June 2019
Health & Wellness
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Trussville Tribune
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Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
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June, 2019
Local man back doing what he loves thanks to timely heart care
Ron Howard is an active 63-year-old man, who loves the outdoors and enjoys nature photography. He noticed he was starting to get tired after doing minimal tasks. At
first he brushed his issues under the rug and attributed them to old age. Then, things got worse. “I started having trouble doing simple things like yard work, trimming
the hedges, taking out the garbage can,” Ron said. “That’s when I realized it was time to seek some professional help.” Ron headed to St. Vincent’s East where he met
Dr. Trent Howard. “I had just had an arteriogram and as told I was in need of coronary bypass surgery. That hit me like a ton of bricks because I knew I had prob-
lems but didn’t realize it was anything as serious as it was,” Howard said. Two days later, Dr. Howard, a Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, performed the procedure on Mr. Howard. The Ascension care teams at St. Vincent’s East work together to meet the needs of patients by performing procedures in their cardiac cath lab or in one of their two operating rooms, dedicated to cardiac procedures. The cath lab at St. Vincent’s East offers minimally invasive, life-saving procedures to high-risk patients. “The surgery went well,” Dr. Howard said. “He went home in just a few days.” Ron Howard was feeling much better just a few short days later. As he continues to heal, he has plans to complete a 100mile bike ride this summer. That’s something he wouldn’t have been able to do if not for the care
teams at St. Vincent’s East. “The staff at the hospital is fantastic. They have always gone above and beyond. The nursing staff especially took care of me,” said Ron. Patients can ask their physician to refer them to the cardiovascular doctors and care teams at St. Vincent's Health System for everything from vascular tests, emergency heart care or treatment options for ongoing heart conditions, where patients have access to advanced technologies, close to home. VP of operations at St. Vincent’s East, Diana Scalici said people don’t have to go far to get topnotch cardiovascular care. “Our cardiologists enjoy treating patients in the community that they live in and work in. That’s one thing that makes St. Vincent’s East unique.” Get the heart care that is right for you at ascension.org/STVHSheart
Heart care close to home Connected to a national network of specialists When it comes to caring for your heart, Ascension care teams at St. Vincent’s are close to home, delivering the care you need. We collaborate with our integrated, national network of cardiovascular specialists, sharing best practices for emergency heart care and advanced treatment options for ongoing heart conditions. By taking the time to understand you, we can provide the personalized care you need. © Ascension 2019. All rights reserved.
Get the heart care that’s right for you at ascension.org/STVHSheart
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
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Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics By Shaun Szkolnik, for the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – There are few responsibilities more precious than being a parent. You are given a gift. A bundle of wonder that fits first in your hands, then in your arms, then in your lap and then out your door. You give them love, the benefit of your years, every part of your heart where the light may shine. But is it enough? Is it ever enough? You second guess yourself. You often consider your mistakes and there is little comfort in your triumphs because you don’t know if they will be your children’s triumphs. You stay awake at night wanting only to take whatever hurt the world will give them. To absorb it as your own as you shelter them; in your hands, in your arms, in your lap and then, at a distance. You are given another life to live for, but you are never given instructions on how to do that. At Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics, this is understood. Their mission is to assist parents with navigating the path that
the doctors at Tots ‘N’ Teens. She has been with the organization since 1987, and it is her passion to provide the best care for children. Sometimes that care occurs long before any illness does. “All the doctors here did
leads healthy children into being healthy adults. Part of that mission is treating illnesses. But there is so much more to it than just that. Delinda Davis is one of
residency in pediatrics,” said Davis. “So, we were just taking care of children, basically, under the age of 18. There are an awful lot of illnesses that are specific to children and
other illnesses that are specific to adults. A lot of what we do is not so much treating illness, but trying to promote good health, teach kids and families good habits that will keep them healthy throughout their lifetime, and also helping with parenting, helping with school issues. We feel like it is very important for new parents to have a place to get good information on how to take care of their children. We provide education for parents.” Tots ‘N’ Teens is a place where this philosophy is allowed to flourish and fill out into its ultimate potential. A loving and nurturing spot where the bonds between patient and physician can be as close as family. “We also provide an atmosphere where the parents and the children can get to know us and feel comfortable with us, as opposed to when your child is sick and you’re worried and upset going to a place you’re not familiar with and people you’re not familiar with,” said Davis. “When
you’re coming to your pediatrician’s office, you’re seeing people you have seen for years and have grown comfortable with and know that we understand you and are trying to do our best to help you take care of your child.” Given this ethic, it is no wonder that Tots ‘N’ Teens has become a generational community. “We have a lot of patients that are second generation,” said Davis. “We took care of the parents and now we are taking care of the kids. We have patients from all over the place…We have a lot of folks where their families have been with us for years and for years and they follow us where ever we go. We love taking care of the kids over the long haul and then getting to take care of their kids. “We get Christmas cards and pictures and they bring us school pictures and we’ve got folks that we get graduation cards and invitations. We hope that we do kind of become part of their family.” It isn’t just the philoso-
phy that allows for Tots ‘N’ Teens to provide great care to children and great guidance to their parents. There is a functional component to it, as well. Part of that function is maintaining a practice size that provides the greatest benefit to patients. “We are a smaller practice and though not all of our doctors are here all day, five days a week, with us being a smaller practice, even if you
don’t get to see your primary doctor when you’re sick, you see somebody that you know and are at least familiar with,” said Davis. “You want to have your medical care where we can provide what we call ‘anticipatory guidance’ and to help you plan ahead and be healthy for the long haul rather than just treat illness,” she said. Anticipatory Guidance is essentially a means of being proactive as opposed to being reactive. Tots ‘N’ Teens excels at this method, which allows for physicians to anticipate what kind of problems a parent might face with their child, or any questions a parent might have. This allows the staff at Tots ‘N’ Teens to provide information long before a problem may occur. It is the sort of maintenance that we apply to our homes, our cars, our careers. It is the kind of maintenance that works just as well, if not better, for our children. There are no guarantees in life. The doors are not clearly marked. We do the best we can and hope it is all for the good. Sometimes the answers we seek to grant our children are the answers we must first find for ourselves; and for that, the doors to Tots ‘N’ Teens are open.
