‘I feel fantastic’ Amazing care close to home saved this man’s life With help from Butler Health System, Matt Kovacik survived a type of heart attack that’s usually fatal. ButlerHealthSystem.org Follow us WINTER 2023
Butler Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. TTY: 711. HEALTH LINK is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of: BUTLER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: 1 Hospital Way, Butler, PA 16001-4670 724-283-6666 butlerhealthsystem.org Ken DeFurio President and CEO Jana Panther Director of Marketing and Public Relations Anne Lehman Editor To opt out of this mailing, contact Public Relations at 724-284-4200. People who are hearing-impaired can access the hospital by calling the AT&T operator at 800-654-5988 (voice) or 800654-5984 (TDD). The caller can then notify the AT&T relay system operator and request relay services to BMH at 724-283-6666. Information in HEALTH LINK comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. BUTLER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any basis, including a person’s age, sex, color, race, religious beliefs, national origin, disability or lifestyle. BMH also provides services without discrimination regardless of a person’s age, sex, color, race, religious beliefs, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, lifestyle or source of payment. 2023 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Numbers to know Butler Memorial Hospital Main 724-283-6666 BHS Clarion Hospital Main 814-226-9500 BHS Care Center: Find a doctor near you! 833-602-CARE (833-602-2273) 注意：如果您使用繁體中文， 您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。 TTY: 711。 BHS NEWS Ken DeFurio, President and CEO ai166880786521_BHS_WCAMaternity_9.2x2.pdf 1 11/18/2022 4:44:26 PM Two great health systems become one to serve you better than ever Butler Health System and Excela Health have officially merged our two high-quality, comprehensive health systems into a new health system that will better meet the health care needs of the region. As I write this, the name of the new organization has not been finalized, but by the time you read this, it may well have been announced. Among the many key reasons for the merger is to improve cost, quality and access to care. We are working diligently to expand existing services and add new services. We strive to become experts at care management and reduce the total health care spend for the population we serve. We must also have sufficient scale to recruit and retain the very best talent. This includes doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and the many experts behind the scenes that combine to deliver high-quality care. In this competitive labor market, being an employer of choice is a strategic advantage. We will enhance medical education through various residency programs, ensuring a supply of expert physicians for many years to come. In addition, we have always focused on being a health system that is a satisfying place to practice medicine. That has not changed. Other goals that you may not have thought about are how credit ratings and access to capital improve through enhanced size, scale, operating performance and balance sheet management. Our commitment to our local communities is supported by generous giving and philanthropy. We will heighten these efforts as we form partnerships throughout the community. What will not change is our commitment to our communities, the patients we serve and the thousands of jobs we support. Butler Health System has a rich, 125-year history. We have positioned ourselves to continue this great tradition for the next century. I hope that the new year finds you healthy and well. All the best to you in 2023. And, as always, thank you for choosing Butler Health System. HEALTH LINK 2 |
Do you have a primary care provider (PCP)? That’s a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or other provider who sees you on a regular basis. If the answer is, “Not at the moment,” then it’s time to call one and make an appointment. Simply put, having a PCP is one of the best things you can do to be healthy. Here are five reasons why: 1. Prevention is the best medicine. “The No. 1 reason to see a primary care provider is to receive preventive care,” says Veronica Vezzani, MD, a family medicine provider at Butler Health System. Your provider can help make sure you receive health screenings and immunizations on time. For example, it might be time for a colon cancer screening or a tetanus (lockjaw) booster. Your provider also can help you manage a chronic condition you may already have, like diabetes, anxiety or depression. 2. You may need someone to coordinate your care. Do you see more than one doctor? Your PCP can help make sure they’re on the same page about your treatments. Such coordinated care benefits you in many ways—for instance, by helping you avoid being prescribed medicines that interact with those you are already taking or with your other medical conditions. “A lot of patients, because they’re seeing so many providers, will be on multiple medications,” Dr. Vezzani notes. 3. Together you can tackle a health habit. Are you ready to work toward a health goal? Maybe that’s quitting smoking, eating better, shedding pounds or increasing your energy. PCPs can offer support and education, boosting their patients’ successes. “They are going to feel empowered,” Dr. Vezzani says. A primary care provider can help you achieve your best possible health 4. PCPs look at the whole picture of your health. When you develop a relationship with a provider, you’ll have someone who knows you and your medical history. You can talk to your PCP about major life changes that may affect your emotional and physical health. “If someone comes in with a knee injury, I can also talk to them about their need for a colonoscopy,” Dr. Vezzani says. 5. Some health problems don’t cause symptoms. Your PCP can look for treatable health risks before they may cause bigger problems. Two examples are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Over time, these silent conditions can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. “A lot of conditions that present themselves later in life can be avoided,” Dr. Vezzani notes. The power of primary care Looking for a primary care provider? Search on ButlerHealthSystem.org under “Find a Provider” or call 833-602-CARE (2273). Four great questions for your doctor These questions can help you better understand your medical care and what you need to do to stay healthy. What treatments or tests do you recommend for me? Why do I need this medicine, therapy or test? Are there possible risks or side effects I should know about? What else can I do to improve my health? A TOOL FOR BETTER HEALTH Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institutes of Health 1 2 3 4 Ready when you need it! Cut this card out for your wallet. Veronica Vezzani, MD, is one of the many Butler Health System primary care providers available in several convenient locations to care for you and every member of your family.
