Three Rivers Community Hospital Health Newsletter Fall 

INTHISISSUE
Extending a Hand of Hope . . . . . . . 2
Seth Stankus, DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Paul Johnson, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Katherine Johnston, MD . . . . . . . . . 6
Sco Nelson, DO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Completing the Circle . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Healthy Meals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Komen Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Family House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

BREASTCANCERAWARENESS | page 2
 Extending a Hand of Hope
D
iana Sheldon, RN, Breast Health
Coordinator at Three Rivers
Women’s Imaging (TRWI),
believes lives are saved when healthcare
providers are proactive.
“We called a lady who was three months
overdue for her annual mammogram,” she
remembers. “Because we reminded her, she
came in.” She had a tiny abnormality and
had a biopsy. It proved to be an infiltrating
cancer. “But they caught it very early, and
the woman is now cancer-free.”
Diana and grant assistant Lynn Hopson
regularly reach out to women who are
more than a year out from their previous
mammogram. Their work is supported by
a grant from the Susan G. Komen for the
Cure® Foundation. “This is our third year,”
says Diana. “It has been very successful.”
When a woman’s mammogram shows
something suspicious, Diana helps guide her
Diana Sheldon, RN, through follow-up tests and, if necessary,
and Lynn Hopson treatment. “I help them with all their
2 | To find out more about the Breast Health/Oncology program, go to www.trch.org, keyword: Nurse Navigator
Breast Cancer Awareness
choices.” Diana says that family physicians
and clinics in the area are very helpful.
“The radiologists at the hospital are very
aware of the journey I take with each of
my patients. I can discuss directly with
them what is needed next, and they are
not letting anything go by. They can
“Early detection equals
survival, and annual exams
equal early diagnosis.”
—Diana Sheldon, RN
identify the cancer when it is so tiny that
chemotherapy or radiation therapy may
be avoided. They are my heroes.”
Diana and the staff at TRWI encourage
all women to learn more about breast
health, emphasizing the importance of