Babies Don’t Come with Instructions… We’re Here to Help! (205)856-4440
Delinda Davis, MD
Beth Law, MD
Anastasia Nelson, MD
Allison Holt, MD
Steve Barron, MD
Heather Precise, CRNP
Erin Sorrell, CRNP
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Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
115 Watterson Parkway Trussvi lie AL 35173 www. nelmspharmacy. com 205-655-6133 @NelmsPharmacy nelmspharmacy
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Brayden (BB) Butler is right. His healthcare team is among the best in the nation! While practicing a motocross jump, BB fell and suffered a brain bleed. It would take half a year and surgeons, physicians, nurses and therapists to help him recover. Fortunately, for BB and thousands of other children, Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the top hospitals for children by U.S. News & World Report.
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June, 2019
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
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Get in motion at EW Motion Therapy Sometimes we need a little “pick-me-up” to get going and to get back to our old selves. EW Motion Therapy is just the place to go when you’re ready for a restart. EW Motion Therapy is a physical therapy and wellness facility that uses medically founded, hands-on approaches to yield positive client results. Whether you are looking to rehab an injury or get your bones and muscles back in working-shape, there is a variety of programs to get you in motion. The mission of EW is to promote health and vitality by empowering motion. Clinic Director Becca Lee said the therapists and specialists at EW strive to exceed expectations of clients by providing them with an exceptional and consistent experience. “If you’re moving better, you are going to feel better. We want to improve your mobility so you can participate in an active lifestyle and enjoy it,” Lee said. In 1999, Ethan White and Mike Eskridge started EW Motion Therapy in Homewood. They expanded to Trussville in 2010 and now there are also locations in Tuscaloosa and Hoover. The physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy offer programs designed to improve strength, mobility, agility and balance, and decrease aches and pains. Programs
are designed to empower clients to achieve their optimal level of motion and function, allowing them the ability to enjoy active lifestyles. EW physical therapists are some of the highest skilled clinicians in their field. The therapists also undergo continuing education through weekly onsite in-service training. “A lot of time is spent training our therapists. Our staff is great,” Lee said. “They are kind and compassionate, pay a lot of attention to detail and focus on the client as an individual to give them the best care possible.” In addition to physical therapy, EW offers personal training, Pilates, Zumba, CoreAlign, BodyWork and Yoga. Yoga is one of the programs available at EW. Yoga challenges the body and mind, helps people recognize productive and nonproductive movement patterns that impact overall health and well-being and can improve your ability to move with grace and freedom. EW Yoga instructors treat the body as an integrated, connected system. Private and small group program options are available. Each session is interventional and is designed to increase awareness of unhealthy movement patterns and to correct them. “We teach Yoga classes at
the clinic and at the Trussville Civic Center,” said Lee. EW offers specific Yoga programming for the well and injured client. Common conditions addressed with Yoga include osteoporosis, scoliosis, neurogenic dysfunction, back pain, knee pain and foot pain. There are programs for pre and post-partum clients, athletes and non-athletes, and for people of all activity levels and ages, including geriatrics. “Whether our clients are experiencing pain or not, we can make sure they are getting the most out of their daily life,” said Lee. EW Motion Therapy also offers personal training to help clients reach their goals. Their trainers take a handson approach to wellness and believe that is no reason to be intimidated by a past injury. Many EW training clients face mobility and balance
challenges and benefit greatly from their functional training sessions. Every client’s body is different and EW strives to make every experience unique.
If you’re looking to live your best life, give EW Motion Therapy a try. Schedule a 30-minute consult to discuss your goals with a physical therapist or motion specialist.
You can rest assured the experts at EW will take the time to provide the best suggestions for your body and mind. Our Guarantee: Move Better, Feel Better, Live Better!
EMPOWERING MOTION 183 Main Street, Suite D / Trussville 205.655.1009 e w m ot io n th e ra p y.c o m
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
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June, 2019
Marshall Family Dentistry: Same great service, new location coming soon More than 90% of all systemic diseases start in the mouth, according to a new study. The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health found that bacteria in your mouth can travel in the body and cause life-threatening diseases. So, if you think avoiding the dentist is a good idea, you could be dead wrong. Dr. Reid Marshall, of Marshall Family Dentistry, stays up to date with all the latest studies, trends and technology, to ensure his patients stay healthy. “I take the overall health of my patients very seriously. When I treat their mouths, it helps control and prevent other systemic issues in their body,” Marshall said.
If you are scared about going to the dentist or are worried about pain associated with dental treatment, Dr. Marshall and his staff will make sure you are as relaxed as possible during cleanings and treatment. “We have a lot of people that haven’t been to the dentist in a while and are scared, but we really try to break down those barriers and make them comfortable,” Marshall said. “We really pride ourselves in having a family-friendly, warm environment just to make people feel comfortable.” Marshall said the link between our mouth and the rest of our body concerns him. He tries to focus on educating
his patients, so they know the importance of what he is doing. “I take a commonsense approach to dentistry. We’re doing the best for them and educating them,” he said. “I recommend what people need and want to help them feel healthier and more confident about their smile and teeth.” Although Dr. Marshall started out with an interest in orthodontics, he said he changed his mind after going on mission trips in college. “In dental school I was able to treat a lot of people with tooth pain. They needed that treatment and being able to help them meant a lot to me…and a lot to them!
“As I went through school, I learned with dentistry you get a lot of variety, every day is different,” he said. Marshall said he focuses on being able to provide as many services as possible, so his patients can receive most of their care at his office. He has connections with other specialists in his field and has created a network of top experts in Trussville and surrounding areas. This is beneficial when his patients need specialized care. Marshall Family Dentistry offers services for ages three and up. Dr. Marshall hopes to gain patients that will be with him for a lifetime. The staff has over 150 years combined experience.
