LiveWell | Genesis Healthcare System

Genesis Coshocton Medical Center

Read more about Genesis Coshocton Medical Center

The new 60,000-square-foot center brings together 200+ employees, including the region’s best physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, multi-skilled technicians, technologists, therapists, and other clinical and support staff.

The Genesis Coshocton Medical Center offers:

Emergency Department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

10 patient rooms
Specialized rooms for major medical resuscitation and behavioral health needs
Genesis Community Ambulance Service medical transport

Outpatient Surgery

9 pre/post rooms, 2 surgical suites and 1 minor procedure room
Surgeries and procedures: examples include orthopedics and orthopedic sports medicine; podiatry, ENT, urogynecology, OB/GYN, endoscopy and general surgery

Overnight Observation Unit

10 patient rooms

Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Computed Tomography (CT) scans
X-ray
3D Mammography
Ultrasound

Laboratory for patient testing such as blood draws open 24/7

Cardiac diagnostics such as echocardiograms, stress tests, vascular ultrasound, EKGs, Holter monitors and cardiac computed tomography scans (CTs)
Respiratory therapy, including pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gases
Physical, occupational and speech therapies
Medical offices for physician specialists:
- Surgeons
- General and Invasive Cardiologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists

High-quality healthcare throughout Coshocton

In addition to the Coshocton Medical Center, Genesis offers other healthcare services in the Coshocton area, including:

• Primary Care, 410 Main Street, Suite A & 23599 Airport Road

• Orthopedics, 23599 Airport Road

• Urogynecology, 23599 Airport Road

• OB/GYN, 23599 Airport Road

• Podiatry, 23599 Airport Road

• Occupational Health, 23599 Airport Road

Celebrating the opening

Before the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center officially opened its doors, multiple events were held to celebrate what this new healthcare facility means to the residents of Coshocton and surrounding counties.

Here is the look at the festivities:

Family Fun Day

Community members of all ages toured the new facility on Saturday, March 18. They met their future caregivers, viewed new diagnostic and treatment equipment, and enjoyed refreshments and a door prize drawing.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Genesis board and team members and Coshocton community leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 16.

LiveWell

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:00

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Restored: Muscle Cars and Torn Muscles

Read more about Restored: Muscle Cars and Torn Muscles

Taking a worn-down, broken muscle car and transforming it into a flashy fresh ride takes time, skills and finances, but John Rusinko and his wife Haddi say it’s worth it. They spend retirement side by side, saving vintage vehicles from rusty fates by restoring them into gorgeous, roaring rides.

Last year, John’s attention broadened from restoring muscle cars to restoring muscle when he was thrown from his lawn mower after sliding down a steep hill on his property.

“I believe that’s when I hurt my hamstring,” he said. “A month later, I went hunting and fell.”

For the next several months, John lived with a sharp, stabbing pain. An MRI revealed a partially torn hamstring muscle. Despite steroid injections and physical therapy, the pain remained. Then he met Brenton Bohlig, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist at Genesis Orthopedic Sports Medicine, who recommended a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

Brenton Bohlig, M.D.
Fellowship-trained and Board-certified
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
Genesis Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Accelerate healing by fueling up

PRP treatments use the patient’s blood cells to accelerate healing. To create the platelet-rich plasma, a sample of whole blood is usually drawn from the arm and then placed into a device called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins until the platelets separate and become concentrated within the blood’s plasma. This platelet-dense precious plasma can fuel and accelerate healing when injected directly into an injured area.

“Using platelet-rich plasma harnesses the body’s natural healing ability,” said Dr. Bohlig. The injection utilizes the patient’s blood as the activating agent, so patients sidestep adverse reactions that may come with medications or foreign substances.

“It’s a more natural way. Harnessing the proteins and growth factors that promote healing lets your body do what it’s meant to do. We simply direct where the healing takes place. It’s wonderful to see how this treatment benefits people with partially torn tendons and ligaments,” Dr. Bohlig said.

PRP injections deliver results

On the day of the injection, Dr. Bohlig told John not to anticipate results for about six weeks. John waited patiently, and relief came right on cue.

