does the HIV test screen?

The test measures the antibodies, special proteins in the body.  Most people will show affected antibodies in 2-8 weeks after exposure, but for some it takes longer.  The CDC recommends that if you lead a lifestyle that may put you at risk, that you get tested every three months.

If you would like to be tested, The Medical Foundation offers HIV testing at all of our locations.  To view a list of our hours and locations click here.  An appointment is not necessary. Take the Test; Take Control.

Fallen Officer Blood Drive is Thursday in Mishawaka

Over thirty-five strangers saved the life of RayWolfenbarger on a cold December night back in 2001.  It’s a day his wife, and mother of daughter Bailee, will probably never forget.

Wolfenbarger, a South Bend Police Officer, was shot three times while making a routine traffic stop. He was wearing a bullet proof vest; however, he lost over 35 units of blood during surgery and needed several more in the days that followed. 

Today, some may notice his limp or that he walks with a cane, but it rarely slows him down and hasn’t stopped him from cheering loudly at his daughter’s sporting events.  Every milestone is a precious one and time with family isn’t taken for granted.

Ray’s well aware of the importance of blood donations and that if it weren’t for those 35+ people who walked through the door at The Medical Foundation to donate, he wouldn’t be here today.  And it’s that reason that he donates his time and helps plan the Fallen Officer Blood Drive each year at the South Bend and Mishawaka Police Departments.

Last week, the South Bend Police Department hosted their blood drive and 73 people, officers and civilians, gave of their time and a unit of blood to show their support for the families of those who have lost loved ones to violence.

On Thursday, June 26^th, Gary Roberts, will spend time thanking blood donors who show up at the Mishawaka Police Department for their gift of blood. Gary’s brother, Corporal Tom Roberts, and fellow officer, Bryan Verkler were both shot and killed while responding to a dispute in Mishawaka in December of 2003. 

Since his brother’s death, Gary has been active in Project Blue Light, a nationwide recognition of those Police Officers who have died in the line of duty.  He’s also been active in the Mishawaka Police Department Blood Drive honoring fallen officers.

This year, Gary will donate his 24^th unit in memory of his brother.

Fallen Officer Blood Drives are held in all 92 Indiana counties and was started by Janice Starnes, whose husband, Daniel, died in the line of duty in 2001.  During the Medical Foundation Fallen Officer Blood Drives we remember the families of officers who died in the line of duty including the families of Thomas DeRue, Sr., Paul Deguch, Scott Severns, Nick Polizzotto, Tom Roberts, Bryan Verkler, Jim Szuba and his K9 Ricky.

If you would like to donate blood, visit the MishawakaPolice Station located at 200 North Church Street in Mishawaka on Thursday, June 26^th from 10am until 4pm. To make an appointment, visit www.GiveBloodNow.com.  If you cannot donate during those times, visit The Medical Foundation locations on Lafayette Boulevard in South Bend, Edison and Main in Mishawaka or at the Elkhart General Hospital.