Private rooms. Warm, inviting, open spaces. Calming colors and plenty of windows allow sunlight to brighten the interior. Nursing stations centrally located on units. These are just a few benefits our patients and visitors noticed the day the new Genesis Hospital opened on Saturday, June 27, 2015.

The day was historic as years of planning and construction came to fruition in a modern facility designed around the needs of patients. “When we began to plan the new hospital, we talked with patients, their families, doctors, nurses and others in the community,” said Matt Perry, President & CEO of Genesis HealthCare System. “We wanted to know what they wanted in a hospital – what was important to them. Their input drove how we designed everything, from the main lobby to surgery to every detail of patient rooms and more.”

An example of this approach is evident in the Genesis Cancer Care Center. Patients receiving chemotherapy sit in comfortable chairs in an area that overlooks the beautiful Gorsuch Fitness Trail.

Each chair has heated massage options to provide comfort. Instead of having patients make trips around the center to see members of the care team, the care team comes to them in the chemotherapy area.

Even with all these physical improvements, perhaps the most important feature of the new hospital was how our staff redesigned over 400 patient care processes that dramatically improved their ability to provide each patient the very best, highest quality care. After all, our dedicated team of healthcare professionals are Genesis, and we were determined to provide a facility design that enabled them to provide you the very best care.

Building a future in Southeastern Ohio

“The entire team of healthcare professionals at Genesis is committed to caring for you like family to exceed your expectations every day.”

While Genesis Hospital has been the largest construction project in Genesis’ 25 years, it is not the only one by far. Several new facilities have been built, each designed to meet the needs of the people in their community. The Genesis Perry County Medical Center opened as a 24/7 Emergency Department in Somerset in 2018.

All of Genesis’ orthopedic providers moved into the new Genesis Orthopedic Center located on Bell Street in Zanesville in December 2021. Patients see their orthopedic specialists, have therapies and even visit the Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic without traveling from building to building.

Genesis is set to open a new facility in Coshocton – the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center – in early 2023. The center will feature a 24/7 Emergency Department; an overnight observation unit, physician specialists such as surgeons; an outpatient surgery center; physical, occupational and speech therapies, a lab draw center and more.

“Healthcare has gone through tremendous changes in the last 25 years. Genesis has evolved through the years to meet the challenges and fulfill our Mission: We serve our community by helping each person achieve optimal health and well-being by providing compassionate, exceptional and affordable healthcare services,” said Matt. “The entire team of healthcare professionals at Genesis is committed to caring for you like family to exceed your expectations every day.”

Building a future in Southeastern Ohio.

Much has changed in healthcare in the 25 years Genesis has been in existence, including how physicians provide care. Back in the day, most physicians across the nation were in private practice. That meant they not only had to provide medical care, but they also had to worry about the business side of their practice. This was true in our community.

Genesis and other healthcare organizations then began to employ physicians to better support them in caring for patients. Why does this matter? And what does it mean for you?

In a nutshell –when your physician is employed as a member of Genesis Physician Services (GPS), your physician is aligned with the Genesis mission, vision and values to provide you with the highest-quality care possible. GPS physicians are dedicated to you. They can spend more time with you – at the bedside in the hospital and when they see you in their offices – because they don’t have to worry about running a business. They do what’s right for you, because it’s the best medical decision, not because it impacts their bottom line.

“We have created a culture at Genesis with highly motivated, compassionate, kind and mutually respectful providers,” said Scott Wegner, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and President of Genesis Medical Group. “We are in the top 10 percentile in the nation for physician engagement with our organization and our mission, vision and values. This directly correlates with patients being highly satisfied with the care they receive, as shown by our patient satisfaction scores.”

These days, chances are you also have another kind of provider who sees you – advanced practice providers (APPs). The most common APPs at Genesis are nurse practitioners and physician assistants, but there are others, such as certified registered nurse anesthetists who provide anesthesia during surgeries.

“In the last 10 years, Genesis has added many APPs to the medical team. They are an integral part of our team providing high-quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Wegner. “They have dramatically improved access to medical care for our community. In many of our outlying primary care clinics, APPs are the primary provider. They build important relationships with patients to ensure they get the best care possible.”