“Within the seventh week, I was walking fine. Before, it felt like someone had stuck a knife in me and never pulled it out, but after those six weeks, I had no pain. All because of my blood,” he said. “No medications, no therapy, just my blood.”

Guiding patients on the road to recovery

With his hamstring healed, John returned to living his best life. He remains pain-free more than a year after the PRP injection. He hunts, chops wood and cares for his land. On most days, John uses his restored hamstring to twist and turn around the vehicles he and his wife enjoy restoring.

For Dr. Bohlig, success stories like John’s fuel his desire to restore people to their best quality of life. “It’s great to see people return after treatment,” he said. “Where there was a grimace on their face from pain with certain movements, there’s now a smile as they show off what they can do. I’m thrilled that we can provide the care they need on the road to recovery.”

LiveWell

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:00

Taking a worn-down, broken muscle car and transforming it into a flashy fresh ride takes time, skills and finances, but John Rusinko and his wife Haddi say it’s worth it.

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Portion Control and Power Walking

Read more about Portion Control and Power Walking

A few years ago, Tim Lewis of Coshocton, Ohio, had trouble doing most things. He was morbidly obese, suffered from emphysema and had trouble sleeping. He was constantly out of breath and could barely walk from room to room in his house.

Tim knew he had to do something about his health because he is a single father to a preteen daughter. “It was hard for me to go to school and athletic events and fun things she enjoys, like shopping,” he said. “I had to find a way to take better care of myself, so I could take care of her.”

A Transformation Takes Root

Unfortunately, his health was so poor that Tim suffered two heart attacks in the summer of 2021. After the second heart attack, he had stents put in at Genesis Hospital, which he said helped with his breathing. After his discharge, Tim was worried about recovery. “I knew I needed to eat better and exercise to get back on track, but I didn’t feel like I had the energy to do anything. I felt so fragile,” he said.

Then he noticed something that turned out to be the key to a complete transformation in his health and life. “I got home and saw that I’d lost 20 pounds during my hospital stay. I was happy about it but couldn’t figure out how it happened.”

At his first check-up with Christy Zigo, APRN-CNP, Nurse Practitioner at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group in Coshocton, Tim told her about his fear of not being able to recover fully.

Zigo took the time to discuss his treatment, recovery plan and the future at length. Reassured about many of his concerns, Tim asked how he could have dropped 20 pounds so quickly.

“When Tim came to the office, he was motivated to improve his health and unsure how he had made such progress while in the hospital,” said Zigo. “I explained that while in the hospital, Genesis dietitians planned his meals to follow the portion, caloric and nutritional guidelines for his illness. In a nutshell, portion control.”

Christy Zigo, APRN-CNP
Nurse Practitioner
Genesis Heart & Vascular Group

Half his size and completely whole

At home, Tim adopted the hospital menu. “Portion control and encouragement from the Genesis nurses and specialists worked wonders for me,” said Tim. He also started walking daily. He was so dedicated to following both regimens that he lost 190 pounds in 13 months. “Walking is my number one hobby now,” he said. He leaves his house every day before noon and walks a few different routes he’s created throughout the city of Coshocton.

Since he started working with the Genesis Heart and Vascular team, Tim said that everything has improved for himself and his daughter. He feels better, and she is happy to have a more active dad. “I want to tell my story to everyone,” he said. “I am so grateful to Genesis for getting the ball rolling for me.”

LiveWell

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:00

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Spotlight on Edmund Kassis, M.D.

Read more about Spotlight on Edmund Kassis, M.D.

Edmund Kassis, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Thoracic Surgeon, brings both clinical experience and leadership skills to his new position with Genesis HealthCare System. 

In addition to performing surgeries at Genesis Hospital, Dr. Kassis serves as medical director of cardiothoracic surgery within the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group. 

Dr. Kassis specializes in the surgical removal of lung cancer, esophageal cancer and mediastinal tumors. He performs a full range of traditional and minimally invasive procedures, and optimizes patient benefits by frequently utilizing innovative robotic-assisted technologies in the treatment of thoracic cancers.  

