July 2024
At HonorHealth, we hold ourselves to a higher standard by caring for the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through the support of a generous community, HonorHealth Foundation helps us proactively support the well-being of the communities we serve by constantly innovating and investing to solve healthcare's toughest challenges.
With more than 90 years of experience delivering quality healthcare, no organization knows and understands our communities like we do.
Beat the heat: essential strategies to avoid heat-related illness
Stay safe all summer by recognizing the early warning signs of heat-related illness
As the Arizona sun continues to blaze with relentless intensity, the risk of heat-related illness looms large, casting a shadow over everyday summer chores as well as fun, family outdoor activities. Underestimating our searing heat can turn a lazy summer day into a medical emergency in the blink of an eye. Learn the signs of heat-related illness and what you can do to prevent it.
Living in the Valley of the Sun, we’re fortunate to have year-round sunshine that allows for more outdoor activities. However, if you’re an athlete, recreationalist or just a weekend warrior, heat-related illnesses can happen more quickly than you might expect.
Victoria Eby, DO, sports medicine specialist and independent member of the HonorHealth Medical staff, has some tips on how to stay safe while on the move this summer.
“Heat-related illnesses happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself, and it’s not just on hot days,” says Dr. Eby. “You’re also in danger on days with more moderate temperatures and high humidity, think monsoon season. Anyone can experience a heat-related illness.”
Dr. Eby shares some important tips on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, beginning with helping your body adjust to the heat.
 |
|
If you or your child are preparing to participate in an organized sport or other physical activity, schedule a sports physical with a specialist at HonorHealth Sports Medicine. Together, we can discuss your health history and recommendations to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The Sports Medicine team partners with their patients to develop a comprehensive, customized care plan – resulting in faster healing and a return to the life and activities you love.
The four most common heat-related illnesses are:
- Heat cramps – often occur in the legs and have milder symptoms
- Heat syncope – causes dizziness, nausea and brief loss of consciousness
- Heat exhaustion – a moderate condition that may cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, fever, fatigue and feeling faint
- Heat stroke – the most severe type of heat illness. Symptoms may include high fever, rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and confusion
All the colors of light replace shades of gray
HonorHealth is first to use 3D guided imagery for treatment of aneurysms
HonorHealth is the first healthcare system in Arizona to use Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology to treat patients with complex aortic aneurysms.
Currently, the most common way to repair an aortic aneurysm requires the surgeon to make a large cut in your stomach or chest, remove the aneurysm and sew a graft in its place. This traditional method requires about a month of recovery time.
The FORS technology is used during endovascular aortic procedures. These are procedures where the graft is inserted through a small incision in the groin. Rather than using traditional X-Rays, this technology uses light to produce 3-D advanced imagery, with real-time color visualizations and multiple views of the anatomy. The results are pictures that allow the surgeon to navigate more accurately through the patient’s body.
Not only does this improve upon the 2D, grayscale images previously available using X-ray alone, it also reduces radiation exposure to the patient.
“For these complex cases, it was not abnormal for us to be in surgery for seven or eight hours,” Dr. Venkatesh Ramaiah, chief of vascular surgery at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center and divisional director of research and innovation at HonorHealth Heart Care, explains. Surgery time can be significantly reduced, leading to less time under anesthesia, less dye and less radiation in the operating room.
“More importantly, it should lead to faster recovery and less pain for our patients,” Ramaiah stated.
HonorHealth Research Institute continues to participate in the ongoing analysis of this innovative technology and its benefits to patients. HonorHealth Heart Care is one of six locations in the United States approved to use this technology and will be training surgeons on how to implement it.
Paying it forward expresses gratitude for expert care
Joe woke up at 5 am with severe pain across his right shoulder. While it was intense and concerning, Joe didn’t immediately think “cardiac arrest,” given the absence of well-known symptoms such as jaw and arm pain and sweating.
But a few minutes later when he began to sweat profusely, his wife Barbara called 9-1-1. Paramedics on the scene confirmed he was in the throes of a heart attack. Later doctors confirmed a 100 percent blockage in his circumflex artery.
“When the ambulance started the 2.5-mile journey to HonorHealth I remember thinking ‘is this the last time I’m going to see my wife, Barbara?’” stated Joe. “It was the longest, short trip I have ever taken.”
Upon arrival at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Emergency Center, a sea of white coats was waiting for Joe, including cardiologist Dr. Robert Burke, and shortly after Dr. David Rizik, his soon-to-be cardiovascular surgeon.
“As they were wheeling me into the elevator, Dr. Rizik asked how I was doing, to which I replied ‘I’m scared,’” remarked Joe. “Dr. Rizik leaned closer to me and told me I was going to be alright. That he would fix me. His demeanor was so reassuring I believed I would live through it.”
Dr. Rizik inserted double stents into Joe’s circumflex artery to open it and remove the blockage. After some time in HonorHealth’s cardiac rehab center, he and Barbara were able to return to their normal life.
“I’ve been grateful in my life, but Dr. Rizik and Dr. Burke and their teams elevated me to a unique level of gratitude that has not diminished,” states Joe. “Without their decisive action and their high level of expertise, there never would have been a 50th wedding anniversary. So am I grateful? Yes – but I need a much stronger adjective for it.”
As a grateful patient, Joe and Barbara also turned their gratitude into generosity as donors to HonorHealth Heart Care. Their gift is helping other patients survive their cardiac disease through advanced technology and innovation. As Malik Shah, MD, Executive Director of HonorHealth Heart Care will tell you – it is donors who help elevate care and expand services through their generosity.
Learn all the ways your gift can support HonorHealth Heart Care.
HonorHealth Foundation shirts from State Forty Eight
Show your pride in State 48 with your own custom HonorHealth t-shirt!
Get yours by July 31st and $5 of every purchase will go directly to HonorHealth Foundation to support programs that advance healthcare and related services for our entire community.
Women's "Team Purple" V-neck is $34 and is available in sizes small to 2XL.
Men's "Purple Rush" crew neck is $34 and is available is sizes XS to 3XL.
Macy’s fashion show helps fight breast cancer
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Benefiting HonorHealth breast cancer patients, Macy's presents Give Her Strength for the Fight fashion show is Saturday, October 5, 8 - 9:30 AM, at Macy's in Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Ticket cost is just $150 and includes attendance at the fashion show, continental breakfast, $50 Macy's gift card plus a goodie bag! Limited to 200 attendees — register today and reserve your spot!
Visit HonorHealthFoundation.org/Strength for more information or to purchase event tickets.
7th Annual NICU Tea and Luncheon
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
HonorHealth Foundation’s annual tea was so much fun, we had to expand it to a luncheon! Join us to support our tiniest and most fragile patients in the HonorHealth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. RSVP early, as this event always sells out!
Learn more and reserve your spot at the NICU Tea and Luncheon today!
Desert Mission Morning of Gold fundraising breakfast
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
At this year's Morning of Gold we are excited to have keynote speaker Lauren Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder of Postino’s + Upward Projects. Lauren will speak on What Feeds her Soul, as well as the topic of “Food is Medicine,” which links nutrition and healthcare. Proceeds from this extraordinary event benefit the programs and services of HonorHealth Desert Mission.
Learn more and reserve your spot at the Morning of Gold today!
