Start the School Year Strong with Partners for Healthy Students

The beginning of a new school year means a fresh start in a new grade, seeing one’s friends again after summer break, and hopefully, getting that homeroom teacher your child always wanted. It can also mean kicking off the year with a visit to the doctor for well-child or sports exams, updates on vaccinations, or just the reassurance that healthcare is available for any illnesses your child may develop throughout the school year.Unfortunately, there are many families in the Quad Cities who can’t afford to take their child to the doctor. Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has been offering a solution for many families for more than 20 years. Partners for Healthy Students (PHS) helps bridge the gap for uninsured or underinsured families, and those with AHCCCS or KidsCare, by bringing them no-cost healthcare.“These are working-class families,” says Amy Negovan, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Program Director for Partners for Healthy Students. “They have good jobs, but don’t have that extra $400 to $500 per month for healthcare. Unfortunately, some families end up needing to choose between food and healthcare at the end of month.”You may have seen the 38-foot Partners for Healthy Students Mobile Kids Health Clinic around town, which allows the medical team to offer healthcare at schools in rural areas like Mayer, Kirkland, and Paulden. But that’s just a small part of the services offered by PHS. The program also has two on-site, school-based health clinics. The school-based clinics and mobile clinic combined serve more than 50 schools in the Quad City area, including public, private and charter schools.“Healthy kids make better learners,” says Negovan. “We treat the whole patient, not just a symptom. At any given visit, we may ask if the student needs a physical or eye exam, or whether they’re up to date on their vaccines. We can even make referrals for mental health issues.”“Scheduling and transportation are often difficult for these families. With Partners for Healthy Students, the child is right there at school and can go right back to their classroom,” Negovan explains. “Best of all, it’s high-quality, comprehensive healthcare that’s free of charge.”Partners for Healthy Students’ Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners offer the following to those who qualify, as well as their siblings, aged 2 months to 18 years old:Free wellness and prevention visitsFree exams, diagnoses, and treatment of illnessFree medication for acute illnessesFree sports physicalsReferrals to additional low-cost or no-cost community services such as vision care, dermatology, neurology and cardiologyNo-cost mental health care referrals, in partnership with the YRMC FoundationSusi Brouillette, RN works as the nurse on the Partners for Healthy Students Mobile Kids Health Clinic. She recently transferred to PHS after working 17 years in the Emergency Department and is enjoying her new responsibilities.“I can see that a lot of our families come into the clinic pretty burdened, and having a sick kiddo always makes those burdens heavier,” says Brouillette. “Most of our parents don’t know that our services are free, so when they learn there is no co-pay, there is always a sigh of relief!”“We want to be that place that brings preventative care to kids who have nowhere else to go,” Negovan says. “What’s better than this kind of outreach? Where else can you do this? It’s the best job in the world.”Overview of Eligibility:No health insuranceHealth insurance with both: a deductible over $2,500, AND no co-pays before your health insurance will cover medical expensesAttend a brick-and-mortar school or has a sibling who doesChildren with AHCCCS and KidsCare are eligibleVaccine eligibility is only for those who are uninsured, have AHCCCS or KidsCare, or are Native American or Native AlaskanFor more information about PHS School-Based Health Clinics, including locations and eligibility requirements, click here or call (928) 771-5662.For more information about the PHS Mobile Kids Health Clinic, including locations it visits and eligibility requirements, click here or call (928) 771-5123.

The 44th Annual Whiskey Row Marathon Offers Something for Everyone

Prescott’s 44th Annual Whiskey Row Marathon is fast approaching, and Damon Olsen, the Director of the James Family Prescott YMCA, is happier than ever about the outlook at the Y.“The Prescott YMCA has a long standing tradition of 50 years of service in our community,” says Olsen. “An organization like ours never wants to be considered a best kept secret. And we are definitely not. Either you were, you are, or you’re going to be a member at the Prescott YMCA.”“It’s so good to see people back at the Y,” he continues. “Attendance at our youth programs in particular has been overwhelming. There are actually more kids in flag football than before COVID. We’re starting a new 3-on-3 basketball program as well. We have a multitude of sports-specific camps through our partnerships with Yavapai College and Prescott Unified School District. And membership keeps climbing too. We are now at about 90% of our pre-COVID numbers.”Additional ongoing programming includes swim classes, drowning prevention classes, after school care, sports, and summer day care. Hence, the proceeds from this year’s marathon are more important than ever.“The Whiskey Row Marathon is our largest event fundraiser each year. Thanks to the marathon and our other fundraising efforts, we don’t turn anyone away for inability to pay,” Olsen explains. “We can meet people halfway or even more. Inability to pay is not a barrier for people who want to come to the YMCA.”Olsen is particularly excited about some changes at this year’s October 8th event.“Last year was the first year we held the race at a different time of year – October instead of May. We sent a survey out afterward, and the response was overwhelming to keep it in October, so that’s what we’ve done,” he says. “Summer is over, people have settled into school mode, and they seem to really like it in the Fall.”The race also introduced another option for runners in 2021 that was so successful, it’s been included in the 2022 lineup.“We introduced a 5K last year, and it was very well received,” explains Olsen. “We were hoping it would be a nice introduction to running in Prescott for those who weren’t ready to run a 10K, and we were right. We heard several people say that they’re ready to do the 10K this year after running the 5K last year.”Regardless of your running ability, getting out there and enjoying the day is highly encouraged.“Last year when I was helping out at registration, some people were hesitant to sign up because they don’t consider themselves runners,” says Lexi Mullins, Assistant Race Director. “I want people to know that we have the .3 Mile High Fun Run, or you can just walk the 5K or 10K. You will be so glad you did!”The Whiskey Row Marathon holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running marathon in Arizona. Olsen says that the event’s popularity is not only a result of the challenging course.“Our altitude and terrain make the Whiskey Row Marathon one of the most difficult races in the U.S., and runners love a challenge,” Olsen says. “But I think another reason people keep coming back is that they just love coming to Prescott. They make a weekend out of it. They come for the race, but also to take in our beautiful weather, do a little sightseeing and enjoy some great meals while they’re here.”Prescott YMCA Sports Director and Whiskey Row Marathon Race Director Jaime DeJoseph is a very busy person this time of year, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.“Our focus is youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Bottom line is, we’re here for the community,” says DeJoseph. “The Y is about fitness but it’s also about mental health. That ‘healthy living’ component means mental health as well. The Y is a place to come and be with others, a place to belong. That’s my favorite part of being here – promoting health. Seeing our members, including the kids, happy and successful while participating in our community is so rewarding.”DeJoseph describes a variety of ways that even non-runners can get involved in this signature Prescott event.“We love our volunteers and couldn’t do any of this without them. There are so many ways you can get involved,” she says. “We have volunteer opportunities at our water stations, the refreshment garden or directing traffic. The day before the race, we need people to help distribute packets, T shirts and bags at the YMCA. Then of course, there’s set up at 4 AM on Saturday and the tear down when it’s all finished.”“Support also comes in the form of sponsorships,” says DeJoseph. “Our sponsors, including Dignity Health, YRMC are amazing. Some of our sponsors have been with us for years now, and we have quite a few new ones as well. It’s truly a team effort.”“Dignity Health YRMC is once again our Presenting Sponsor,” adds Olsen. “They have shown us so much support over the years. We’re so fortunate to have them as neighbors, right across the street. We’re thankful they’re there.”For more information about the Whiskey Row Marathon, including the schedule, the race route, online race registration, a list of volunteer opportunities, and online volunteer registration, visit whiskeyrowmarathon.com.