“My staff treats everyone like a family member and we want them to have a great dental experience from the first phone call to the checkout,” Marshall said. For patients without insurance, Marshall Family Dentistry offers an in-house dental plan. The annual membership includes two cleanings per year, x-rays and a discount on other services. Marshall Family Dentistry is currently on Old Springville Road in Chalkville. The business is moving soon to the former Trussville Pediatric Dentistry building at 123 North Chalkville Road. The big
move will take place at the end of summer 2019. Dr. Marshall looks forward to investing in the Trussville community and surrounding communities. He said he will focus on supporting local schools, getting involved with the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce and making sure his patients have a smile they can be proud of. “It’s a great career and I can have a good living, but I truly want what’s best for every patient. Every patient has a value to me,” he said. “I understand how it is if someone doesn’t feel good about their teeth and I want to do what I can to make them feel better.”
Dr. reiD Marshall Cleanings Crowns Implants Root Canals Extractions Adult Braces Family-friendly, comfortable environment that offers advanced dental treatments with the latest technology Discount membership plan for those without insurance Current address: 2216 Old Springville Rd, Birmingham Future address: 123 N Chalkville Rd, Trussville
205-853-4600
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
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Trussville Vision Care In many traditions, eyes are considered gateway to the soul. In medical profession,
the the the the
eyes can reveal clues to a wide variety of health and wellness issues. When it comes to overall health, patients should not neglect an annual eye exam when scheduling medical checkups. “An eye exam can provide an early warning for a variety of diseases,” said Dr. Sam Pierce of Trussville Vision Care. According to Pierce, an eye exam can provide early detection for a conditions ranging from diabetes, cancer,
high blood pressure and even arthritis. Diabetes is almost epidemic in the state of Alabama and can result in blindness, amputations and death if left untreated. Dr. Pierce opened Trussville Vision Care on North Chalkville Road in Trussville in 1989 and willcelebrate thirty years in the community this September. The business has grown along with the city and added another partner, Dr. Zack Steele, in 2003. Dr. Pierce did more than open an eye clinic in the city, he brought national recognition to Trussville by serving on the board for the American Optometric Association for the last decade. He currently serves as board president for the professional organization which boasts more than 40,000 members nationwide. He was also named Alabama’s Optometrist of the year for 2012 bringing more accolades to the city. The doctors at Trussville Vision Care have grown the practice to become one of the largest in the Birmingham area but their focus is on providing the best experience possi-
ble for each individual patient. Service to the community is also important to Dr. Pierce. He is a vocal advocate for the InfantSee program and provides parents with free infant eye tests in the clinic. “We do a free evaluation for infants from age six to twelve months called the InfantSEE program, sponsored by the American Optometric Association” Pierce said. “You want to make sure the eyes are healthy. One of the rare eye tumors babies have is called a retinal blastoma and sometimes those are missed by the pediatrician,” he said. “You also want to make sure that both eyes work together and have approx-
imately the same prescription in each eye to avoid developing a lazy eye,” Pierce added. The InfantSEE program was created in 2005 by the American Optometric Association and Johnson & Johnson Vision as a way to create awareness for vision care as part of a parent’s baby wellness routines. Although many parents have taken advantage of the free evaluations at Trussville Vision Care, Dr. Pierce believes many parents are still not aware of the importance of infant eye care. Another issue of concern is the recent trend of online retailers selling prescription eyeglasses. Online ordering can be
cheaper and more convenient but there are many factors to consider when it comes to proper eye care. Trussville Vision Care offers a wide selection of brand name and designer frames. Although many people have a good experience ordering online, Dr. Pierce cautions patients over the importance of the proper fit when buying glasses. “You can’t be certain the glasses you order have the correct prescription or that the lenses meet U.S. safety standards,” Pierce said. “You can’t tell from a picture if a frame is right for your head.” In order to work properly, eyeglasses must be the right size for your head,
rest on your nose in the right spot, and position the correct part of the lenses in front of your eyes. Personal attention to a good fit is one of the many important services offered at Trussville Vision Care. In addition to adult and infant eye exams, Trussville Vision Care offers a variety of services to patients including eyeglass and contact lens fitting, vision therapy, and pre-operatives evaluations for LASIC and cosmetic surgeries. The office is located at 133 North Chalkville Road, directly across from First Baptist Church and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with after hours appointments available on request.
Treating patients
SERVICES ◊ Routine Eye Examinations with compassion ◊ Eyeglasses- Frames, Lenses, and Repairs and respect ◊ Contact Lenses- including specialty contact ◊ Pediatric & Infant Eye Exams ◊ LASIK Refractive Surgery Evaluations of combined experience ◊ Surgical Cataract Evaluations ◊ Cosmetic & Reconstructive Evaluations ◊ Treatment of Medical Conditions of the Eye
Over 35 years
Dr. Sam Pierce
Dr. Zack Steele
www.trussvillevision.com
Specializing in primary eye care & wellness.
