Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) will soon begin an exciting and significant expansion project on its West Campus in Prescott.

“This multi-year project will evolve YRMC West into a state-of-the-art medical and wellness campus,” said Frank Almendarez, MHSA, Chief Administrative Officer at YRMC. “The campus will include a new health center to support our focus on prevention and wellness.”

Construction Begins – Parking is Limited

Phase one of this project has already started with the expansion of the Energy Center at YRMC West. An essential aspect of the infrastructure needed to support the entire campus, the Energy Center reduced the number of parking spaces available and limited access to YRMC West parking lots.

There will be additional challenges as other phases of this project roll out. The next phase – construction of a multi-level parking structure – is scheduled to begin soon.

“The parking structure will ultimately add several hundred new parking spaces to the YRMC West campus,” Almendarez said.

Plan Your Visit to YRMC

If you have a procedure or another appointment scheduled at the hospital, YRMC encourages you to allow extra time for parking. You also may want to look for YRMC volunteers driving carts in the parking lot to shuttle you to the hospital entrance.

“I have suggested to friends that the person with the medical appointment be driven to the hospital entrance,” said Almendarez. “We also will have plenty of volunteers available to shuttle people from the parking lot to the hospital.”

Keep Up-to-Date

We are committed to keeping you up-to-date on our construction projects. New information will be provided to local media outlets when available. Updates also will be posted on YRMC HealthConnect and YRMC social media communities—Facebook and Twitter. We encourage you to subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect (www.yrmchealthconnect.org) and follow us on social media to stay connected with developments.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during our expansion. We are confident the long-term benefits of the expansion will outweigh the temporary inconveniences. We will keep you informed of other steps to improve access to YRMC West during the expansion.

Prescott’s Holiday Courtyard was transformed into a New Orleans Mardi Gras street scene for the 7th Annual Crawfest. The event, hosted and underwritten by Dr. Peter Tibi, was a celebration of friendship and community with a purpose.  All proceeds from the event, totaling more than $52,000, benefited Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Partners for Healthy Students (PHS) program.  

“This marks the third year our event has raised funds for the Healthy Students program, said Tibi. “This year we are particularly grateful for the outpouring of community support, as 100% of funds raised will be used to expand the program to include the provision of behavioral health services.”

2019 Crawfest event sponsors included Air Methods/Native Air; APS; Boyle, Pecharich, Cline, Whittington & Stallings, PLLC; Ms. Robbie Nicol; Northern Arizona Hospitalists; Prescott Anesthesia Associates; the Prescott Elks Lodge; Mr. Bill Sonsin; Voya Financial; Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo Securities and Yavapai Pathology Associates.

“The need for behavioral health services is compelling,” stated PHS Director Amy Negovan. “One in five children has or will experience a diagnosable behavioral, emotional, or mental health disorder. And we know if left untreated these disorders can disrupt school performance, harm relationships and lead to suicide – the second leading cause of death among adolescents.”

For the past 20 years, YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program has provided primary and preventive healthcare services to schoolchildren and their siblings throughout YRMC’s service area at no cost to families with little or no insurance or ability to pay. YRMC will begin to introduce the program at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

To learn more about YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program, contact the YRMC Foundation at (928) 771–5169 or [email protected].

Thanks to widespread community support, the Fork in the Road Restaurants’ annual “Boot Out Cancer” fundraising program to benefit YRMC’s BreastCare Center raised a grand total of $30,670.00. This remarkable achievement marks an 18-year partnership to help the underserved in our community receive breast wellness services.

Throughout the month of October, area Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants, together with Gurley Street Grill, Murphy’s, and The Office, invited their patrons to lend their support to the battle against breast cancer. The hundreds who did signed their name to pink “Boot Out Cancer” boots that adorned the walls in these restaurants throughout our community.

“We are so grateful for the partnership we have enjoyed with the Fork in the Road organization these past 18 years. We are equally grateful for our community’s outpouring of support for our BreastCare Center,” said Dave Barrett, Chair of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation. “Community members value the fact that 100% of their donations stay in our community to help battle this disease and recognize we are fortunate to have such a high quality program.”

Funds donated to YRMC’s BreastCare Center are used to provide screening mammograms for those who do not have the ability to pay, to help ensure the Center has the latest medical technology, and pay for professional education and training and community outreach.

To learn more about YRMC BreastCare Center programs and services, visit www.YRMC.org or contact the YRMC Foundation at (928) 771–5686.

There were many compelling accolades provided by Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) employees and Medical Staff to describe Dr. Robyn Chase, an accomplished Hospitalist and the YRMC Physician of the Year for 2018. One comment however characterizes the dedication and compassion of this talented physician: Dr. Chase uses her vast knowledge to treat all patients like they are members of her family. 