Vein Center Welcomes Dr. Saina Attaran

Veins, vessels and valves are all part of the body’s vascular system, which is why cardiothoracic surgeon Saina Attaran, MD, is at home in her new role at the Vein Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).“The venous system is critical to our overall health,” explains Dr. Attaran, Vein Specialist, the Vein Center at YRMC. “We depend on our network of veins to deliver deoxygenated blood back to our hearts. It’s familiar territory for me.”The Quad Cities community is also familiar to Dr. Attaran. She moved to the area in 2019 to join the surgical team at YRMC’s James Family Heart Center.“I love everything about this community: the people, spirit and scenery,” she says. “Helping the people of my community stay healthy is a privilege.”Patient-Centered CareWith Dr. Attaran’s exceptional skills and experience, the fully staffed Vein Center will continue to provide top diagnostic and advanced therapies for people with lower-extremity vein issues. The strong partnership with Advanced Wound Care at Dignity Health, YRMC, will also continue.“Our Advanced Wound Care and Vein Center teams often collaborate to care for patients,” notes Cheryl Sofonia, Director, Advanced Wound and Vein Center. “It’s a benefit to patients that our clinics are together in one location. It’s an even bigger benefit that our Advanced Wound and Vein Center teams draw on the expertise of the multidisciplinary medical team to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”Dr. Attaran echoes this and also emphasizes the patient’s significant role in the Vein Center’s care model.“Teamwork is a very important to the Vein Center,” Dr. Attaran says. “And our patients are at the center of our team. We work with every patient to improve their mobility with individualized care plans that may include lifestyle changes, compression stockings and possibly a venous procedure.”A Global Medical EducationDr. Attaran’s medical education has taken her to top medical centers in the United States and worldwide. She pursued a valve reconstruction fellowship in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Prior to that, she studied valve/aortic surgery during a fellowship at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong and cardiothoracic surgery during a junior clinical fellowship at the London Chest Hospital.Dr. Attaran’s cardiothoracic residency took place in the United Kingdom at hospitals throughout London and Liverpool. She earned her medical degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran.How to Reach the Vein CenterThe Vein Center is located on the campus of YRMC East at:Del E. Webb Outpatient Center3262 North Windsong DrivePrescott Valley, Arizona 86314To schedule an appointment or for more information – (928) 759-5890

New Names for Prescott Medical Imaging and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging

Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging (PVMI) are introducing new names as part of Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC) affiliation with Dignity Health. The outpatient imaging facilities are now:Dignity Health Imaging Center, PrescottDignity Health Imaging Center, Prescott Valley“This change is part of the rebranding rollout plan launched in conjunction with the YRMC–Dignity Health affiliation,” says Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications at Dignity Health, YRMC. “Patients and community members will begin to see new signage at both imaging centers. We want them to be aware that the name change is related to YRMC’s network-wide rebrand. It will not affect the care or services at our Imaging Centers in Prescott and Prescott Valley.”Local Radiologists Provide Exceptional ServiceFor example, experienced, local radiologists will continue to interpret imaging studies and procedures performed at both locations, according to Mary Sterling, Imaging Services Director at Dignity Health, YRMC.“Our locally based radiology team has always differentiated us from other imaging centers, many of which use radiologists based in markets outside of Yavapai County to interpret imaging studies,” says Sterling. “At our Imaging Centers in Prescott and Prescott Valley, an imaging study performed in our community is interpreted by radiologists who live and work in our community.”Sterling adds that Dignity Health Imaging Center radiologists have long-established, working relationships with physicians throughout the area. This collaboration, she says, is a benefit to both individual patients and overall quality of care. Dignity Health Imaging Center radiologists and radiologic imaging technologists also are:Certified by the American College of Radiologists (ACR) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)Experts in advanced radiology modalitiesGraduates of leading medical schools and radiologic technology programsAccredited & Comprehensive Imaging ServicesMichael Locke, Operations Manager, Dignity Health Imaging Center, notes that the Imaging Centers have also earned ACR accreditation.“This means our Prescott and Prescott Valley facilities have undergone rigorous, objective evaluations by board-certified radiologists and medical physicists,” Locke explains.He also emphasizes that both facilities – along with the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, YRMC – will continue to offer an all-inclusive menu of computer-enhanced, digital imaging services.YRMC’s Imaging Center facilities – both of which may be reached at (928) 771-7577 – are located in:Prescott – 810 Whipple StreetPrescott Valley – 7700 East Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 105Learn more about YRMC’s Imaging Centers and all YRMC services at DignityHealth.org/YRMC.

