Download pdf - @Affinity Magazine - Summer 2011 - A Genetic Journey

a geneticjourneyGenetic counseling leads to knowledge and peace of mind

The Power of Going Green

GETTING FIT: One Step at a Time Making Healthy Choices

sn@ps

Premiere issuesummer 2011

y o u r g u i d e t o h e a l t h & w e l l n e s s

2 | @Affinity • S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 w w w. af f i n i t y h e a l t h . o rg / b l o g

Welcometo YOUR magazine,

If you’re interested in becoming a pre-reader for future issues, please email us at [email protected].

“Entertaining, informative and a feel-good read.”

~ Jeremy Dyken, Oshkosh

We are happy to

announce the

release of our

premiere issue of @Affinity,

replacing About Health.

As Affinity Health system remains committed to

delivering personalized care, we are excited to share a

more personalized connection with you and all of our

patients, friends and neighbors in the communities we

serve. inside, you’ll find patient stories, provider profiles,

seasonal info, go-green tips, wellness and volunteer

opportunities and a kids-only page, all produced locally

with eco-friendly materials. This magazine is designed

to reflect what matters most to you. so, you’ll also find

many ways you can contribute to @Affinity by sending

in favorite family recipes, sharing photos of local events

you attend, providing feedback on what you have

learned in our community classes or suggesting topics

for future issues of @Affinity. Please let us know what

you think of @Affinity by posting your comments here:

www.AffinityHealth.org/blog. We’re listening!

sincerely,

Daniel e. Neufelder, FACHePresident and CeOAffinity Health system

“Fantastic. Informative. Fresh. And local - love that! It’s an easy read becauseof the format and layout. You can sit down and read the whole thing – you are going to want to read the whole thing! Very exciting.”~ Jennifer Stephany, Appleton

“It’s an honor to have my work featured on the

cover of this inspiring and informative publication.”

~ Polly Becker, Boston

“I caught on the cover, ‘Your Guide to

Health & Wellness’ … makes me want

to sit down and read the entire issue.”

~ Paul Hugo, Chilton

“Enjoyable because it is local and people will see people they might know. I love the mix of photos and illustrations.”

~ Kelli Karpinski, Oshkosh

“I am always enamored with the @ symbol. Totally progressive!”~ Thomas Clifford,

Appleton

“I love the direction this is heading. Keep a focus on wellness and prevention to help people stay healthy.”

~ Art Dumke, Oshkosh

w w w. af f i n i t y h e a l t h . o rg / b l o g S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 • @Affinity | 3

c o n t e n t sAffinity Health SystemMenasha, WIwww.affinityhealth.org

President and Chief Executive OfficerDaniel E. Neufelder, FACHE

Chief Administrative OfficerVince Gallucci

Editorial ManagementJennifer Wagner MaukJohn Egan

Volume 1, Number 1The material in @Affinity is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

@Affinity is published four times annually by Affinity Health System.

For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, change your address, discontinue multiple copies or stop receiving @Affinity, please contact us at [email protected].

© 2011 Affinity Health System. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from Affinity Health System.

F E AT U R E s

10

7

10 In The Genes After cancer, genetic counseling

provides knowledge and peace of mind to an Oshkosh woman.

CoverandstoryillustrationsbyPollyBecker

PhotographsbyShaneVanBoxtel,ImageStudios

15 Sister Survivors Cancer unites family, thanks in part

to beneficial gene testing. IllustrationbyYoungSookCho

SHOrT ClIPS

4 Forging Ahead renovation enhances patient

care at St. Elizabeth Hospital

by THE NuMbErS

5 Potatoes, Beds and More!

Interesting local and national figures

In SeASOn SuMMEr

6 The Thrill of the Grill GOOD EAT’N

7 Better-Than-Ever Potato Salad

bE WEll

8 Put the Flame Out IllustrationbyTravisFoster

GET GrEEN

9 Chill Out

P R E M I E R E I S S U ES U M M E R 2 0 1 1

D E PA RT M E N T s

Mission, Promise & Values

at affinity health system, our mission guides our actions.

MissionThe mission of Affinity Health System is to live out the healing ministry of Christ by providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve, especially the poor.

PromiseWe promise to provide personalized care by listening, treating you with respect and putting your needs and interests first.

ValuesThe way we accomplish our mission is as important as the mission itself. These values and traditions of our sponsors, Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, guide our actions.

AFTEr CArE

18 One Step at a Time Get to know your care

provider. Meet barb Viste-Johnson from Affinity Medical Home in Kaukauna.

IllustrationbySusanFarrington

GIVING bACK

20 Helping Hands Offer Hope

A look at an Affinity team member who volunteers in our communities

IllustrationbyYoungSookCho

lEArN & lIVE

22 Babysitting, ADHD and Kids Safety

Educational opportunities at Affinity

KIDS@AFFINITy

23 Operation Body Shop Fun activities for children

20SER

VICE

TEAMWORKJUSTICE

INTEGRITY

CREATIVITY

STEW

ARDS

HIP


Forging AheadRenovation enhances patient care at st. Elizabeth Hospital

S H O R T C L I P S

The Center for

Spine & brain

Health at Mercy

Medical Center

in Oshkosh

opened in early

April to better serve

the individual surgical

and non-surgical

needs of our patients

at Affinity.

The Center for

Spine & brain

Health is made

up of a multi-

disciplinary

group of

physicians

and providers

who specialize

in neurosurgery,

spine surgery,

pain management and

rehabilitation. They collaborate

to provide the best possible

outcomes to those with neck and

back pain.

If you suffer from neck or back

pain and think you might benefit

from being treated in the healing

environment of The Center for

Spine & brain Health, contact

your primary care physician. Or

call (920) 233-0610 to reach the

center directly.

From Painto Promise

Recipe for RenovationIt takes more than just blood, sweat and tears (and time) to create a state-of-the-art hospital. These figures illustrate how much metal, mortar and more will help renovate St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Concrete = 1,827 yds = 7,399,350 lbs Rebar = 228 tons = 456,000 lbs Brick = 10,597 sq ft = 72,695 bricks Block = 17,269 sq ft = 19,427 blocks Stone = 4,985 sq ft = 199 ton = 398,000 lbs Steel = 245 tons = 490,000 lbs Glass curtain wall = 9,541 sq ft

the construction at st. elizabeth Hospital were built after more than 700 interviews conducted with patients and families to determine what they wanted in their community hospital.