133 N Chalkville Road Trussville, Al 35173 205.655.4838 TrussvilleVisionCare
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Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
Mending bones and building relationships at Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons
Trust is important in any relationship. When it comes to healthcare, surveys indicate trust ranks near expertise in the level of importance for most patients. The doctors at Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons work together under the motto “The Local Name You Can Trust” because they understand building relationships is a major factor behind their success. “The physicians at Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons are keenly aware that a person’s health is their most important physical asset, and that no two people are the same,” said Dr. Donald Slappey Jr. founding surgeon for the clinic. “I am honored, and humbled by the fact that my patients entrust me with their health, and is an honor I take very seriously.” Dr. Slappey followed in the tradition of his father, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham in the 1950s, and has been in practice for more than 30 years. The clinic features five surgeons who have specializations in different
parts of the body which provides a strong level of expertise covering the entire body. Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons is housed in the professional building at St. Vincent’s East but the surgeons work out of other locations of St. Vincent’s in St. Clair and Blount counties. The demand for orthopedic specialists is greater than ever. Part of the reason for the increased need for orthopedic care is the aging population. The baby boom generation is now reaching senior status and, along with that increase in age, the need for more joint replacements and repairs has increased. Another reason for an increased need for orthopedic treatment could be tied to modern exercise trends. As more people engage in high impact exercise, the incidence of bone injury has increased. The five surgeons focus on total care for each patient because every patient is different. They don’t move to surgery until other options have been explored fully. They will even refer patients out to
other clinics if they feel that would best meet their needs. Additionally, the office at Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons maintains a full physical therapy center to assist with every aspect of recovery. “Whether it's surgical or nonsurgical treatment, helping patients understand what is going on in their bodies and developing a treatment plan to get them back to doing the activities they enjoy is a very rewarding aspect of my job,” said Dr. Jerry Ambrosia, fellowship trained shoulder and upper extremity specialist. “The way we differentiate our group is by providing the highest possible level of personalized service,” said spine specialist, Dr. Spain Hodges. “I look at my patients like family, never just as a number or a diagnosis.” According to Ryan Bradley, practice administrator, the family approach is simply good business. Even the employee
handbook reflects the values of the doctors. It instructs each employee to treat everyone who walks in the door as if they were a family member. Not only does the personal attention create a sense of trust, it is good for the business of doctors who refer patients to the surgeons. The good experience reflects back on the physicians who recommended them and patients feel good about their primary care doctors as a result. Dr. Jason Cobb adds “Each and every patient is special to me, and I customize the care I give to provide the best possible outcome,” Dr. Jason Cobb specializes in orthopedic trauma cases. “We are fortunate to have four fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons in our group,” said total joint specialist Dr. Tim Cool. “That means we have specialists that can cover a full range of orthopedic needs including Total Joint
Replacements, Spine Surgery, Trauma Surgery, and Upper Extremity Surgery. Our surgeons are experienced, highly trained, and most importantly- caring.” Not only do the five doctor have diverse skill sets which gives them the ability to meet the needs of each specific customer, they have more than 60 years of experience combined between them. That level of professional experience can serve
Donald H. Slappey Jr., M.D. F. Spain Hodges, M.D. Jason D. Cobb, M.D. Timothy Cool, M.D. Jerry Ambrosia, M.D. THE LOCAL NAME YOU CAN TRUST
as a confidence builder for patients in times that could potentially be very stressful. Whether they are performing a reverse shoulder replacement, an anterior hip replacement, or mending a broken bone, the doctors tailor each approach to meet the goals of the patient and to provide the best recovery experience possible. Personal attention makes all the difference to the staff at Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons.
June, 2019
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
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Birmingham Integrative Health offers patients the best of contemporary and alternative healthcare By Crystal McGough
In the world of medicine, there is often a divide between contemporary medical treatments and natural, alternative remedies. While some medical practices only offer mainstream medicines and procedures, there are also those that lean toward alternative healthcare while steering clear of contemporary Western medicine. But what if optimal healthcare requires a marriage of the two? That is exactly what Dr. Melanie Miller, MD, offers at Birmingham Integrative Health in Trussville. The 159 Main Street, Trussville, location was originally the site of Trussville Family Healthcare, which was owned by Medical Center East before it was bought out by St. Vincent’s. Miller was hired by Medical Center East in 2004 with the knowledge that she and her partner planned to buy the Trussville Family Healthcare practice. About a year later, she and her partner did buy the practice, but in 2011, her partner left to open a practice in Chelsea, Alabama. It was around that time that Miller decided to focus her practice more on integrative medicine. According to Birmingham Integrative Health’s website, “The National Center for complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute of Health states that integrative medicine ‘combines mainstream medical therapies and Complementary Alternative Medicine therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.’ BIH works hard to integrate both Western and Complementary Medical knowledge and treatments to ensure the best for our patients.” “I certainly still practice family medicine and care for people as a primary care, but I tend to look a little more at the whole body and try to figure out if there’s diet, or supplements, if there are herbs that can guide your body back to health,” Miller said. “Certainly people come to me often when there’s already disease, and sometimes you still need medications. I wouldn’t negate my years of training as a medical doctor and not use that knowledge.” Dr. Miller completed her under-
graduate and medical school degrees at the University of Missouri, Columbia. She served her Family Practice residency at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she furthered her knowledge of integrative medicine, and also trained in acupuncture at UCLA Helms Institute of Medical Acupuncture. “My story is probably more about self-journey,” Miller said. “I think when physicians get challenged to heal themselves, they often look outside that box because we have the knowledge of what Western medicine can offer.” While in medical school, Miller underwent treatment for whiplash after a car accident. After living with pain for two years, a nurse refereed Miller to one of the Student Health physicians who had been trained in acupuncture. Miller decided to give acupuncture a try and found that she improved significantly. The experience drove her to pursue training in acupuncture and integrative medicine. “When you start treating outside that box, patients start enquiring,” she said. “They start asking questions of you, and you just keep kind of traveling down that road. So, the conferences you look for are already outside that box.” Miller said that a significant portion of her patients are women who are concerned about sex hormones, and she has spent a lot of time training in outside-the-box treatments to help those women. “Western medicine does a good job with a lot of people, but how can I help those that aren’t excited about traditional medicine hormones and want to have discussions about bioidenticals?” she said. “So you just go to this conference and, while you’re there learning about what you went there for, there’s two or three lectures
you attend that say, ‘Oh my gosh, I never thought about these patients that I could help!’” In addition to primary care, Birmingham Integrative Health offers services such as well-women exams, saliva hormone testing, additional testing on thyroids to determine if the body is listening to the thyroid gland, and evaluation of sex hormones to determine if herbal treatments would be effective to correct hormone imbalances, or if a bioidentical hormone is needed to help the body adjust or transition during postpartum, post-menopause or during menopause. “We try to look at those key hormone flares in our body,” Miller said. “We try to focus on diet; we do food and tolerance testing, which often that’s called food allergy testing, to see if there are foods that our body isn’t tolerating very well and that’s causing inflammation.” Miller also looks into and treats leaky gut syndrome, which is when a
that be through supplements like magnesium, or vitamin D, or more complex herbal remedies that they need help through guidance,” she said. “They read about something on the Internet and they’re not sure if that’s really their physiological herb that they should be using, so walking patients through that. “When you’re open to listening to your patients, they bring you books, they bring you discussions, they bring you articles they’re reading and say, ‘I think this makes sense for me. Can we look at it?’ So I feel like one of the things that we do well at Birmingham Integrative Health is be open to hear people and their experience in life, and try to integrate that into what we know about physiology and anatomy and infections and function of the body.” Miller said that while she doesn’t really focus on anti-aging, a lot of her patients come in to the practice looking for ways to stay as healthy as they
patient is suffering because their body is absorbing too much and not breaking food down into smaller particles that can be utilized for nutrition, but instead treats larger particles as foreign, causing inflammation. Some services listed on the BIH website include acupuncture, glutathione, exilis, ultraviolet blood irradiation and plasma rich platelet therapy. The typical patient at BIH comes in seeking a primary care physician who is willing to have discussions beyond the scope of surgery or strictly medicine, Dr. Miller said. “Patients that are motivated to look at how they can help their body to stay as healthy as it can, whether
can for as long as they can and focusing on a good quality of life. She said that she sees a lot of Medicare patients, even helping those who are already farther along in a disease to keep their quality of life as good as possible through both medications and supplements. One method of treatment she uses is intravenous (IV) infusions. “We can infuse certain nutrients, for example, vitamin C or glutathione, to help the aging process,” Miller said. “We also do infusions of ozone, so O3, oxygen three. It has a host of benefits; one of the amazing things, always, is that it helps the red blood cells do their job better.”