annual mammograms for early detection
of breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains the most
commonly reported cancer in Oregon
and is the second-leading cause of cancer
deaths among women, according to a
report released by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Josephine County is listed in the Oregon
Cancer Registry as a high-incidence
cancer site for female breast cancer.
“The most important things to
remember about breast cancer are that
early detection equals survival and annual
exams equal early diagnosis,” says Diana.
Why Get an Exam?
Staff at TRWI recommend that women
over 40 get a screening mammogram
every year because the risk of breast cancer
significantly increases with age:
• By age 30: 1 in 2,212
• By age 50: 1 in 54
• By age 80: 1 in 10
• Lifetime: 1 in 8
Who Is at Risk? The following
factors indicate an increased
risk of breast cancer:
• Pregnancy before age 18
• Early onset of menopause
• Surgical removal of the ovaries
before age 37
• Regular use of tobacco or alcohol
and over age 40
• Family history of breast cancer;
5 to 10 percent of women who get
breast cancer had a mother, sister,
or daughter (“first-degree relative”)
who had breast cancer
• Breast lesions; a previous breast
biopsy result of abnormal but not
cancerous cells increases cancer
risk four to five times
ReduceYourRisk
D o a monthly breast self-exam. You might catch a lump
before a mammogram does, and it’s a good idea to
follow changes in your body. To learn how to perform
a self-exam, visit www.breastcancer.org; in the search
window, type: The Five Steps of a Breast Self-Exam.
Limit yourself to two or three alcoholic drinks a week.
Exercise and eat a healthy diet. Studies show that women
who exercise at least three times a week (more oen is
beer) and eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every
day significantly lower their risk of breast cancer
or having a recurrence of breast cancer.
Maintain your body weight, or lose weight if you are
overweight. Research shows that being overweight or
obese (especially if you’re past menopause) increases
your risk of geing cancer.
You can learn more about your risks of breast cancer
by using the breast cancer self-assessment tool at
www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool.
To schedule your mammogram, call Three Rivers Women’s
Imaging today at (541) 955-5446. To find out about the
Breast and Cervical Cancer program, call (877) 255-7070.
| 3
Seth Stankus, DO Diet and Neurologic Health Closely Connected
S
eth John Stankus, DO, is new to the
Rogue Valley but not to neurology.
Dr. Stankus graduated from the University
of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences
in Des Moines, Iowa, and completed his
internship at Fifth Avenue Medical Center in
Seattle. He served 14 years in the U.S. Army,
completing a family medicine residency program
at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis,
Washington, in 1988 and then a residency in
neurology at the same center in 1994. He is
certified by the American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology and has practiced neurology
for more than 12 years.
“I am fascinated by it and enjoy taking care
of people with neurological problems,” says Dr.
Stankus. “In neurology, diagnosis is in the details,
and I like getting into the weeds and getting to
know the patient as a person. That is how we
often solve the complex puzzle, and it is very
Seth Stankus, DO, rewarding to get to personally know the patient.”
and his wife As a neurologist, Dr. Stankus diagnoses and
Jennifer medically treats conditions of the brain and the
4 | To learn more about physicians at TRCH, go to www.trch.org, keyword: find doctor
nervous system. If a patient requires a surgical
procedure, he refers them to a neurosurgeon.
“We ask our colleagues for help when necessary,”
he explains.
Though many patients may require
medication, Dr. Stankus firmly believes that
there is a strong connection between nutrition
and treating neurologic disorders. A vegan
himself and an avid cyclist, rock climber, and
surfer, he says lifestyle and nutrition “play a
central role in multiple sclerosis, neuropathy,
and other disorders and are often responsive
to dietary changes.”
There is a shortage of neurologists in the
United States, and Josephine County is no
exception. But with the addition of Dr. Stankus,
there are now two neurologists in the area.
“This gives patients better access,” he says.
Dr. Stankus and his family love the outdoors
and are excited about having moved to Grants
Pass. He joined the Grants Pass Clinic on July 6.
To see Dr. Stankus for diagnosis or treatment,
ask for a referral from your doctor.
Paul Johnson, MD, Brings New Technologies to TRCH
P
aul Johnson, MD, is bringing new
techniques and technologies to patients at
Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH).
A board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Johnson
served a five-year specialty residency in ear, nose,
and throat medicine and head and neck surgery
at Columbia and Cornell universities.
“I had the opportunity to learn the latest
techniques and technologies,” he says.
TRCH has purchased an image guidance
system for sinus surgery so that Dr. Johnson may
apply his advanced skills. “It allows me to look
in real time at a patient’s sinus anatomy on their
CT [computerized axial tomography] scan during
surgery,” he says. “I can see exactly where my
instruments are and can perform a more complete
and safe surgery.”
The guidance system is especially useful
in performing more-complicated surgeries.
“I may be dealing with severe polyps or
complicated anatomy and can visualize those
structures and be precise in removing them.
We are now able to do this in Grants Pass,
so patients don’t have to go to a larger city.”
Dr. Johnson noted that TRCH is a good place
to perform surgeries. “We have very skilled staff
here, and every member of the team is valued;
everyone feels that they can contribute and work
together to take care of patients. I also really
appreciate its community atmosphere.”
Dr. Johnson joins Daniel Fear, MD, at Ear,