“Robotic-assisted technology allows outstanding visualization of the chest,” he said. “The instrumentation is like working with your hands but doesn’t require spreading a patient’s ribs and uses much smaller incisions. Patients who are candidates benefit from shorter hospital stays, less pain and the ability to return to work and normal activities faster.”  

Initially inspired to pursue medicine by family members who passed away from lung cancer, Dr. Kassis aims to help others facing similar diagnoses. He takes a direct approach to educating patients and strives to provide top-quality surgical care. “I always have my patients’ best interests in mind and want them to understand their treatment,” he said.

When asked about his most rewarding professional moments, Dr. Kassis said they include the satisfaction of an operation well done, seeing patients thriving in the hospital post-surgery and congratulating patients at the five-year mark when they are declared cancer-free.

Outside of work, Dr. Kassis enjoys taking his body to the extreme. Always moving, he has completed multiple Ironman competitions and is training for a 36-hour endurance hike. He also golfs and scuba dives.

Doctor of Medicine:  
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

General Surgery Residency:  
The Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Maryland
Chief Resident 

Fellowships:  
Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
Cardiothoracic Surgery, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas 

Board-certified:  
American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery

LiveWell

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:00

Edmund Kassis, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Thoracic Surgeon, brings both clinical experience and leadership skills to his new position with Genesis HealthCare System. 

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A letter from our President and CEO | LiveWell Spring 2023

Read more about A letter from our President and CEO | LiveWell Spring 2023

Off to a Great Start

In the past month, Fortune Magazine/PINC AI, a healthcare improvement technology company, ranked Genesis as one of America’s top 50 heart hospitals. We also opened the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center. Wow, what a month.

These milestones are the result of many years of recruiting and supporting the best people, implementing innovative technology and, most importantly, the support we received from you. You trusted us to care for you when you were in need. Your faith in us made these achievements possible.

We thank you and applaud the efforts of everyone at Genesis. Their work has and will continue to save lives. According to Fortune Magazine/PINC AI, if all hospitals performed at the top 50 heart hospital level, an additional 7,600 lives could be saved each year nationally.

With the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center providing local access to high-quality care, more families and neighbors can live longer, healthier and more enjoyable lives.

New to Genesis Heart & Vascular Group

We continually invest in technology and recruitment of physicians with the skills, experience and knowledge to advance the care we provide. In this issue, you can learn about our new medical director of thoracic surgery.

Power restored

Some patients do not return to life as it was. They improve. In this issue, a Coshocton native tells us how the support of his medical team after he suffered two heart attacks helped him change his life.

You’ll also meet a patient who benefited from a therapy using platelet-rich plasma. He is pain-free and enjoying his lifelong hobby, restoring vintage cars.

Community Benefit Report

Genesis HealthCare System annually provides no- and low-cost services, screenings, classes and events to help our communities get and stay well. These programs, investments and outcomes are reported in the Community Benefit Report, which is included in this special edition of LiveWell. These services are just some of many ways Genesis gives back to our communities every year.

In good health,

Matthew J. Perry

President & CEO

LiveWell

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:00

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(Recipe) Healthier homestyle meatloaf

Read more about (Recipe) Healthier homestyle meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk

• ¼ cup ketchup

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 lb. 93-97% lean ground beef

• 1 slice (1½ oz) whole grain bread

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

• 2 egg whites

• ½ cup steamed broccoli florets, chopped

• ½ cup roasted red pepper, chopped

• ½ cup white onion, chopped

Nutritional information:

• Serving size: 2 slices

• Calories: 178

• Total fat: 4 g

• Saturated fat: 1 g

• Cholesterol: 47 mg

• Sodium: 189 mg

• Carbohydrates: 10 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Protein: 20 g

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9” x 5” loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, one tablespoon of ketchup, mustard and egg white. Add onion, red pepper and broccoli and set the mixture aside. In a food processor, pulse bread until completely crumbled. Add ground beef and breadcrumbs to the vegetable mixture. Add basil, parsley and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together by hand. Place meat mixture into loaf pan. Brush the remaining three tablespoons of ketchup over the top. Bake for one hour or until the thermometer inserted in the center of the pan registers 160 degrees. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut meatloaf into 12 slices.

