The healthcare landscape continues to change rapidly, shaped by sweeping healthcare reform, expanding regulations and fiscal belt-tightening at both the state and federal levels. Here at MidState Medical Center—and throughout the Hartford HealthCare system—we are keeping our fingers on the pulse of healthcare, participating in the public discourse and developing strategies to meet emerging challenges while maintaining excellence in care.

Being part of a multiple-partner healthcare system gives us many advantages in this demanding environment. For example, MidState and other Hartford HealthCare partners are working together in a structured way to identify opportunities for cost savings. Collective purchasing and energy conservation are two promising areas.

We are also focusing on enhancing efficiency. Again, MidState's position as a Hartford HealthCare partner is beneficial, both for the hospital and for the patients we serve. People in our area will need a variety of healthcare services over their lifetimes. As an acute-care hospital, MidState can meet many of those needs directly by providing inpatient care, surgical services, outpatient procedures and more. We will increasingly assist patients by coordinating their care across the continuum. We will be their resource in accessing services such as home care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities and behavioral health providers.

To this end, we are making steady progress toward the goal of having a single electronic health record for each patient, across all providers. The electronic health record will help MidState and our partners provide seamless, coordinated care for our patients. It will also make it easier for you to navigate a healthcare system that can seem overwhelming at times.

As we deal with these global issues, however, our priority at MidState continues to be keeping our promise to provide superb care, every day, to every person who trusts us with their health.

LUCILLE A. JANATKA
President & CEO

You’re cleaning yourself up after a day spent gardening, when you notice a small black dot affixed to your skin. A closer look reveals not a speck of dirt but a tick making itself comfortable in the fold of your skin. What do you do?

Experts advise that you should remove the tick immediately using tweezers. Pulling the tick upward without twisting it will ensure that part of the tick is not left in the skin. Once the tick has been removed, you should wash the area with soap and water, and apply an antibiotic cream. You should also call your primary care physician to report the tick bite, as physicians’ offices report this information to the state.

If you were able to remove the tick soon after you saw it, you may not have any symptoms; however, you should contact your physician if you experience any of the following:

Days or weeks after the tick bite:

Weeks or months after the tick bite, if left untreated:

Months or years after the tick bite, if left untreated:

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as a preventive measure within 72 hours of the tick removal. If you have already been diagnosed with Lyme disease, antibiotics will also be prescribed, but the length of required treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how long you have had the disease.

The good news is that Lyme disease is curable, but it is imperative that you see your healthcare provider as soon as possible following a tick bite to prevent further complications.

As the cold winter fades and warmer temperatures begin to make their return, getting outside to enjoy some fun in the sun rises to the top of our to-do list. Like many others, perhaps you're guilty of spending too much time in the sun without adequate protection from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Dealing with sunburn is unpleasant for many reasons, but even more so because it puts you at risk for developing skin cancer—the most commonly diagnosed cancer in adults today.

Practicing good sun safety is the best way to save your skin and protect yourself from skin cancer. The hours between 10 am and 4 pm are the most hazardous for UV exposure outdoors, particularly during the late spring and early summer.

The Centers for Disease Control offer a few recommendations that will keep you safe in the sun:

• Seek shade during the midday hours when UV exposure is highest.
• Wear clothing to protect skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Put on sunscreen before you go outside, even on cloudy or cool days. Be sure to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back.

For more information on skin cancer prevention, visit www.cdc.gov.

Adequate vitamin D levels are important for your overall health, but did you know that vitamin D deficiency is more common than you realize? If you live in an area with limited sun exposure, are over the age of 50 or you do not take a vitamin D supplement, you may be at risk for deficiency.

Consuming 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day, researchers have found, may lower the risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancers by up to 50 percent. Other studies suggest that it might even help prevent multiple sclerosis, diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis.

Vitamin D not only supports healthy weight levels, but it also helps to maintain stronger muscles and bones, and keeps our nervous system functioning at optimal levels. It is also required for a healthy immune system. A lack of it is associated with increased autoimmune diseases and increased susceptibility to infection. Supplementing with vitamin D can go far in relieving these conditions.

Typically, vitamin D can be obtained from exposure to sunlight, through our diet or via supplementation. Common food sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil, eggs, fortified foods such as milk, salmon, fruit juices, and some yogurts and cereals.

However, all forms of vitamin D are not equal. Some are utilized in your body more effectively than others. According to research, the most effective form after sunlight is vitamin D3 as it mimics the vitamin D our bodies produce after exposure to the sun.

Talk to your doctor about whether taking a vitamin D supplement is right for you.

For the latest health information and updates on new technology, MidState Medical Center invites you to tune in to WTNH's "Connecticut Style" program on Channel 8 this year, where our physicians and clinicians join host Teresa LaBarbera to discuss important health topics, cutting-edge medical treatments and the many ways you can stay healthy.

