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Lexington Clinic’s Jessamine Medical Center now has a new home – on the web. As part of the Lexington Clinic team, Jessamine Medical Center has been serving Jessamine County and the surrounding areas for over 23 years. With a recent expansion of services, Jessamine Medical Center offers lab and radiology services, mammography, neurology, urology and gastroenterology. The multimillion-dollar expansion will add space for new MRI, CT and ultrasound capabilities, plus Cardiovascular surgery consultation.

www.lexingtonclinic.com/jessamine

Lexington Clinic is pleased to announce the launch of a new pediatrics website. The web site includes physician and location information as well as CDC recommended immunization schedules, articles on parenting and all aspects of childhood, appointment requests, and office policy.

“Our goal was to create a user friendly web site were parents could find everything they needed in one place. Patient convenience and superior care are our top priorities,” said Dr. Andrea Meadows.

To view the site please click here

Lexington Clinic primary care offices welcomed two physicians to their practices on Monday, April 21. Dr. Ronald Roberts, Internal Medicine / Pediatrics, will transfer from Lexington Clinic Andover to Lexington Clinic Veterans Park, and Dr. Mamata Majmundar will transfer from Lexington Clinic First Choice Walk-In Care to Lexington Clinic Andover.

Dr. Ronald Roberts received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky. He also completed a residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Kentucky. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and will continue to see patients of all ages—infant to geriatric. Dr. Roberts joined Lexington Clinic in 2003 and has worked at Lexington Clinic Northeast and Lexington Clinic Andover.

Patients have been informed of Dr. Roberts’ move, and appointments can be scheduled for him at 859.272.1928.

Dr. Mamata Majmundar received her medical degree from the University of Louisville and completed both an internship and residency in Family Medicine from the University of Kentucky. She is board certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Majmundar joined Lexington Clinic in 2003, where she has worked at the Lexington Clinic First Choice Walk-In Care locations.

Dr. Majmundar will be accepting new patients, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 859.258.6401.

An expansion of Lexington Clinic’s Jessamine Medical Center, which will include new services, should be finished by early summer.

“We’re determined to be finished by the end of June,” said Dr. Andrew Henderson, CEO of Lexington Clinic, the group practice with 200 providers in 30 specialties throughout Central Kentucky.

The current clinic building at 110 Village Parkway has 15,000 square feet. The expansion, which began in late fall, will add 10,000 square feet, Henderson said.

The Nicholasville clinic offers lab and radiology services, mammography, neurology, urology and gastroenterology. The multimillion-dollar expansion will add space for new MRI, CT and ultrasound capabilities, plus vascular surgery.

“Vascular surgery will deal with blockages of blood vessels in the legs and arms, vein problems, those sorts of things,” Henderson said.

Last year the clinic added weekend hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. On weekdays it is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic serves patients in Jessamine, Garrard, Boyle and southern Fayette counties.

“We watch and listen and see the difficulty that patients have traveling to Lexington to have some of these more complicated, difficult studies performed,” Henderson said. “We felt the need for our patients to not have to make those travels and trips. …We take care of them there, and they don't have to fight the Nicholasville Road traffic.”

Henderson’s brother, Dr. Artie Henderson, works in the Jessamine Medical Center and is president of Lexington Clinic’s board of directors.

As we age our bodies change. We all accept that weight gain, fatigue, and memory loss are a natural part of getting older, or are they? Many of the symptoms older Americans experience and write off as aging, may in fact point to a common medical condition, which if untreated can lead to serious health complications.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck, responsible for controlling the body’s metabolism. Over five million Americans have this condition and it is estimated that ten percent of all women may have some degree of thyroid hormone deficiency in their lifetime.

Having a low level of thyroid hormone affects your entire body. It can make you feel tired and weak, and if left untreated, can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. While the condition is most common in older adults, hypothyroidism can strike at any age. Women age 50 and older have the highest risk.