When Genesis Physician Services first formed in 2008, there were 24 physicians and four APPs. Today, we have 148 physicians and 158 APPs. “We saw an opportunity with GPS to make sure the people in our community get the healthcare they need, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dr. Wegner. “As physicians, we are grateful to be able to focus on the care we provide to our patients. We give them our all, and that’s as it should be.”

Much has changed in healthcare in the 25 years Genesis has been in existence, including how physicians provide care.

Together

Together

We often mindlessly do routine tasks. Do you ever get to work and try to recall if you shut off the coffee pot or closed the garage door? Neither instance impacts your health but trying to remember if you took your medication — and missing a dose — can.

Northside Pharmacies offers a solution with All My Meds, a way to package maintenance medication for chronic illnesses to easily see if you’ve remembered to take all your meds. Taking medications as prescribed is critical to keeping you well.

Right dose. Right time.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, COPD, diabetes and similar conditions are better controlled when people take their prescribed medications correctly. Studies show that only 50% of people with chronic conditions take their maintenance medication, and when people don’t take their medicines as prescribed, their health suffers. All My Meds packages prescribed medication by date and the time of day for 28-day cycles in easy-to-open, color-coded multi-dose packs in either tear-away blister packs or pill pouches. The question, “Did I take my medication?” is eliminated.

Who can use All My Meds

Do you take more than one medication or pill multiple times a day? Approximately 62% of adults forget to take their medication regularly. If you take two or more maintenance medications for a chronic condition(s), All My Meds is a visual reminder, so you don’t miss a dose.

You choose

• Blister pack or pouches at no additional cost.
• To have your medication mailed or available for pick-up at the Northside Pharmacy of your choice.

How it works

• The first package includes medication synchronization or getting meds filled at the same time so that all the medications you take are in a 28-day fill.
• After the machine counts the pills and places them in the appropriate time of day slot, a camera captures an image for an automated visual inspection.
• In addition, a Northside pharmacist takes multiple steps to review each package carefully.
• Each month, the pharmacy calls patients before refilling the prescriptions and will contact the prescriber for refills when needed.

For more information on Northside Pharmacies, go to northsiderx.com.

Learn about a new medication packaging solution from Northside Pharmacies.

After mentioning a persistent cough to her primary care doctor, Judy Medley saw a lung specialist every six months. He eventually referred her to Shyamal Bastola, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Hematologist Oncologist at the Genesis Cancer Care Center.

“When I went to see Dr. Bastola, I had no idea it was cancer,” Judy said. “Dr. Bastola spoke kindly, with truth and honesty. He said I needed to get things squared away for myself. I had stage 4 lung cancer, and without the treatment, I had about six months to live.”

Shock flooded Judy’s senses, and tears streamed down her face. She wanted to spend time with her children, grandchildren and new greatgrandchildren. She wanted to live.

Dr. Bastola told Judy that chemotherapy might extend her life. So, she went to the Genesis Cancer Care Center multiple times a week for two months. While the chemo drained her energy, she hoped it was also draining the cancer cells that swarmed her lungs and had spread to her liver. At the end of chemo, she went with her family to their favorite place, Myrtle Beach, for a celebration.

Yet the celebration took place too soon. Upon returning from the beach, Dr. Bastola reviewed the latest scans and shared the bad news that the cancer had not gone away.

“He said, ‘Judy, we have something new we can try.’ Then he told me about immunotherapy.”

“The immunotherapy approach we chose for Judy was nivolumab, which aims to enhance the immune system to fight cancer cells,” said Dr. Bastola.

Judy went to the Genesis Cancer Care Center every other week to have the medication delivered intravenously.

“After three months of treatment, we did a scan, and Dr. Bastola said to me, ‘Guess what … the tumors have shrunk by 50%.’ I jumped up and hugged him. I was so happy,” Judy said.

Judy continued immunotherapy treatment for another three years. Her tumors continued shrinking, and her body stabilized.

“At first, I went to get scans and see Dr. Bastola every three months, but now we only see each other every six months, and he’s talking about extending it to once a year.”

Judy has lived seven years longer than she first thought possible, and she’s going strong. She plans to continue celebrating life by living each day to its fullest and visiting the beach as often as possible with her eight great-grandchildren, four grandchildren, two children and Jack, her husband of 33 years.

Immunotherapy aims to enhance the immune system to fight cancer cells.