BHS HEART TEAM One Thursday afternoon in August 2022, Matt Kovacik was about to leave home for work at his family’s Slippery Rock bar and restaurant. As he walked to his car, painful indigestion set in—or so he thought. But as the pain in his chest worsened—and Matt became sweaty and dizzy—his wife, Nichole, suspected something worse than heartburn. “I tried to walk it off, but then it got really bad,” Matt says. “I started to sweat worse than with any workout I’ve ever had in my life.” When he vomited forcefully, Nichole told Matt to “get in the car right now.” As she prepared to drive Matt to the emergency room, she called Matt’s sister, a neurologist at Excela Health, and described his symptoms. Matt’s sister confirmed Nichole’s fears and told them he needed an ambulance immediately. (Incidentally, Butler Health System and Excela Health have entered into a definitive agreement to merge into a new health system that will serve western Pennsylvania.) Nichole drove Matt to a nearby fire hall, from which an ambulance rushed him to Butler Memorial Hospital. ‘I’m going to be OK’ At the BMH emergency room, Matt was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Within five minutes, they took him to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, or cath lab. “I said, ‘What’s going on?’” Matt recalls. “They said, ‘You’re having a heart attack.’” That’s when Matt met interventional cardiologist Varun Avula, DO. Dr. Avula told Matt he needed a coronary angioplasty procedure. “I remember looking at him and thinking, I’m going to be OK,” Matt says. “I could tell he was confident.” Matt had an often-lethal type of heart attack dubbed the “widowmaker.” It occurs when the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is blocked, cutting off circulation to a large area of the heart . As is true for any heart attack, it is critical to restore that blood supply before the heart muscle sustains permanent damage. A heart saved Quick thinking and care helped Matt Kovacik beat the ‘widow-maker’ Varun Avula, DO BHS Cardiology Ellwood City | Butler 866-620-6761 “This is one of the more severe heart attacks because it affects a very large territory of the heart—that main pumping chamber,” Dr. Avula explains. “It makes the heart more susceptible to mechanical complications. You can go into a fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).” In the cath lab, Dr. Avula placed a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into a blood vessel in Matt’s wrist and threaded it to his heart. He then injected dye into Matt’s coronary arteries and used imaging equipment to find the blockage. To open Matt’s LAD artery—which was 100% blocked—Dr. Avula inflated a balloon inside it. He then inserted a stent to prop open the artery. Unfortunately, many people who have a blocked LAD artery don’t make it to a hospital in time to receive emergency treatment. Thanks to Matt’s loved ones and the ambulance crew and the staff at Butler, Dr. Avula and his team opened Matt’s blocked artery in less than 90 minutes—a national goal for heart attack care. Matt Kovacik, here at his family’s Slippery Rock bar and restaurant, feels lucky to be alive—thanks in part to quick, expert care at Butler. In addition, the BHS Cardiac Rehabilitation team gave him the tools to stay well, including ways to reduce stress and exercise safely for his heart. HEALTH LINK 4 |
ai166983982119_BHSCardiology_4.25x8.125.pdf 1 11/30/2022 3:23:43 PM Heal your heart Cardiac rehab could be what you need if you’ve had a heart attack or another heart event, such as chest pain or heart valve surgery, or if you have chronic heart failure. Find what we offer at BHSCardiology.org. “At five minutes till 5 p.m., I was walking to my car having heart attack symptoms, and at 6:30 p.m., I was already in my hospital room recovering,” Matt says. “Is that amazing or what?” On to recovery Matt went home two days after his heart attack and did something every heart attack survivor should consider doing: He enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation at Butler. For several weeks, Matt participated in medically supervised exercise, received heart-healthy education and bonded with other heart attack survivors. “I feel fantastic,” he says. Since his ordeal, the 56-year-old father of four sees a cardiologist regularly and has committed to a healthy lifestyle. “The biggest change I’ve made is my mindset with stress,” he says. Looking back, Matt knows he’s lucky to be alive. “Butler is only 15 minutes from me, but I had no idea of the facility and the staff they have there for cardiac care,” Matt says. “I was amazed.” ButlerHealthSystem.org | 5