Yavapai SHIFT Taskforce Brings Much Needed Support for Expectant Mothers Struggling with Substance Use

In a perfect world, every expectant parent would receive support, encouragement, and all the resources needed to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and their newborn. However, when a parent or parent-to-be is struggling with substance use, seeking that support can be difficult. The outcome could easily become stress, isolation, and the inability to fully care for their new baby.Yavapai SHIFT (Safe Healthy Infants and Families Thrive) Taskforce is a new program in Yavapai County designed to meet those parents’ needs. Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Family Resource Center and Family Birthing Center have teamed up with Prevent Child Abuse Arizona to bring comprehensive support to pregnant families in our community who are at risk of substance use disorder.Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Anna Young, responsible for all of the juvenile justice cases in the county, is credited for spearheading the program locally, after learning about the first SHIFT pilot in Maricopa County. Yavapai County SHIFT is the second pilot of the program in the state.“Our whole approach starts with a partnership,” explains Lynn Daugherty, Nursing Director at YRMC’s Family Birthing Center. “We partner with our patients and their families and meet them wherever they are at that point in their life. The connection is made in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It’s a partnership that will help them get on a better path and rewrite their life story.”Yavapai County SHIFT follows an integrated approach. A spectrum of healthcare providers works collaboratively with at-risk families before, during, and after the birth of their child. Partners include prenatal care specialists, medication-assisted treatment programs, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program, and home visitation programs. The goal is to keep the family together. A healthy parent means a healthy baby, both physically and emotionally.“If we want to see a reduction in harm, generational foster care, and poor health outcomes related to adverse childhood experiences, then we as a society have to take the best care possible of our youngest members – starting before they are born. And we can’t do that without also supporting families,” says Meghan Hays Davis, Program and Training Director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona and lead collaborator in bringing SHIFT to Yavapai County.By design, the program is easy for a family to connect with. Many women first discuss their needs with their obstetrician. However, David Barko, Director of YRMC’s Family Resource Center says there is no ‘wrong door.’“You can connect with us at the Family Birthing Center and the Family Resource Center. Contact any of us. That’s the first step. The rest we’ll do together, supporting you along the way,” he says.“We want to remove the stigma and normalize what’s happening, making it easier for moms, moms-to-be, and their families to seek help,” Barko says. “Substance use is a biological condition – there are neurological things happening in the brain. Too many providers have the outdated belief that the expectant parent is ‘choosing’ their condition. We are here to overcome that type of thinking. Across any substance use or mental health challenge, we are not here to judge.”Daugherty explains that substance use disorder is often a result of trauma in one’s life, most frequently in the form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, domestic violence or depression. She emphasizes that, “these moms need treatment and a tremendous amount of support in order to move in a different direction in their lives.”“Our plan of care from pregnancy through birth and beyond is for our moms to demonstrate love and engagement with their babies,” she continues. “In spite of the trauma and substance use they have experienced, we want them to be able to say that they have changed the course of their life, and the course of their baby’s life.”Daugherty sums it up in a few simple words. “All moms love their babies, including moms who struggle with substance use.”For more information on the Yavapai County SHIFT Taskforce, contact YRMC’s Family Birthing Center at (928) 442-8800 or the Family Resource Center at (928) 771-5651.

Yavapai Regional Medical Group Neurology is Moving to a New State-of-the-Art Location

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Neurology (YRMG), is moving to the recently completed Outpatient Services Building on the campus of Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott. We’re looking forward to caring for you in this innovative and patient friendly health center.Here’s some important information about our new location: We begin seeing patients in our new location on Monday, August 1, 2022.Call before your next appointment to confirm that we’ve moved. Our phone number will remain the same.We are moving to the new three-story Outpatient Services Building directly behind YRMC West in Prescott.The clinic is located on the third floor.A three-story parking garage is adjacent to the Outpatient Services Building for your convenience. You can park on the third floor of the parking garage and use the third-floor entrance to access our clinic. Elevator service is also available.Beginning August 1, our new contact information is:Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical CenterOutpatient Services Building WestNeurology Clinic1001 Willow Creek RoadThird Floor, Suite 3300Prescott, Arizona 86301(928) 778-0827

What’s Fresh? Early Summer Harvest at the Prescott Farmers Market!

The summer harvest is just kicking into gear at the Prescott Farmers Market.  The first summery squashes, fragrant bunches of basil, crispy cucumbers, bright yellow sunflowers, and many other seasonal favorites just started showing up a few weeks ago.  Late spring crops are available too, including sweet baby greens, juicy spring onions, and giant heads of lettuce, escarole and frisée.  Shoulder seasons like this are an important time to support local farmers, as their fields transition from cool to hot weather crops.  Variety and quantities change from week to week at the Market, but everything is always fresh, nutrient-packed and delicious.Join me for the latest edition of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, as I highlight some of my favorite early summer varietals, and share two new, flavor-packed recipes!Recipe: Braised Fennel with Tomato and ThymeRecipe: Waldorf Salad with Apples, Turnips, Walnuts and FigsBe sure to shop the Prescott Farmer’s Market regularly, where you can eat your way through the seasons and enjoy the freshest, most delicious produce available. The Market is open from 7:30 am to 12 pm every Saturday, at the Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center parking area on Miller Valley Road in Prescott.  In addition to fresh produce, you’ll also find delicious pastries and breads, bagels, a variety of prepared foods, fresh and dried mushrooms, coffee, tea, meats, chicken, eggs, flowers, crafts, kombucha, and more for sale every week.Remember to browse the Your Healthy Kitchen Blog, at yrmchealthconnect.org, for more seasonal produce recipe ideas, and follow me on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I post photos and videos of the meals I make in my own kitchen, plus links to my favorite food and gardening destinations on the web.

Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Welcomes Ernesto Cruz, MD

The providers at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) combine excellent healthcare with humankindness. And now there’s even more. Ernesto Cruz, MD, has joined YRMG Cardiology in Prescott Valley.Dr. Cruz is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology.He attended medical school at the University of the East, Quezon City in the Philippines, and completed cardiology fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco in San Francisco, California and at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, California. His internal medicine residency was at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael Campus in New Haven, Connecticut.YRMG Cardiology is located at 7700 East Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 206 in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Call (928) 442-8117 for more information.

First Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery Launches A New Era in Orthopedic Surgery

The Quad Cities’ first robotic-arm assisted surgery took place at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott, Arizona on January 26. The successful operation – a knee replacement – was performed by Jason Weisstein, MD, MPH, FACS, Orthopedic Surgeon at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG).Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jason Weisstein specializes in robotic-arm assisted surgery and joint replacement.“As the Quad Cities first robotic-arm assisted surgery, this is a medical milestone,” says Anthony Torres, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer, YRMC. “Going forward, we’re confident YRMC’s robotic-arm assisted surgery program will positively affect people from throughout northern Arizona who need partial or total knee replacement.”According to Dr. Torres, Dr. Weisstein has vast experience performing total and partial knee replacements using robotic-arm assisted technology. His background, combined with YRMC’s recently acquired Stryker Mako Robotic-Arm, are the key components of a state-of-the-art robotic surgery program.Robotic-arm assisted surgery allows specially trained orthopedic surgeons, like Dr. Weisstein, to create a 3-D, virtual model of the patient’s unique knee anatomy. During the procedure, the robotic arm guides the surgeon to the predefined area to prepare the bone for the implant. This results in a precise and better-aligned knee replacement.A Game-Changer for PatientsWhat does the availability of robotic-arm assisted surgery mean for patients who need partial or total knee replacement?“It’s a game-changer in every aspect for knee replacement patients,” Dr. Weisstein says. “The accuracy and precision afforded by use of the robot is unparalleled, leading to better component position and improved patient satisfaction. It’s a major step forward for orthopedic care in Yavapai County.”Robotic-arm assisted knee replacement has many other benefits, including:Less soft tissue dissectionAbility to preserve healthy bone and soft tissueLess post-operative painFaster functional recovery and shorter hospitalizationLearn MoreFor more information, or to schedule an appointment at YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery, speak to your primary care provider or contact the clinic at (928) 708-4545. YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery is located at:3195 Stillwater Drive, Suite DPrescott, Arizona 86305Outpatient Services Building West on the YRMC West Campus1001 Willow Creek Road, Suite 1300Prescott, Arizona 86301Del E. Webb Outpatient Center3262 North Windsong Drive, Suite BPrescott Valley, Arizona 86314

Healthy Conversations Introduces Joint Replacement Expert Dr. Jason Weisstein

The Quad Cities and Jason Weisstein, MD, MPH, FACS, fit together as naturally as the ball-and-socket joint of the hip fits to the thighbone. That’s an apt description for how Dr. Weisstein – an accomplished orthopedic surgeon who recently joined Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) – has taken to his new home.“The opportunity to live in a four-seasons community with great outdoor recreational activities is one reason we were interested in the Prescott area,” says Dr. Weisstein. “My family moved here from Colorado, which has a similar desert-alpine environment. Everything has just kind of fit.”Revolutionary Hip Replacement SurgeryProfessionally, the community is also a good fit for Dr. Weisstein. A joint replacement specialist, he performs anterior-approach hip replacement and also continues to teach other surgeons the technique.Anterior-approach hip replacement is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure that has enabled orthopedic surgeons to get patients back to the activities they enjoy faster than traditional hip replacement. However, the surgery is not widely available because only 10 to 20 percent of orthopedic surgeons are qualified to perform it.“This is probably my favorite procedure because patients who have it do so well,” says Dr. Weisstein. “In six-to-eight weeks they’re back doing what they enjoy whether that’s golf, tennis or pickleball.”More in Store for YRMC’s Orthopedic ServicesDr. Weisstein is not only trained as an anterior-approach hip replacement surgeon, he also has vast experience with robotic knee replacement. YRMC recently acquired a Mako Robotic-Arm. Dr. Weisstein will help spearhead the organization’s robotic knee program, which will offer state-of-the-art partial and total knee replacement.And, how does Dr. Weisstein feel about the work he does as an orthopedic surgeon in our community?“It’s a great feeling to go home and know that I’ve spent the day affecting people’s lives in such a positive way,” he says.Schedule an AppointmentTo schedule an appointment with Dr. Weisstein, speak to your primary care provider or call YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery at (928) 708-4545. For more information about YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery, visit us here.

It’s Official: YRMC’s Breast Care Center is a Center of Excellence!

The word “excellence” has long been associated with the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. But now it’s official. YRMC’s Breast Care Center was recently designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) by the American College of Radiology (ACR).The three-year accreditation recognizes that YRMC’s Breast Care Center excels in all aspects of breast imaging, including these breast imaging modalities:Breast MRIBreast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy)MammographyStereotactic breast biopsyACR accreditation is voluntary and an addition to required imaging licenses, surveys and accreditations. The BICOE application process includes comprehensive evaluations conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists in each of the four breast imaging modalities.“Our team decided to pursue BICOE accreditation for our patients and community,” says Kathi Hoffer, Imaging Manager, Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, YRMC. “We were confident that the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation would validate the level of care we provide.”BICOE accreditation means YRMC’s Breast Care Center has achieved the highest practice standards in:Image excellenceStaff qualificationsFacility equipmentQuality control standardsQuality assurance proceduresThe ACR is a national professional organization founded in 1923 to advance the practice and science of radiological care. Today, the organization’s more than 41,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists work together in support of that mission.For more information about YRMC’s Breast Care Center, visit DignityHealth.org/YRMC or call (928) 442-8900.

Fork in the Road Restaurants Help “Boot Out Cancer” with Support for YRMC’s Breast Care Center

Pictured left to right: David Beasar, The Office Cantina; Mary Mallory, YRMC Foundation Board; Joe Terrinoni, Fork in the Road; Dr. LaNette Smith, YRMC Breast Surgeon; Bill Sonsin, YRMC Foundation Board Secretary/Treasurer; Wendy Price, Fork in the Road; Dave Barrett, YRMC Foundation Board Chair; Krystal Burge, Desert De Oro Foods; Chad Burge, Desert De Oro Foods.Members of Desert De Oro Foods, Inc. and the Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation, a member of Dignity Health, met recently to celebrate the success of this year’s “Boot Out Cancer” fundraising program to benefit the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).Krystal Burge, co-owner of Fork in the Road Restaurants, presented a check in the amount of $27,695 to Dave Barrett, Chair of the YRMC Foundation and YRMC breast surgeon Dr. LaNette Smith in support of the Center.Boot Out Cancer is an annual fundraiser held by Desert De Oro’s Fork in the Road restaurants including the Gurley St. Grill, Murphy’s and The Office Cantina during October to raise funds for YRMC patients with needs related to breast cancer. The tradition started 14 years ago to honor Sonya Peterson, Mark Peterson and Krystal Burge’s mother, who bravely fought a 20-year battle with breast cancer. Mark and Krystal wanted to help our communities where others may need support, and they match all funds raised at 100%.The Boot Out Cancer program has raised more than $125,000 in charitable support for the Breast Care Center.“We thank our employees and guests at all of our restaurants who support this journey with their donations each October in memory of our mother. We hope this tradition has improved the quality of lives of those who have been affected by breast cancer,” says Ms. Burge.Funds donated to the Breast Care Center are used to provide screening mammograms for those without insurance, essential health support for breast cancer patients including food cards, transportation vouchers and wigs, as well as continuing staff education. They also help ensure the Center has the latest technology, including the recent purchase of ultrasound units designed specifically for breast imaging.To learn more about the Breast Care Center at YRMC or to speak with a YRMC Foundation staff member, please contact (928) 771–5686 or foundation@yrmc.org or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