Nose & Throat Associates of Grants Pass. His
particular interests are pediatric, sinus, and
thyroid diseases. He has additional training in
sleep medicine and surgery.
“I enjoy both the medical and the surgical
aspects of my practice. I have a broad scope of
practice here,” he says. “I listen to my patients
and understand where they are coming from.
I don’t put patients in a box. It allows me to be
a better physician.”
Dr. Johnson speaks Spanish and welcomes
Spanish-speaking patients to his practice.
For more information or to contact
Dr. Johnson, visit his practice’s Web site at
www.grantspassent.com or call (541) 476-7775. Paul Johnson, MD
To learn more about physicians at TRCH, go to www.trch.org, keyword: find doctor | 5
Katherine Johnston, MD, Has Always Loved Taking Care of Children
K
atherine Johnston, MD, says her young
patients are fun. “They have a smile on
their face even when they are sick, and
they are always glad to see you,” she says.
A pediatrician, Dr. Johnston began caring
for children at age 12 when she volunteered
to help with the Special Olympics, and she
continued to volunteer for programs with
special-needs children throughout high school.
“I knew I wanted to help kids even before
I knew I wanted to be a doctor,” she says.
Dr. Johnston graduated from the University
of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a BA
degree in human development. She attended
medical school at UCSD School of Medicine,
where she obtained her MD degree and was
named the Outstanding Pediatric Intern in
Outpatient Pediatrics & Neonatology in 2007.
She served her residency in pediatrics at UCSD.
Dr. Johnston recommends that expectant
parents choose a pediatrician at least a month
before delivery. “Right after birth is not the time
Katherine Johnston, MD to be making big decisions,” she says. “Meet
6 | To learn more about physicians at TRCH, go to www.trch.org, keyword: find doctor
with pediatricians before choosing a doctor for
your child. Make sure you connect well with
him or her and that you like their energy.”
Dr. Johnston says that first meeting is a
good time to ask questions about vaccines,
normal development, and what to expect at
each stage of childhood.
“First-time moms and dads especially have
a lot of concerns,” she says. “Our advice to
them is relax, breathe, and remember that there
is a big support network out there and we are
here to help.”
Many people think pediatricians are just for
young children, but they are also a good choice
for teens, Dr. Johnston says. “Of course, it’s
a parent’s choice, but we believe pediatricians
have a little more training in adolescent care
and the changes going on in their bodies.”
For more information about pediatric care
for your child or to make an appointment to
meet with Dr. Johnston, call Siskiyou Pediatric
Clinic at (541) 955-5683.
Sco
Nelson, DO, Brings Advanced Surgical Service to Grants Pass
E
verybody knows that the best fly fishing
between Portland and San Francisco is right
here in Josephine County, but how many
know it’s also the only place between those cities
to get a specialized ultrasound to evaluate or stage
colorectal cancers before surgery?
“Three Rivers purchased the endorectal
ultrasound so we could do this locally,” says Scott
Nelson, DO, a board-certified general surgeon and
specialist in colorectal surgery. “You won’t have to
wait or travel long distances to get this high standard
of care.”
Endorectal ultrasound is one of the most useful
diagnostic tools for diseases of the anal and rectal
regions of the body, and it is the most preferred
method for staging cancers.
Dr. Nelson recently moved to Grants Pass
from Wisconsin and joins Robert Hoellrich, MD.
“Together we offer advanced surgeries one might
expect to have to travel for,” he says. “I have talked
with gastroenterologists in Medford who are very
happy their patients can come here instead of going
to Portland.”
Dr. Nelson chose Grants Pass for the hospital
and the beautiful area for his wife and six children.
Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH) is
a new facility, and the staff is dedicated to providing
high-quality service, Nelson says. “We are very
happy that TRCH has supported us and other
specialists in bringing that higher level of expertise
to the community.”
Dr. Nelson earned his BS degree in exercise
physiology from Brigham Young University in
Provo, Utah, and attended medical school at the
University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic
Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed
his general surgery residency at Marshfield Clinic
in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and did his residency in
colorectal surgery at Creighton University in Omaha.
“I knew early on that I wanted to be a surgeon.
It is very rewarding to help people who have an acute
illness and to be able to take care of the problem.”
Dr. Nelson may be reached at Southern
Oregon Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates on the
Web at www.oregoncolonspecialists.com or by calling
(541) 479-8308. Sco Nelson, DO
To learn more about physicians at TRCH, go to www.trch.org, keyword: find doctor | 7
Completing the Circle Stereotactic Biopsy Technology Now at TRCH
S
tereotactic breast biopsy is one of the
best tools for diagnosing breast cancers,
especially in their early stages. Three
Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH) is now
bringing this very important technology to the
Josephine County area thanks to the support of
the community through the TRCH Foundation.
“It was the one piece of diagnostic
equipment for breast cancer that we did not
have here,” says Dawn Welch, director, TRCH
Foundation. “Dr. Philip Rose championed
this effort. Thanks to him and the generosity
of many, we can now bring this much-needed
technology to Grants Pass.”
The new technology completes breast
imaging services at TRCH, which include
digital mammography, high-resolution breast
ultrasound, and breast magnetic resonance
imaging.
Stereotactic, or image-guided, breast
biopsies are used when a mammogram shows an
abnormal area in the breast that is too small to