Dr. Miller also works with autoimmune patients, treats small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO) and treats chronic infections such as Lyme disease, which can be transmitted through deer ticks. “Lyme really does exists in Alabama, and it’s difficult for a lot of patients to get recognized and treatment for,” Miller said. “That part of my practice has been growing the last four years. It’s an under-recognized diagnosis in our state. “There’s such a dichotomy to my practice of ‘I’m really healthy and I’m doing well, and I just want to stay here in case something bad does happen,’ and some really debilitated sick patients. I think probably what drew me to family practice in the first place is the variety. I think it’s lovely to help people who are in really chronic need and need to get better, and I think sometimes it’s just lovely to see really healthy 20-year-olds who need a well-woman exam. I appreciate them all.” Dr. Miller is extremely passionate about helping her patients and enjoys working with them on a personal level. “To take those years of training, 11 years of training, and accept that knowledge, but listen to people’s stories, I think that’s the art of medicine,” she said. “I love what I do, so I spend a significant time with my patients and try to make their lives better. “My patients will tell you that I hug them, because I feel like touch is also healing. My elderly that are widowed or widowers, they’re home alone and I just feel like they need touched. But I think the 20-year-olds need hugs, too! I just think we all need love and compassion.” While Dr. Miller “dabbles” in pe-
diatrics, she said she does not do a lot of primary care before age 10 because she doesn’t carry all the immunizations for infants. However, she cares for families, so does see pediatric patients in her clinic. She said she also sees some patients under the age of 10 who need specific services she offers, such as gut health and nutritional health. “I certainly am happy to always consult for a family and share what I know, and refer to whom I know,” she said. “We are open to listening to your story and your individual need, and seeing if we can help you on your path, your life and your journey.” Birmingham Integrative Health accepts most insurances, with the exception of Blue Cross Blue Shield, which does not cover physicians who practice alternative medicine. BIH does take Medicare, but cannot take Medicaid unless a patient has both Medicare and Medicaid. Miller said that many patients who are on BCBS insurance still come to her because she offers reasonable costs that make their treatments affordable, often even more affordable that their insurance deductibles would be. “I’m not here to gouge, I’m not a cash-practice; I’m not a VIP doctor,” she said. “Again, I’m going to care for my $4 Walmart-list Medicare patients, in honor that that’s where they are in their life. I just think healthcare should be reasonable and affordable and accessible. Good quality care doesn’t have to come at $400 a visit. It isn’t right.” For more information about Birmingham Integrative Healthcare or to schedule an appointment, call (205) 655-2110 or visit birminghamintegrativehealth.com.
Family Medicine/PCP Hormones: Thyroid, Adrenal, Sex Herbal and Supplements Chronic Infections: Lyme, PANDAS Digestive Disorders: SIBO, Leaky Gut Food Allergies/Intolerances Dietary Counseling Weight Loss Nutritional IVs Ozone IVs Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UBI) Acupuncture Exilis Body Contouring Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections Microneedling Facials 159 MAIN STREET TRUSSVILLE, AL 35173 205.655.2110 www.birminghamintegrativehealth.com
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
Page 10
June, 2019
Like having a doctor in the family: OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports By Crystal McGough
OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports has been serving the orthopedic needs of the Eastern Birmingham area and surrounding communities since Dr. Perry Savage founded it in 1987. They have been operating out of their Trussville office since Nov. 2015. “We are a multidisci-
plinary orthopedic practice that covers many different specialties,” Dr. Mary Gilmer said. “We provide orthopedic care, but we also have a rheumatologist that provides care for rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. We have physical medicine doctors, which are specialists in noninvasive muscular skeletal pain, including blocks, injections and physical therapy management of that kind.” The Trussville practice, which previously operated out of one of the professional buildings at St. Vincent’s East, is now located at 1801 Gadsden Highway. They currently employ 13 physicians, nine of which are orthopedists. “We just recently added our newest physician who is a hand surgeon,” Gilmer said. “We also have foot
and ankle specialists, sports medicine, and spine specialists, so we’re covering a wide variety of areas.” According to Gilmer, what OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports offers to the Trussville community is unique to the area. In addition to the many services they provide, their office also boasts a procedure room where their doctors
can conduct minimally invasive procedures. The physicians at Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports perform their more invasive surgical procedures at Grand View Hospital on Highway 280. “Our clinic not only offers the physicians, but we also have on-site physical therapy, a pharmacy, we have our medical equipment and our procedure room,” she said. “There’s a lot that can be taken care of in one place rather than having to make several trips to different locations. So it’s a comprehensive treatment center, as opposed to just a ‘doctors office.’” Gilmer has been a practicing physician at OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports for five years, but her history with the practice goes back 30 years. She first became a part of the OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports family as a
patient at the age of six. In 1999, Gilmer took the first steps toward her medical career by beginning her training at Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports. “When I was a student in high school, I trained here as a medical assistant,” she said. “Then I worked here as a medical assistant from high school through the first years of medical school.” Gilmer took a break from OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports while she finished medical school, and after graduating, she did her training in Houston, Texas. “Then I came home,” she said. One thing Gilmer said she’s proud of is OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports newest offering to the citizens of Trussville, an orthopedic urgent care located at the Trussville office. “It is open extended hours, until 8 p.m. most evenings and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.,” she said. “This obviously increases people’s accessibility to specialty care, rather than going to an emergency room for orthopedic issues.”
