News

Emory Hospital First in Atlanta to Earn Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

April 10th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

Joint Commission Stroke Center Certification

Congratulations to Emory University Hospital who recently joined an elite group of fewer than 30 centers nationwide with its Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association! Emory University Hospital is the only hospital in metropolitan Atlanta to earn this designation and just one of two in Georgia. Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes only those hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. Emory University Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review by The Joint Commission in February 2013.

So, what does this all mean for you? It means that our Emory University Hospital stroke team provides advanced care, including:

  • A state-of-the-art neurointensive care unit, created especially for critically ill stroke patients
  • Neurosurgical interventions for complex conditions that can arise in stroke patients
  • Advanced imaging capabilities
  • Fellowship-trained neurointensivists available 24/7, ready to perform vascular procedures if needed
  • Access to a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including board-certified fellowship-trained stroke neurologists, world-renowned vascular neurosurgeons, highly skilled and experienced interventional neuroradiologists, a board-Certified and fellowship trained neurocritical care team and diagnostic neuroradiologists
  • Thirty-four neurocritical-care unit beds, six neuro step-down or intermediate-care beds and 41 acute-care floor beds

Emory Stroke Center CertificationThe Emory Stroke Center team provides 24/7 coverage and receives early warning about a patient arriving with stroke symptoms. This early notification ensures rapid assessment and stabilization, and an immediate CT brain scan to establish onset time and to determine eligibility for various treatment options.

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Immediate treatment is essential when someone is having a stroke to reduce the effects and potential for permanent disability. Not close to Emory when an emergency strikes? Nearly half of our patients are transferred from other hospitals, and most of those arrive via helicopter. The Emory Healthcare system also has three Primary Stroke Centers accredited by The Joint Commission, including Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Johns Creek Hospital and Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

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We’re Moving to a New Home – The Emory Bariatric Center

April 1st, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

Emory Healthcare ExpansionWe are excited to inform you that The Emory Bariatric Center is moving to a new home at Emory University Hospital Midtown. As a result, Arvin Singh, MD, and registered dietitian, Meagan Moyer, will be seeing all bariatric patients in the new clinic location. The Emory Bariatric Center’s new office is located on the 7th floor of Emory University Hospital Midtown’s Medical Office Tower. Emory University Hospital Midtown is conveniently located near I-75/85 and I-20 in Midtown Atlanta.

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Celebrating Our Physicians on Doctors’ Day: Past, Present & Future

March 30th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

At Emory Healthcare, our team’s focus on providing truly patient- and family-centered care never takes a holiday. So, we make it a point to thank our awesome team of doctors for the work they do year round and around the clock, but we’re especially proud to recognize them on National Doctors’ Day.

Doctors’ Day marks the anniversary of Dr. Crawford W. Long’s contribution to medicine by performing the first administration of anesthesia. Each year on Doctors’ Day, we celebrate our physicians for continuing the tradition of advancing the delivery of high-quality health care and dedicating themselves to our patients and their families.

This year, we asked members of our community on Facebook to share with us which Emory doctors are most special to them. The feedback our patients and community shared honoring our doctors is truly heart warming. We’ve included screen shots of our community’s feedback below, or you can view the whole Doctors’ Day Facebook thread here.

Emory Healthcare Facebook Doctors' Day

And, to make sure that we’re training the next generation of Atlanta’s top doctors, Emory Healthcare is launching a scholarship on behalf of the Emory Healthcare medical staff. Emory Healthcare will sponsor one or two Emory University School of Medicine students for all four years of their education. One in every four physicians in Georgia have been trained at Emory, so what better way to invest in the future and to ensure the legacy of our team continues for generations to come?

Join us in celebrating Emory Healthcare doctors this Doctor’s Day by giving your doctor a shout-out  in the comments field below!

Doctors' Day Facebook comments

Doctors Day Facebook Comments Emory Healthcare

Emory Healthcare Facebook Doctors' Day Comments
Emory Healthcare Doctors' Day Testimonials

Doctors' Day Facebook comments

 

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Emory University Hospital Expansion…by the numbers!

March 13th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

If you have visited us at an Emory Hospital or Clinic location on Clifton Road recently, you’ve likely noticed that we are under construction! The variety of projects taking place are preparing for the arrival of our new hospital tower, which will provide additional beds and clinical space on the Clifton Campus of Emory Healthcare.

