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A letter from our President and CEO | LiveWell Summer 2024

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Providing the highest quality care 

Excellent patient experiences. Team collaboration. Successful outcomes. We’re excited to commemorate special milestones with our community in this issue.  

Fortune Magazine and PINC AI recently named Genesis a Top 100 Hospital for the third year in a row. Because serving you is our most important commitment, we achieved this recognition with the work of our dedicated Genesis team and your continued support. Measures of excellence that contributed to our ranking include patient experience, exceptional clinical outcomes and community impact.  

We’re further celebrating our second consecutive year ranked as a Fortune Magazine and PINC AI Top 50 Heart Hospital. Forty-seven percent of Americans have at least one key risk factor for heart disease. We continue providing our community with the highest quality cardiovascular care you know and deserve. Exceptional clinical outcomes, operational efficiency and patient experiences earned us this recognition.  

Cardiovascular recovery  

This issue introduces you to Brian Cooper. Brian was diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, which enlarges and thickens the heart muscle. Thanks to the expertise of our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Brian received a personalized rehab plan that has changed his life.  

Screening for lung cancer  

If you’re at risk for lung cancer, talk to your doctor about a low-dose CT scan. This procedure uses less radiation than a regular-dose scan and takes only a minute to complete. The early detection that this screening exam provides can save lives.  

Our entire team wishes you a healthy summer. Your well-being is our priority. We look forward to caring for you and your family whenever you need us.  

In good health, 

Matthew Perry signature

Matthew J. Perry  

President & CEO

An update from our President and CEO, Matthew J. Perry.

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You could save your life with a lung cancer screening

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Low-dose CT scan

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revised lung cancer screening recommendations in March 2021 to include people who meet all the following requirements:  

• Have a 20-cigarette pack-year or more history. 

A pack-year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.  

• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years.  

• Are between 50 and 80 years old.  

• Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer. 

 

Facts:

Low-dose CT Scan

 

Learn more about Low-dose CT Scans here: Genesishcs.org/Screenings

 

 

 

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.

Low-dose CT Scan

Low-dose CT scan 

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Recipe for avoiding food poisoning

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Summer picnics, Thanksgiving dinner or weekend dinner parties entail a lot of food preparation amid the excitement of eating an assortment of cuisine. Did you know that an estimated one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning each year? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), following four simple steps at home can prevent a bad ending to an otherwise good meal.  

 

How do you prevent food poisoning? 

Some foods are more associated with foodborne illnesses and food poisoning. Raw or undercooked meat and poultry, raw or lightly cooked eggs, unpasteurized (raw) milk and raw shellfish are the most likely to be contaminated. They can carry harmful germs that can make you sick. Basic kitchen rules – clean, separate, cook and chill – can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning. 

 

Clean: wash hands, utensils and surfaces often. Germs that can make you sick can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your food, hands, utensils, cutting boards and countertops. Use hot, soapy water to thoroughly wash your hands, plates and any other surface that comes into contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or flour. 

 

Separate: avoid cross-contamination. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat and another for produce. 

 

Cook: food is safely cooked when the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. Package directions provide the recommended temperature, so use your food thermometer to ensure you're in the safety zone and ensure food is thoroughly cooked.   

 

Chill: refrigerate perishable foods after two hours. If it has been exposed to temperatures of 90°F (like a hot car or summer picnic), then refrigerate it within 1 hour. Refrigerate leftovers promptly to allow for quick cooling.  

 

When to see a doctor for food poisoning 

Food poisoning symptoms can be anywhere from mild to very serious. If you swallow contaminated food or drink, it may take hours or days to develop symptoms. Food poisoning symptoms include diarrhea or vomiting.  

“There are a lot of steps from farm to table,” said Deanna Holdren, D.O., New Concord Family Practice. "Cooking foods thoroughly and storing them appropriately are easy ways to prevent food poisoning."  

See your doctor or healthcare provider if you have symptoms that are severe or persist.  

 

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.

Summer picnics, Thanksgiving dinner or weekend dinner parties entail a lot of food preparation amid the excitement of eating an assortment of cuisine.

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10 ways to prep your body for pregnancy

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Thinking about having a baby or already trying to get pregnant? It’s never too early to start getting ready. Experts agree being well-informed and adopting healthy lifestyle habits prior to pregnancy is one of the smartest things you can do. 

 

Even if you’ve been pregnant before, check out our Top 10 Pregnancy Prep Tips to make sure you’re not missing anything. 

 

1. Talk with your doctor 

Before getting pregnant, talk to your doctor first. Your doctor will ask you about your health history, medications you are taking and previous pregnancy problems you may have experienced. They’ll let you know if you need any vaccines or if you should make some lifestyle changes prior to pregnancy. 

 

2. Stop drinking alcohol, smoking and using certain drugs 

Drinking alcohol, smoking and using certain drugs is not the way to prep your body for pregnancy. Not only are they bad for you, they put your unborn baby at risk for birth defects and premature birth. Need help breaking a habit? Ask your doctor for resources and advice. 

 

3. Take folic acid every day 

Experts recommend you take 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant and at least one month during pregnancy. Doing so greatly reduces the risk your baby will be born with brain or spinal birth defects. 

 

4. Avoid toxic substances  

Before and during pregnancy, avoid toxic substances like fertilizer, synthetic chemicals, bug spray and rodent feces. If you have a cat, don’t clean the litterbox yourself either. Exposure to toxic substances is not only dangerous, it can make it hard to become pregnant.  

 

5. Maintain a healthy weight 

Being either underweight or overweight can cause problems. If you’re obese, it’s harder to great pregnant, plus you’re more likely to miscarry or experience stillbirth. If you’re underweight, there’s a greater chance your baby will be born premature or a low birth weight. 