MidState's partnership with the "Connecticut Style" program began in early 2013. To date, health experts across a number of specialties—like primary care and cardiology—have shed light on why you should get your annual physical, how you can lead a heart healthy lifestyle and what you should know about preparing for a colonoscopy. Just last month otolaryngologists Dr. Michael Lupa and Dr. Inkwiy Kim offered some practical tips for getting through the height of allergy season.

The "Connecticut Style" program airs weekdays on Channel 8 at 12:30 pm. MidState's segments air once a month on Mondays. You can watch previous clips (air dates: January 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11 and Apr. 15) by visiting www.wtnh.com and clicking on "CT Style."

Golfing, fun and great food will be had on June 17 this year as the MidState Medical Center Auxiliary hosts its annual golf tournament. Now in its 29th year, the tournament is set to take place at the 18-hole course at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington.

Patrick Sheehan, whose news career started 43 years ago at WILI Radio in Willimantic, will serve as the tournament's honorary chair. After a long career in journalism, Sheehan pursued a new career in investment management and is now the manager of a major firm in Hartford. He helped found the Connecticut Television Network and serves as the chairman of the Connecticut Public Affairs Network.

"I've lived in the area for more than 30 years. As a parent and a patient, I've been a friend of the hospital for a long time. I was delighted to help in any way that would raise awareness and support for the hospital. MidState is a vital part of our community," said Sheehan.

The Auxiliary golf tournament is one of the hospital's signature fundraising events, typically raising more than $70,000 annually to fund programs and services that benefit the community.

For the fourth consecutive year, PMA Management Corporation of New England is the tournament's premier sponsor.

The June tournament will be followed by a scramble format with skill contests at select holes on the course. With 144 players displaying their finest form and enthusiasm, the day is sure to be a hole in one.

For more information, please call Tina Fabiani in the Development Office at 203.694.8744 or email tfabian@midstatemedical.org.

Area women needing the services of expert maternal-fetal medicine physicians can now get that specialized care close to home through MidState Medical Center's newly launched Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program. The program offers supportive medical consultation and access to state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for expectant mothers at high risk for complications during pregnancy.

MidState's program offers one-on-one consultation with board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists on issues that may affect pregnancy, including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, advanced maternal age, multiple fetuses, prior preterm births, fetal growth issues, amniotic fluid abnormalities and more. Diagnostic testing, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling to check for chromosomal disorders, is available on-site.

"We also offer a new, noninvasive type of prenatal testing right in the office," says Program Director Adam Borgida, MD. "If a mother wants to screen for Down syndrome, but doesn't want amniocentesis, we can do a cell-free fetal DNA test." The test, which can be done as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy, analyzes the mother's blood to predict if the baby has Down syndrome.

Dr. Borgida and his colleague, Deborah Feldman, MD, see patients every Monday and Thursday at MidState and provide 24/7 telephone coverage for patients with pregnancy-related complications. Patients are referred to the program by their obstetricians. After discussing test results and treatment recommendations with the patient, the specialists fax a report and recommendations to the referring provider. Reports are also available in MidState's electronic medical records.

The need for maternal-fetal medicine care is on the rise. "With assisted reproduction technology, there has been an increase in multiples," Dr. Borgida says. "And in Connecticut, mothers tend to be older, so they're more likely to have diabetes or hypertension or be concerned about the potential for Down syndrome."

Fortunately, MidState's Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program is available for mothers with any type of risk. "The best part is that the vast majority of the time we can alleviate mothers' fears, manage their conditions and end up with excellent outcomes," Dr. Borgida says.

For more information about services available through MidState's Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program, visit www.midstatemedical.org/services_clinical_maternal_fetal.aspx.

MidState is rolling out the red carpet for their guests on Saturday, October 19, when the hospital and the MidState Auxiliary will host its signature fundraising gala. Held every other year, the MidState gala is an event loved by many in the community. This year's gala promises to be a spectacular evening overtaken by the vibrant colors and regal décor associated with "Bollywood" culture.

Guests of our black-tie preferred evening will be treated to an open bar, gourmet five-course sit-down dinner, silent auction and dancing to the sounds of the band "Bock & Blu" and DJ Rico Entertainment. MidState oncologist and former Chief-of-Staff Dr. Rajani Nadkarni and her husband, Mr. Vivek Kamath, will serve as honorary chairs for this year's gala, along with Auxiliary President Janice Vocola.

"This is an extraordinarily important event, and I'm honored to be serving as the event chairperson this year because it allows me to reach out to the community and help support the well-being of our hospital. In this economic environment, it is important to keep our hospital thriving with new initiatives and new technology that enhance the care our patients can receive close to their home," said Dr. Nadkarni.

Tickets for the gala are $175 per person, and all proceeds directly benefit MidState Medical Center. Please join us from 7:00 pm to midnight at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville for a night of dancing and spectacular cuisine. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Tina Fabiani in the Development Office at 203.694.8744, or email tfabian@midstatemedical.org.