You may be surprised to learn that as of right now, much of the construction to make room for the new 9 story hospital bed tower is actually happening underground. So while you have to look down to see all of the action, rest assured that when this project is complete, we will be able to provide you with even better patient and family-centered care. Here’s a little trivia to bring you up to speed on our growth:

Q: When will you reach the bottom of the hole?
A: Fall 2013 is when we hope to have this part of the hospital expansion project completed.

Q: That’s one giant hole! How many truckloads of dirt will be removed?
A: We are estimating 18,683 trucks of dirt will be removed in preparation for the new hospital bed tower.

Q: How many tons of rock will we be blasting out of the excavation?
A: 64,968 tons. That is 129,936,000 pounds!

Q: How many gallons of water will the excavation hold?
A: 40,394,800 gallons of water which equals 430,877,867 12 ounce cans of Coca-Cola.

New Hospital Bridge Emory Hospital Expansion

New bridge from Lowergate parking deck.

Q: So, what’s next up as Emory Healthcare continues to expand?
A: The hospital expansion project will begin in the fall of 2014. Once the new hospital tower construction is complete, we will have 210 new patient beds, new operating rooms, additional diagnostic and treatment spaces, ICU rooms and hundreds more parking spaces. When the expansion project is complete, we will close 82 patient rooms in the oldest part of Emory University Hospital (EUH), as they no longer meet our growing technological needs. The new hospital tower will connect to EUH via a two-level pedestrian bridge, with one level primarily used for patient transport. The building will also connect to The Emory Clinic Buildings A, B & C (Winship Cancer Institute), as well as the Lowergate Parking Deck.

You can keep an eye on our expansion project at emoryhealthcare.org/expansion.

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A VERY Special Delivery at Emory University Hospital Midtown

February 7th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

Dana Tottenham in front of Emory University Hospital Midtown

Dana Tottenham, with new born son, Adlai, in front of Emory University Hospital Midtown

Two days ago, new mother-to-be Dana Tottenham and her friend Sherry Ebrahimi attended Emory’s Founders Day Dinner together. “It’s our annual ritual. We always go as each other’s ‘date,’ and I joked that I had to make it to 37 weeks pregnant to not miss the dinner this year! (My 1st child was premature, so I was at risk for pre-term delivery again).”

Dana and Sherry enjoyed the dinner, and yesterday, the two attended the My Emory celebration on the campus quad, where Sherry brought Dana a hot chocolate and everything was business as usual, until suddenly, Dana went into labor.

Dana asked co-workers and friends Sherry and Elizabeth Manieri to drive her to Emory University Midtown Hospital (EUHM). A few frantic phone calls were made as Sherry drove so Dana’s husband was aware she had gone into labor and would meet her at the hospital.

Nature intervened. Midway through the short drive to EUHM, Dana’s labor escalated. The ladies pulled into the hospital’s valet parking area and Elizabeth quickly raced to get the doctor and Dana’s husband. In that short time, Dana and Sherry had delivered Dana’s newborn baby—a boy, weighing 6 lbs 0.7 oz—right in the car.

“I never doubted that we would make it to the hospital in time. Of all the people in the universe, Sherry was the best person to be my charge nurse–doula-driver-and midwife on that fateful day. I did have to fight through every contraction to not push, because I felt the baby’s head crowning as we were on Ponce de Leon. As soon as we pulled up to the hospital curb, I simply surrendered to the moment, and Adlai was born,” recalls Dana.

Sherry recalls the fairly chaotic moment with an overwhelming sense of peaceful joy, “It was one of the most amazing experience of my life! When I saw the baby coming, I grabbed him and held him while Dana reached down and untangled the umbilical cord. When I passed him to her it was the most beautiful newborn- mom moment—my eyes got teary and I exited the car so they could have a bonding moment. Surprisingly, I was calm—I think because we were parked in front of the hospital- so I knew help was on the way. Dana was calm the whole time…an absolute rock star through it all.”

Minutes later, medical help and Dana’s husband, Eric, arrived to celebrate the birth of Adlai Tottenham Chang. Dana says of her baby’s grand entrance, “Adlai Tottenham Chang (boy), was born February 5, 2013 @ 12:14 pm in a Toyota Camry, right outside Emory University Midtown Hospital. He’s 6 lbs 0.7 oz., 46 cm long.” Adlai, whose name means “God is Just,” joins his big brother Lyndon in the family.

“You may have heard of another Adlai (Stevenson)- US Ambassador to the United Nations during Kennedy and LBJ’s administration (Brother Lyndon’s namesake). We think our little guy has global ambitions. He was born in a car, so he’s ready to hit the road and meet the world!” Dana exclaims.

