The surgery professor met "The Nutty Professor," and together they hatched a plan to help people in pain waiting to see the doctor.
What if, comedian Jerry Lewis asked Emory's Dr. Scott Boden, patients in chronic pain had a waiting room where they could laugh instead of cry or wince? Where nice ladies and gentlemen could watch old "Honeymooners" episodes or Abbott and Costello or even "The Nutty Professor" and "Cinderfella"?
Boden was one day away from signing off on the final plans for Emory University's new Orthopaedics & Spine Center, which will be dedicated officially today. With one little squiggle mark, Boden tore down a wall between two offices on the blueprint, and the Jerry Lewis Healing Theater, which may be unique among doctor's offices waiting rooms, was in the works.
Today, the 78-year-old comic legend, who's suffered his share of back problems, will be at the official grand opening of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, of which the healing theater-waiting room is a centerpiece.
"I met Jerry about a year ago, and we just sort of hit it off," said Boden, an orthopedics professor and director of the center. "And he mentioned he'd always had this dream of one day having a waiting room that would be a cheery place, sort of a 'laughter is the best medicine' sort of thing. And we just worked it out. It's just amazing."
The $12 million free-standing clinic is about far more than the theater to Emory Healthcare, however. It signifies a new entrance by Emory into the Atlanta orthopedics market and to orthopedics research. It's not solely academic, either. Orthopedics is the fifth-largest moneymaker from surgeries for hospitals, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The specialty, which treats bones, joints and muscles, is expected to grow even more as baby boomers age; the AAOS predicts growth of about 7 percent a year for the near future.
"It's a very interesting thing. If you look at my grandparents' age, they just accepted aging. But now, baby boomers are not willing to slow down," said Dr. Michael Schaufele a physiatrist, or nonsurgical orthopedist, at Emory. Obesity, too, is playing a role in the growth of the specialty, the doctors said, as excess weight causes back and joint problems throughout the body.
Large clinics like Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic and Resurgens have long been leaders in metro Atlanta, and Piedmont Hospital's orthopedic staff numbers more than 30. "I think it will create some closer competition, but we're up to the challenge," said Nina Montanaro, Piedmont Hospital spokeswoman.
The Emory clinic will have 26 doctors, Boden said. Among its features will be a sports medicine clinic with a special, private waiting room for celebrity athletes, filmless x-rays and a spine center. Boden is expecting a surge in patient visits, from 65,000 at Emory's former location on North Decatur Road to 100,000 patients at the new clinic this year.
Many of them will wait in the theater, with 15 red-leather stadium-style seats, a carpet that has Lewis' likeness woven into it and a plasma-screen TV to show old comedies. Pictures of some of the world's greatest comics hang on the walls. There's also an option for people who don't want to watch the scheduled feature; four carrels behind the stadium seats will have small, private screens where patients can choose a film to watch.
"This is not intended to be a shrine to Jerry Lewis; it's a place of laughter and healing for anyone," Boden said. Even though the center will be officially dedicated today, doctors have been seeing patients in some departments since Dec. 29.
Jay Knox, 38, of Avondale Estates has been to the clinic twice for chronic neck and back pain. "It's incredible," Knox said. "This is my second time through with this, and it is so nice to go in, park right there, not to have to go from place to place. And the waiting room chairs are incredible. It was like wow, I can't believe I don't have to sit in chairs that will make my back feel worse."
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ajc.com
Friday, March 19, 2004
Fixing your funny bone
Published on: 03/17/04
The surgery professor met "The Nutty Professor," and together they hatched a plan to help people in pain waiting to see the doctor.
What if, comedian Jerry Lewis asked Emory's Dr. Scott Boden, patients in chronic pain had a waiting room where they could laugh instead of cry or wince? Where nice ladies and gentlemen could watch old "Honeymooners" episodes or Abbott and Costello or even "The Nutty Professor" and "Cinderfella"?
