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Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute Celebrates Milestone

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Genesis HealthCare System’s Heart & Vascular team members recently performed their 1,000th structural heart procedure, marking a major milestone in their commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and improving lives in the community. Structural heart disease refers to a problem with the physical parts of the heart that affects how the heart works. It can occur at birth or develop later in life and can often lead to serious health consequences, such as heart failure, stroke or reduced quality of life. Structural heart disease includes irregularities that affect the heart’s valves, walls, chambers or muscle. Common structural heart conditions include aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation.

 

“Reaching the 1,000-case milestone is humbling,” said Kinan Kassar, M.D., FACC, Director of Structural Heart Disease at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute. “We are grateful to our patients for trusting us with their care. It shows we are making a difference and motivates us to continue bringing new innovative procedures to our community.”

 

Genesis Heart and Vascular doctors utilize a variety of advanced treatment options to treat structural heart disease. The goals are to use minimally invasive procedures that reduce risks, limit recovery time and usually enable patients to return home the day of the procedure or the next day. One common procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that closes the left atrial appendage in the heart. It reduces the risk of having a stroke for people with atrial fibrillation.

 

This achievement underscores Genesis Hospital's role as a regional leader in structural heart disease treatment and the ongoing dedication to innovation, excellence and compassionate care. For more information on the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, visit genesishcs.org/heart.

Genesis Heart & Vascular team photo

Genesis HealthCare System’s Heart & Vascular team members recently performed their 1,000th structural heart procedure, marking a major milestone in their commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and improving lives in the community. 

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Hold the salt. Why your body isn’t a pretzel.

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Let’s talk about salt. That magical mineral that turns bland vegetables into delicious side dishes, makes popcorn addictive and lurks in pretty much everything you are eating. Salt is so sneaky, it could moonlight as a magician. 

But while it may make your fries taste like heaven, your heart might have other opinions. Spoiler alert. Your heart is not a fan of salt.

 

So, how much is too much? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most adults should aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. That’s about one teaspoon of salt. Yes, one. As in, you probably hit that limit before lunch just by breathing near a fast-food combo meal. 

Unfortunately, the average American consumes over 3,400 milligrams per day. That’s enough sodium to season a small lake, or at least make your kidneys cry salty tears. 

 

Why should you care? 

Your body needs some sodium. It helps muscles contract, nerves function and fluid balance stay, well, balanced. But too much can raise blood pressure, which raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association, who we trust to know what hearts like, says high blood pressure is the leading cause of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths in the U.S. 

In case your heart wasn’t already mad enough about last weekend’s bacon cheeseburger, it turns out high sodium intake is a global public health concern. The World Health Organization recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,000 milligrams a day. That's even less than what the U.S. allows. Great, now even the WHO thinks we're salty. 

 

How to cut back without crying 

Good news. You don’t need to start licking celery sticks in sadness. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests a few simple strategies like reading nutrition labels, cooking more at home and flavoring food with herbs, spices or even a dash of lemon juice instead of the salt shaker. 

Pro tip. Just because it doesn’t taste salty doesn’t mean it isn’t. Bread, deli meat, cheese and even breakfast cereal can contain surprisingly high amounts of sodium. Check the label. Be the sodium sleuth your arteries deserve. 

 

Bottom line 

Salt is great in moderation, but when consumed like it’s going out of style, it can lead to real health issues. Keep it flavorful, not fatal. And remember, your body is not a pretzel. It doesn’t need to be covered in salt to function. 

 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

close up photo of pink salt

Let’s talk about salt. That magical mineral that turns bland vegetables into delicious side dishes, makes popcorn addictive and lurks in pretty much everything you are eating.

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Want to be creative? Go for a walk.

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Imagine you’re out for a stroll, and suddenly your brain decides you are a genius. You start thinking of clever punchlines, solving puzzles and remembering things you’ve long forgotten, even that thing you promised to do last week. Guess what, science is not surprised. 

Studies from Stanford show that walking (even on a treadmill facing a terribly boring blank wall) can make your creative brain 60% more active than when you’re stuck in your office chair. That means a short walk can put your brain into overdrive.  

If you want attention and focus that stick around a little while, moderate walking could have your back. A federal health review on the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion website reveals reasonable evidence that brisk walking offers a temporary boost in attention, memory, processing speed and decision making for a short time afterward. Imagine your brain turning into a speed-reading, memory-recalling ninja for a bit after your walk. 