There are several factors that contribute to the development of hypothyroidism. The most common cause is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which causes the body’s immune system to attack thyroid tissue. As a result, the gland is unable to make enough thyroid hormone. Other factors that can lead to low levels of thyroid hormone include surgery to remove the thyroid gland and radiation therapy for cancer. Less common causes include viral infections and some drugs, such as lithium. Symptoms of this condition vary based on severity of the condition and the amount of time the body has gone without proper amounts of the hormone. Symptoms usually occur gradually over time and can include; feeling tired, weak, or depressed, dry skin and brittle nails, poor cold tolerance, constipation, memory problems, and heavy or irregular menstrual periods. Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and can be controlled and maintained with medication. “A lot of older patients don’t realize the symptoms they’re experiencing are not normal aging,” said Dr. Leera Patel, Lexington Clinic Endocrinologist. If left untreated symptoms of this condition can become worse and result in an enlarged thyroid, heart failure, stroke, and coma. “Hypothyroidism is very treatable often with just one pill a day. Most patients feel much better after just a week or two and the quality of their lives improves dramatically with more energy and better overall health,” continued Patel.

For more information regarding hypothyroidism, please contact the Endocrinology Department at Lexington Clinic at 859.258.4401.

 The Dermatology Department at Lexington Clinic is now accepting appointments for an out-reach clinic to be offered at Harrison Memorial Hospital beginning Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Dermatology specialist Dr. Margaret Terhune will see patients on the third Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Harrison Memorial Hospital Professional Arts Building. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lexington Clinic Dermatology Department at 859.258.5270.

Lexington Clinic is a private, primary and specialty-care group practice with 200 providers in 32 specialties working in locations throughout Central Kentucky. Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and operates offices in Corbin, Georgetown, London, Nicholasville and Richmond, as well as Lexington.

Over the next 20-30 years 2 percent of all cancers could be the result of a single procedure, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study suggests that sophisticated Computed Tomography (CT) scans used to identify ailments in the abdomen, chest, and head could be the cause of upwards of 3 million new cancer cases in decades to come.

While the study brings to light important issues, many physicians feel the information, if taken out of context, could be unduly distressing to patients who may mistakenly forgo a life-saving procedure due to statements from the study.

CT scans expose patients to more radiation than traditional x-rays. According to the new study, CT scans are often medically unnecessary and overuse of the procedure could pose a risk to public health.

“CT scanning carries an inherent risk, as do the majority of medical procedures. In most instances, the risks associated with higher radiation doses are greatly outweighed by the benefits of early disease detection,” said Dr. Shailendra Chopra, Lexington Clinic Radiologist. CT scanning generates a three-dimensional picture involving multiple X-ray images, offering an unrivaled view of the human body. CT scanning is an invaluable asset in many medical cases.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has developed appropriateness criteria which if followed would go a long way in reducing the number of unnecessary CT examinations. Most physicians agree that the best way to prevent unnecessary testing is simply good communication. The reasons for which a CT scan is being ordered should be made clear to the patient by the referring physician.

A patient should raise any questions they may have about the necessity of the test or other alternatives available. There also needs to be clear communication between the referring physicians and radiologists. Many times, the radiologist is able to suggest an alternative low or no radiation test like an ultrasound or an MRI. Even when a CT scan is necessary, a low dose protocol used in performing the scan can reduce the radiation dose. Such protocols are more likely to be in use in an ACR accredited facility.

“When the patient and attending physicians are connected with good communication, they have the ability to consider all of the options and make informed decisions about a patient’s healthcare.” continued Chopra.

For more information regarding CT scanning, please contact the Radiology Department at Lexington Clinic at (859) 258-4181.

Lexington Clinic is a private, primary and specialty-care group practice with 200 providers in 32 specialties working in locations throughout Central Kentucky. Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and operates offices in Corbin, Georgetown, London, Nicholasville and Richmond, as well as Lexington.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been making headlines throughout the country. MRSA is a drug-resistant strain of staph infection.

Staph is a common bacteria that lives on our bodies. Staph bacteria are harmless unless they enter the body, usually through a cut or other wound. Staph infections including MRSA are treatable and in healthy adults generally cause only minor skin infections. However in older adults and people who are ill or have weakened immune systems, staph infections can cause serious illness. If left untreated, MRSA can cause serious, even life-threatening infections throughout the body. MRSA is called a superbug because it is a highly drug-resistant strain of staph infection. This strain is resistant to the majority of the antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections.

Associated primarily with hospitals and healthcare facilities, MRSA and other staph infection strains are now appearing more frequently in communities. “An important thing to remember is that MRSA is treatable and there are ways to help prevent infection,” said Dr. Kyle Childers, Lexington Clinic Pediatrician.