Find more recipes at genesishcs.org/eatwell.

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Recipes

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 10:36

Try this healthier version of a classic for your next family dinner.

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Four Ways to Give Your Brain a Workout

Read more about Four Ways to Give Your Brain a Workout

The word crossword might conjure up an image of a grandfather sitting around the kitchen table with a cup of joe, a newspaper and a pencil. Does that crossword help keep his mind sharp? Well, that’s still up for debate. Although study results have been mixed, most researchers agree that our brain needs exercise like our body. Brain games can’t hurt us, and they’re less smelly than going to the gym. Here are five ways to give your brain a workout:

1. Keep learning new skills

Whether it’s a new type of brain game or learning how to quilt, the Synapse Project study published in Psychological Science found that learning new skills helped the memory of older adults.

2. Play around with number puzzles

A study published in 2019 in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that number puzzles can help with things like attention, reasoning and memory, even in adults with dementia.

3. Try complex and challenging things – and keep practicing

According to Harvard Health, a complicated puzzle or challenging brain game fits the bill. You can also take a challenge you already enjoy and turn it up a notch. If you are a golfer, take a swing at a more challenging course. Knitter? Stitch a new pattern. Studies show these challenges will sharpen your thinking.

4. Tackle that word puzzle

According to the online PROTECT study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry in 2018, older folks who completed a word puzzle a day showed better cognitive skills than those who did not often do puzzles.

5. Experiment with brain teasers – and involve your children

Brain games are not just for the elderly. A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental and Science Education found that brain teasers can even help young kids increase their attention span.

You don’t need fancy gadgets or the latest app to keep your mind sharp. Weave some new and challenging puzzles, brain games and crosswords into your day-to-day life, and you might notice your memory or thinking skills improve. At the very least, you had some fun.

LiveWell

Mon, 01/30/2023 - 15:00

You don’t need fancy gadgets or the latest app to keep your mind sharp. Here are five ways to give your brain a workout:

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Blisters 101

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Self-control + sanitary conditions

Question: What do spider bites, sunburns, chicken pox and tight shoes have in common?

Answer: They can all lead to blisters.

While blisters may begin as small, bothersome bubbles that form under the skin and fill with fluid, they can lead to infected areas needing medical attention. To help blisters heal quickly and without further issues, follow these guidelines:

1. Don’t pop it

That billowing booboo may call to you like a plump pimple, but white-knuckle-grip your self-control and don’t pop that blister. Picking, popping and probing blisters increases the chances of introducing bacteria to the wound, which can lead to festering infections.

2. Keep it clean

To keep bacteria at bay, wash the sore area with warm water and mild soap, then apply an antibacterial cream. Top it off with a fresh bandage or gauze, then give that blister time to

heal. Most blisters heal naturally within one to two weeks.

3. Know when to see a doctor

Generally, blisters don’t require a doctor’s expertise, but if a blister oozes with green or yellow pus, feels hot to the touch, or becomes more painful to the touch over the course of a few days, it may be infected. Don’t ignore an infected blister. A doctor can determine if your infection needs antibiotics for healing.

4. Change shoes/equipment

Blisters most often pop up due to excessive friction and pressure. So, stop the heavy, rubbing irritation that caused the blister in the first place. Sometimes that’s as simple as changing shoes, other times it means putting down the hand tools or baseball bat for a few days.

Are blisters preventable?

Research confirms that friction blisters form most easily on thick, stiff skin (like the soles of the feet) versus thinner skin. That’s why avid hikers, marathon runners and other athletes eagerly try all kinds of potential prevention tricks and tips to avoid blister pain.

“When it comes to blisters on the feet, I get asked about taping, specialty socks, foot powders, bandages and buying expensive shoes,” said Sierra Giesey, APRN-CNP. “I can’t guarantee any of those treatments will prevent the development of blisters. However, it may reduce the risk. I recommend finding out what works best on your skin through trial and error.”