Jim Hodges received four stents in 2005 to ensure proper blood flow to his heart, but several years later, he started having heart issues again. Little did he know, this was only a precursor to bigger heart problems.

“When Jim came to see me, he was experiencing worsening chest pain. He had unstable angina, meaning his heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen and blood,” said Alaa Gabi, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist at Genesis. “We found a 90% blockage in the back of his heart, so we put in another stent. He did well, and after the procedure, we sent him to cardiac rehabilitation, like we do all our patients who have a cardiac intervention.” Jim attended the Genesis Cardiac Rehabilitation Center two or three times a week for several months, building heart strength and stamina under the observation of specially trained healthcare professionals. Everything was going well until he felt lightheaded on his drive to the hospital for rehab one morning.

“I got on the first exercise machine at rehab and did well, but my lightheadedness became stronger when I got on the stationary bike,” Jim said. “My legs felt like they were losing energy. I couldn’t even push the pedal down. I knew I needed to sit down, and apparently, through the leads hooked to my chest, the rehab team could tell there was a problem.”

As Jim stopped exercising, his heart stopped too

“As Jim was in rehab and connected to monitors during exercise, we knew he experienced more than 10 seconds without a heartbeat. The good thing is, after brief resuscitation, his pulse came back,” Dr. Gabi said.

During Jim’s 10 seconds without a heartbeat, an exercise physiologist and a respiratory therapist at Genesis performed CPR on him. Meanwhile, a code blue alerted an emergency cardiac team within the hospital.

“By the time they got through pumping my chest, my heart was back in rhythm. I was the luckiest guy in the world to be at Genesis when my heart stopped,” said Jim.

Right place at the right time

“If this had happened when Jim was not at the rehabilitation center, his care would have been delayed,” Dr. Gabi said. “Anytime the brain is not getting enough blood, seconds make a difference. Immediate access to cardiac care helped him. Jim was in the ideal place for this to happen.”

Comprehensive cardiac and vascular care

Genesis’ nationally accredited cardiac care and lifesaving technology provide patients with immediate access to expert physicians who collaborate to give exceptional heart care during emergencies. Jim went from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center to the Emergency Department for stabilization and then directly to the operating room. He received a pacemaker, a small device implanted in the upper chest to regulate the heartbeat.

“My heart stopped beating during my morningworkout, and I had a pacemaker placed by lunchtime,” Jim said. “I’m so thankful for everyone at Genesis who helped save my life.”

Now that Jim has a pacemaker to assist his heart, he’s noticed a tremendous upswing in energy and ability.

“I’m 81 years old, and I feel about 50. I haven’t felt this good in a long time,” said Jim.

“It’s just amazing to me. I’ve been on medication for the past two years, but now I’m feeling stronger. There’s a big difference between before the pacemaker and after,” he said.

Jim continues to go to the Genesis Cardiac Rehabilitation Center about three times a week, as it remains available to him even after completing cardiac rehab.

“Jim’s case is an example of how we need to increase awareness of heart disease and heart rhythm issues. People often feel dizzy or lightheaded, and there’s a good chance that it can be heart-related,” Dr. Gabi said. “If someone feels dizzy, fatigued and lightheaded or experiences fainting and vertigo, these can all be related to heart rhythm issues. They’re especially alarming for people with other risk factors for heart disease, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and a family history of heart disease. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, please see a doctor.”

Jim Hodges found himself in the right place at the right time.

“An endocrinologist is a detective who looks for clues and asks pertinent questions to solve a case,” said Puneetpal S. Bains, M.D., who joined Genesis Endocrinology in March. He was drawn to endocrinology by its complexity. “I have always loved solving problems, and this specialty allows me to investigate complex issues and fix them,” Dr. Bains said. “Moreover, endocrinology also presents an intersection between medicine and technology. I find this specialty very rewarding.”

Dr. Bains said endocrine disorders are increasing, but the number of endocrinologists is not keeping up with demand. “So, I am happy to bring my expertise to this community,” he said. Dr. Bains treats such common disorders as diabetes, thyroid issues and osteoporosis, and also treats gender dysphoria with hormone replacement therapy.

Dr. Bains said he functions as a team member with Genesis staff and a patient’s primary care provider. This team has a common goal of helping fix or manage an endocrine issue. “My patients are one of the most important things in my life, along with my family,” Dr. Bains said.