“People nowadays are building hospitals like this on 40 to 60 acres of land,” Kusnierz says. “st. elizabeth Hospital lives on less than a fraction of that. Plus, it’s in a convenient spot.”

Beyond the new patient rooms and hallways, the renovated st. elizabeth Hospital will be LeeD certified by the u.s. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders. The up-to-date building will integrate design and construction practices that are fiscally responsible, while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

erhaps the best kept secret in the st. elizabeth Hospital renovation project is that a nearly brand new hospital will mostly be built into existing architecture.

even better, business continues as usual throughout the duration of the construction project, which began in the

fall of 2009 and will conclude in early 2012. The entire hospital exists – and will continue

to thrive – on a mere 17.5 acres of land in the heart of Appleton, just blocks away from downtown and directly accessible off of Highway 441, says Gary Kusnierz, vice president of Performance excellence for Affinity Health system.

The crown jewel – a new state-of-the-art emergency department – opens as part of the project this fall and will double the number of rooms in a key area of the hospital, which took root in the community in 1899.

Currently, there are nine rooms within the emergency department at st. elizabeth Hospital. The renovated hospital will have 20, with the ability to flex to 47 during peak times of the day, Kusnierz says. many rooms will include amenities like private bathrooms, TVs and additional space for family.

“We are creating a process to enhance the patient experience in the emergency department,” says Kusnierz. “Our new processes in development at st. elizabeth Hospital will include quick triage and expedited patient flow.”

A new Breast Center, Cancer Center and labor, delivery and postpartum units, as well as many other renovations, will follow on the st. elizabeth Hospital campus, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 1999, marking a century of service to the community.

Kusnierz says just about all components of

Prep andrecovery room


B Y T H E N U M B E R S

2.5millionMorethan2.5millionwomenhavebattled

andwonthebreastcancerfightinthe

UnitedStatessince2010,accordingtothe

AmericanCancerSociety.

AccordingtotheUSDA,eachAmericaneatsabout140poundsofpotatoesperyear.Potatoescontainnofat,saturatedfat,sodium,orcholesterolandarehighinvitaminCaswellasagoodsourceofpotassium.

ThenumberofBand-Aids®that

havebeensoldworldwide.

JohnsonandJohnsonemployee

EarleDicksondevelopedthe

Band-Aid®in1920forhisaccident-

pronewife,Josephine.Earleattachedsmallpieces

ofsterilegauze,producedby

hisemployer,tothecenterof

stripsofsurgicaltapetobandage

Josephine’swounds.

Todate,morethan100billion

Band-Aids®havebeenproduced.

FUN FACT:DidyouknowBarry

Manilowpennedthefamiliarjingle,

“IamstuckonBand-Aids®”?

100 billion

Band AidPhoto Here

Affinityrecentlypurchased171state-of-the-artinpatienthospitalbedsforSt.ElizabethHospital,MercyMedicalCenterandCalumetMedicalCenter.TheoldbedshavebeendonatedtoThirdWorldcountries,andmostrecently,83bedsandmattressesareontheirwaytohospitalsinTanzania,Africa,throughapartnershipwithHospitalSistersMissionOutreachProgram.

140

83

1,200ChristineAnnDomesticAbuseServicesusesapproximatelyonecaseoftoiletpaperpermonth—that’s96rollspercaseornearly1,200rollsperyear.

in season summer

The sizzle of flank steak may be irresistible, and the smell of barbecue chicken intoxicating, but nothing dampens a great grilling session more than an errant burn or out-of-control fire.

And while the itch to grill may have existed all winter, when spring grilling season finally arrives, it’s best to dust off not only the grill and utensils, but some safety tips as well.

“most accidents can be prevented,” says Jesse Pickett, fire prevention specialist

with the Grand Chute Fire Department. All it takes is a

little common sense and a bit of preplanning. Here are some of the “must knows” of

grilling safety:» Operate grills outside

only—not only because of fire hazards, but because of potential build-

up of deadly carbon monoxide fumes.» start each season with a clean grill. Gas grills

should be checked (by running soapy water through the hoses) for any gas leakage or damage. » Be aware of local fire ordinances, and keep grills

a safe distance (10 to 15 feet) from structures.» Keep children and pets away from grills. » use long-handled utensils, wear safe clothing

and use a grill mat or splatter mat to contain hot grease spills.

» Place grills on stable, level ground.» Never leave a lit grill unattended.

After grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. “The charcoal itself can stay hot for days,” warns Pickett.

if a burn should occur, common sense—not panic—should prevail. James W. smrecek, mD, family practice physician for Affinity medical Group in Oshkosh, says the most important first aid is “anything cold,” such as running the affected area under cold water.

A small blister or redness on the hand may only require an application of an aloe or burn cream. But a burn covering the palm of the hand, something bigger (or one involving blisters or charring) or in a delicate area (such as the eyes) may require a trip to urgent care or the emergency room.

“most of the time it’s going to be something you can manage at home,” he adds.

The Thrill of the Grill

Safety First

82% of all U.s. households own a grill or smoker.

97% of grill owners actually used their grill in the past year.

More than 16.7 million new grills were shipped in 2009.

Because grilling is so pervasive, mishaps do occur. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that fire departments respond to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues each year, including 5,000 outside fires and 2,900 structure fires. The peak months for grill fires are June and July.

The NFPA also notes that 33 percent of home grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.

—Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Keep it safe forthe best BBQ season ever. By Sharon VerBeten

Sharon Verbetenis a De Pere freelance writer/editor

and mother of one who lovesto watch her husband do the grilling.

summer 6 • good eat’n 7 • be well 8 • go green 9

better-Than-Ever Potato Salad

cottage on Lake Poygan in Winneconne. Prepared frequently by Wilhelmina (minnie) Wilson (1871-1948), it was a favorite summer side dish. Today, spang’s recipe box still contains the revered recipe, and the favorite makes an appearance from time to time at family gatherings.

Grandmother’s Potato Saladserves 12

Ingredients10-12 red potatoes, skins on, cubed (changed from regular potatoes, left skins on) 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil½ cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoon dry mustard1 pinch of red pepper½ teaspoon salt½ cup vinegar½ cup skim milk (changed from whole milk)2 ribs celery, sliced1 red bell pepper, chopped (addition)½ onion, chopped(hard-boiled eggs were removed or the amount could be cut in half to three hard-boiled eggs)

1. Boil 10-12 red potatoes, set aside.

2. in a bowl, mix oil and sugar together, then beat in eggs. Add dry mustard, red pepper, salt, vinegar and bring to a boil. Add milk to make a sauce and pour over the top of the potatoes. Top with celery, peppers and onions and mix thoroughly.