Boden was one day away from signing off on the final plans for Emory University's new Orthopaedics & Spine Center, which will be dedicated officially today. With one little squiggle mark, Boden tore down a wall between two offices on the blueprint, and the Jerry Lewis Healing Theater, which may be unique among doctor's offices waiting rooms, was in the works.
Today, the 78-year-old comic legend, who's suffered his share of back problems, will be at the official grand opening of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, of which the healing theater-waiting room is a centerpiece.
"I met Jerry about a year ago, and we just sort of hit it off," said Boden, an orthopedics professor and director of the center. "And he mentioned he'd always had this dream of one day having a waiting room that would be a cheery place, sort of a 'laughter is the best medicine' sort of thing. And we just worked it out. It's just amazing."
The $12 million free-standing clinic is about far more than the theater to Emory Healthcare, however. It signifies a new entrance by Emory into the Atlanta orthopedics market and to orthopedics research. It's not solely academic, either. Orthopedics is the fifth-largest moneymaker from surgeries for hospitals, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The specialty, which treats bones, joints and muscles, is expected to grow even more as baby boomers age; the AAOS predicts growth of about 7 percent a year for the near future.
"It's a very interesting thing. If you look at my grandparents' age, they just accepted aging. But now, baby boomers are not willing to slow down," said Dr. Michael Schaufele a physiatrist, or nonsurgical orthopedist, at Emory. Obesity, too, is playing a role in the growth of the specialty, the doctors said, as excess weight causes back and joint problems throughout the body.
Large clinics like Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic and Resurgens have long been leaders in metro Atlanta, and Piedmont Hospital's orthopedic staff numbers more than 30. "I think it will create some closer competition, but we're up to the challenge," said Nina Montanaro, Piedmont Hospital spokeswoman.
The Emory clinic will have 26 doctors, Boden said. Among its features will be a sports medicine clinic with a special, private waiting room for celebrity athletes, filmless x-rays and a spine center. Boden is expecting a surge in patient visits, from 65,000 at Emory's former location on North Decatur Road to 100,000 patients at the new clinic this year.
Many of them will wait in the theater, with 15 red-leather stadium-style seats, a carpet that has Lewis' likeness woven into it and a plasma-screen TV to show old comedies. Pictures of some of the world's greatest comics hang on the walls. There's also an option for people who don't want to watch the scheduled feature; four carrels behind the stadium seats will have small, private screens where patients can choose a film to watch.
"This is not intended to be a shrine to Jerry Lewis; it's a place of laughter and healing for anyone," Boden said. Even though the center will be officially dedicated today, doctors have been seeing patients in some departments since Dec. 29.
Jay Knox, 38, of Avondale Estates has been to the clinic twice for chronic neck and back pain. "It's incredible," Knox said. "This is my second time through with this, and it is so nice to go in, park right there, not to have to go from place to place. And the waiting room chairs are incredible. It was like wow, I can't believe I don't have to sit in chairs that will make my back feel worse."
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ajc.com
The surgery professor met "The Nutty Professor," and together they hatched a plan to help people in pain waiting to see the doctor.
What if, comedian Jerry Lewis asked Emory's Dr. Scott Boden, patients in chronic pain had a waiting room where they could laugh instead of cry or wince? Where nice ladies and gentlemen could watch old "Honeymooners" episodes or Abbott and Costello or even "The Nutty Professor" and "Cinderfella"?
Boden was one day away from signing off on the final plans for Emory University's new Orthopaedics & Spine Center, which will be dedicated officially today. With one little squiggle mark, Boden tore down a wall between two offices on the blueprint, and the Jerry Lewis Healing Theater, which may be unique among doctor's offices waiting rooms, was in the works.
Today, the 78-year-old comic legend, who's suffered his share of back problems, will be at the official grand opening of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, of which the healing theater-waiting room is a centerpiece.