From the whole Emory Healthcare family, welcome to the world, Adlai.

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Welcoming the Paces Plastic Surgery Center to the Emory Healthcare Family!

February 7th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

Paces Plastic Surgery Center Emory PartnershipAt Emory Healthcare we pride ourselves in developing and maintaining outstanding relationships with talented physicians and associates across Atlanta and the state of Georgia. As we continue our efforts to build partnerships to improve patient care, we’re happy to announce the acquisition of the plastic surgery practice of Roderick Hester, MD and Foad Nahai, MD, along with the Paces Plastic Surgery Center, located in Buckhead.

Both Dr. Hester and Dr. Nahai are associate professors of surgery of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Emory University’s School of Medicine.

“Emory Healthcare has a robust plastics and aesthetics practice that focuses primarily on reconstructive surgery,” says Donald Brunn, president and chief operating officer of The Emory Clinic. “This new endeavor will expand the scope of Emory’s clinical practice and will enable patients to receive a full range of coordinated, integrated aesthetics care and services under one comprehensive program and under one roof.”

Emory’s highly trained plastic surgeons provide a variety of surgical services to the Atlanta community, including breast reconstruction; ocular-plastics and ophthalmology; facial plastics and otolaryngology (including head and neck reconstruction) and hand and upper extremity reconstruction.

Our partnership with Dr Hester and Dr. Nahai will be finalized in Spring 2013, at which time the name of the Paces Plastic Surgery Center will change to Emory Aesthetics Center, and the practice will become part of The Emory Clinic’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The staff and physicians will continue to meet the highest quality standards and work from one electronic medical record and patient portal system to ensure seamless communications between patients and their physicians

“We look forward to this collaboration as we deliver outstanding services to our patients under the Emory brand,” says Hester. Hester and Nahai are considered by peers to be among the best of the nation’s aesthetic plastic surgeons.

“The benefits of this partnership include helping the center to grow and expand, while offering a wide range of services to patients by skilled health care providers,” Nahai explains.

About the Practice:
Dr. Roderick Hester founded what was then called Paces Plastic Surgery and Recovery Center in 1993. It remains one of the nation’s most comprehensive centers for the care of plastic surgery patients and features state-of-the-art clinical areas, operating rooms and over night recovery suites. The doctors at the Paces Plastic Surgery Center also offer an array of nonsurgical support and treatment services including CoolSculpting™, photofacials, hydrafacials, laser hair removal, facials, chemical peels and more.

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Robotic Surgery – Emory Johns Creek, Making Big Strides with Tiny Instruments

January 8th, 2013 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Last year, Emory Johns Creek Hospital purchased a da Vinci® Surgical System and took robotic-assisted surgery at the hospital to a whole new level. The da Vinci® SI, or Streamlined Integrated, is the most technologically advanced system available on the market. It allows surgeons to use tiny robotic instruments they control in real-time to perform minimally invasive procedures requiring only small incisions.

Amy Fischer, Director of Surgical Services for the hospital, says robotic surgery offers patients “a much quicker recovery with virtually no scarring.” It can also simplify more complex surgeries. “Patients who would normally be down and out for six weeks are up and going in a matter of two to three weeks,” says Fischer. “They use less pain medication, and there’s less risk of infection.”

Gynecological surgeons were the first to use the system, to perform hysterectomies and remove fibroids with less pain and blood loss and, in many cases, preserving fertility.

“We hit the ground running and have really just soared with the program,” Fischer says. “In a matter of a year we have grown to offering not just GYN surgery, but general surgery, GYN-Oncology, colorectal and bariatrics.”

Bariatric surgeons are now also using robotic technology to perform gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss, and Emory Johns Creek Hospital was only the second in the Atlanta area to perform Single-SiteTM gallbladder surgery, a procedure that is now used nationwide. Using Single-SiteTM technology, a cholecystectomy can be performed in about one hour, with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours. Thanks to its success with the procedure, the hospital will soon be a case observation site.

Over the past year, more than 300 patients have benefited from the da Vinci® Surgical System. “We have a phenomenal team that has grown with the program,” Fischer says. “And we have had excellent patient outcomes.”

For more information about Emory Johns Creek Hospital and the DaVinci technology visit our website today.

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Emory Healthcare Celebrates National Family Caregivers Month

November 29th, 2012 By Emory Healthcare

November is National Family Caregivers month, a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. Here at Emory we strive and take pride in giving exceptional care to our patients, family members and community. In fulfilling our purpose of providing patient- and family-centered care, Emory Healthcare invites patients and family members to partner with us as part of our Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) program. We recognize that family and friends are an integral part in a patient’s recovery.