Traditional summer recipe gets a healthy makeover

Resourceswww.ChooseMyPlate.govwww.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org

good eat’n

To submit your favorite recipe for consideration in an upcoming issue, please email us at [email protected]

Lori Deering.RegisteredDietitianandLifespanEducator,AffinityHealthSystem

O m eT i m e s i T ’s N OT A B O u T taking all the bad-for-you stuff out of a recipe, but instead substituting a few things

to make it a little healthier.“Don’t make drastic changes; make minor

changes,” says Lori Deering, a registered dietitian for Affinity Health system. “You want the food you are eating to be enjoyable.”

Take this delicious potato salad, for example—a staple of most summer picnics and gatherings. Deering suggests using baby red potatoes with skins on to add more fiber. Dietary fiber helps keep food in the body moving smoothly promoting good digestion and colon health. And according to the American Dietetic Association, fiber also makes people feel fuller sooner so they can eat less.

Adding additional vegetables, such as bell peppers, is a great way to meet recommended daily amounts of vegetables, as well as make a recipe healthier. Deering also suggests using fat-free milk and eliminating saturated fat like butter by using canola or olive oil when possible.

Potato salad has been a quintessential side dish at cookouts and family gatherings for centuries. There’s German, American, mustard-based, and then there’s the coveted— often top-secret!—family recipe.

Of course, each family prepares the age-old side dish differently. And if most families were asked, they’d say their family potato salad recipe was the very best.

sharon spang, long-time Appleton resident who now has grandchildren of her own, recalls eating her grandmother’s potato salad at her family

Wilhelmina (Minnie) and William Wilson circa 1930



be well

Put the Flame Out

he smells and the sounds of summer—fireworks, parades, barbecues and sunscreen— are unmistakable. And while the tastes can be equally delicious, the food can be a bit problematic for some.

For those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (sometimes called GerD, acid reflux or reflux), overindulgence can trigger symptoms. in fact, the international Foundation for Functional Gastrointestial Disorders estimates that between 5 and 7 percent of the world’s population is affected by reflux, which causes sensations similar to heartburn.

Other symptoms of reflux include pain just below the ribs and a sour, burning sensation in the upper abdomen, neck and mouth. it occurs when acidic contents of the stomach repeatedly back-flow into the esophagus, causing heartburn, belching, a chronic sore throat and other uncomfortable symptoms.

The good news? reflux is treatable. since fall 2010, Affinity medical Group’s Dr. Peter Janu, mD, general surgeon, has been performing the

transoral incisionless fundoplication (TiF) with esophyX procedure at Calumet medical Center in Chilton and st. elizabeth Hospital in Appleton with much success.

“it’s a really functional, safe, effective minimally invasive procedure,” says Dr. Janu.

The success of the program in Northeast Wisconsin has expanded the program. Now, including Dr. Janu, four doctors at st. elizabeth Hospital are performing the procedure, which reconstructs a valve to reestablish a barrier to reflux.

To schedule an appointment at Calumet Medical Center in Chilton or St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, call (920) 849-3826. To learn more about this new procedure, visit www.affinitystories.com to watch Dr. Janu’s video.

successful new procedure treats acid reflux

Affinity Health System gives patients total health and healing opportunities with an integrative medicine team offering acupuncture, healing massage, yoga and meditation. Classes are open to both Affinity employees and the community. This fall, the following classes are available: Introduction to Meditative Practices, Mindfulness Meditation, Aromatherapy and Gentle yoga for back Pain. To register, call NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900.

For those interested in supporting the ongoing development of integrative medicine in our community, the Mercy Health Foundation has a number of attractive donor programs suited to your individual needs. To explore more about the Mercy Health Foundation, call (920) 223-0520. you may also contact the foundation via e-mail at [email protected].

Affinity Medical Group is now offering a new adult weight management program in conjunction with Health Management resources (HMr).

HMr, a medically managed weight loss program used by physicians in major medical centers throughout the united States, is based on more than 25 years of research and testing. The diet plans use high-nutrition HMr weight loss shakes and meals, which make the diet both easy to follow and nutritionally complete for people with ongoing health concerns. The program reinforces behaviors like physical activity and emphasizes lifestyle changes.

For more information, call Suzanne Schlaefer at (920) 727-4295.

Healingin Harmony

Weight No More

Learn more about this wellness article by visiting (case sensitive) http://goo.gl/OK8y6

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r


Chill Out

here may be plenty of hot fun in the summertime, as we exit our winter hibernation. But when the mercury rises, so, too, can utility bills, thanks to air

conditioner use. Here’s a quick read to help you stay cool and still keep utility bills manageable.

if you’re not on a flat rate plan, realize that utility rates vary during on-peak periods (typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for residential). every kilowatt consumed during peak hours costs about 18 cents, compared to only 8 cents during off-peak periods (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). so be sure to monitor usage during those times.

Want to save even more? • make sure your AC unit is running

well and tuned up.• Adjust settings to 76°F or 78°F

when family is home during peak hours. You’ll save 1 percent to 3 percent for every degree set above 72°F — a practice which can save 10 percent or more overall. When leaving home, turn off your AC or set it to a higher temps such as 85°F.

• Close shades and blinds to keep the house cool; that can result in an additional 5 percent savings.

• unplug unused devices (like lights, coffee machines, computers and modems) to save another 5 percent.

These small changes in awareness and behavior can result in a savings of 20 percent or more. A typical home will burn 32 to 54 pounds of coal a day for power, so challenge your family this year to cut the energy use and lower your carbon footprint.

Bright ideas for keeping cool and saving money, energy

by IqbAl MIAN

re- is a prefix used in the English language with the meaning “again” to indicate repetition or restoration. re is the creative identity for Affinity Health System’s environmental management system. It helps eliminate environmental waste and move beyond compliance in our journey of continuous improvement.

Earlier this year, during Earth Week, the re program was launched and implemented throughout Affinity Health System.

“What’s most exciting is that it helps us produce actual results by understanding our interactions with the environment and eliminating waste,” says Iqbal Mian, Affinity’s Sustainability Team leader. “The goal is to create a healthy future by lessening our ecological footprint and striving for a state of sustainable development.”