Endocrinological technology attracted Dr. Bains to the specialty. “Technology has changed our lives dramatically, and we continue to see its benefits in healthcare.” Particularly diabetes, he said. “Years ago, the only way for individuals to check their blood sugar was by poking their fingers four to six times a day or more,” he said.

Continuous glucose monitors changed that, as have insulin pumps. “Eventually, I think the insulin pumps will do more,” Dr. Bains said.

Dr. Bains spends his free time with his wife and two children — an 18-month-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. He also enjoys watching sports. “I am a big Cleveland Browns and OSU Buckeyes fan,” he said. “Hopefully, one day, the Browns can make it to the Super Bowl. We can all dream, can’t we?”

Dr. Bains’ office is located at Genesis Endocrinology, 860 Bethesda Drive, Building 2, in Zanesville. His phone number is 740-586-6690. A physician referral is required.

Doctor of Medicine: Saba University School of
Medicine, Netherlands-Antilles

Board-certified: Endocrinology, diabetes,
metabolism and internal medicine

Residency in Internal Medicine:
The Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio

Fellowship in Endocrinology:
The State University of New York Upstate Medical
University, Syracuse, New York

Genesis Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Hey you, it’s me – your body. While I’m feeling pretty good right now, we can’t take things for granted. You and I need to get on the same page to make sure things don’t start going downhill. Can you help by following these tips? It’ll make my job so much easier – and more enjoyable for both of us.

Get regular checkups and screenings

Seeing your family doctor or OB/GYN on a regular basis is vitally important. Your doctor is your partner in keeping you on a healthy path or in managing chronic health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Your doctor will also make sure you get the routine screenings essential for early detection of disease, like mammograms, Pap smears and blood work.

Get at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity

Exercise helps you feel your best – plus, it helps keep your weight in check. It can improve the quality of your sleep and helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, too.

Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep

A good night’s sleep helps you feel sharper, elevates your mood and can help prevent other health issues.

Eat healthy

Eating healthy and including more fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, promote strong bones and teeth, and reduce the risks of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Plus, it improves your mood and memory.

Reach and maintain a healthy weight

When you’re at a healthy weight, you lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes, and also help reduce the risk of many different cancers.

Get help to quit smoking

If you quit smoking, nearly everything improves. You’ll have healthier blood, heart and lungs. Your bones, muscles and immune system will be stronger, too. Plus, you will have clearer skin and fresher breath.

Limit alcohol to one drink or less

Limiting alcohol to one drink or less per day helps reduce the risk of some cancers, liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Use drugs only as prescribed

Prescription or illegal drug use and misuse can damage your body and mind. If you think you may have a problem, get help sooner rather than later.

Drive safely

In the U.S., road crashes are the greatest killer of women and men under age 55. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces your risk. Also, texting and driving is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Pull over or wait until you get home.

Hey you, it’s me – your body. While I’m feeling pretty good right now, we can’t take things for granted. You and I need to get on the same page to make sure things don’t start going downhill. Can you help by following these tips? It’ll make my job so much easier – and more enjoyable for both of us.

Blueberries can lower your chance of having a heart attack.

True or false?

True: An 18-year Harvard study of more than 90,000 people found participants had a 34% lower chance of having a heart attack if they consumed three or more servings of blueberries or strawberries per week.

Blueberries provide potassium.

True or false?

True: According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, blueberries are a source of potassium, magnesium, vitamins C and K and fiber. Even better, all those nutrients only add up to 80 calories per cup.

Blueberries can lower your chance of Type 2 diabetes.

True or false?

True. According to a 2013 study in the BMJ journal, eating blueberries, which contain anthocyanins, three times a week can reduce your risk of becoming diabetic.

Blueberries are good for your mind.

True or false?

True. A 20-year study on women 70 years of age and older from Harvard showed that eating blueberries at least once a week or strawberries at least twice a week may delay cognitive aging by two and a half years.

With all these health benefits, it is time to start gobbling blueberries. To make sure you get the most out of your blueberries, here are a couple of tips. The darker the color means there are more nutrients in the blueberries. Frozen blueberries are just as beneficial as fresh blueberries.

Learn about the amazing benefits of blueberries.

Ed Romito, Chief Transformation Officer at Genesis HealthCare System, talks about technology advancements.