YRMC Foundation Provided More than $2 Million in 2021, Supporting a Wide Range of Services for our Community

Pictured above: The Woodruff Family Conference Center in the new Outpatient Services Building West at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott. Dave Barrett, Board Chair of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation, is pleased to report that the Foundation provided $2,128,505 during 2021. The funds will support a wide range of Medical Center programs and services.“The generosity of our community of donors is really quite remarkable,” says Barrett. “Every gift, large or small, touches someone’s life in a positive way.”The variety of initiatives funded by the Foundation in 2021 includes:The purchase of next-generation ultrasound imaging systems for the Breast Care Center and James Family Heart CenterLeasing fees for the YRMC COVID–19 Vaccination Center at the Prescott Gateway MallConstruction of the Woodruff Family Conference Center in the new Outpatient Services Building West at the Prescott CampusPlanning and operational support for YRMC’s newly established Cognitive Assessment and Support Center and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care ProgramPrimary care and behavioral health services for children served by YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students programEssential health support for breast cancer patients who do not qualify for other programs or community servicesNew clean clothing for patients in need so they can be discharged with dignityDiabetes management supplies for financially vulnerable patientsToys for children in our Pediatric Unit and Emergency DepartmentReflecting on the importance and impact of our community’s charitable support of the Foundation, YRMC President and CEO John Amos stated, “It is vitally important to our mission. I often say that charitable support provides the margin between adequacy and excellence.”You change the world with your giving heart.To learn more about supporting the YRMC Foundation or to speak with a member of our staff, please contact (928) 771–5686 or foundation@yrmc.org, or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

Woodruff Family Conference Center Dedicated at Dignity Health, YRMC West

Benny and Ellen Benson at the newly dedicated Woodruff Family Conference Center, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center On December 7th, family and friends of Bob and Margaret Woodruff, together with members of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation (a member of Dignity Health), the YRMC Foundation Board and YRMC leadership, gathered at YRMC’s new Outpatient Services Building for the dedication of the Woodruff Family Conference Center.The Woodruffs moved to the Prescott community in the early 1980’s. Being recently retired, they quickly adopted Prescott as their new hometown and became involved in many local activities. In addition, they volunteered for community service organizations including Friends of the Library, Meals on Wheels, and Yavapai Regional Medical Center.Their daughter, Ellen Benson, noted, “My mother and father believed that it is through kindness and helping others, using the grace we have been given, that we meet the world in its needs. When my parents decided to include the Medical Center as a beneficiary of their estate, they did so knowing their gift would be invested wisely.”Ellen recognized the knowledge and learning that will be shared in the new Conference Center will enrich the lives of the people of our community and is a wonderful tribute to the legacy of Margaret and Bob.The Woodruff Family Conference Center is located on the first floor of the newly completed Outpatient Services Building at YRMC’s Prescott campus. The Conference Center, fully equipped with state-of-the-art conferencing technology, includes a multipurpose lecture room, two classrooms and a demonstration kitchen.“The Woodruff family has honored our organization and our community through their kindness and generosity,” said YRMC Foundation Executive Director Robbie Nicol. “The Center will serve as the hub for the continuous education of our staff, ensuring the ongoing delivery of quality and compassionate patient care. Additionally, it will be a gathering place for our community, a place for learning where community members can enjoy educational programs such as YRMC’s Healthy Conversations speaker series and the ‘Your Healthy Kitchen’ programs.”To learn more about community education at YRMC or to speak with a YRMC Foundation staff member, please contact (928) 771–5686 or foundation@yrmc.org, or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Welcomes Ernesto Cruz, MD

The providers at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) combine excellent healthcare with humankindness. And now there’s even more. Ernesto Cruz, MD, has joined YRMG Cardiology in Prescott Valley.Dr. Cruz is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology.He attended medical school at the University of the East, Quezon City in the Philippines, and completed cardiology fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco in San Francisco, California and at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, California. His internal medicine residency was at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael Campus in New Haven, Connecticut.YRMG Cardiology is located at 7700 East Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 206 in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Call (928) 442-8117 for more information.