“Going green” is more than just a catchphrase for Affinity Health System. It’s a practice in progress—right down to the magazine you hold in your hands.

Van lanen Inc. in Green bay, printer of @Affinity, is the first commercial printer in Northeastern Wisconsin certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring the company’s printed items come from wood harvested from well-managed forests and the items are handled only by certified companies at every step of their creation.

Paul Miller, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Van lanen, says, “This certification represents an awareness of how our company impacts the environment and a continuing focus on doing whatever we can to preserve natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Launching Re

More than Just “Green” Ink

get green

For more information on Affinity’s sustainability efforts, visit www.affinityhealth.org/green

Iqbal Mian, sustainability team leader at Affinity Health System.


c o v e r s t o r y

Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel , Image StudiosI l l u s t r a t i o n b y P o l l y B e c k e r

After cancer, genetic counseling provides knowledge and peaceof mind to Oshkosh

,s Amber DeVoe

I n spring 2002, Amber DeVoe was spending weekends socializing with friends and preparing for an out-of-town business trip. By most definitions, she was living a normal,

carefree 25-year-old life…until everything changed.With just one swipe past her breast as she was applying sunless

tanner on that spring Saturday, DeVoe felt a lump.“Be aware of your own body, know what’s right and what’s

wrong,” says DeVoe, now 34, of Oshkosh, who knew the large lump was certainly not right.

“By Wednesday, I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer,” DeVoe recalls. “Everything went so fast. I’m the kind of person who takes things head on, but I didn’t even have time to think.”

Immediately, DeVoe began the long and grueling process of

i n t h eg e n e s

@

B y M a n d y W i M M e r


Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel , Image StudiosI l l u s t r a t i o n b y P o l l y B e c k e r

i n t h eg e n e s


co

ve

r

st

or

y

chemotherapy and radiation. She took a leave of absence from her job at 4Imprint in Oshkosh to focus on battling breast cancer — a disease she is all too familiar with; her mother is also a survivor.

DeVoe says optimism was a key factor in battling her disease. She fought hard and kept healthy by biking, running and walking her black lab, Marley, at the recommendation of her medical oncologist Karen Gremminger, MD, of the Michael D. Wachtel Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh.

Her aggressive cancer responded well, and by the end of treatment, DeVoe’s lump had disappeared, sparing her a lumpectomy.

Even though her life may have temporarily returned to normal, DeVoe knew her family’s history put her at risk of her cancer returning. Still, she remained positive.

“My philosophy was I couldn’t worry about it in the day-to-day. It just became a reality and you have to learn to not take every day for granted,” she says. “I couldn’t make myself miserable over it.”

More importantly, however, after her second diagnosis with cancer, DeVoe became proactive—taking advantage of a service and technology that has increasingly become an important part of health care, genetic counseling and testing.

Genetic counseling and testing: Putting the pieces togetherBecause of her family history and her diagnosis at such a young age, DeVoe was referred to Affinity’s genetic counselor Thea Johnson, MS, who gathers patients’ family histories, ultimately helping them determine whether genetic testing for gene mutations would be helpful. According to the National Cancer Institute, mutations to either breast cancer gene – BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 – significantly increase a patient’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, compared with the risks to those without the mutation.

“Genetic counseling and testing is increasingly becoming a major piece of the health care plan. It’s understood that genetics will play a huge role in how to better treat and talk about personalized care,” Johnson says. “The counseling helps the patient get an accurate understanding of what the test will tell them and what they can do with that information.”

As a preventative measure, those who test positive for a gene mutation or have a family history like DeVoe’s are often screened more heavily and at earlier ages. Plus, the knowledge of a positive gene mutation helps a patient and their health care


providers customize a health care plan, including screenings, at an age younger than 40, when mammogram screening usually starts for women.

Genetic testing, however, isn’t just a blood test. The counseling begins with one or two information-gathering appointments—and a deep dive into family history. Using a genealogy-style family tree, Johnson mapped out DeVoe’s family history, looking at whether the cancer could be hereditary and due to a genetic mutation. Plotting and mapping is literally done on paper to see if patterns can be found.

“I can provide a lot of guidance based on a patient’s family health history, Johnson says. “Basically, it’s a personalized, proactive consultation between me and the patient.”

This method allows patients to get an accurate understanding of what the blood test will tell them. “I always tell patients, genetic testing can help determine whether they have a greater chance to develop certain types of cancers; however, most importantly, what they can do to be more proactive and reduce their cancer risks,” Johnson says.

Finding out if she had the gene, DeVoe says, was never about prolonging life, but instead having the tools she needed to make the appropriate health decisions.

“I knew it was going to be interesting to see the results,” DeVoe says. “It was more of a curiosity thing for me. If you know, you just know more about your prevention steps long-term.”

DeVoe wasn’t nervous about finding out the results. “In the end, I figured, it wasn’t as bad as having cancer,” she says.

Her blood test, however, proved she did have a gene mutation of the BRCA 2 gene. Interestingly, her mother who also survived breast cancer did not have the mutation; DeVoe inherited it from her father’s genetics — a discovery that answered part of the “why” for DeVoe.

Today, DeVoe doesn’t stress much about having the gene mutation, although she does remain cautious about

Ever since she was a child, Thea Johnson has been fascinated with science. But it wasn’t until she was a freshman at Racine’s William Horlick High School that her curiosity in a career in genetics was truly piqued.

In ninth grade, Johnson was mesmerized by the unit on genetics and even did scores of extra credit to whet her appetite. That love of science, teamed with a passion for helping people, blossomed into her current career at Affinity.

“Genetic counseling combines both of those; it really resonated with me,” says Johnson.

With an undergraduate background in biology, psychology and chemistry and a master’s degree in genetic counseling, Johnson joined Affinity in 2008. She provides genetic counseling services to patients and their families in preconception, prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and mental health genetics. Helping people and their loved ones understand how family history affects health risks is very important.

In 2010, Johnson completed an extensive fellowship through City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center in Duarte, Calif., to obtain a type of genetics training that only two others in the state of Wisconsin have. She is the only counselor in Northeast Wisconsin to have completed the Cancer Genetics Education Program of the Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics, an accredited program for community-based clinicians. Part of Johnson’s job is to have the most up-to-date information about the field so she can educate her patients. She is also a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (www.nsgc.org).

As the Affinity genetic counseling program grew, so did the desire to enhance research and the ability to provide personalized care. Through the generosity of the Spierings Cancer Foundation, the genetic counseling program received two grants to support its goals of accessibility to clinical cancer genetics care and research.