There’s more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you don’t need to run a marathon to see benefits. Even short bursts of walking can help with thinking, learning, problem-solving and emotional balance.  

So, basically, walking is like hitting the refresh button for your brain. Your neurons perk up, your memory whispers, “Hey there,” and creativity runs around like it just discovered caffeine. All of this wears off eventually, so enjoy the show while it lasts. Next time you’re stuck on creative ideas or forget what you walked into a room for, try walking out of the room, do a lap or two around the house and come back to finish what you originally set out to do. 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Want to be creative? Go for a walk. 

Studies from Stanford show that walking can make your creative brain 60% more active than when you’re stuck in your office chair.

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Panda, Sanchit

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Sanchit Panda, MD
First Name
Sanchit
Last Name
Panda
Professional Titles
MD
Year Joined Staff
2025
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Office Phone
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Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine

945 Bethesda Dr
Ste 260
Zanesville, OH 43701
United States

NPI
1619320702
About

Sanchit Panda, M.D., specializes in pulmonary/critical care medicine. Dr. Panda completed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, and an internal medicine residency at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, New Rochelle, New York. He earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. Dr. Panda is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both internal medicine and pulmonary disease. In 2024, he was honored with the Fellow of the Year Award by the Critical Care Department of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He also received the 2019 outstanding resident and the 2025 Outstanding faculty award.

Fellowship

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York

Medical Education

Kasturba Medical College

Manipal, India

Residency

Internal Medicine

Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, New Rochelle, New York

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine

Critical Care, Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease

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Sanchit Panda, M.D., specializes in pulmonary/critical care medicine.

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Preventative screenings

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Preventative care, such as mental-health screenings, general screenings, physicals, wellness exams and lifestyle counseling are factors in sustaining a healthy life. Who doesn’t want that? I know it’s such an inconvenience to get these checkups, and some people may think it is a waste of time, but doing preventative care is one of the best ways to make sure you are living a healthy life.   

It is important to know your family's health history when seeking preventative care. That’s right, if Aunt Susie has high blood pressure, there’s a good chance you could have it too. You can thank your family's genes for that.   

Let's get back on track. According to the CDC, it is important to get regular screenings and vaccinations done. And the American Cancer Society furthers that statement by explaining how “screening tests are used to find cancer before a person has any symptoms.” That’s right, you could be unaware that something is not right in your body and not know it because you have no symptoms yet. That’s why preventative care is important because it detects inefficiencies early, with or without symptoms being shown.   

Now, we should talk about vaccinations. I’m sorry. I hate needles, too, but we should talk about this. The National Library of Medicine explains how vaccines have many financial benefits. Vaccines help protect people from many viruses and diseases, keeping them healthy. Therefore, if you do not stay up to date with vaccinations, you could risk getting some sort of virus or disease. Resulting in expensive medical bills and an unhealthy lifestyle.   

Other than screenings and vaccinations, preventative care exams also consist of dental visits, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, physical exams, hearing and vision exams bones density tests, education and counseling that guide you in making health decisions and more.   

Talk to your healthcare provider today about decisions you could make for your health.   

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

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Preventative care, such as mental-health screenings, general screenings, physicals, wellness exams and lifestyle counseling are factors in sustaining a healthy life.

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Three simple changes for a healthier lifestyle

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Most everyone wants a better life. A lifestyle where they can do tasks that make them feel good. Sometimes people don’t know where to start. Well, if that's you, you’re in luck. Here are three tips you can use to help you create a better lifestyle.  

 

1. Ditch the couch biscuit 

Do you want to sit on the couch all day? Well, if you do, you might want to set an alarm every 30 minutes and bust a move. Stretch, shimmy, even salsa in the kitchen. Harvard researchers note that standing regularly improves blood sugar use and cuts chronic‑disease risks, such as obesity and diabetes. Standing and being active also helps boost your mood, creating a better lifestyle. Who doesn’t want that?  

 

2. Sweet dreams  

Scrolling on your phone before bed? It’s tempting, isn’t it? Even though it seems like a few minutes of going through your social media, it's usually more like an hour. Getting seven hours of sleep is tricky, especially with your phone. The Sleep Foundation talks about the benefits of getting better sleep, such as a better mood, a happy heart and less stress. Now that's better than scrolling on social media apps at night. So set your phone down and put on some calming music to help you get to sleep.  