"I met Jerry about a year ago, and we just sort of hit it off," said Boden, an orthopedics professor and director of the center. "And he mentioned he'd always had this dream of one day having a waiting room that would be a cheery place, sort of a 'laughter is the best medicine' sort of thing. And we just worked it out. It's just amazing."
The $12 million free-standing clinic is about far more than the theater to Emory Healthcare, however. It signifies a new entrance by Emory into the Atlanta orthopedics market and to orthopedics research. It's not solely academic, either. Orthopedics is the fifth-largest moneymaker from surgeries for hospitals, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The specialty, which treats bones, joints and muscles, is expected to grow even more as baby boomers age; the AAOS predicts growth of about 7 percent a year for the near future.
"It's a very interesting thing. If you look at my grandparents' age, they just accepted aging. But now, baby boomers are not willing to slow down," said Dr. Michael Schaufele a physiatrist, or nonsurgical orthopedist, at Emory. Obesity, too, is playing a role in the growth of the specialty, the doctors said, as excess weight causes back and joint problems throughout the body.
Large clinics like Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic and Resurgens have long been leaders in metro Atlanta, and Piedmont Hospital's orthopedic staff numbers more than 30. "I think it will create some closer competition, but we're up to the challenge," said Nina Montanaro, Piedmont Hospital spokeswoman.
The Emory clinic will have 26 doctors, Boden said. Among its features will be a sports medicine clinic with a special, private waiting room for celebrity athletes, filmless x-rays and a spine center. Boden is expecting a surge in patient visits, from 65,000 at Emory's former location on North Decatur Road to 100,000 patients at the new clinic this year.
Many of them will wait in the theater, with 15 red-leather stadium-style seats, a carpet that has Lewis' likeness woven into it and a plasma-screen TV to show old comedies. Pictures of some of the world's greatest comics hang on the walls. There's also an option for people who don't want to watch the scheduled feature; four carrels behind the stadium seats will have small, private screens where patients can choose a film to watch.
"This is not intended to be a shrine to Jerry Lewis; it's a place of laughter and healing for anyone," Boden said. Even though the center will be officially dedicated today, doctors have been seeing patients in some departments since Dec. 29.
Jay Knox, 38, of Avondale Estates has been to the clinic twice for chronic neck and back pain. "It's incredible," Knox said. "This is my second time through with this, and it is so nice to go in, park right there, not to have to go from place to place. And the waiting room chairs are incredible. It was like wow, I can't believe I don't have to sit in chairs that will make my back feel worse."
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ajc.com
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Surgery fulfills young man's wish
Friday, December 26, 2003 Posted: 2:03 PM EST (1903 GMT)
Twenty-eight years ago, Jake Perez was born three months early. Despite his premature arrival, he left the hospital healthy and with no signs of brain damage. But before his first birthday, his mother noticed something was not right. "It was hard for him to get up the crib, and of course my family, my brothers and sisters, told me, 'Something is wrong with Jacob,' " Maria Perez said.
Her son had a minor case of cerebral palsy, a group of disorders caused by brain damage that affect a person's ability to move and to maintain balance and posture. "I remember when I was a child walking toward a mirror and realizing I am walking differently than everyone else around me," Perez said. Stiffness was his main problem. He had excellent motor coordination and minor deformity in his legs.
Perez grew into a handsome, smart young man -- who is now a writer at CNN Headline News -- but his desire to walk normally did not lessen. Perez got his wish thanks to a spinal cord operation that is usually performed on children between the ages of 2 and 6.
Dr. T.S. Park has performed the procedure � called selective dorsal rhizotomy � on more than 1,000 children, but he is one of the few doctors to also perform the surgery on adults.