Additionally, OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports gives back to the community through sponsoring several causes around the Birmingham area, including the “Just A Call Away” 5K fundraiser for the Birmingham Crisis Center and Mayhem on the Mountain, a Cross Fit competition for the whole southeast that takes place at Oak Mountain. The practice also sponsors Hewitt-Trussville High School’s athletics, as well as
the Glory Bound Gyro Company Cycling Team, which includes riders who are recent graduates of HTHS. While OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports brings much to the Trussville community, perhaps nothing is more important than the quality of care their physicians bring to their patients. “Our first concern is working with our patients to diagnose the problem as quickly and effectively as possible,” Gilmer said.
“Then we manage it in the way that makes the best sense for them, whether that is surgery or whether that is non-operative management such as physical therapy, injections, rehabilitation, those kinds of things. We focus on what is the best way to treat each specific patient and every person as an individual.” OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports offers services ranging from minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal injections, kyphoplasty, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, orthopedic evaluation, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Patients have the benefit of getting all they need in one place. From the consultation, to MRI’s and CT scans, to surgical procedures, OrthoAlabama Spine and Sports does it all. Urgent care is open Monday through Thursday, 4pm – 8pm, and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. After-hours treatment is available for strains, sprains, minor dislocations, closed fractures, neck or back pain and swollen or painful joints.
In Alabama it's about family.
We're here to take care of the one that's most important... Yours.
In Alabama, it comes down to families. Always has. At OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, we strive to treat each patient as an individual, each family as if it were our own. We partner with each patient to create a treatment plan that includes wellness, prevention, education, and, if needed, the most advanced surgical options available.
All to help the most important family of all. Yours. SERVICE: • • • •
Orthopedic Urgent Care Diagnostic Imaging Physical Therapy In Office Operating Room & Anesthesia
• Pharmacy • Durable Medical Equipment • Regenerative Medicine
OrthoAlabama Spine &Sports 1801 Gadsden Highway Birmingham, AL 35235 • 205-228-7600 http://alabamaorthospineandsports.com/
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
Page 11
M3 Performance and Physical Therapy Improving quality of life through movement
By June Matthews
According to Kendell JnoFinn, PT, DPT, and founder/ CEO of M3 Performance and Physical Therapy, movement is an essential component of life. “Being able to move well allows you to live well, and when you live well, you’re able to do amazing things,” he said. “Movement is one of the main things that separates people who enjoy a good quality of life from those who don’t.” An educator and entrepreneur whose mission in life is to help people achieve and maintain the ability to move well, Kendell grew up in the Commonwealth of Dominica between Guadeloupe and Martinique in the West In-
dies. He came to Birmingham to continue his education at Samford University and credits his focus on movement and wellness to his upbringing. “Where I come from, being able to move and being in good health is really a form of
wealth,” he explained. “If you could move well, you could raise bananas or any other cash crop to provide for your family. In that context, I came to understand that movement is hope. So, in forming M3, it was never about business. It was always about hope.” Kendell developed the M3 Endeavors concept of “MOVE WELL, LIVE WELL, DO AMAZING THINGS” while working toward his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “I turned to some of my classmates and told them this was what I was going to do, and they thought I was a nut,” he said. “They said, ‘You’re still in school.’ But I knew this was the kind of hope I wanted to share with people.” But the desire to give hope has not only led Kendell to establish a business based on movement but to also get involved in his community by helping teach entrepreneurial classes at Hewitt-Trussville High School, serving on the Trussville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and helping to establish a Parkinson’s support group in partnership with the Trussville YMCA. “I came to Trussville in 2010, and this city has embraced me in a way I’ve never experienced,” he said. “Because of that, I believe that all the blessings I’ve enjoyed from being a part of Trussville need to be reinvested in Trussville. So, this is a Trussville company in every way, and I’m having the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.” Clients, said Kendell, come to M3 for all kinds of reasons. For example, a teen may want to move better on the sports field or a business owner may need more energy to take his business to the next
level. Perhaps a middle-aged ex-athlete is experiencing pains that are preventing him from moving with ease, a senior adult is concerned about aging well, a firefighter has a muscle strain, or a construction worker is rehabbing from shoulder surgery. “Everybody is different, so I look at each person’s level of movement and try to understand what their goals are,” Kendell said. “Then I take those goals and come up with a plan.” In addition to helping
clients develop in terms of improving and maintaining functional movement, M3 takes things to a higher level with performance programs for individuals, groups and teams. Leadership development and service are also part of the company’s offerings. But moving well, Kendell continually emphasizes, is the absolute key. “Giving hope through movement is what I have a deep passion for. It just happens to be what puts a roof over my head and food on the
table,” he said. “Everyone at some point in their life is going to have something that prevents them from doing what they want to do, as much as they want to do it. We can help people solve their movement problems and get them back to a point where they can enjoy life again.” M3 Performance and Physical Therapy is located at 7040 Gadsden Hwy., Trussville. For more information, visit www.m3endeavors.com, call (205) 508-3811, or email kendell@m3endeavors.com.