 

3. Time for mindfulness practice 

Get in a comfy position, close your eyes and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. How do you feel? Hopefully good. According to Harvard Health, many benefits come to people when practicing meditation. Benefits such as improved memory, better control in managing stress and a decrease in anxiety and depression. Practice it a couple of times a week. It could be right before you go to bed, which will help keep you off social media.  

I’m going to have to give you a task here. Consistently try these three options for two weeks. If you find they are not helpful, then do some research on the many other options available for creating a healthy lifestyle. You’ll come across something perfect for you.  

 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

3 simple changes for a healthier lifestyle  

Here are three tips you can use to help you create a better lifestyle.  

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Moving activity from outdoor to indoor

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

It feels like we have quickly used up all of our summertime. The weather was getting warmer, the sun was staying out longer and the birds were chirping bright and early. Now, as much as we hate to admit it, we have to think ahead to the colder months. This means your nice outdoor running is turning into running on a treadmill inside. But what happens if you don’t have any equipment at home or time to go to a gym? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  

 

Staying fit indoors 

When changing your routine from exercising outside to staying fit inside, give yourself time to plan for this transition. The National Associated of Seniors Fitness explains how there are two types of exercise, aerobic and strength exercises.  

Having the option of a treadmill, elliptical or bike is a form of aerobic activity. This activity results in your heart pumping and blood moving, reducing the risk of breathing complications, heart failure, heart attacks and more. This kind of exercise can be repetitive, so it is recommended that you find a show, podcast or music you can listen to as you stay fit. 

Next, strength exercises come into play. Lifting weights such as bench pressing, weighted squats, curls, lunges and more are all forms of strength exercise. You can even find strength workout videos on the internet to follow along with if you need some guidance. 

If you don’t have any equipment at home, that’s okay. Columbia University provides many ways to stay fit indoors with no equipment. They even provided day-by-day workouts to help get you started. Examples of exercises include body weight squats, sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, wall-squats and more. These exercises can turn into both aerobic and strength exercises, as well, with jumping squats and jumping lunges that get your heart pumping. 

Before you know it, you’ve completed an indoor workout. Don’t forget to get a slow and relaxing stretch in to release any muscle tension that might be lingering. 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Moving activity indoor from outdoor

When changing your routine from exercising outside to staying fit inside, give yourself time to plan for this transition.

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. There is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.   

 

5-year survival rates for breast cancer are:  

  • 99% if detected early before it spreads.  

  • 86% if it spreads to lymph nodes or nearby structures.  

  • 30 % if it spreads to distant parts of the body, like lungs, liver or bones.  

 

You should talk to your doctor about your risk for breast cancer and plan for a screening mammogram with your primary care physician or your OB/GYN. Some factors that could determine your risk for breast cancer, and how you can take extra measures to prevent it.   

 

Is breast cancer genetic?    

One of the factors that can determine your risk for breast cancer is family history. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., women who have a family history of breast cancer are at higher risk of getting breast cancer. If you have a first-degree relative with breast cancer (parent, sibling or children), then you should start up to 10 years early with preventative screenings.   

 

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. states that all women have a breast cancer gene (BRCA) and, despite its name, it helps prevent breast cancer. Sometimes there are mutations found in the BRCA, and this is what causes women to develop breast cancer. Please note that less than 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a BRCA mutation. With early detection, treatment is available for most breast cancer cases, and it is true even for people who have a BRCA mutation.  

 

Think pink and get ahead of breast cancer  

As stated above, early detection is the best way to treat the most breast cancer cases. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends that all women who are 40 or older with an average risk of breast cancer should have an annual screening mammogram. For higher-risk patients, they should have a clinical breast examination by a physician every 6-12 months and should consider a high-risk screening of an annual breast MRI along with a yearly mammogram.   

For more information about breast cancer awareness, you can read:   

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. There is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

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Stepping into relief

Medical spa owner Stacy Ruff is passionate about her clients always feeling confident and looking their best.  

“I want others to feel empowered and beautiful in their skin,” said Stacy. 

Whether standing daily for her job or being a busy mom to her two daughters, Stacy is constantly on the go. Over the last several years, she noticed bunions developing on both feet. 

Stacy pushed through the pain until she couldn’t. It hurt to stand all day for work, and she could no longer participate in her favorite hobbies, such as cycling and running. She wanted to seek the best care. 

