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FALL 2015
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Making waves for girls’ health
pg.14
3. 5w w w.spiritof women.com FALL 2015 SPIRIT OF WOMEN
M E D I C A L C E N T R A L
Swedish Medical Center Hosts Health & Wellness Series
of long distance running on women’s bones and pelvic
floor. The store allowed attendees to test out their gait in
a stride analysis lab and fitted women for proper shoes.
In “Aging Gracefully through Fitness and Nutrition”, held
at a local senior citizen recreation center, Dr. Wade
Smith spoke to a crowd of 60 senior citizens about the
importance of activity, mental acuity, and healthy eating
in old age. He gave tips such as balancing exercises one
can do while standing in the kitchen and discussed why
the “Blue Zones” of the world have the longest lifespans.
In “Hidden Sugars”, Dr. Ethan Lazarus discussed why
we should be concerned with sugar consumption in
the American diet. Attendees received a tour of Whole
Foods to learn where to find minimal-sugar foods and
bargain items.
Coloradans can expect similar programs in the
upcoming fall and winter. Dr. Faro will be back at
Boulder Running Company on September 30, this
time joined by an Ob/Gyn doctor and nutritionist to
discuss the Female Triad cycle in athletes. On October
3, attendees may join Dr. Richard Asarch at Macy’s
at the Streets of Southglenn as he discusses the risk
of melanoma in Colorado and how proper makeup,
sunscreen, and clothing plays a role in prevention. Right
in time for New Year’s Resolutions in early December,
Dr. Richard Tillquist will speak about bariatric surgery for
people looking to lose weight in 2016.
For more seminars, topics, resources, and information,
please visit www.LoveWhatMovesYou.com. Swedish
Medical Center is here to help you care for your body
as you move toward a healthier lifestyle! •
D
o you know why some Asian cultures ballroom
dance in the early morning for exercise? Or,
perhaps, why the FDA recently reneged their
warning on cholesterol-laden foods? Why is
sitting now considered the “new smoking”?
These questions, among many others, are answered in
Swedish Medical Center’s health and wellness seminar
series. Through education, the hospital encourages the
Colorado community to be well by being in motion. The
series, Love What Moves You, features free events and
educational seminars presented by Swedish physicians
and medical staff. The goal? Equip Coloradans with
the knowledge of their bodies to stay healthy, fit, and
ultimately, happy.
From January through July, Swedish Medical Center
hosted over 30 health and wellness seminars. Whether
it be people already suffering from a medical problem
like Parkinson’s or trigeminal neuralgia and looking for
relief, people interested in preventative health measures,
or caregivers looking to provide family members with
help, the programs address a wide range of audiences.
Healthy people, sick people, caregivers, men, women,
parents, or senior citizens may find seminars specific to
their needs. Topics include, but are not limited to:
• Orthopedics • GERD
• Men’s health • Dermatology
• Nutrition • Sleep
• Weight management • Pelvic floor disorders
• Facial pain • Women’s health
• Hearing loss • Oncology
• Movement disorders
Local businesses like Boulder Running Company,
Whole Foods, A New Spirit Spa, and the Belmar ice
skating rink host the seminars to attract residents to
locations outside of the hospital setting. “Healthy Strides
for Female Runners” featured Dr. Fran Faro, orthopedic
surgeon, and Dr. Hollie Neujahr, pelvic floor specialist.
The speakers dispelled myths surrounding the dangers
Love What Moves You Brings Education to the Community
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4. 8 SPIRIT OF WOMEN FALL 2015 w w w.spiritof women.com
Physician
tiny holes into the scar tissue, allowing the scar to
essentially collapse onto itself, decreasing the height
and smoothing the appearance.
The procedure is offered through Dr. Oswald at
Swedish Medical Center’s new Burn and Reconstructive
Center—the only one of its kind at a Level I trauma
hospital. A dedicated Critical Care Unit, operating
room, and outpatient clinic makes the center truly
unique. Dr. Oswald and her team of burn surgeons are
vastly experienced in burn and wound care bringing
more than 30 years of experience to Swedish.
Her career as a burn surgeon began at the University
of Mississippi Medical Center where Dr. Oswald
completed medical school and her general and plastic
surgery residency. A fellowship in microsurgery then took
her around the world to train in Taiwan, Australia, and
Mexico. She returned to the United States as a hand
and microvascular fellow and completed her training at
Washington University in St. Louis.
Being an international traveler was not unfamiliar to
Swedish’s new physician as she grew up in Thailand
before moving to Louisiana. The influence of her home
country is profound as there are large pockets of poverty
with little medical care. “To come from this background,
and do what I do … it means a lot to me.”
And what Dr. Oswald does for her patients means
quite a lot to them. One patient she treated was burned
nearly 45 years ago. The burns on her face, neck, and
chest were so bad that she only wore turtlenecks and
heavy sweaters in family photos. Finally, she sought out
Dr. Oswald.
The patient’s treatment was complete after four or
five laser procedures. She later sent Dr. Oswald a
photo showing her wearing a blouse, makeup, and a
necklace—hiding her skin no more. •
P R O F I L E
T
he scarring left behind from burns leaves
victims feeling altered—physically and
mentally. Severe scars may cause discomfort
and tightness. For some, it causes pain. But the
internal effect is often times more damaging.
The embarrassment of deformity and significant bodily
change induces a feeling of helplessness.
Dr. Tanya Oswald provides relief in a very tangible
way for these patients. Swedish Medical Center’s new
burn and reconstruction surgeon is a specialist in laser
procedures that improves the appearance, texture, and
thickness of burn scars. “Working this job has taught me
so much,” said Dr. Oswald. “I’m very humbled by the
patients we treat. It makes you realize the importance
of life.”