M3Performance and Physical Therapy
(205)508.3811
Move Well • Live Well • Do Amazing Things Kendell M. Jno-Finn PT, DPT, TPI-M2 ,
(205)508.3811
7040 Gadsden Hwy Suite 100 Trussville, AL 35173
M3Endeavors.com
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
Page 12
June, 2019
Positive Choices: Offering information, options and support An unwanted pregnancy is one of the most difficult challenges a woman can face. She may not feel she has the financial resources to raise a child. Or she may be committed to a partner uninterested
“We are a group of caring individuals committed to walking with you every step of the way,” said Executive Director Sharon Stauffer. “We’ll talk with you in complete confidence, offer appropriate medical exams and information, and help you
in becoming a parent. Or she may fear backlash from her family members, church and/ or friends. Whatever the reason – or reasons – a pregnancy falls into the category of “unwanted”, the fact remains: It must be dealt with. And with emotions like shock, sadness, anxiety, confusion, and guilt likely churning inside, deciding how to handle the situation becomes that much more overwhelming. But Positive Choices can help.
explore your options in a way that will allow you to make a choice based on facts instead of emotions.” Positive Choices provides both free and low-cost medical, educational and support services to women, as well as men, facing an unplanned pregnancy or sexual health concern. Founded in 1991 as SavA-Life East, Inc., this locally organized and funded Christian outreach was renamed in June 2015 to reflect its mission of helping individu-
By June Matthews
Are you
als make positive, informed choices in a professional and safe environment. Services include free pregnancy tests, free unlimited ultrasounds, earn-whileyou-learn parenting classes that help provide for material needs, consultation on all pregnancy choices, sexually transmitted disease information, and an abortion recovery ministry. Positive Choices also provides information on support services. For example, if a single woman chooses to parent her child, Positive Choices will help her explore housing options, identify resources to help with a baby’s material needs, determine the legal rights and obligations of the father, and find out what programs are available to help with job training, tuition, and childcare. If a woman chooses life but is unable to properly care for a baby, Positive Choices provides information on adoption and connects her with agencies that can facilitate the process. Should abortion be among the options a woman is considering, Positive Choice urges her to get all the facts before making that decision. “Many women who work at pregnancy centers once chose abortion, so they truly understand your situation,” said Stauffer. “They know the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional risks firsthand and want women to know that while abortion may rid you of the immediate problem, it’s can cause a host of other problems.” Whatever route they’re considering, Positive Choices recommends that women slow down, allow themselves time to think, learn about the problems and risks, get a free ultrasound to confirm the viability of the pregnancy, and
understand their rights. But most of all, Positive Choices wants women to know they’re not alone. “If you’re facing a pregnancy or sexual health-related concern with even a hint of uncertainty, we invite
Pregnant
you to come talk to us,” said Stauffer. “Our desire is to make the truth about unborn life and abortion known in our community and to help women see that their choices aren’t limited to that.” Positive Choices is locat-
+
ed at 1120 Gadsden Highway near Trussville. For an appointment, visit www.pregnancybirmingham.com, call (205) 836-0564, or text (251) 301-6728. All services are confidential.
Positive
and considering all your options?
Choices
We offer free services to women, men, and families, a listening ear and counseling to help you decide what’s next.
- Parenting classes - Pregnancy Testing - Limited Ultrasounds - Baby clothes & supplies - Abortion healing - Lay Counseling Free & Confidential
Non-Judgmental A helping heart & hand is closer than you think. 1120 Gadsden Highway Birmingham, AL 35235 205.836.0550 www.pregnancybirmingham.com
June, 2019
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
Page 13
Leading addiction center headquartered at St. Vincent’s East
Pathway Healthcare is leading the fight against the opioid crisis in Alabama and in other states, with an office-based addiction treatment network of 12 offices.
Andrew Turner, the chief operations officer for Pathway Healthcare, LLC, says treatment combines behavioral counseling with medication-assisted treatment, as well as wrap-
around services. “Our treatment standard is called MATPlus®,” said Turner. “It provides the best, evidence-based care for the long-term, chronic care needed for recovery.” Pathway’s corporate headquarters moved from Dallas, Texas, to Birmingham in the summer of 2018. Pathway accepts all forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. Through the efforts of the legislation, Pathway Healthcare is working closely with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Health Officer to garner support for recent legislation. “We care deeply about the addiction community and treat all types of addiction and mental health disorders,” said Turner.
With Alabama leading the nation in opioid prescriptions, Pathway’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brent Boyett, says his organization is taking action. “Too many Alabama residents continue to suffer from substance use disorders simply because they do not have the means to access effective treatment,” said Dr. Boyett. “At Pathway, our goal is to provide care for as many patients as possible, and we believe this change in our insurance policy will help us achieve that.” Pathway Healthcare specializes in treating substance use disorders. Patients suffering from drug and alcohol addiction are a top priority for all of the specialists and counselors with Pathway. Although the St. Vincent’s East location is not part of the hospital, it does
serve as Pathway Healthcare’s national training facility for doctors, nurses, counselors and other staff. Pathway also has Ala-
bama locations in Daphne, Mobile, Hamilton, Huntsville and an Athens location slated to open summer 2019.