“I am filled with gratitude that our hospital community has honored me with this recognition,” states Dr. Chase. “I would like to thank our nursing staff, subspecialists and my internal medicine colleagues for helping me reach my full personal and professional potential. Most importantly, I thank my patients who trust me to help them reach an improved state of well-being."

YRMC’s Total Healing Environment Physician of the Year is awarded annually to a physician who:

• Provides excellent patient care.
• Understands and incorporates YRMC’s Vision of a Total Healing Environment in his or her daily interactions with patients, employees and volunteers.
• Embraces the Medical Center’s Values of Respect, Integrity, Commitment, Quality and Accountability.
• Is a team player, nurtures positive relationships and shows respect for everyone with whom he or she comes into contact.
• Takes pride in the Medical Center and the community.

“Selecting our Total Healing Environment Physician of the Year is a time honored tradition at YRMC,” states John Amos, President and CEO, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “Dr. Chase exemplifies the qualities we value in our Medical Staff and is very deserving of this honor. Her patient-first approach to care and her deep commitment to teaching and learning are great assets to YRMC and our community. I have tremendous respect for Dr. Chase and for all of the exceptional physicians who were nominated.”

Dr. Chase joined YRMC’s Medical Staff in 2010 and is a graduate of Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. She is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and completed internship and residency training at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix. Dr. Chase also participated in a research internship on vestibular function in Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine in Phoenix.

Dr. Chase and her husband are proud to support the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Prescott.

Francisco Jaume, DO, CWSP, is among a small number of physicians nationwide to earn the professional designation of Certified Wound Specialist Physician® (CWSP®) from the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM). An accomplished Wound Care Specialist, Dr. Jaume is the Medical Director of Advanced Wound Care at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

“Dr. Jaume’s latest achievement reinforces what we knew: that YRMC is fortunate to have such an outstanding, dedicated and caring Wound Care Specialist on our team,” said Anthony V. Torres, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer at YRMC. “Dr. Jaume is truly an asset to our entire community.”

According to the ABWM, successful completion of the CWSP exam is “formal recognition of a master level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management.”

The ABWM was established in 1995. The organization promotes the science of prevention care as well as the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. The ABWM monitors a national certification process and other activities dedicated to elevating the standard of care in the field of wound management.

At YRMC’s Advanced Wound Care, people with wounds that won’t heal experience a superior level of care from Dr. Jaume and the skilled team he leads. Dr. Jaume develops individualized patient care plans that combine the latest in advanced wound care, a holistic approach to healthcare and preventive strategies for long term healing.​

To schedule an appointment, contact:

Advanced Wound Care at YRMC
YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Center
3262 Windsong Drive
Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314
(928) 771-4788

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) – gold standard technology for measuring bone mass and diagnosing osteoporosis – is now available at Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) in Prescott.

With the introduction of DXA to PMI, the service is now accessible to people throughout the community. DXA is also available at the BreastCare Center at YRMC East.

How does DXA work? During a DXA exam, the patient lies flat on a comfortable, padded table. An x-ray generator is located below the patient and an imaging device, or detector, is positioned above. The detector passes over the patient, generating images on a computer monitor.

“DXA is quick, painless and uses very little radiation,” said Michael J. Locke, BBA, BBM, CRA, Outpatient Imaging Operations Manager at PMI and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging (PVMI). “The exam lasts approximately 10 minutes. After the exam, one of our experienced PMI radiologists interprets the DXA and shares the results with the patient’s physician.”

Osteoporosis – which causes bones to weaken and easily break – is a “silent disease.” Some people don’t realize they have experienced dangerous bone loss until they suffer a fracture.

“DXA is an extremely important preventive and diagnostic tool,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “The information DXA provides helps patients and their physicians develop a plan that can prevent fractures due to osteoporosis.”

Who should undergo DXA? Talk to your physician about your risk for osteoporosis and the possibility of undergoing DXA. In general, risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Being over age 50 and female (men typically begin to experience bone loss after age 70)
• Menopause, particularly early-onset menopause
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Being small and thin
• Broken bones or height loss

For more information about DXA and other imaging services, contact:

Prescott Medical Imaging
810 Whipple Street
Prescott, Arizona
(928) 771-7577
hometownradiology.org

The BreastCare Center at YRMC East
7700 East Florentine Road
Prescott Valley, Arizona
(928) 442-8900
YRMC.org

Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis – a disease that causes the body to lose bone, make too little bone or both – are among the most painful. These fractures are also often ignored by people 50 years of age and older, the most often affected age group.

Learn about treatment options for these common spinal fractures during an informative presentation – Osteoporosis Induced Spinal Fractures: What You Need to Know – with John Spitalieri, DO, Neurosurgeon, YRMC PhysicianCare.

The free presentation takes place:

Saturday, November 10, 2018
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The Club at Prescott Lakes
311 East Smoke Tree Lane, Prescott
Free Presentation § Reservations Required
RSVP by November 2 to (928) 708-4636
A healthy breakfast will be provided.