YRMG Cardiologist Lives Life with Heart

Many people have important childhood experiences that steer them towards their life’s work. Few, however, can point to an event as significant as testifying before the United Nations at 11 years old. That experience motivated Olufunso Odunukan, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI – an interventional cardiologist who recently joined Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) – to pursue a career in medicine.“At the time, there was a big famine in Ethiopia,” says Dr. Odunukan, who was born and raised in the African country of Nigeria, approximately 2,000 miles west of Ethiopia. “That early exposure to advocacy and children’s health issues inspired me. I resolved to become a pediatrician. I did become a doctor, but as life would have it, I became intrigued by other subjects, one of them being cardiology.”The Interventional Cardiology RevolutionDr. Odunukan’s passion for cardiology was sparked during an internal medicine internship at the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester, Minnesota. There, he grew to appreciate how important the heart is to organs throughout the body. Inspired by this, Dr. Odunukan took his education to another level during two interventional cardiology fellowships at the prestigious Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California.Dr. Odunukan’s medical education coincided with groundbreaking advancements that expanded non-surgical – or minimally invasive – treatment options for people with valvular heart disease, such as aortic stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation and more. These interventional cardiology procedures reduce the need for open heart surgeries, shorten hospital stays and return people to their lives quickly.“Basically, we’ve found ways to close holes and repair tight or leaky heart valves without even opening the heart,” says Dr. Odunukan. “This has given the frail elderly – many who are not strong enough for open heart surgery – a second chance at life. And that is so inspiring to me.”A Well-Rounded EducationDr. Odunukan’s avid curiosity has motivated him to seek new experiences throughout his medical education. He participated in two global health exchange programs: one in Finland and another in the Philippines.During his fellowships, Dr. Odunukan became intrigued with how interventional cardiology was practiced in areas with few resources. This led him to spend a month working – and learning – in the Cath Lab of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the leading healthcare institution in New Delhi, India.“In the U.S.,” Dr. Odunukan says, “I’ve lived in ten states in 15 years.”Many of these moves were related to Dr. Odunukan’s interventional cardiology training. However, he also pursued opportunities to practice cardiology in rural South Dakota, Georgia and West Virginia.For the Sake of PatientsDr. Odunukan’s experiences have made him an expert at caring for patients across the cardiology spectrum.“It’s incredibly gratifying to save someone’s life by removing a blood clot that’s blocking their heart and then to place a stent that will keep their blood flowing,” he says. “There’s also great joy in helping someone manage their risk factors – like hypertension and diabetes – to optimize their quality of life.”Embracing a New CommunityAs you would expect of someone who has thrived in a variety of locations, Dr. Odunukan has wasted no time getting involved in his new community. He’s hiked the Tonto Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon with a group from Yavapai College and joined the Bike Prescott group.“The Quad Cities area is known for its excellent climate and outdoor activities,” Dr. Odunukan says. “There are lots of opportunities for a good work-life balance.”How to Reach Dr. OdunukanDr. Odunukan is located on the campus of Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) West in the new Outpatient Services Building West at 1001 Willow Creek Road, Suite 2200, in Prescott. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Odunukan, call YRMG Cardiology at (928) 445-6025.

The 44th Annual Whiskey Row Marathon Offers Something for Everyone

Prescott’s 44th Annual Whiskey Row Marathon is fast approaching, and Damon Olsen, the Director of the James Family Prescott YMCA, is happier than ever about the outlook at the Y.“The Prescott YMCA has a long standing tradition of 50 years of service in our community,” says Olsen. “An organization like ours never wants to be considered a best kept secret. And we are definitely not. Either you were, you are, or you’re going to be a member at the Prescott YMCA.”“It’s so good to see people back at the Y,” he continues. “Attendance at our youth programs in particular has been overwhelming. There are actually more kids in flag football than before COVID. We’re starting a new 3-on-3 basketball program as well. We have a multitude of sports-specific camps through our partnerships with Yavapai College and Prescott Unified School District. And membership keeps climbing too. We are now at about 90% of our pre-COVID numbers.”Additional ongoing programming includes swim classes, drowning prevention classes, after school care, sports, and summer day care. Hence, the proceeds from this year’s marathon are more important than ever.“The Whiskey Row Marathon is our largest event fundraiser each year. Thanks to the marathon and our other fundraising efforts, we don’t turn anyone away for inability to pay,” Olsen explains. “We can meet people halfway or even more. Inability to pay is not a barrier for people who want to come to the YMCA.”Olsen is particularly excited about some changes at this year’s October 8th event.“Last year was the first year we held the race at a different time of year – October instead of May. We sent a survey out afterward, and the response was overwhelming to keep it in October, so that’s what we’ve done,” he says. “Summer is over, people have settled into school mode, and they seem to really like it in the Fall.”The race also introduced another option for runners in 2021 that was so successful, it’s been included in the 2022 lineup.“We introduced a 5K last year, and it was very well received,” explains Olsen. “We were hoping it would be a nice introduction to running in Prescott for those who weren’t ready to run a 10K, and we were right. We heard several people say that they’re ready to do the 10K this year after running the 5K last year.”Regardless of your running ability, getting out there and enjoying the day is highly encouraged.“Last year when I was helping out at registration, some people were hesitant to sign up because they don’t consider themselves runners,” says Lexi Mullins, Assistant Race Director. “I want people to know that we have the .3 Mile High Fun Run, or you can just walk the 5K or 10K. You will be so glad you did!”The Whiskey Row Marathon holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running marathon in Arizona. Olsen says that the event’s popularity is not only a result of the challenging course.“Our altitude and terrain make the Whiskey Row Marathon one of the most difficult races in the U.S., and runners love a challenge,” Olsen says. “But I think another reason people keep coming back is that they just love coming to Prescott. They make a weekend out of it. They come for the race, but also to take in our beautiful weather, do a little sightseeing and enjoy some great meals while they’re here.”Prescott YMCA Sports Director and Whiskey Row Marathon Race Director Jaime DeJoseph is a very busy person this time of year, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.“Our focus is youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Bottom line is, we’re here for the community,” says DeJoseph. “The Y is about fitness but it’s also about mental health. That ‘healthy living’ component means mental health as well. The Y is a place to come and be with others, a place to belong. That’s my favorite part of being here – promoting health. Seeing our members, including the kids, happy and successful while participating in our community is so rewarding.”DeJoseph describes a variety of ways that even non-runners can get involved in this signature Prescott event.“We love our volunteers and couldn’t do any of this without them. There are so many ways you can get involved,” she says. “We have volunteer opportunities at our water stations, the refreshment garden or directing traffic. The day before the race, we need people to help distribute packets, T shirts and bags at the YMCA. Then of course, there’s set up at 4 AM on Saturday and the tear down when it’s all finished.”“Support also comes in the form of sponsorships,” says DeJoseph. “Our sponsors, including Dignity Health, YRMC are amazing. Some of our sponsors have been with us for years now, and we have quite a few new ones as well. It’s truly a team effort.”“Dignity Health YRMC is once again our Presenting Sponsor,” adds Olsen. “They have shown us so much support over the years. We’re so fortunate to have them as neighbors, right across the street. We’re thankful they’re there.”For more information about the Whiskey Row Marathon, including the schedule, the race route, online race registration, a list of volunteer opportunities, and online volunteer registration, visit whiskeyrowmarathon.com.