To register, call 724-284-4504 BHSLifestyleCoaching@butlerhealthsystem.org New! Nicotine Cessation Volumetrics Weight Management Ongoing Series Self Care Diabetes Lifestyle Coaching (Four-week series) Heart Health Seminars Menu Planning Brain Health Seminars Reducing Barriers to Physical Activity LIFESTYLE COACHING The Lifestyle Coaching programs are provided complimentarily by Butler Health System. To find the most up-to-date information and to register, call us, email us or scan the QR code! Tasting is believing Butler Health System is hosting on-site cooking demos as a part of the Lifestyle Coaching curriculum. Learn delicious, economical recipes to help meet nutrition goals. In Butler: BHS Food Institute, found at Butler Memorial Hospital, Brady Street entrance In Clarion: BHS Health and Wellness Center conference room at Trinity Point Sign up today! Get all the details at butlerhealthsystem.org/services/ lifestyle-coaching. January through June 2023 ALL CLASSES ARE FREE How to enjoy winter workouts It’s not hard to lose your desire to exercise after winter weather sets in. It’s so much easier to stay inside where it’s warm than to bundle up and head outdoors for a cold walk in the park. But you shouldn’t have to interrupt your fitness routine just because the temperature has dropped. You can still enjoy working out during chilly winter months. Here are some ideas: Instead of pulling on one big heavy coat, dress in layers when exercising outdoors. Layers help trap the heat and provide insulation. It’s winter! Look at it as an opportunity to do things you can’t do in the summer. Like: » Building a snowman » Cross-country skiing » Snowshoeing » Sledding You can join a gym if you want, but you don’t have to. Try these indoor activities: » Crank up some music and dance around your home. » Roller or ice skate at your local rink. » If you live in a multilevel house, walk up and down the stairs. » Buy a jump rope and some hand weights, and work out while listening to a podcast or watching your favorite show. » Walk laps around a nearby mall. (You can window shop at the same time.) » Go bowling. » Play volleyball or basketball at your area community center. Combine exercise with crossing chores off your list. For example, outside: Rake leaves or shovel your sidewalk or driveway. Inside: Vacuum your carpets or sweep your floors. Dress for the part Try activities specific to the season Move your exercise indoors Keep an eye out for hypothermia Mix up your activities Get your workout while working » Make your first layer a moisturewicking fabric. » For your second layer, wear fleece. » Top it all off with a thin waterproof layer. When exercising outdoors, watch your body for signs of hypothermia. Symptoms can include: » Lack of coordination » Mental confusion » Slowed reactions » Slurred speech » Cold feet and hands » Shivering » Sleepiness If you notice any of these symptoms, go inside and get warm. Go for a brisk walk on weekday mornings or afternoons. Take a nice hike on the weekends when you have more time to enjoy the winter landscape. HEALTH LINK 6 |
The BHS Foundation had a busy year in 2022, raising funds for many important programs and services at our BHS hospital locations. Thank you to our donors, who supported our goals to: Strengthen and nurture BHS employees. Several events were organized for the BHS employees (Butler and Clarion campuses), including special sales and an Employee Fall Festival and pumpkin decorating contest. Funds raised supported the greatest needs fund. Provide an opportunity for our donors and community members to give back to their community hospital. The BHS Foundation partnered with the Medical Staff to coordinate a donation of more than $13,000 to the Brother’s Brother Foundation to provide support to Ukrainian refugees. We also partnered with many organizations within our hospital communities, who organized fundraisers and donated the