Perez is one of a small number of adults who can have this surgery -- patients must have only a mild case of cerebral palsy, little or no deformities and be able to walk independently. His surgery was performed at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
During the procedure, a drill is used to remove a piece of vertebra in the lower back that covers the spinal cord. The nerves then are examined under a microscope and tested. When the right nerves are cut, some of the symptoms of the cerebral palsy are alleviated. "We calm down the spinal cord," Dr. Park said. "We kind of balance out the input and output of the spinal cord activities." While the risks of the surgery include weakness, paralysis or loss of bowel and bladder function, Dr. Park was optimistic.
"Jake will be able to walk normally after the surgery," he said. "The stiffness will be gone permanently." Indeed, one month after the surgery, and after intensive physical therapy, Perez is feeling great. "I feel very mobile and free," he said. "I feel like I've been let go. It's a good feeling. It's awesome."
Source: CNN.com
Twenty-eight years ago, Jake Perez was born three months early. Despite his premature arrival, he left the hospital healthy and with no signs of brain damage. But before his first birthday, his mother noticed something was not right. "It was hard for him to get up the crib, and of course my family, my brothers and sisters, told me, 'Something is wrong with Jacob,' " Maria Perez said.
Her son had a minor case of cerebral palsy, a group of disorders caused by brain damage that affect a person's ability to move and to maintain balance and posture. "I remember when I was a child walking toward a mirror and realizing I am walking differently than everyone else around me," Perez said. Stiffness was his main problem. He had excellent motor coordination and minor deformity in his legs.
Perez grew into a handsome, smart young man -- who is now a writer at CNN Headline News -- but his desire to walk normally did not lessen. Perez got his wish thanks to a spinal cord operation that is usually performed on children between the ages of 2 and 6.
Dr. T.S. Park has performed the procedure � called selective dorsal rhizotomy � on more than 1,000 children, but he is one of the few doctors to also perform the surgery on adults.
Perez is one of a small number of adults who can have this surgery -- patients must have only a mild case of cerebral palsy, little or no deformities and be able to walk independently. His surgery was performed at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
During the procedure, a drill is used to remove a piece of vertebra in the lower back that covers the spinal cord. The nerves then are examined under a microscope and tested. When the right nerves are cut, some of the symptoms of the cerebral palsy are alleviated. "We calm down the spinal cord," Dr. Park said. "We kind of balance out the input and output of the spinal cord activities." While the risks of the surgery include weakness, paralysis or loss of bowel and bladder function, Dr. Park was optimistic.
"Jake will be able to walk normally after the surgery," he said. "The stiffness will be gone permanently." Indeed, one month after the surgery, and after intensive physical therapy, Perez is feeling great. "I feel very mobile and free," he said. "I feel like I've been let go. It's a good feeling. It's awesome."
Source: CNN.com
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Choosing Dr. Right
NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2003
If you don't have a good relationship with your doctor, there's a chance your health could suffer. But many people stay with their physicians despite their dissatisfaction with the quality of care.
The Saturday Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall has some advice on when it may be time to choose a new doctor.
Dr. Marshall says there are many reasons that people stay with their doctors despite their unhappiness. Some stay because they don't know good doctors, others feel that it's not "right" to switch and still others stay with their doctors simply out of convenience. But, she explains, it's important to find a new doctor if a physician's work is inadequate because your health could suffer. Marshall says the following signs may indicate it may be time to look for a new doctor:
It's Difficult To Get An Appointment
In this world of managed care, it's sometimes very hard to get an appointment with a physician because doctors are often juggling many patients. Dr. Marshall says that doesn't mean you should have to wait a month to get in. One way to help the situation is to give the person who is making the doctor's schedule several options of times that you could come in, possibly including an afternoon, evening or weekend. However, if after you've given many options and still can't get an appointment, it may be time to move on.
Also, be sure to get an appointment with the doctor, not a nurse or an assistant, because they are not as qualified as a doctor to make the right diagnosis.
You're Discouraged From Seeking a Second Opinion
No one likes being second-guessed, but a good doctor will welcome input from another physician. Even the best doctor can sometimes miss something. Dr. Marshall says to remember that it's your health that's at stake and if your doctor discourages you from getting another opinion, then he or she doesn't have your best interests at heart.