Vein Center Welcomes Dr. Saina Attaran

Veins, vessels and valves are all part of the body’s vascular system, which is why cardiothoracic surgeon Saina Attaran, MD, is at home in her new role at the Vein Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).“The venous system is critical to our overall health,” explains Dr. Attaran, Vein Specialist, the Vein Center at YRMC. “We depend on our network of veins to deliver deoxygenated blood back to our hearts. It’s familiar territory for me.”The Quad Cities community is also familiar to Dr. Attaran. She moved to the area in 2019 to join the surgical team at YRMC’s James Family Heart Center.“I love everything about this community: the people, spirit and scenery,” she says. “Helping the people of my community stay healthy is a privilege.”Patient-Centered CareWith Dr. Attaran’s exceptional skills and experience, the fully staffed Vein Center will continue to provide top diagnostic and advanced therapies for people with lower-extremity vein issues. The strong partnership with Advanced Wound Care at Dignity Health, YRMC, will also continue.“Our Advanced Wound Care and Vein Center teams often collaborate to care for patients,” notes Cheryl Sofonia, Director, Advanced Wound and Vein Center. “It’s a benefit to patients that our clinics are together in one location. It’s an even bigger benefit that our Advanced Wound and Vein Center teams draw on the expertise of the multidisciplinary medical team to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”Dr. Attaran echoes this and also emphasizes the patient’s significant role in the Vein Center’s care model.“Teamwork is a very important to the Vein Center,” Dr. Attaran says. “And our patients are at the center of our team. We work with every patient to improve their mobility with individualized care plans that may include lifestyle changes, compression stockings and possibly a venous procedure.”A Global Medical EducationDr. Attaran’s medical education has taken her to top medical centers in the United States and worldwide. She pursued a valve reconstruction fellowship in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Prior to that, she studied valve/aortic surgery during a fellowship at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong and cardiothoracic surgery during a junior clinical fellowship at the London Chest Hospital.Dr. Attaran’s cardiothoracic residency took place in the United Kingdom at hospitals throughout London and Liverpool. She earned her medical degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran.How to Reach the Vein CenterThe Vein Center is located on the campus of YRMC East at:Del E. Webb Outpatient Center3262 North Windsong DrivePrescott Valley, Arizona 86314To schedule an appointment or for more information – (928) 759-5890

Taking Charge of a Precious Resource with Patient Blood Management

Patient-shared decision making is an important aspect of healthcare today. However, advocating for yourself – or someone you love – requires information, especially with a relatively new concept like patient blood management (PBM).This is one reason the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM) is sponsoring its 15th annual SABM Patient Blood Management Awareness Week®, November 1-5, 2021. This worldwide awareness week is dedicated to informing patients about the importance of blood health, particularly when it comes to hospitalization and surgical procedures.In our community, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is home to Arizona’s only PBM program that’s recognized by SABM. Local leaders also understand the importance of PBM. Mayor Greg Mengarelli, for example, is continuing a 10-year tradition by issuing a proclamation declaring “Patient Blood Management Week” in Prescott.“Dignity Health, YRMC has been forward-thinking in its implementation of PBM nearly a decade ago,” says Dale Black, Program Coordinator, Patient Blood Management at Dignity Health, YRMC. “The people of Yavapai County are fortunate that YRMC has embraced blood conservation. This means residents have access to local providers for information about PBM.”In fact, he notes that in October 2021 – nearly 10 years after YRMC introduced PBM – the World Health Organization (WHO) released a policy brief titled, The Urgent Need To Implement Patient Blood Management.Getting to Know PBM What is PBM and why is it important to you?“PBM is about keeping your blood in you and keeping it working well,” explains Beth Black, Administrative Assistant and Program Data Manager, Patient Blood Management at Dignity Health, YRMC.This Healthy Conversations – Patient Blood Management: Your Blood, Your Call – focuses on how PBM supports your good health by preventing anemia, an underdiagnosed condition among people of all ages. And, because PBM is patient-centered, you’ll learn how to put PBM into practice before, during and after surgery.The Pillars of PBM YRMC’s successful PBM program uses a team approach to:Manage anemiaEnsure that bleeding is under control and blood is clotting appropriately (not too much, not too little)Utilize blood-conserving measures during surgeryInvolve patients in decision making about their bloodBlood tests – particularly during hospitalization – provide your physician important information about your health. However, drawing too much blood can lead to anemia in hospitalized patients. That’s why “phlebotomy stewardship” is becoming more and more important. This means taking only the needed amount of blood for testing in order to avoid hospital-acquired anemia.A Few Words About AnemiaWhen you have anemia, your body lacks the healthy red blood cells needed to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues. Symptoms of anemia include, for example:FatigueWeaknessCold hands and feetDizzinessIrregular heart rhythmShortness of breathHeadachePale or yellowish skin“Once a year, ask your physician to order a complete work up of your blood,” Dale Black says. “If you are anemic, work with your doctor to learn the underlying cause of your anemia.”Prepping for Surgery with PBMIf a surgery is in your future, ask your physician to order blood work two to four weeks before the procedure. If your blood counts are low, your doctor may recommend dietary changes. You may also need iron, vitamin B-12 or folic acid to fuel red blood cell production before surgery.“You’ll also want to discuss any herbals you take, along with other over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen,” says Beth Black. “These can all affect your body’s ability to clot.”In the Operating RoomBefore your operation, talk to your surgeon about strategies that reduce blood loss. If you’re undergoing heart or orthopedic surgery – which are known to cause blood loss – discuss collecting blood lost during surgery for immediate post-operative reinfusion, if needed. Medications and blood products that promote clotting and reduce bleeding are also available.PBM is About You, the PatientWant to ensure blood conservation is part of your healthcare? Talk to your providers about PBM, especially prior to hospitalization.“Let your team know that you want to be treated in a manner that conserves your blood,” says Dale Black. “You can even mention your desire for minimal blood draws – just what is necessary for testing – during your hospitalization. With PBM, you are in charge of that precious resource, your blood.”Interested in learning more about YRMC’s PBM program? Check out these PBM resources or call (928) 771-5109.