proceeds to the BHS Foundation. Assist patients with transportation needs, food insecurities and charitable medical care, in addition to providing support to cancer patients. Many patients were provided with transportation to their critical medical appointments and lifesaving treatments. The Food Institute in Butler provided support to many patients with food insecurities, and a new Food Institute was opened in Clarion in fall 2022. Community support in 2022 Upcoming Foundation events Butler Ladies Night Out Tuesday, May 16, Butler Country Club Tee Off Fore a Healthier Community Golf Outing Monday, June 26, Butler Country Club Sip of Summer event Friday, Aug. 18, Pittsburgh Marriott North, Cranberry Township Clarion Purse Bingo Saturday, Feb. 25, American Legion, Clarion Golf Outing Friday, July 28, Clarion Oaks Golf Course Fun fact Did you know BHS Foundation is a designated charity through Amazon Smile? Thank you to our partners and sponsors Business Partners Butler Eagle Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield International Quality Consultants Inc. NexTier Bank Truist Sponsors Agfa Healthcare Corporation AGR International Inc. All About Reclaimed Armstrong Business Solutions Aspire Grant & Development, LLC Associated Ceramics & Technology Inc. BDO USA, LLP BMH Medical Staff BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services Butler Ambulance Service Butler County Chamber of Commerce Butler County Community College Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau Butler Medical Providers— Physician Division Concordia Lutheran Ministries Consolidated Communications Cowden Associates C.W. Howard Insurance Agency Inc. DesignGroup Dhinesh Samuel, MD Diehl Toyota Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, LLP DRAW Collective Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley Ford Office Technologies FORVIS Fox Rothschild, LLP Gateway Engineers Henderson Brothers HT/Baird Hunter Truck Indiana Regional Medical Center Johnson Controls—Fire & Security K&L Gates Labcorp LOLA Energy Lutheran SeniorLife Maher Duessel Marburger Farm Dairy Mars Bank MBM Contracting Inc. Metz Culinary Management Mon-D-Aid & Cleanit Co. Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Oliver Outdoor PalAmerican Security Pittsburgh Marriott North PNC Bank Source 1 Healthcare Solutions Special T. Electronics Sunnyview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers TTG Imaging Solutions UPMC Health Plan Vision Benefits of America Western Pennsylvania Electrical Labor Management Cooperation Committee Learn the latest Scan the QR code for further information on the BHS Foundation and upcoming events. Contact the BHS Foundation Go to BHS-Foundation.org to find us online. Or, for the Butler campus, call us at 724-284-4716 and for the Clarion campus at 814-226-1258. ButlerHealthSystem.org | 7
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1715 Pittsburgh, PA 1 Hospital Way, Butler, PA 16001-4670 ~áNSTMPQMUPRNMT|_ep|eo|kçïeáêáåÖ|QKTRñTKéÇÑ===N===NOLSLOMOO===NMWPPWRS=^j U.S. Department of Veterans A airs Veterans Health Administration VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System ai166889293552_DonateBlood_JointCampaign_Ad_4.75x4.pdf 1 11/19/2022 4:22:17 PM Grandma’s chicken vegetable soup Makes 4 servings. Ingredients 1 can (141⁄ 2-ounce) reduced-sodium chicken broth 1⁄ 2 cup water 1 pound (3 medium) potatoes, cut into 1⁄ 2-inch cubes 1 medium carrot, cut into ¼-inch slices 1 pound boned and skinned chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1⁄ 4-inch slices 3 green onions, sliced 2 teaspoons dried basil 1⁄ 8 teaspoon salt 1⁄ 8 teaspoon black pepper Directions » In 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine broth and water. » Cover and bring to boil. » Add potatoes and carrot; cover and cook 5 minutes. » Add chicken, zucchini, onions and basil; bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook until chicken is opaque throughout, about 7 minutes. » Season with salt and pepper. Nutrition information Serving size: 1⁄ 4 recipe. Amount per serving: 240 calories, 3.1g total fat (1g saturated fat), 25g carbohydrates, 28g protein, 4g dietary fiber, 216mg sodium. Source: Produce for Better Health Foundation
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