Family caregivers are the most familiar with their care recipient’s medicine regimen; they are the most knowledgeable about the treatment regimen; and they understand best the dietary and exercise capabilities and/or limitations of their loved ones.

“Being a family caregiver has become a more-than-fulltime job.  Emory has helped me do that well with the way the staff treats the caregiver role as an integral partnership.  We have come to know, love and appreciate the caring relationships we have developed with staff throughout Emory who, in addition to great medical care, give both my husband and me emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual support.” – Sylvia Bell PFA for Emory Healthcare

“My family and I have received excellent service from Emory Johns Creek Hospital and in an effort to return the favor, I became a PFA.  Since healthcare providers may not always understand how their actions and communications are perceived, I hope that as a PFA, the insight I offer from a patient and caregiver point of view can help to improve the overall patient experience for others.” – Tobie Walters, PFA at Emory Johns Creek Hospital since March 2012

Although November is National Family Caregivers month, we thank and appreciate all of our family caregiver members year round! We look to them for advice and guidance to ensure exceptional care delivery for patients and families, even during the most difficult times. We thank you all and salute you for your dedication and commitment to family, community and care!

“This month and throughout the year, let the quiet perseverance of our family caregivers remind us of the decency and kindness to which we can all aspire.”
President Barack Obama, 2011’s NFC Proclamation

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Congrats to Our March of Dimes, Nurse of the Year Winners

November 19th, 2012 By Emory Healthcare

Here at Emory Healthcare, we’re proud of our nursing team. We’re proud of their commitment to our patients and their families. We’re proud of their dedication to excellence and continuous efforts to advancing the delivery of patient care. And, as it turns out, we’re not the only ones recognizing just how remarkable our nurses are.

In fact, six members of our Emory nursing family have just been named 2012 Nurse of the Year Award winners by the March of Dimes!

Congratulations to Amy Fischer (Emory Johns Creek Hospital), Melissa Gordon (Emory University Hospital), Carolyn Holder (Emory University Hospital), Dr. Ursula Kelly (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing), Dr. Sally Lehr (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing), and Dr. Lynn Sibley (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing) and thank you for all that you do for our community!

The Nurse of the Year Awards program recognizes exceptional nurses, creates awareness of professional excellence and promotes the future of the nursing profession, while helping advance the mission of the March of Dimes. More than 750 nominations were submitted from across Georgia, with more than 350 finalists. The Nurse of the Year selection committee reviewed these applications across 16 categories, ranging from critical care to women’s health.

Congratulations to our Nurse of the Year Award winners!

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Emory Expansion Update: Neurology’s Dizziness & Balance Center is on the Move!

October 10th, 2012 By Emory Healthcare

Emory Healthcare ExpansionTo provide a better patient care experience and align demand with available capacity, many of The Emory Clinic (TEC) and Emory Healthcare practices are relocating to redesigned clinical space and/or new locations. The new spaces will be more inviting for patients and more accommodating to the needs of our physicians as well.

Below you’ll find updates related to the moves of our Dermatology, ENT/Otolaryngology, and Sinus/Nasal/Allergy departments, who have most recently been joined in the expansion efforts by our department of Neurology’s Dizziness & Balance Center.

The move of the Dizziness & Balance Center is effective as of October 8th, which means our patients will now find the following physicians in their new location at the Midtown Medical Office Tower:

  • Ronald Tusa, MD
  • Sharon Polensek, MD
  • Charles Dering, MD
  • Lisa Heusel-Gillig, MD

For more information on our expansion and departmental moves, visit: http://emoryhealthcare.org/expansion.

Department Moving From Moving To As of (Date)
Sinus, Nasal & Allergy Center 11th floor, Midtown Medical Office Tower 9th floor, Midtown Medical Office Tower August 6, 2012
Dermatology The Emory Clinic (TEC) Building A 1525 Clifton Road August 13, 2012
ENT/Otolaryngology The Emory Clinic (TEC) Building A 9th floor, Midtown Medical Office Tower August 20, 2012
Dizziness & Balance Center 1441 Clifton Road NE Ste 239 9th floor, Midtown Medical Officer Tower October 8, 2012

 

Next up in our expansion efforts will be moves for our Executive Health, Pain Center and Bariatric Surgery departments. We will follow up with updates soon, but you can stay updated on our growth here: http://emoryhealthcare.org/expansion.

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