A Study in Genetics “My philosophy was I couldn’t worry about it in the day-to-day. It just became a reality and you have to learn to not take every day for granted.”

ovarian cancer. With Johnson’s guidance, DeVoe has learned preventative measures to decrease her risk for ovarian cancer. DeVoe says she will likely move forward with an oophorectomy (removal of healthy fallopian tubes and ovaries). If it is done before menopause, it could reduce her ovarian cancer risk by more than 90 percent, Johnson says.

DeVoe Tackles Round TwoDeVoe had decided that if her cancer ever resurfaced, she’d treat it in a more extreme way, with a double mastectomy.

In April 2010, DeVoe was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. This time, her cancer was discovered during a typical breast exam, which DeVoe swears by. It was stage 1—which made both DeVoe and her health care providers optimistic about her prognosis.

“It was really the best case scenario because we caught it so early, which is why you do those screens,” DeVoe says. “But I

Thea Johnson, MS, genetic counselor at Affinity Health System, demonstrates how she maps out family genetics.


urvivors

Sknew what I needed to do. I had accepted it years ago, so I was emotionally prepared for the decision.”

In May 2010, DeVoe had a bilateral mastectomy performed by Michael J. Foley, MD, an Affinity Medical Group surgeon. “My first impression of Amber was that she was an incredibly resilient and upbeat woman who was now facing her second round with breast cancer,” says Dr. Foley. “There are not many people who can say that they have faced cancer once and remain positive in the face of a second cancer. Her inner strength and positive attitude throughout her care was and is the single most important factor in her survival.”

Following the surgery, DeVoe started her second round of chemotherapy. Today, she’s optimistic about breast reconstruction and getting her “normal” thirtysomething life back.

“I took it day-by-day again. I’d been through it before, and I knew I’d get through it again. I always say, ‘It could be worse.’”

DeVoe now says if she would have known she had a BRCA

c o v e r s t o r y

“It was really the best case scenario because we

caught it so early, which is why you do those screens.”

mutation after her first round of cancer treatment in her 20s, she would have chosen a mastectomy immediately to decrease her risk.

“Women should realize that getting breast cancer can happen, and it does,” DeVoe says. “I don’t think people quite grasp how horrible a diagnosis and the treatment is. If I could have prevented going through it again, I would have.”

DeVoe is now discovering her “new normal,” and she hopes to start a family someday. For now, she remains dedicated to knowing her own body and having regular MRIs to make sure her cancer has not returned.

Her advice to others is simple. “Know your body, and if something does not seem right, do something about it. It’s better to get the genetic testing done so you know what you can do about it.”

“In the end, finding out you have [the gene mutation] isn’t as bad as cancer. And I know.”


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Cancer unites family,thanks, in part, to beneficial gene testing

Top to bottom,Karen Andersonand Brenda Jorstad

Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios


besides being sisters, Brenda Jorstad and Karen Anderson share a lot. Including genes.

So when Jorstad was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer after finding a lump in her left breast in summer 2010, the siblings did what most

would do. They became a unified front and fought their way through the ensuing chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, oophorectomy and genetic testing. They also fought their way through a sea of emotions and questions about their collective futures.

“When you get told you have cancer, everything is a blur,” says Jorstad, 36, of Combined Locks, who was diagnosed and treated at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.

Because the journey is as much emotional as it is medical, Jorstad relied a lot on her sister. “We got really close when I found out I had cancer,” she says.

Anderson, 40, of Appleton, served as her health care advocate—asking questions, obtaining answers, questioning medical opinions and finding expert care. It was her way, she felt, to help save her sister’s life. “She needed me,” says Anderson.

From diagnosis to surgery and through treatment, the sisters banded together. And when Timothy F. Goggins, MD, an oncologist at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Cancer Center, referred Jorstad to Thea Johnson, an Affinity genetic counselor, they went through genetics counseling and testing together, too.

“We knew immediately we wanted to do the testing,” says Anderson. “When a member of your family gets cancer, you pretty much feel helpless.”

In a time riddled with uncertainty, Jorstad and Anderson were looking for anyone or anything that could give them a tiny bit of control back in their lives. In addition, cancer was no stranger to the sisters; breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer all run in the family. That’s why tracing their family history and genes could provide them the answers they needed and the tools to prevent more cancer in the future.

“When people find out if they have a gene mutation, it really tells their doctors what they can do in the future,” Johnson says. “It puts people in a position to carefully screen so treatment can start early if something was found. It also gives patients the option to do preventative risk-reducing surgeries if they are interested.”

What the Gene MeansBoth men and women have the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. In normal cells, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 help prevent uncontrolled cell growth, according to the National Cancer Institute. Genetic testing looks for an inherited change, called a mutation, located within the gene. Inherited mutations can increase a person’s risk for certain types of cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society, woman have a

M any women feel that doing a self breast exam is an important part of their health care. It helps them learn how their breasts normally feel, so if they find a lump, they will know whether

it is something to discuss with their health care provider. Not all experts agree about self breast exams because the evidence is inconclusive as to whether breast cancer would be found earlier than if you see your health care provider for exams and mammograms when recommended.

At Affinity we believe in the value of self breast exams for early detection, plus recommended exams with your provider if you have any concerns. The best time to perform a self breast exam is three to five days after your period starts, when your breasts are not as tender or lumpy. If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.

For more information related to Affinity Health System Breast Cancer Service, please visit: (case sensitive) http://goo.gl/gWQrU

“When people find out if they have a gene mutation, it really tells their doctors what they can do in the future.”

Know Your Body: Why Breast Exams Matter

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12 percent chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, compared with approximately 60 percent of women who have inherited the gene mutation. In other words, a woman with the mutation is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer. Lifetime risks of ovarian cancer are also heightened due to the BRCA mutation.

Armed with the knowledge of these statistics, Jorstad wanted to know if her gene was working properly or if her cancer was strictly because of family history.

“In between when you get the blood test and wait for your results, your life literally changes. You learn not to take anything for granted. You say, ‘I love you’ more,” says Jorstad, a happily married mom of two. “On the day we were to find out, my hands were literally shaking.”

Both Jorstad and Anderson worried what a possible gene mutation would mean for the future of their daughters’ lives. “The fear of passing it on to your children, the thought that they could have to go through this, is horrible,” Anderson says.