The best ways for parents to protect their children and themselves from MRSA infection is to take the proper precautions, including:

• Wash your hands- Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another disposable towel to turn of the faucet.
• Keep personal items personal- Avoid sharing items such as towels, sheets, razors, and athletic equipment.
• Keep Wounds Covered- Cuts and abrasions should be kept clean and covered with dry, sterile bandages until they heal.
• Use antibiotics properly- Finish all medication, even if the infection seems to get better. Improper use of medication contributes to resistance.

MRSA infections generally begin with minor skin problems. Closely watch minor skin problems- pimples, boils, insect bites, cuts and scrapes. Watch for signs of infection especially in children and older adults including: Redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, pus drainage and fever.

If you suspect an MRSA infection, contact your doctor. If you or your child test positive for staph infection, ask that the culture be further tested for MRSA. “Good hygiene is still your child’s best defense. Good hand washing habits as well as proper wound treatment and antibiotic use will greatly reduce your child’s likelihood of contracting MRSA.” continued Childers.

For more information, please contact the Pediatrics Department at Lexington Clinic at 859.258.4000.

Lexington Clinic is a private, primary and specialty-care group practice with over 150 providers in 32 specialties working in locations throughout Central Kentucky. Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and operates offices in Corbin, Georgetown, London, Nicholasville and Richmond, as well as Lexington.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, Lexington Clinic Thoracic and General Surgical Oncologist, recently performed the first robot assisted lobectomy and complete mediastinal lymph node dissection in a high risk lung cancer patient on August 31. Dr. Paul Randhawa, Lexington Clinic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, assisted in the procedure.

The da Vinci system is a robotic technology combining superior 3-D visualization along with greatly enhanced dexterity, precision, and control in an intuitive ergonomic interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities. With this minimally invasive approach, surgeons are able to maintain the look and feel of open surgery while operating through tiny incisions, often only 1-2 cm in size.

Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Randhawa trained to use the da Vinci system earlier this year at the Intuitive Surgery Systems site in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Montgomery completed his Fellowship in Thoracic and General Surgical Oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in 1998, concentrating on locally advanced tumors following neoadjuvant treatment using open and thoracoscopic approaches. He also received extensive training in micro-surgical techniques during his residency at the University of Louisville. “The same skills used to perform precision micro vascular surgeries are the same as those needed to use the da Vinci system,” said Dr. Montgomery.

Dr. Randhawa completed his fellowship in Thoracic Surgery from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1999. He completed his General Surgical training from the University of Chicago, where he also had an extensive experience in Thoracic Oncology. As part of his thoracic surgery training, he received a broad education in the surgical management of lung cancer and in Video-Assisted thoracoscopic surgery. He will be able to apply these skills to the da Vinci system.

“The da Vinci system allows the same dissection and resection capabilities as with open thoracotomies but using a complete thoracoscopic approach,” said Dr. Montgomery. “This will allow us to perform complicated thoracic surgical procedures through a minimally invasive approach,” added Dr. Randhawa.

Minimally invasive surgical techniques help to improve patient experience as well as patient outcome by allowing for:

• Reduced trauma to the body
• Reduced blood loss and need for transfusions
• Less post-operative pain and discomfort
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery and return to normal daily activities
• Less scarring and improved cosmesis

For more information regarding this procedure or the Da Vinci system, please contact the office of Dr. Richard Montgomery located in the Department of General Surgery at 859.258.4271 or Dr. Paul Randhawa in the office of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at 859.258.6769.

The Lexington Clinic Interventional Pain Medicine Department is now scheduling appointments for Dr. Daniel Keck. Dr. Keck received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. While at the University of Kentucky, he completed an internship in General Surgery, residency in Anesthesia, and fellowship in Pain Management.

Interventional pain management is the diagnosis and treatment of pain related disorders or injuries. With the advancement in diagnostic interventional pain techniques, Dr. Keck is able to locate the source of the pain. Dr. Keck’s treatment goal is to relieve, reduce and to manage pain; thereby improving the patient’s overall quality of life. Appointments can be scheduled for consultations for facet injections, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, epidurals, nerve stimulators, intrathecal pumps and other various treatments for controlling chronic pain.

Dr. Keck is located on the 4th floor at Lexington Clinic, 1221 South Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.

For more information or to make an appointment please call 859.258.6101 or 859.258.4DOC.