Stacy asked friends for suggestions and soon scheduled an appointment with Mark W. Scott, D.P.M., Board-certified Podiatric Surgeon at Genesis Foot & Ankle. 

Fearful that she would be off her feet for months, Stacy didn’t want to miss any of her family’s activities or be away from clients for too long. 

“Dr. Scott was highly recommended,” said Stacy. “From the start, he was easy to talk to. I trusted him.” 

 

Causes and treatment 

Most common in women, bunions can be caused by short Achilles tendons, improperly sized footwear, wearing high heels, weakened foot muscles or conditions such as arthritis. Bunions can also be hereditary.  

“A bunion is often mistaken for a growth on the side of the foot,” said Dr. Scott. “Bunions are a result of the big toe bone moving to another position inside the foot.” 

Initial treatment options include properly sized shoes, inserts, physical therapy and medications. When bunion pain limits daily activities and interferes with a patient’s health, surgery is often the next step. 

Open surgery has been used for many years to correct misaligned toe bones. Traditional open bunion surgery involves one or more larger incisions, resulting in increased risk of infection, pain, recovery and scarring. However, open surgery is often limited based on the patient's age, bone quality, activity level and degree of the bunion. 

 

An alternative approach 

A minimally invasive bunion procedure is a newer treatment available at Genesis. Dr. Scott is the only Genesis doctor who performs the surgery. Advantages of the procedure include: 

  • Limited anesthesia 

  • Fewer, smaller incisions 

  • Reduced pain 

  • Faster recovery 

  • Improved cosmetic results 

  • Less need for prescribed pain medicine after surgery  

 

“Patients come in with a painful irritation and ask for fast relief,” said Dr. Scott. “With the new procedure, patients can return to their activities faster and have less pain.” 

Stacy’s trust in Dr. Scott made it easy for her to decide to have the procedure. She chose to have her left foot done first. 

 

 

“I was worried about giant ugly scars and losing too much time,” said Stacy. “But the outcome was great. I stayed off my feet for a few weeks as directed. I returned to work sooner than I expected.” 

Genesis patient posing for photo by her bicycle outside

 

Dr. Scott said he is glad Genesis can offer the minimally invasive procedure because it improves foot function and reduces downtime. 

“It’s important to see patients return to their routine very soon,” said Dr. Scott. 

Stacy is back to riding, running and driving her girls to their activities. She plans to have the procedure on her right foot in the near future. 

“I highly recommend the procedure,” said Stacy. “I feel great and can’t wait to wear open-toed shoes.” 

Mark W. Scott, DPM

Mark W. Scott, D.P.M.


Board-certified Podiatric Surgeon 


Genesis Foot & Ankle

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Genesis patient posing for photo next to red bike smiling

Stacy’s trust in Dr. Scott made it easy for her to decide to have the minimally invasive bunion procedure.

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Jumping back into a fitness routine

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

We all might say something along the lines of “I’ll go tomorrow” or “I will wait until the weather is nice” when it comes to exercise. We need to start eliminating excuses and start staying active. Below are tips to start incorporating exercise back into your life.  

Some of us may not know where to start with exercise, which can be overwhelming. Make sure to start slowly with exercise. According to the IDCC Health Services, the best way to incorporate exercise back into your life includes: 

  • Beginning with low-intensity exercises and gradually increase the duration and difficulty 

  • Setting realistic goals, define both short- and long-term goals 

  • Choosing an activity you enjoy 

  • Warming up and stretching 

  • Mixing cardio and strength exercises 

  • Including rest and recovery 

  • Maintaining a healthy diet  

  • Tracking your progress 

The key to incorporating exercise back into your routine includes patience, planning and consistency. By being consistent with exercise, you can start seeing the benefits. The benefits, according to the American Heart Association, show that daily exercise can:  

  • Become a natural mood booster 

  • Keep you physically fit and able  

  • Help decrease doctor visits 

  • Lower blood pressure 

  • Boost levels of good cholesterol 

  • Improve blood flow (circulation) 

  • Keep your weight under control  

  • Prevent bone loss 

  • Help you live longer 

Before starting any exercise routine, talk to your doctor about your fitness level and determine where to start.

 

For more information about exercise:  

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Jumping back into a fitness routine 

Some of us may not know where to start with exercise, which can be overwhelming. Here are tips to start incorporating exercise back into your life.  

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