be felt, making it difficult to locate the lesion by
8 | To read more about breast imaging technology at TRCH, go to www.trch.org, keyword: mammography
hand. A trained interventional radiologist uses
digital imaging and ionizing radiation to help
guide a tiny, hollow needle to get a sample of
the very small lesion.
The benefits are many. The procedure is less
invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little or no
scarring, and can be performed in less than an
hour in an outpatient setting.
“We have excellent radiologists here,”
says Diana Houx, RN, TRCH Imaging
Department. “Every patient and every image
is 100 percent important to them. And with
this new technology, they will be able to help
a lot of women.”
Dawn spoke for the Foundation in thanking
everyone who has made this possible: the 4-Way
Foundation, the West Family Foundation,
Chris and Stuart Freedman of Fire Mountain
Gems, the TRCH Auxiliary, Doneta and Dave
Thomason of Taprock Northwest Grill, Ray’s
Markets, and the Human Bean.
To learn how you can help support TRCH,
contact the Foundation at (541) 472-7300.
Healthy Meals in the Cooler Months
L
eaves are turning, the days are cooler,
and across the Rogue Valley people
are gathering for fall and winter
celebrations. The challenge: how do you eat
a healthy diet with all that feasting going on?
There are many low-calorie, low-fat,
low-sodium, and low-sugar choices you
can make.
A great solution is to prepare heart-
healthy soups and chilies to serve at
gatherings or to have ready when you are
on the go with all your fall and winter
preparations.
And you can make other healthy choices
to go with your wholesome pot of soup
or chili. For example, instead of butter on
your bread, use apple butter, roasted garlic,
pumpkin butter, or baked spiced fruits.
If you serve a salad with your soup,
parmesan cheese mixed with bread crumbs
makes a wonderful topping.
Serve cut vegetables or baked, low-fat
chips with dips.
by Tina Kelly, RD
Use silken tofu in place of some or all of the cream
cheese in dip recipes. It is low in saturated fat and
adds a smooth, creamy texture to dips.
Autumn Chili Con Carne
This is a great dish for a party because it makes a large amount and tastes so good.
INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS
Spray a large kettle with nonstick cooking spray
3 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained
and brown the meat. Add remaining ingredients.
2 large onions, chopped
Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
2 green peppers, chopped
Yield: about 3 quarts (12 servings)
2 pounds extra lean ground beef (9 percent fat
Serving size: 1 cup
or less) or turkey (7 percent fat)
Calories per serving: beef 250; turkey 230
2 cans (16 ounces each) tomatoes Fat: beef 10 grams; turkey 8 grams
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
Source: Ponichtera B. Quick & Healthy Recipes
¼ teaspoon paprika and Ideas: For People Who Say They Don’t Have
2 bay leaves, crumbled Time to Cook Healthy Meals, 3rd ed. The Dalles,
✃
Ore.: ScaleDown; 2004.
2 tablespoons chili powder
For more healthy recipes, go to www.trch.org, keyword: recipes | 9
TRCH Earns Grant to Bale Breast Cancer
T
hree Rivers Women’s Imaging (TRWI),
a service of Three Rivers Community
Hospital (TRCH), will be able to help
more women in the fight against breast cancer
thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Susan G.
Komen Race for the Cure® Foundation. Debbie
Daggett, TRCH Foundation, who manages the
grant, said it will be used to help women get
annual mammograms to identify breast cancer
earlier and increase their chances for a cure.
“We are thankful for their support for
Josephine County,” said Diana Sheldon, RN,
Breast Health Coordinator at TRCH. This is the
third consecutive year that TRCH has earned
the grant, Diana said. “We have been able to
partner with Mid Rogue Independent Physician
Association and local community churches to
remind women who are over 40 years old to
schedule their yearly screening mammogram.”
The project has allowed for multiple success
stories as many women “just put off” calling
for their screening, Diana explained. Some women,
when reminded, insisted they would never have a
10 | To read more about the Susan G. Komen grant, go to www.trch.org, keyword: Komen
mammogram, yet after the call and education they
came in for their screenings. “We truly believe that
through the efforts made available through this
grant, lives were saved and the message made was
clear: early detection saves lives.”
Josephine County faces high breast cancer
incidence and death rates, making cancer screening
imperative for women age 40 and over. Based on
studies showing that women are more likely to
receive cancer screening when their primary care
provider makes the referral, TRWI will partner
with Mid Rogue Independent Physician
Association to increase mammography screening,
services for breast cancer patients, and increase
the number of referrals for screening as a result
of provider training.
To learn how you can get a mammogram
and the financial assistance options that are
available, call Three Rivers Women’s Imaging
at (541) 955-5446.
To learn more about the TRCH Foundation
and how you can give, call (541) 472-7300.
 BecomeaPart
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AHomeAwayfromHome
NONPROFITORG
atTheFamilyHouse USPOSTAGE

PAID
PERMITNO


SWRAMSEYAVE MEDFORD OR

GRANTSPASSOR-

W
hen a medical crisis requires an extended stay, a
patient’s family members and friends may have
to make the trip to Grants Pass, sometimes from
hundreds of miles away, to be nearby. At times such as this,
The Family House, a comfortable refuge for patients and
their families in times of need, can help. Staff members at
Three Rivers Community Hospital are very thankful to
the Grants Pass Association of Realtors and all the other
supporters who made The Family House possible. Much of
the construction of The Family House was done in kind by
local contractors.
To inquire about staying at The Family House, call
(541) 479-4590.

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