Some people experience back pain after a spinal fracture, but others attribute their pain to back strain and some have no symptoms. This can make diagnosing spinal fractures very difficult. Over time, a spinal fracture that’s left untreated may result in:

• Back pain that gets worse when standing or walking
• Trouble bending or twisting your body
• Loss of height
• A curved, stooped shape to your spine

Dr. Spitalieri – who treats people with a wide range of neurological issues at YRMC PhysicianCare’s Spine Center – has extensive experience helping people with spinal fractures live a more active life.

A graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Spitalieri pursued a residency in Neurosurgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California. This was followed by a fellowship in Neurosurgery at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey and a Pediatric Spine Surgery fellowship at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

To RSVP for Osteoporosis Induced Spinal Fractures: What You Need to Know, or for more information, call (928) 708-4636.

Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in Patient Blood Management (PBM). The public has the opportunity to join these PBM pioneers for Patient Blood Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, YRMC’s sixth PBM Symposium.

The Symposium will be broadcast live from Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in Prescott for the public to live stream. Log-in to learn about the science and history behind PBM on:

YRMC’s PBM Symposium will include an expert panel and “aha moment” videos that highlight significant PBM experiences among Symposium participants.

Additionally, these Prescott, Arizona PBM experts will give thought-provoking, informative talks on:

• The Wonder of Blood -- Daniel Beck, MD, Anesthesiologist, Prescott Anesthesia

• The History of Transfusion Medicine -- Pierre Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Patient Blood Management and the James Family Heart Center at YRMC West

• Transfusion Medicine, Where We are Today -- Elizabeth Black, Data Manager/Assistant Coordinator, Patient Blood Management Program, YRMC

• Transfusion Medicine, What the Future Holds -- Jared Head, AGACNP-BC, Hospitalist, NAZ Hospitalist     

• Heart Surgery Without “Surgery” -- Soundos Moualla, MD, Cardiologist, YRMC PhysicianCare        

• Nurses: Creating an Environment in Which Patients Thrive -- Selina Bliss, MS, PhD, RN, YRMC

•  Out-of-Town, But Not Out-of-Time -- Dale Black, Patient Blood Management Program Coordinator, YRMC

            For more information about Patient Blood Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, visit YRMCHealthConnect.org/pbm or call (928) 771-5109.

 “These blood clots can escape from the left atrial appendage, enter the bloodstream and cause a stroke,” said Gwen Rhodes, RN, YRMC Patient Navigator. “Many stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the left atrial appendage. That’s why closing off this part of the heart is recommended for some people as a way to reduce their risk of stroke.”

Specially trained physicians like Drs. Moualla and Tung-Takher use computer guidance to implant the WATCHMAN device, which is about the size of a quarter. After making a small incision in the upper leg, these physicians insert a narrow tube, similar to a standard stent procedure, and guide the WATCHMAN into the left atrial appendage. The WATCHMAN device closes off that part of the heart to stop blood clots from escaping.

For more information about the WATCHMAN and other YRMC James Family Heart Center services, visit YRMC HealthConnect at yrmchealthconnect.org and YRMC’s website at yrmc.org. Connect with YRMC on social media at:

Twitter

• https://twitter.com/YRMCquadcities

 Facebook

• www.facebook.com/YavapaiRegionalMedicalCenter
• www.facebook.com/PonderosaPediatrics
• www.facebook.com/YRMCyourhealthykitchen

YouTube

• www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGC2lYqCa4FaM8EWhuK9_g

Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is taking an important step to expand healthcare services for people in Chino Valley, Ash Fork, Paulden and other communities in the region.

YRMC will relocate YRMC PhysicianCare Family Medicine, which opened in Chino Valley in 2016, to a larger building at 474 N. State Route 89 in Chino Valley this summer. At the end of May that building’s current occupants – Chino Valley Medical Center–Urgent Care – will close. YRMC will update the facility and re-configure it as a primary care medical practice before opening as YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care in late summer.

“The new YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care facility is a good example of YRMC’s continued commitment to deliver high-quality healthcare throughout the region,” said John Amos, President and CEO of YRMC. “This latest expansion will give more people of our community easier access to YRMC’s exceptional network of primary care providers.”

YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care in Chino Valley will deliver primary care medicine through a team of healthcare professionals including physicians, advanced clinical practitioners and other highly trained professionals.

Physicians Jean Earl, DO, and Charity Weldt, MD, will continue to serve patients at the new YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care location. Two other physicians will join the Chino Valley team shortly after it opens in the new location and a third will join in November, bringing the total number of physicians to five.

“The new YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care will be larger and give YRMC a good base from which to continue expanding our healthcare services for the region,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director, YRMC Community Outreach and Philanthropy.