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Mon, 01/30/2023 - 14:00

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To Freeze or Not to Freeze?

Read more about To Freeze or Not to Freeze?

Health and safety tips for frozen meat

As demand for protein – from beef to poultry – steadily increases, consumers stock up on their favorite cuts. Stashing it all in the freezer remains the go-to option, but what does this do to food long-term? You may have found yourself frantically searching the internet to see if your hamburger is still good after a month, or maybe even a year.

While freezing meat prevents unwanted bacteria, the process also impacts the meat in different areas. For example, one study posted on the National Library of Medicine website in 2021 claimed that freezing improves meat tenderness. However, it can have a negative impact on other qualities, including color and flavor. The intensity of changes to the meat mostly depends on the freezer’s size and distribution of ice crystals caused by the freezer’s temperature and the meat’s length of time in the freezer.

Unfortunately, researchers have not created a set of hard and fast rules about freezing and storing meat because all freezers are different, as well as the cuts of meat and other factors. However, a study on the National Library of Medicine website from 2013 recommends storing meat at 0° F. According to the USDA, food stays safe indefinitely in the freezer, but once removed and beginning to thaw, bacteria start to spread.

The USDA also gives suggestions for three methods for safely thawing food:

In the refrigerator – this method takes the most time, so plan ahead. Ever forget to cook the thawed meat sitting in the fridge? The USDA says not to worry. It stays safe for an extra day or two.
In cold water – while faster than the fridge method, this requires more supervision. Place the meat in an airtight, leak-proof container before giving it a cold-water bath.
In the microwave – for safety’s sake, cook meat thawed in the microwave immediately.

Even after an extended stay in the freezer, frozen meat retains its nutrition and most of its flavor. So, check the freezer temperature, follow the USDA’s thawing suggestions and enjoy a delicious meal.

Go to genesishcs.org/yourhealth for more Wellness Resources.

LiveWell

Mon, 01/30/2023 - 15:00

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Choosing a Hospice Care Provider

Read more about Choosing a Hospice Care Provider

Life is a journey, and when your loved one enters the last stages of that journey due to a serious illness, it’s comforting to know the same local healthcare system caring for your loved one will also be there to help you and your family when you need it the most.

When and how to choose hospice

When it’s not possible to cure a serious illness or a loved one doesn’t want to undergo further treatment, it’s wise to consider hospice care. So, how do you choose a hospice provider? How can you find information about hospice services? We want to help you understand the hospice options in our community and how to choose one that will best meet the needs of your loved one and your family.

For example, is your hospice provider a for-profit or a non-profit organization? What kind of hospice services does the provider offer, such as in the home, in the hospital, at an outside facility that specializes only in hospice care, or in assisted living or nursing facilities?

Does your insurance cover hospice?

If not, or you don’t have insurance, how expensive would hospice care be for your loved one?

We have a list of questions you may want to ask when considering a hospice provider. We also have a list of all area hospice providers. Go to genesishcs.org/hospice to find information that can help you make these important decisions before your loved one enters the last stage of life.

What does Genesis Hospice offer patients and families? Genesis Hospice is the area’s only charitable, non-profit organization offering a full continuum of hospice care.

We are with patients in their homes or at the Morrison House, the only designated inpatient hospice in our area. We also provide care to patients if they need to be in Genesis Hospital or in assisted living or nursing facilities. Genesis Hospice is rated a 5 Star organization — the highest that can be achieved — by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid.

Our team of professionals work together to manage symptoms so that patients’ days are spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by loved ones. Hospice care is also patient- and family-centered, with the patient and the family making the decisions.

As Genesis Hospice is a non-profit organization, no one receives a bill for care, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

To learn more about Genesis Hospice, go to genesishcs.org/hospice.

LiveWell

Mon, 01/30/2023 - 14:00

We want to help you understand the hospice options in our community and how to choose one that will best meet the needs of your loved one and your family.

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