 

6. Get help if you’re experiencing violence 

Domestic violence not only is wrong and puts you at risk – your unborn baby could be injured, too, or worse. If you need help, talk confidentially to your doctor, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233).  

 

7. Address any existing health issues 

Certain health problems can potentially get worse when you are pregnant. If you have any pre-existing health issues, such as asthma or diabetes, you should talk to your doctor before getting pregnant to discuss how these things might affect you or your unborn baby.  

 

8. Get mentally strong 


Stress, sadness and depression take their toll mentally, and they’re also not good for your physical health. So, if you’re planning to become pregnant and these issues are a concern for you, talk to your doctor about care or treatment options that are available to you. 

 

9. Cut out the caffeine 

If you drink more than two cups of coffee or five cans of caffeinated soda a day you could have a harder time getting pregnant – and a have greater chance of miscarriage. The obvious choice is water – not only is it one of the healthiest options, it’s also free. 

 

10. Start – or keep – exercising 

Exercising before pregnancy supports your body and can help it handle the changes that you will go through during pregnancy and birth. If you already exercise moderately, you should be able to continue with strength and aerobic exercise. If you haven’t exercised, you should add exercise into your habits more gradually. 

 

Sources: 

https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/ 

https://www.thehotline.org/ 

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period 

 

 

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.

Thinking about having a baby or already trying to get pregnant? It’s never too early to start getting ready.

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Detect – Protect – Correct: understanding your blood pressure

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High blood pressure. It’s so common that nearly half of adults in the U.S. live with it. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the main risk factor for stroke and can contribute to other health problems like chronic kidney disease, heart attack and heart failure.  

 

You usually don’t have symptoms from high blood pressure until it has caused serious health problems. That’s why it’s important to have it checked regularly. Early diagnosis and simple, healthy changes can keep high blood pressure from seriously damaging your health.  

 

Normal blood flow delivers nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body, including your heart, brain and kidneys.  

High blood pressure develops when blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures. If you have consistently high blood pressure readings, your doctor will diagnosis you with high blood pressure.  

 

The top number – systolic pressure – is the pressure in your blood vessels as the heart beats when the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. 

Your beating heart helps to push blood through the massive network of blood vessels, both large and small. Your blood vessels constantly adjust. They become narrower or wider to maintain your blood pressure and keep blood flowing at a healthy rate. 

 

The bottom number – diastolic pressure – is the pressure between heartbeats, when the heart relaxes and is filling with blood. 

 

It’s normal for your blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Blood pressure is affected by factors such as time of day, exercise, the foods you eat and stress. For most adults, a healthy blood pressure is 120/80. 

 

High blood pressure can often be prevented or treated with lifestyle changes, medications or a combination of both. It helps to understand your blood pressure reading, so you can understand the importance of keeping those numbers in-check.  

 

 

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.

High blood pressure. It’s so common that nearly half of adults in the U.S. live with it.

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Yes, you can get a better night’s sleep

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Did you know one out of three adults in the U.S. doesn’t get enough sleep? When it comes to kids and teens, the problem is even worse: A recent study found that more than 70% of high school students and nearly 58% of middle school students don’t sleep enough on school nights. 

Why does this matter? It’s not just because you’ll feel tired the next day. 

“A lack of sleep is linked with many chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health issues,” explains Thomas E. Rojewski, M.D., a board-certified sleep medicine physician who heads the Genesis Sleep Disorders Center at Genesis HealthCare System. “There are also related problems such as auto accidents caused by a drowsy driver and errors made on the job, which can cause serious injuries, disability or death.” 

How much is enough sleep? Here’s what experts say: 

  • Ages 6-12: Should regularly sleep nine 9 to 12 hours every 24 hours 

  • Ages 13-18: Should sleep eight to 10 hours every 24 hours 

  • Adults: seven or more hours a night 

What’s happening? 

For some, a lack of sleep might be caused by something they can control – such as keeping their smartphone out of the bedroom at night to avoid temptation. 

But for other people, lack of sleep can be caused by a medical issue such as obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes the windpipe to collapse or restless legs syndrome, which is an uncontrollable urge to move the legs or limbs. Narcolepsy, a neurological sleep disorder that affects the sleep-wake cycle, is another medical issue and reason people seek help to get a better night’s sleep.  

Diagnosing a sleep disorder  

A patient who has sleep issues or believes he or she may have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea should first consult a sleep expert. During this time, the patient and sleep expert will discuss the patient’s health history and suspected sleep problems.  

“A sleep study is very similar to getting a stress test for chest pain,” explains Dr. Rojewski. “For example, we monitor 19 body functions during a night-time study. This data helps us determine the best treatment for each patient.” 

Treatment solutions range from the latest in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) breathing technology to lifestyle changes, medications and for some, surgery. 

“Many people have heard of CPAP machines for sleep apnea,” explains Dr. Rojewski. “But what they may not know is how they’ve advanced in recent years. They are smaller and quieter than in the past, and now they are Wi-Fi enabled, so sleep centers can receive patient data every day through a secure server. That allows physicians to monitor patients and adjust the CPAP machine if needed to provide a better night’s sleep.” 

Tips for a better night’s sleep 

For people who aren’t suffering from serious sleep issues but would like to get better sleep, here are some suggestions: 

  1. Remove electronic devices from your bedroom so you aren’t tempted to use them when you should be striving for better sleep. 

  2. Keep your bedroom dark and at a comfortable temperature. 

  3. Keep a consistent sleep schedule. 

  4. Only use your bed for sleep. 

  5. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening. 


 

Did you know one out of three adults in the U.S. doesn’t get enough sleep?

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