People who are currently receiving care at YRMC PhysicianCare Family Medicine in Chino Valley will simply drive to the new location once the move happens. No new patient documentation will need to be completed by current patients. New patients will need to complete new patient documentation. 

To keep the community informed of when YRMC PhysicianCare Primary Care will start accepting new patients, YRMC will use a variety of sources.

“We of course will keep the local media outlets informed of our timeline to open. Another great way to receive information when it’s first announced is by subscribing to YRMC HealthConnect and connecting with YRMC on social media,” said Ken Boush, YRMC’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “It’s a great way to receive YRMC news early.”

To subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect, visit https://yrmchealthconnect.org. Check out YRMC’s website at www.yrmc.org and reach YRMC on social media at:

Twitter
https://twitter.com/YRMCquadcities

Facebook
www.facebook.com/YavapaiRegionalMedicalCenter

YouTube
​www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGC2lYqCa4FaM8EWhuK9_g

 

Good friends, great food and good times were the order of the day as more than 300 gathered to raise more than $30,000 to promote children’s health. Sponsored by Dr. Peter Tibi and Yavapai Cardiac Surgery, the 6th Annual Crawfest was held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Holiday Gardens Courtyard in downtown Prescott.  

Tibi, together with his friend and co-worker, Mississippi-born Jared Head, served up a spicy Cajun menu of crawfish, jambalaya, outrageous desserts and refreshing libations. Mixed with the fabulous sounds of Mother Road Trio and the Alter Ego Band, you felt like you were in The Big Easy.

“We couldn’t do this alone. We had great support from our many friends and our corporate sponsors,” said Tibi.  Crawfest event sponsors included: Air Methods/Native Air; Boyle, Pecharich, Cline, Whittington & Stallings, P.L.L.C.; Northern Arizona Hospitalists; Prescott Anesthesia Associates P.L.L.C.; Voya Financial; Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo Securities and Yavapai Pathology Associates.

Funds raised benefit Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC) “Partners for Healthy Students” program. Founded in 1999, Partners for Healthy Students provides primary, preventive, vision, and other healthcare services to school children and their siblings throughout YRMC’s service area. Services are provided at no cost to those with little or no insurance or the ability to pay.

“The impact of our program touches our entire community. We keep children healthy and in the classroom attentive and learning. We keep moms and dads at work. And in the end, healthy, loving families and a reliable workforce are two vital components of strong and vibrant communities,” said Program Director, Amy Negovan.

To learn more about YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program, contact the YRMC Foundation by calling (928) 771–5169.

Find YRMC online at yrmc.org and yrmchealthconnect.org. Follow YRMC on social media at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yrmcquadcities

Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/YavapaiRegionalMedicalCenter
• www.facebook.com/PonderosaPediatrics
• www.facebook.com/YRMCyourhealthykitchen

YouTube:

• www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGC2lYqCa4FaM8EWhuK9_g
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPzPN-ulcWs

Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) now offers breast tomosynthesis – also called 3-D digital breast imaging – as part of their mammography screening services. PMI joins the BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott Valley – which has two 3-D digital imaging units – to make the service conveniently available throughout the community.

“Our goal is to ensure women have 3-D digital breast imaging available when they need it and where they need it,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at YRMC. “This is about convenience and peace of mind for our patients.”

In addition to the most advanced 3-D digital breast imaging, women also have available an exceptional team of radiologists and breast imaging technologists at these locations:

Prescott Medical Imaging
810 Whipple Street
(928) 771-7577

The BreastCare Center at
Yavapai Regional Medical Center
7700 East Florentine Road
(928) 442-8900

This additional availability of 3-D digital breast imaging will be particularly good news for the 43 percent of women ages 40 to 74 years old who are classified as having dense breast tissue. On a mammogram, dense breast tissue appears white as do breast masses or tumors. This means dense tissue can sometimes mask tumors.

“Breast tomosynthesis technology allows our radiologists to see dense breast tissue better because it collects the images in slices, unlike traditional mammography,” explained Sterling.

The 3-D digital technology can prevent women with dense breast tissue from undergoing several imaging studies, giving them information faster. Even more important, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2016, adding 3-D digital breast imaging can help physicians better detect cancers in dense breast tissue.

To learn more about 3-D digital breast imaging, women should speak to their doctor. To schedule 3-D digital breast imaging or other imaging services, contact PMI at (928) 771-7577 or the BreastCare Center at YRMC at (928) 442-8900.

Find YRMC online at yrmc.org and yrmchealthconnect.org. Follow YRMC on social media at:

Twitter

• https://twitter.com/yrmcquadcities

Facebook

• https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiRegionalMedicalCenter
• https://www.facebook.com/PonderosaPediatrics
• https://www.facebook.com/YRMCyourhealthykitchen

YouTube

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGC2lYqCa4FaM8EWhuK9_g

 

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