Patients with scars from the recent past or from many
years ago may be treated. Veterans, manual laborers,
or lightning strike victims are all candidates—among
any other type of burn patient with thick scarring. Laser
treatments work by stimulating the healing process
from below surface level of the scar. The laser burns
M E D I C A L C E N T R A L
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Dr. Tanya Oswald,
Burn & Reconstruction
Surgeon
Swedish Medical Center’s new burn and
reconstruction surgeon is a specialist in laser
procedures that improves the appearance,
texture, and thickness of burn scars.
5. 25w w w.spiritof women.com FALL 2015 SPIRIT OF WOMEN
New Leadership at
Swedish Medical Center
Chief Operating Officer/Interim
Chief Executive Officer of St. David’s
Medical Center in Austin, Texas for
five years. There he led development
of the internationally recognized
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute,
a neurosciences center, as well
as major facility expansion and
renovation projects.
HealthONE’s CEO, Sylvia Young,
said Hammett’s success at TMCA
has prepared him for his new role
at Swedish. “This new position for
Richard is a reflection of the results
he has achieved at TMCA since
arriving in 2012, leading the hospital
to significant quality achievements and
expansion of services and facilities,”
said Young.
An active member in the community,
Hammett serves on Colorado Hospital
Association’s Board of Directors and is
a Fellow in the American College of
Healthcare Executives. Hammett has a
Master’s in both Business Administration
and Health Administration and
received his Bachelors from the
University of Alabama. He and his
wife, Amy, have two daughters and
one son. Richard enjoys his family,
running, snowboarding and almost
anything else involving the outdoors.
Hammett took the place of
Mary M. White who served as
President and CEO of Swedish
Medical Center for 20 years and
worked within HealthONE for
35 years. It has been under White’s
leadership that Swedish has seen
extensive expansion of services
and facilities, including its Level
1 Trauma Center and Trauma
Research Program. •
H
ealthONE’s Swedish
Medical Center is pleased
to announce Richard
Hammett has been named
the new President and CEO
effective as of Monday, Aug. 3.
Hammett transitioned from his
current role as President and CEO
at The Medical Center of Aurora
(TMCA) to Swedish Medical Center,
HealthONE’s only Level 1 Trauma
Center and Trauma Research Program.
“Swedish has some of the most
advanced medical programs in the
nation and these areas of expertise
draw patients from all over the state,
the region and even the world,”
said Hammett. “To work with the
physicians and staff at such a
renowned medical facility is not
only exciting, it is an honor.”
The 368-bed hospital has 2,000
employees, over 1,300 physicians,
and cares for over 200,000 patients
annually. A winner of the National
Research Corporation Consumer
Choice Award for more than a
decade, Swedish is also a Top 100
Hospital recognized by Reuters.
As Colorado’s leader in
neurosciences, Swedish was the
first Joint Commission Accredited
Primary Stroke Center, the first
Comprehensive Stroke Center in the
region and developed the first multi-
state telemedicine program for stroke.
Additionally, Swedish is the region’s
most accredited center for cardiac
care. Hammett’s arrival at Swedish will
coincide with the new neurosciences
facility to be finished in 2016.
Swedish also became the first Level
1 Trauma Center in Colorado to open
a burn center earlier this month. The
Burn and Reconstructive Centers of
Colorado at Swedish Medical Center
has a dedicated burn Critical Care Unit
that specializes in burn care for patients
of any age.
“Part of what makes Swedish such
a unique facility is momentum,” said
Hammett. “Always innovating, adding
services and improving quality patient
care is expected from a medical
center with such a rich history in
the community for more than 100
years. As the President and CEO I
will continue to drive that momentum,
identify and build programs that serve
the needs of our city and region.”
Hammett is well-versed in leading
successful hospitals. Since Hammett’s
arrival at TMCA in 2012, the four-
campus, ANCC Magnet designated,
Level 2 Trauma Center was named
a Top Performer for Key Quality
Measures by The Joint Commission
for the first time in its history. TMCA
also experienced significant growth of
emergency services, cardiovascular
services, behavioral health; and is
currently expanding surgery capacity
to meet patient demand. Prior to
TMCA, Hammett served as the
Richard Hammett Named President & CEO
“
”
To work with the physicians and staff at such
a renowned medical facility is not only exciting,
it is an honor. ~ Richard Hammett,
President and CEO, Swedish Medical Center
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M E D I C A L C E N T R A L
6. 28 SPIRIT OF WOMEN FALL 2015 w w w.spiritof women.com
L
akewood residents now have closer access
to Swedish Medical Center’s high-level,
emergent care. The Belmar Emergency
Room, located at 260 South Wadsworth
Boulevard, opened on September 17. The
hospital-affiliated, state-of-the art facility has the ability
to provide adults and children with the care they need
—when and where they need it most.
Open 24/7, the ER has board-certified emergency
physicians with specialty doctors available for
on-call consultations. Registered nurses with pediatric
certifications and dedicated pediatric supplies ensures
even the littlest family members receive proper care
at the freestanding emergency room. Radiology and
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Emergency Department
Brought to Lakewood
lab techs are also on-site so scans and labs may be
read immediately. All forms of insurance—including
Medicare—are accepted at the Belmar ER allowing
for more people to be seen with lower average wait
times than hospital visits.
In 2014, the main Swedish Medical Center ER and
their Southwest ER provided care to over 86,000
patients. With the new location on the northeast
corner of Alameda and Wadsworth, the Lakewood
community now has access to the same full-service
emergency care. The only difference? Swedish is
bringing the doctors, equipment, and ease of access
to local residents. •
M E D I C A L C E N T R A L
Swedish Medical Center Opens the Belmar ER