The Doctor Is Unclear or Doesn't Explain
Some doctors use very technical terms when describing a diagnosis. This is not good because most people don't have medical degrees and technical terms may be meaningless to them. Also, Dr. Marshall advises to be wary if your doctor fails to directly answer your questions and makes you feel intimidated about asking them.
The Doctor Doesn't Consider Your Lifestyle
Dr. Marshall says it's very important that your doctor properly explain your course of treatment because it's you who is in charge of your healthcare when you are not with the doctor. You should speak up if the treatment options the doctor prescribes somehow interfere with your lifestyle. He or she may be able to offer alternatives that will suit you better.
You Don't Get Better
If you don't start feeling better after several consultations, Dr. Marsahll says you may want to consider switching doctors. This doesn't mean that your doctor isn't good, because even the best physicians can miss things.
Once you've made the decision to switch doctors, make sure you do your homework. While the recommendations of family and friends are important, you want to make sure that the doctor is board certified. You should also check to see if any disciplinary actions have been taken against him or her.
At a first appointment, you are starting with a clean slate. Dr. Marshall recommends asking a lot of questions and voicing any concerns you had about your previous doctor so the same problems aren't repeated.
Source: CBSnews.com
If you don't have a good relationship with your doctor, there's a chance your health could suffer. But many people stay with their physicians despite their dissatisfaction with the quality of care.
The Saturday Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall has some advice on when it may be time to choose a new doctor.
Dr. Marshall says there are many reasons that people stay with their doctors despite their unhappiness. Some stay because they don't know good doctors, others feel that it's not "right" to switch and still others stay with their doctors simply out of convenience. But, she explains, it's important to find a new doctor if a physician's work is inadequate because your health could suffer. Marshall says the following signs may indicate it may be time to look for a new doctor:
It's Difficult To Get An Appointment
In this world of managed care, it's sometimes very hard to get an appointment with a physician because doctors are often juggling many patients. Dr. Marshall says that doesn't mean you should have to wait a month to get in. One way to help the situation is to give the person who is making the doctor's schedule several options of times that you could come in, possibly including an afternoon, evening or weekend. However, if after you've given many options and still can't get an appointment, it may be time to move on.
Also, be sure to get an appointment with the doctor, not a nurse or an assistant, because they are not as qualified as a doctor to make the right diagnosis.
You're Discouraged From Seeking a Second Opinion
No one likes being second-guessed, but a good doctor will welcome input from another physician. Even the best doctor can sometimes miss something. Dr. Marshall says to remember that it's your health that's at stake and if your doctor discourages you from getting another opinion, then he or she doesn't have your best interests at heart.
The Doctor Is Unclear or Doesn't Explain
Some doctors use very technical terms when describing a diagnosis. This is not good because most people don't have medical degrees and technical terms may be meaningless to them. Also, Dr. Marshall advises to be wary if your doctor fails to directly answer your questions and makes you feel intimidated about asking them.
The Doctor Doesn't Consider Your Lifestyle
Dr. Marshall says it's very important that your doctor properly explain your course of treatment because it's you who is in charge of your healthcare when you are not with the doctor. You should speak up if the treatment options the doctor prescribes somehow interfere with your lifestyle. He or she may be able to offer alternatives that will suit you better.
You Don't Get Better
If you don't start feeling better after several consultations, Dr. Marsahll says you may want to consider switching doctors. This doesn't mean that your doctor isn't good, because even the best physicians can miss things.
Once you've made the decision to switch doctors, make sure you do your homework. While the recommendations of family and friends are important, you want to make sure that the doctor is board certified. You should also check to see if any disciplinary actions have been taken against him or her.
At a first appointment, you are starting with a clean slate. Dr. Marshall recommends asking a lot of questions and voicing any concerns you had about your previous doctor so the same problems aren't repeated.
Source: CBSnews.com
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