Our two MediQuick locations (Cheshire and Meriden) are level 1 certified by the Certified Urgent Care Association of America, and provide you with quick treatment from experienced urgent care physicians and RNs. We can help you with everything but the most severe medical emergencies…saving you a trip to the ER.

Please like the MediQuick Urgent Care page on Facebook and share it with your friends to stay current on interesting health facts and all the services we offer.

Cheshire High School senior Catherine Rodgers had always been interested in medicine and was considering pursuing it as a career. So, when the opportunity arose to participate in her school's student internship program, she sought a place in MidState's Oncology Department. "I picked oncology because a family member passed away from cancer, and I was interested in helping to prevent that from happening to other people," Catherine says.

With the help of Diamond Belejack, CAVS, MidState's manager of volunteer services, and Timothy Squires, MS, RN-BC, of the hospital's Education Department, Catherine was able to spend 50 hours over the fall semester in the hospital's oncology area under the supervision of Abbi Bruce, RN, OCN, director of the Palladino Family Cancer Center. Catherine job-shadowed MidState staff members in various oncology specialties. She learned everything from how radiation treats cancer to how chemotherapy is administered to how MidState guides newly diagnosed patients through the treatment process. Catherine's experience with MidState confirmed her desire to focus on medicine as her career. In the fall, she plans to enter college and go on to become a physician assistant and eventually specialize in oncology.

Catherine is just one of the many student interns who have participated in the internship program at MidState over the last 15 years. The program at Cheshire High School is a very structured one. Students must apply to participate, and only the most motivated seniors are selected. Diamond Belejack interviews each one who applies to MidState, and Timothy Squires links them with the appropriate unit and staff person. The program helps students make good educational and career choices, Diamond says, because it "exposes students to the actual rigors and challenges of the career they're considering."

Interns have been linked with a range of clinicians, including emergency medicine physicians, hospitalists, physician assistants and nurses. Student Brian Roberge, who is interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist, recently interned in MidState's Critical Care Unit and learned about the care of post-anesthesia patients. During a school vacation, Brian was able to spend a day in the operating room (with patients' permission, of course), observing surgeries. "It was an amazing learning experience, which I hope to repeat," Brian says.

As an active member of the community, MidState welcomes the opportunity to help young people choose careers—especially those in healthcare. After all, the interns of today may very well become the MidState professionals of tomorrow. Current staff members enjoy the experience, too. "Our staff love what they do," Diamond says, "and they're excited to share that love with students."

As for Catherine Rodgers, she's glad to have interned at MidState. "I learned a lot, and everyone was wonderful to me. I couldn't have asked for a better experience."

The Palladino Family Cancer Center at MidState Medical Center is pleased to announce it has been re-accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. MidState first earned accreditation in 2009, and since that time, has continued to meet the rigorous standards put in place to ensure that patients receive access to a wide range of breast care services of the highest quality. Accredited centers offer:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services
• A multidisciplinary team approach to care that involves coordinating the best treatment options for each patient
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and innovative treatments
• Access to educational programs open to the public that focus on risk reduction, prevention and treatment

"We are committed to offering our patients every resource available in their battle against breast cancer or any other breast disease they encounter. What is most important for our patients to know is that they can receive high-quality care in a supportive, caring environment without having to travel far from home," said Abbi Bruce, RN, OCN, director of The Palladino Family Cancer Center.

Accreditation is only given to institutions that voluntarily undergo an intensive evaluation process and review of their performance for best-practice standards. During the lengthy application process, MidState demonstrated its proficiency in leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement.

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers is a group of professional organizations dedicated to ensuring quality care and monitoring the outcomes of patients with breast diseases.

MidState Medical Center's Emergency Department, along with three other community organizations, recently received funds from Evonik Industries, a local chemical company in Wallingford that was impressed with the town's preparedness for Hurricane Sandy. MidState received $1,500. The Wallingford Police Department, Wallingford Fire Department and Wallingford Medical Reserve Corps were also recipients of the funding and praise.

"These emergency responders played a crucial role in protecting everyone's safety," said Peter Stein, site manager at Evonik's location in town. "Fortunately, we were not affected as bad as the people in New York City."

While the storm didn't have a significant impact on our area, staff at MidState Medical Center were prepared for the storm and opened the Incident Command Center to ensure a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors.

"We have an outstanding relationship with the emergency responders in our service area and were in communication regarding the storm to make the necessary preparations," said Susan McGaughan, RN, business manager of MidState's Emergency Department.

"Corporate citizenship is the cornerstone of Evonik's operations," Tom Bates, president of Evonik, said in a statement. "We appreciate the emergency responders' dedication and commitment to the protection and care of our employees and neighbors."

MidState Medical Center will use the funds for additional emergency preparedness training.