Your Blood, Your Call

Patient Blood Management (PBM) is a multi-disciplinary approach to maximizing your own blood health and supply. Often this is most crucial during surgery.When large amounts of blood are lost in surgery, it is often possible to get the blood you need by electing to use your own blood. Not blood from a donor, not blood limited by type. And not blood straining the nation’s precious blood supply. (This is especially important during COVID-19 when national blood banks have experienced a drop in donations, which in turn reduces blood supply and drives up blood costs.)The decision is yours—the YRMC PBM program hinges on informed consent. Meaning you have the right to be informed of your choices. Then you have the right to choose to optimize and/or use your own blood (captured and reinfused during surgery), receive someone else’s blood, or receive a combination of both when necessary. It’s your blood, your call.Based on your decision, a team of medical professionals will assess your blood management needs and develop a clinically sound, evidence-based plan of care during your hospital stay. This plan marshals pharmaceuticals, technology and medical techniques to decrease blood loss and enhance blood cell production—which reduces or eliminates the need for a blood transfusion.Progressive LeadershipYavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has the only officially recognized PBM program in Arizona and one of the relatively few in the nation. When it comes to PBM, your local hospital is doing some of the highest caliber work in the country and even the world. That’s why YRMC hosts an annual PBM Symposium in Prescott, an event viewed internationally and presented by some of the world’s leading PBM experts. How did this happen?“We owe our PBM program to progressive leaders and top-notch medical professionals at our hospital,” said PBM Program Coordinator Dale Black. The program started in 2012 after Black and Pierre Tibi, MD broached the subject with hospital administrators.“It never would have happened without leadership’s forward-thinking mindset and ongoing commitment over the past eight years,” Black said. “In less than a decade we’ve become part of a worldwide initiative that uses evidence-based science to achieve better patient outcomes using blood management principles.”Today Dr. Tibi is a leading authority on PBM and serves as the Medical Director of the YRMC PBM Program and The James Family Heart Center.Better OutcomesWhile blood transfusions remain a vital life-saving procedure, growing evidence shows that patients who maximize their own blood supply benefit from:lower infection rates.less anemia.fewer kidney, lung and heart complications.less exposure to viruses and other blood-borne disease.shorter hospital stays.all-around better surgical outcomes.A Continuum of CareYRMC’s PBM program provides you with care and support before, during and after surgery.Presurgical measures center on optimizing red blood cell mass to prevent anemia. This may involve iron therapy, a vitamin regime, nutritional support and medication management. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) may be administered via a shot to stimulate the production of additional red blood cells.Surgical techniques may include removing a calculated amount of blood, adding non-blood expanders, and reinfusing red cells back to the patient. Or they may include cell-salvage, collecting blood lost during surgery—then washing, filtering and reinfusing red blood cells back to the patient. Hemostatic agents may be used to promote rapid blood coagulation.Postsurgical procedures include detecting and mitigating bleeding, minimizing the frequency and volume of blood draws, nutritional support, and continued iron therapy, possibly in conjunction with ESA administration if appropriate.The next time you are scheduled for surgery at YRMC, be sure to ask about Patient Blood Management, or PBM. For more information you can also contact Dale Black directly at dblack2@yrmc.org or (928) 771-5109. You can also visit the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management and download their Patient Guide.

What’s Fresh? Early Summer Harvest at the Prescott Farmers Market!

The summer harvest is just kicking into gear at the Prescott Farmers Market.  The first summery squashes, fragrant bunches of basil, crispy cucumbers, bright yellow sunflowers, and many other seasonal favorites just started showing up a few weeks ago.  Late spring crops are available too, including sweet baby greens, juicy spring onions, and giant heads of lettuce, escarole and frisée.  Shoulder seasons like this are an important time to support local farmers, as their fields transition from cool to hot weather crops.  Variety and quantities change from week to week at the Market, but everything is always fresh, nutrient-packed and delicious.Join me for the latest edition of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, as I highlight some of my favorite early summer varietals, and share two new, flavor-packed recipes!Recipe: Braised Fennel with Tomato and ThymeRecipe: Waldorf Salad with Apples, Turnips, Walnuts and FigsBe sure to shop the Prescott Farmer’s Market regularly, where you can eat your way through the seasons and enjoy the freshest, most delicious produce available. The Market is open from 7:30 am to 12 pm every Saturday, at the Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center parking area on Miller Valley Road in Prescott.  In addition to fresh produce, you’ll also find delicious pastries and breads, bagels, a variety of prepared foods, fresh and dried mushrooms, coffee, tea, meats, chicken, eggs, flowers, crafts, kombucha, and more for sale every week.Remember to browse the Your Healthy Kitchen Blog, at yrmchealthconnect.org, for more seasonal produce recipe ideas, and follow me on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I post photos and videos of the meals I make in my own kitchen, plus links to my favorite food and gardening destinations on the web.

Diet, Lifestyle and Healthy Aging

Approximately one-third of Americans are age 50 or older, according to AARP, and in 2030, one in five will be 65+.  As Americans add on years, healthy aging has become a hot topic.Most people agree that living without limitations from chronic disease, and being free of serious physical or mental disabilities are important at every age.  In our latest episode of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, we take a look at diet and lifestyle recommendations for living a long and healthy life.  Join us here to learn more, and be sure to try our new recipes!Recipe: Spinach Soup with Lemon and CorianderRecipe: Maple Balsamic Roasted StrawberriesInflammation is a normal response of the immune system to an injury, infection or other physical threat.  Therefore, we do need some level of inflammatory response to keep us healthy.  But when the immune system chronically kicks inflammation into gear, that’s when chronic disease can settle in.Scientific research suggests that the following diet and lifestyle factors might contribute to chronic inflammation.Excessive intake of sugar or alcoholDiets low in fiber, fruits, and vegetablesExcessive intake of processed carbohydrates and fatsSmokingSedentary lifestyleStressA number of long-term scientific studies correlate lifestyle with healthy aging.  For example, the HUNT study, which followed 125,000 Norwegians for 22 years found that not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and having good social support were linked to health later in life.  Regular exercise was defined in this study as having planned moderate or intense exercise once a week or more.Several studies based in the U.S. have also found connections between regular, moderate physical activity and longer, healthier lives.  Two notable studies are the Cardiovascular Health Study, which followed 5,888 adults for 10 years; and the Nurse’s Health Study, which has been ongoing since 1976 with more than 280,000 participants.Good research has also found that a Western-style diet, or one that prominently features meat, potatoes, and processed foods, consistently produces more blood-based inflammatory markers than diets that include more whole foods and plants. In general, studies show that the more plants individuals eat, the less inflammation they have.The good news is that we can reduce chronic inflammation by getting regular physical activity, not smoking, having good stress management skills, and eating a plant-forward Mediterranean style diet.You can find many plant-forward, Mediterranean-style recipes and meal ideas at yrmchealthconnect.org.  As always, be sure to follow me on Facebook, at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I regularly post recipes, photos, and videos of the delicious, easy, and healthy meals I make at home!