Fortunately, Jorstad’s and Anderson’s test results showed they did not have the gene mutation

“It’s a really big weight lifted off of you,” Jorstad says tearfully. In light of the family history mapping, Anderson has

begun alternating mammograms and breast MRIs every six months as an increased screening mechanism. Her 21-year-old daughter is following suit and begins the screening regimen later this year.

“A lot of layers of our family are affected by this,” says Anderson. “And if any of us do get cancer, I think it will be caught earlier due to all the screenings.”

For the sisters, they aren’t quite sure if getting “back to normal” exists.

“Emotionally, I think I will always worry I have cancer,” says Jorstad. “I don’t know if I’ll ever heal from that. Cancer is as ugly as people make it appear and it’s really, really scary. My advice to others would be to do your self exams and catch it early.”

Call to action:The funds for starting the genetic counseling program at Affinity were provided in part by the St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation. If you would like to make a donation to support cancer care services or genetic counseling, please contact the St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation by calling (920) 831-1475 or emailing [email protected].

Cancer resources: American Cancer Society • www.cancer.orgNational Cancer Institute • www.cancer.gov

Support groups:Force – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered • www.facingourrisk.orgBright Pink • www.bebrightpink.org

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Together Against CancerLeft to right, Brenda Jorstadand Karen Anderson



after care Get to know your care provider By Samantha Zinth

When Barb Viste-Johnson began feeling sick and tired, she took action. Literally. Her baby steps at the gym

eventually led to running several major races. And, with the wind in her hair, the 51-year-old hasn’t looked back yet...

arb Viste-Johnson, behavioral health care coordinator at Affinity Medical Home in Kaukauna, was always a proponent of fitness. But as life intervened, the 51-year- old found she had wandered a bit from her fitness path.

“I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” she recalls, noting how she opted for running as her motivation to get back in the fitness game. And while she never considered herself a runner before, she sure does now.

Today, after completing several half-marathons and sprint-length triathlons, Viste-Johnson has sprinted her way back to health—one quarter mile at a time.

Making it happenWith support from friends and family, Viste-Johnson joined a local gym and started working out a few days a week.

“The first time I tried to run a mile, I swear I almost died,” she recalls with a laugh. “It was daunting, but you have to start somewhere.”

Despite some early setbacks, Viste-Johnson kept at it, taking classes at the gym and working out with a personal trainer, who also taught her healthful lifestyle and nutrition tips. It wasn’t long before she was exercising several days a week—and feeling the positive effects of her lifestyle change.

“I was quite out of shape, but I started [seeing results] after a couple of weeks,” Viste-Johnson says. “Feeling fit snowballed into other positive changes, like eating healthy and reducing stress.”

As she gained stamina, Viste-Johnson wanted to push herself further, setting her sights on the Cellcom Half-Marathon in Green Bay last March.

“I needed a challenge,” Viste-Johnson says. “But my only goal was to be vertical at the end of it.”

After months of training, however, Viste-Johnson injured herself just three weeks before the race. (During a move, she dropped a washing machine on her foot and then, alternately, got bursitis in her opposite knee).

“I was very, very upset,” she says, especially crestfallen because, “I got over that psychological hump of considering myself to be a runner and being excited and enjoying it.”

Since then, Viste-Johnson—dedicated and continually inspired—has completed several sprint-length triathlons, which include a ¼-mile swim, 16-mile bike ride and a 3.1- mile run. To prepare for the events, Viste-Johnson trains for months with her boyfriend, Scott Giese. Last year, Viste-Johnson

placed third in her division in one of the races. She also competed in this year’s Bellin Run in Green Bay,

successfully meeting her goal of running the 10K in less than an hour. “I originally signed on [to the races] just to say that I’ve done

it,” says Viste-Johnson. “But now I actually enjoy it. Running is a part of who I am.”

Although Viste-Johnson is no longer a novice runner, it wasn’t that long ago she could barely see the finish line. So for those just


At Affinity Medical Home, patients are the center of their health care team, which is led by their provider. Together, each provider works with patients to create

a personalized care plan to manage their overall health and enhance quality of life. This means patients will notice a more personalized experience when they visit with Affinity team members who know their medical history and specific needs. Affinity Medical Home provides access to quality care in a comprehensive team environment.

The medical home journey began at Affinity by introducing the concept to primary care clinics in Kaukauna and Oshkosh in early 2009. Driven by the Affinity promise of delivering personalized care to each and every patient, the medical home model is now being rolled out to all Affinity primary care clinics.

The care team at the Affinity Medical Home consists of providers partnered with nurse practitioners or physician assistants, nurse specialists who coordinate ongoing health needs, behavioral health providers (like Barb Viste-Johnson), patient service representatives and health care associates, such as LPNs or certified medical assistants. Other specialties, such as OB/GYN or integrative medicine, are incorporated into some of the medical homes.

Be sure to come down to the ADI Farm Market August 6 to meet the Kaukauna Medical Home team. They will be at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s booth at the east corner of Oneida Street and College Avenue directly in front of Starbuck’s Coffee.

WELCOMEHOME @AFFINITY

“I originally signedon just to say that I’ve done it ... but nowI actually enjoy it. Running is a partof who I am.”

starting out, she offers these words of advice: set reasonable goals and find a workout buddy.

“Having realistic expectations is one of the most important things for beginners to remember,” says Viste-Johnson. “Work with a doctor or personal trainer to set achievable goals that you can be proud of, and celebrate every checkmark on your fitness to-do list.”

“It’s a process,” Viste-Johnson says. “You won’t get there overnight, so you have to embrace the journey.”

As a beginner, Viste-Johnson also appreciated the camaraderie of working out with a partner. “At first, I never could have done it on my own,” she says. “But even now I benefit from someone getting out there with me, pushing me.”

For Viste-Johnson, that person is usually Giese, who serves as her peer, coach and mentor.

“Exercise is something that we both enjoy, so we don’t have to split our time between individual [interests],” she says. “It’s great fun to cheer each other on, and revel in the other’s accomplishments and achievements.”

Fitting exercise into an already busy life isn’t always easy, but Viste-Johnson has experienced the benefits of fitness firsthand.

“Emotionally, I am more positive overall, whether it be at work or home,” Viste-Johnson says. “With exercise, my level of patience increases and I can think more objectively and open, which is vital in my position to assist patients dealing with life struggles.”

Exercise has improved not only her physical health, but also her emotional health.