Lexington Clinic’s new advertising campaign highlights the benefits of getting “well connected” to its extensive team of physicians and services. Lexington Clinic offers access to over 150 physicians,1000 professionals, over 20 locations including a surgery center, service in the evening and on weekends and more. What’s more, all of these services are connected together to provide patients with the best healthcare possible. To learn more about our collaborative approach to care, schedule your appointment by calling (859) 258-4DOC or (859) 258-4000.
Check out the new Lexington Clinic commercial.
Click here to see a new Lexington Clinic print advertisement.

Dr. Greg Snider, Lexington Clinic Occupational and Travel Medicine Services, has been approved by the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services as a Designated Civil Surgeon. Immigrants who wish to apply for permanent status (i.e. Green Card) are required to have an examination and complete certain medical testing and immunization requirements. Dr. Snider’s office was designated as such in June 2007. Only physicians who have been approved as Designated Civil Surgeons can conduct these duties. These services have already become very much in demand as the only facility designated as such in Fayette County. This places Dr. Snider in a unique position to provide these services, since he not only performs the examination, but also provides all testing and immunizations on-site. This is an exciting opportunity.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Snider at 859-258-8530. You can also visit the USCIS website for other details.

Globetrotters galore will confess perhaps the single most important travel tip is preparation. Destinations requiring special vaccines, medicines and immunization are on the rise.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) website reveals the only vaccine required by International Health Regulations is the yellow fever vaccination for travel to countries in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Requirements for entering a country vary and it is wise to check the restrictions for your particular destination.

If the travel itinerary includes countries which require a vaccination, a traveler should begin by making a scheduled visit to Dr. Gregory Snider, of the Occupational and Travel Medicine Services department at Lexington Clinic. Dr. Snider administers vaccinations and provides consultation for Travel Medicine Services. View the recent WKYT Interview with Dr. Snider

Consultation and examination costs are competitively priced. The consultation involves a review of health history, immunization history, travel itinerary, and the traveler’s wishes for trip preparation. Dr. Snider advises patients about vaccines, discusses travel safety, provides necessary prescriptions, and schedules follow-up to complete any immunization series. Every visit is individualized in detail.

Lexington Clinic stocks many common vaccines appropriate for most short-notice visits. In addition, Lexington Clinic carries the hard-to-find yellow fever vaccine. Rarely requested vaccines such as, Japanese encephalitis must be ordered in advance.

Travel Medicine Services are an important part of the Occupational Medicine practice. This service works best when Dr. Snider can review the situation in person with the traveler and make a comprehensive plan with them.

Many vaccines offer lifelong immunity, some long-term. Seasoned travelers often need very little as their immunization status becomes more complete. Dr. Snider can see traveling patients on relatively short notice; however, allowing 4-6 weeks or more before the trip is a good idea.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Lexington Clinic’s Occupational and Travel Medicine Services department at (859) 258-8530.

The Center for Breast Care at Lexington Clinic is closely following recommendations recently issued by the American Cancer Society for Screening MRI.MRI screenings utilize magnetic fields and radio frequencies through non-invasive techniques which provide detailed, cross-sectional images of the inside of the breast and reveal more suspicious areas than other techniques.
 
Watch the WTVQ Interview with Dr. Vasquez

As a fellowship trained mammographer, Dr. Leonel Vasquez of Lexington Clinic Radiology encourages women with higher risks of developing breast cancer to undergo yearly MRI screening. According to new guidelines set forth by the American Cancer Society, a regular (MRI) magnetic resonance imaging breast screening should be annually scheduled for women that are genetically inherit or have family histories of breast cancer.

In addition, several other factors determine when a woman is at greater risk, including:

1. Having a parent, sibling or child with a breast mutation.
2. Having a breast mutation themselves.
3. They have had radiation to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30.
4. They have a rare medical condition linked to breast cancer – Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Bannanyan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome- or have a parent, sibling or child with one of these syndromes.

Women should be aware that not all doctors’ offices have the proper MRI equipment and women should NOT get MRI screening by a facility that doesn’t also offer MRI-guided biopsies.

MRI does not replace mammography as a breast cancer-screening tool, however, it is a complimentary imaging technique that gives different information for review and diagnosis for certain indications. The breast MRI is helpful in assessing a lesion in a dense breast, evaluating the extent of breast cancer after the diagnosis, determining the response to chemotherapy, and evaluating an implant leakage.

In the event that both mammogram and MRI breast screening are employed, it allows the physician a closer look and better determination for treatment, consequently, the rate of survival increases.

For more information about breast care services including breast MRI, please contact the Center for Breast Care at (859) 258-4181.