“I’m more balanced,” Viste-Johnson says. “By connecting my physical wellness with my emotional wellness, I was able to take a more holistic approach to my entire well-being.”

Although she’s made some drastic changes over the past year, Viste-Johnson insists it was a gradual transformation. Don’t get bogged down in the details, she says. Just get out there and go for it. The rest will fall into place.

“Anyone can make a change,” says Viste-Johnson. “You just need to take it one step at a time.”

Samantha Zinth is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom from Oshkosh. She also enjoys running and was inspired by this article to begin training for her own half-marathon in September.

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20 | @Affinity • S u m m e r 2 0 1 1

things most of us take for granted, like full bottles of shampoo. These are important to a resident’s sense of belonging, so they know they can stay longer than just a travel-size bottle would allow.

I thought about the importance of donations, such as diapers, personal care items and clothing, because

giving back By MANDy WIMMERPhotographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios

StatS 73% of domestic violence incidents go unreported.

8.8 million children witness domestic violence each year.

8 million workdays are lost annually by domestic violence victims – the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.

Domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women.

Children of an abused parent are two times as likely to be abused themselves.

– Provided by Christine ann Domestic abuse Services

Gary Banks

Bill Haga

Each issue, we’ll share the story of an Affinity Health System team member who volunteers at a local nonprofit organization. Affinity is committed to supporting local organizations and charitable events aligned with our mission of providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

“These people really are the strongest people I’ve ever seen in my life.”

– Deb Lee, volunteer coordinator at Christine Ann

Helping Hands Offer hope

I LEFT THE CHRISTInE Ann Center in Oshkosh with paint in my hair and dirt under my fingernails. I also left with a soft spot in my heart for the collaborative effort that happens there every day.

I had spent my day with three of the organization’s finest volunteers – Gary Banks, Paul Wolters and Bill Haga – who give their time and talent every Tuesday doing maintenance work and fixer-upper projects throughout the facilities that hundreds—mostly women—call

“home” each year. The mission of Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services is to prevent domestic abuse and violence and to provide intervention and safety to all individuals affected by it.

The average stay is about 40 days. And during that time, light bulbs need to be changed and sinks must be unclogged, among other tasks of everyday maintenance. nonperishable food closets must be stocked. And the occasional leaky pipe in the basement of the historic building on Algoma Boulevard needs repair. There is a job for anyone willing to share their time and truly make a difference.

While the staff advocates at the Christine Ann Center are busy helping victims of violence and abuse get healthy and find resources, the three retired volunteers make sure the facilities feel as much like a home as possible. The Christine Ann Center sleeps 35 to 40 people, but even with tight quarters, the staff and volunteers do their best to give each resident their privacy.

Wolters has been volunteering at the Christine Ann Center for about 10 years and knows his way around the facilities – from the main house, to the carriage house, down through the basement and even into the attic, which is used as a stock room for paper products.

“The time here each Tuesday goes by really fast,” says Wolters. “We do as much as we can. It costs so much [to have] professionals come in.”

Even though these men describe themselves as “the guys behind the scenes,” they aren’t just in the background. They interact with children, stopping to tell a joke or a story, and loudly say “good morning” as they enter the kitchen with a bag of fruit, eggs and milk.

But mostly, they care about that squeaky ceiling fan or overdue paint touch-up more than anyone I’ve ever met. Their desire to do good things for this organization and the people it serves is obviously close to their heart and doesn’t stop at the end of their Tuesday shifts.

For me, the end of my shift sparked reflection on that warm and safe home, and I was surprised to find it a very happy place. I thought about the

Mandy Wimmer


Foundations for Giving Back By Samantha Zinth

SNAPsHOTChristine Ann Domestic Abuse Services provides emergency shelter, support groups, client advocacy, safety planning, community education and prevention, offender intervention and more to residents of Winnebago and Green Lake Counties. For more information, visit www.christineann.net.

Paul Wolters

VoLunteeriSm iSn’t the onLy Way aFFinity heaLth SyStem gives back. the welfare of women in our community is also supported through the efforts of affinity’s two charitable foundations—mercy health

Foundation and St. elizabeth hospital Foundation.the foundations raise and distribute funds to support the health and well-

being of residents in northeast Wisconsin. Women and families are just one of many funding priorities, which also include cancer, heart and lung care, and the needs of the poor, among others.

at mercy medical Center in oshkosh, the mercy health Foundation helps fund technological improvements at the Phyllis Leach Breast Center. to ensure patients are receiving the best care possible, mercy health Foundation donors helped fund cutting-edge digital mammography technology. Breast cancer has a 98-percent survival rate when detected early, making digital mammography an important tool in the battle against breast cancer.

“technology advancements are among the best charitable investments,” says Vicki Schorse, executive director of mercy health Foundation. “With [these improvements], talented people are able to literally save lives.”

at St. elizabeth hospital in appleton, the St. elizabeth hospital Foundation provides funding for the Sexual assault nurse examiner (Sane) program. Victims of sexual assault deal with devastating physical and emotional trauma. the Sane program provides special training for registered nurses to respond swiftly and compassionately following a sexual assault. nurses are coached on how to conduct an incident interview, adapt examinations to avoid unnecessary trauma, collect medical forensic evidence, and refer patients to appropriate counseling and support services. in funding the Sane program, St. elizabeth hospital Foundation aims to create a safe and supportive environment for comprehensive victim care.

to make a tax-deductible, charitable donation to support these and other projects at mercy health Foundation and St. elizabeth hospital Foundation, please visit www.affinityhealth.org.

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sometimes people leave their troubled homes only with the clothing they have on. And I thought about the support people find in others during such a horrible time in their lives, right there, in the middle of Oshkosh.

“They’ve used all their other resources; that’s why they are here,” says Deb Lee, the volunteer coordinator at the Christine Ann Center. “These people really are the strongest people I’ve ever seen in my life.”

I think she’s right. Statistics show four million American women experience a serious assault by a partner during an average 12-month period. Worse, more than 1,200 women each year are killed by an intimate partner.

If you need help and are suffering from abuse — emotional, physical, psychological, sexual, financial or other — all you have to do is show up at the Christine Ann Center or call the 24-hour helpline in Winnebago County at (920) 235-5998 or (920) 729-6395 or in Green Lake County at 1-800-261-5998.

As all the volunteers and team members at the Christine Ann Center frequently say, “Help is here.”

learn & live

Learning Safe Babysitting

S afe Sitter is a babysitting preparation class, taught by Affinity health professionals, which teaches life skills and babysitting techniques to children ages 11 and older. Class participants will learn babysitting as a business, child care essentials, safety,

injury prevention, infant and child choking rescue techniques and behavior management. “The skills taught in this class are life skills that kids will use forever,” says Lori Deering,

lifespan educator and registered dietitian at Affinity Health System. “I think we’ve really seen through this class that these aren’t just skills used when babysitting.”

The class, Deering says, is open to girls and boys. The cost is $40 and a manual is provided to each participant. There are still end-of-summer sessions available at both St. Elizabeth Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. To register, call NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900 or online by visiting affinityhealth.org and clicking on “Community Classes.”

Assessing ADHD

Affinity Health System’s ADHD education program is a six-part series. Parents and caregivers will learn more about ADHD,

medication, managing behavioral issues, teaming up with your child’s school to improve academics and how to better help your child manage the effects of ADHD with and without medication. Each six-week session kicks off with a free introductory meeting for families facing ADHD, followed by five additional sessions, which are commonly covered by insurance. Please check with your insurance carrier to confirm.

The ADHD sessions are led by clinical psychologist Ethan Everett, PhD, who diagnoses ADHD through an assessment protocol without the need for extensive clinical testing. He is a leader in our community in this area of psychology.

Sessions begin in September and continue throughout the school year in six-week intervals, rotating between St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. For more information or to register, call (920) 223-7350.

“I love being an active participant in the lives of my patients, helping children and their families cope with their issues so they can lead productive lives. I enjoy teaching patients strategies and watching them have success as they use what we’ve talked about in our sessions to improve their quality of life,” says Dr. Everett.

Unlocking Kids’ Safety

K ids’ Keys to Safety is geared toward children ages 9 to 12 who may come home to an empty house after school or who may begin

staying home alone for short periods of time. This two-hour class is also a good primer for children who may be interested in babysitting a few years down the road and who may also take the Safe Sitter Babysitting Class. Discussion topics in Kids’ Keys to Safety include safety, emergency situations and privileges and responsibilities. The cost is $15 and includes a

student workbook.Both the Safe Sitter Babysitting and Kids’ Keys to

Safety classes are intended for students and not parents.

“My older daughter took the ‘Safe Sitter’

course years ago, and I was so impressed

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child to learn.”

Susan Augsburger (mom)

To review all classes and seminars offered, visit affinityhealth.org, click on “health resources” then “class registration.” Register online or call NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900.

Lisa Sheppard and daughter Lily, future babysitter.

22 | @Affinity w w w. af f i n i t y h e a l t h . o rg / b l o g

Educational Opportunities at Affinity

S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 • @Affinity | 23

that little “a” with a circle curling around it is called the “at” symbol.

Before it became the standard symbol for email, the @ symbol was used to represent the cost or weight of something. For instance, if you purchased six apples, you might write it as six apples @ $1.10 each.

Can you count the @ symbols in this issue? How many did you find?

the first five people to answer correctly will win a free t-shirt. to submit your answer email us at [email protected].

What is it?A list of words is hidden in this field of random letters. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally ... and even backwards. See how many words you can find!

Body Shop

Summer Fun Word Search

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Who doesn’t remember playing Hasbro’s familiar board game Operation? now Affinity and the Appleton Timber Rattlers have

teamed up to bring you a fresh new version—so kids can play the game and learn a bit of anatomy too! Ever wonder what the Funny Bone is really called? Or what the tongue-twisting medical name is for the so-called Brain Freeze? Test your noggin (that’s your brain, kids!) and match the medical terms with the common terms for the ailments. (Answers listed at the bottom of this page— no peeking!)

___________ intestines

___________ ankle

___________ clavicle

___________ stomach

___________ humerus

___________ sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia

___________ quadriceps

___________ tibia

___________ cricoid cartilage

___________ heart

___________ ulna

___________ patella

___________ ribs

Answers to Operation game: A sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, B clavicle, C humerus, D ribs, E quadriceps, F tibia, G cricoid cartilage, H heart, I stomach, J ulna, K intestines, L patella, M ankle

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BE A PART OF THE "BUZZ!"For the rest of the season, Affinity Health System is excited to bring a life-size, fully functioning Operation challenge to the Timber Rattler’s home games. Test your skills to see if you’re all thumbs or show surgical potential (and win prizes!).

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WATEr ON THE KNEE

WrITEr’S CrAMP

BrEAD BASKET

SPArErIBS

BUTTErFLIES IN STOMACH

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4. Cookouts

5. Flowers

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7. Ice cream

8. Lemonade

9. Picnics

10. Sandals

11. Sunglasses

12. Sunscreen

13. Swimming

14. Vacation

15. Watermelon

sn@psWe don’t just care for the community,

we’re proud to be an active part of it. Here

is a glimpse of some of our recent activities

in communities we serve.

Affinity Health System1570 Midway Pl.Menasha, WI 54952

St. Elizabeth Hospital is a

proud supporter of ADI’s Farm

Market. Find the St. E’s staff

in the booth every Saturday

at the east corner of Oneida

St. and College Ave., directly

in front of Starbuck’s Coffee.

Every week, there is a new

department there to share

good information with you!

The Center for Spine & Brain Health and the Oshkosh Chamber

joined together for the Center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Present

were Affinity leaders, physicians, healthcare providers, Oshkosh

Chamber reps, and patients and staff of Mercy Medical Center.

Four years running, the St. Elizabeth Hospital leadership team has supported Rebuilding Together Fox Valley by sponsoring a home in our community. This year, the home of a Menasha man was rehabilitated by the St. E’s team to assist him with mobility issues in his home. Projects like handrails on his deck, a low-entry shower and an elevated toilet help make his home more accessible and safe.

More than 180 people came out for the 6th Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration at Bridgewood Resort & Conference Center in Neenah on June 12. Survivors were offered free chair massages from Affinity Integrative Medicine.

Bill Calhoun, president of Mercy Medical Center, and his wife,

Patti, performed for a sellout crowd of more than 500 guests at

the 4th Annual “Dancing for Little Stars,” where local celebrities

had a friendly dance competition to raise money for child abuse

prevention–benefiting Parent Connection Family Services.

Team members from Mercy Medical Center participated in the United

Way Day of Caring in Oshkosh. The team worked on the Salvation Army

grounds, trimming trees, raking and doing other as-needed tasks.