Page 14
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
Pet Health & Care
6 pm - 7 am Monday - Friday 24 hours on weekends & holidays
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
June, 2019
Page 15
Treating the family pet like a family member at Clay-Chalkville Animal Clinic When Dr. Charles Hart began his practice, his focus was on large animals like horses and cows. As the community has evolved, so has his business. Now, Clay Chalkville Animal Clinic treats family pets of all sizes and shapes and has grown from a home based business to one of the most trusted veterinarian clinics in the area. “My practice has changed to less than 5% large animals now,” said Dr. Hart. “A lot of the pastures where I used to go are now subdivisions.” Dr. Hart began in a loft in the barn on his family property but built his current practice in the instantly recognizable log cabin style building in 1991 as he began to work with more family pets. Community involvement is important to Dr. Hart. He is ac-
tive in his church, serves on the alumni board at Auburn University, and volunteers for local charities when he can. When the city of Clay was created, he was elected as the first mayor and served the community for eight years. That desire to serve others works well with his advocacy for animal wellness. One of the concerns Dr. Hart wants to raise awareness about is the dog flu. Like the human version of the virus, the dog flu can be life threatening. However, the dog flu is different than the human virus in that it does not have a season. “The dog flu is year round,” said Dr. Hart. “It’s important to get your pet vaccinated for it.” Hart explained that two strains of the virus exist. One, H3N8 originated in horses and moved into
the dog population. “Some people say that strain may have originated right here in Birmingham when dogs and horses were racing at the same facility.” Although no one knows for sure if the virus began locally, Hart warns of another strain, H3N2 which began in birds in Asia. It is possible it came to America as the result of a humanitarian gesture when someone rescued dogs in Asia—where they are often raised for food— and brought them to the United States. The symptoms of the dog flu are similar to the human variety: coughing, fever, and lack of energy. More advanced cases can progress into pneumonia. Like the human variety, the flu can be deadly to younger and older patients. “One thing to be aware of,” warns Dr. Hart, “is the transmission period of the flu.” The human version is not contagious 24 hours after the fever breaks. For dogs, the contagious period lasts around 26 days making it much more difficult to contain when it enters an animal population. Last year, the human flu virus was also the H3N2 version. “Although there have been no cases of the flu spreading between humans and dogs, it has already adapted and we have seen cases of the virus spreading from pigs to humans and from humans to pigs,” Hart said. Hart is cautious in warning it may adapt again and spread from humans to dogs and vice versa. “We’re trying to vaccinate more dogs but it is a conversation we have to have with pet owners,” Hart said. “People know about rabies and we have known about Parvo since the 70s, but this is something new.” The vaccination is a series of two shots followed by annual booster shots. Dr. Hart cautions pet owners not to be complacent in guarding against inoculation against the flu
for dogs that stay indoors. The problem, he says is fomites— inanimate objects or materials which can carry infection. The danger is, again, in the contagious period. If a dog has been sick but appears well, it is still contagious. An owner who plays with his dog and then goes out in public carries, hair, germs, and infectious material around without knowing. Something as simple as touching an infected door knob can potentially aid in spreading the virus. “That’s how human flu is transmitted,” he said. “That’s why they tell you to wash your hands all the time and people wipe down door knobs and phones. This is year round, not like our flu season.” Dr. Hart understands the family pet is often treated like a full family member and he wants to educate pet owners to approach pet health care in a proactive manner. He says he wants to be known for his attention to detail and for providing the best possible care for animals in the community. Ask about our wellness plans!
Licensed veterinarian Dr. Charles Hart has held a doctorate of veterinary medicine for more than 30 years and has extensive experience treating many different kinds of pets. You can be sure that your friend is in good hands when you choose our clinic.
Dr. Charles D Hart DVM
205-681-1700
6415 Old Springville Rd Pinson, Al 35126
Health & Wellness | The Trussville Tribune
Page 16
June, 2019
Lifelong love of dogs is motivation of Dog Stop owner, staff By Tommi O. Peters For The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — After retiring from a 25-year stint with the US Marshal’s Service, Dog Stop Owner Gail Weiss combined her experience in serving the community with her love of dogs. “I love Trussville and dogs and there’s nothing like this in the community,” explained Weiss. Just off the lobby of The Dog Stop is a retail store that carries holistic, grain-free, organic foods, chews and treats, as well as leashes, collars, and toys. For those that need help finding the best choice for their pets’ needs, the team at The Dog Stop is happy to help. “I love educating owners and helping them make better decisions for their dogs to live healthier and happier lives. It truly is my passion,” shared Garcia. The Dog Stop also part-
mine his or her activity level and comfort level with other dogs. This allows the handlers and owners to choose the best playgroup for each dog. A tour of the facility reveals multiple play yards with dogs actively engaged in group play with dogs of similar size and/or age. At least one handler is present in each play area at all times to ensure that dogs are never left unattended. Weiss recalled an event
ners with ‘Must Love Paws’ to showcase dogs needing foster parents. They share pictures of them on their Facebook page and allow people to visit with the dogs here if they’re considering adoption. Each dog attending daycare or boarding is given a temperament test to deter-
that exemplifies the benefit, “A handler came to me to let me know that one of the dogs was limping and dragging its leg. We immediately reached out to the vet and ultimately determined that the dog was having a stroke. The family was at the beach when the dog was
TRAINING
boarding with The Dog Stop. Who knows what would have happened if the dog was in a place where they offered less attention? The owner stopped by with the dog recently and it was great to see that she’s recovering well.” The overall property is approximately 9,000 square feet, 4,000 of which consists of play yards. Three of the yards are available for group play, while a fourth is reserved for dogs still working on their socialization skills. “Just because they haven’t learned yet how to play with the other dogs doesn’t mean that they should sit in their suite all day,” explained Garcia. Weiss added, “We’ll also do our best to find dogs and create a playgroup specifically for those dogs that might be a little more hesitant to engage with the others.” “We hear all the time from people that feel that once their dogs start coming here, they’re just better dogs overall when they’re at home. They don’t have pent up energy where they’re jumping on people. It’s because they’re engaging their minds during the day here.” Dogs get to play with pools, bubbles, playgrounds, and even puzzles. The facility uses antimi-
From puppy class to therapy dog preparation and everything in between, The Dog Stop® offers a variety of Training services. Classes vary from group settings to one on one and take place in our facilities as well as your home. Please contact your local facility for their offerings and pricing.
®
crobial turf, which is disinfected daily, eight-foot privacy fencing, pools that are drained daily and private plexiglass suites instead of chain link kennels that can cause anxiety. All employees have gone through training on proper handling and behavior modification. Both Garcia and Weiss are canine CPR certified. “A dog’s true nature is to run in a pack. This is like camp to them, so while owners are on vacation, dogs are on vacation, too. Dog parents can sit on the beach and enjoy their vacation because they don’t have to worry about if their pet is okay. And for the dog, it’s like the difference between Disneyworld and a cheap motel,” said Garcia. She continued, “As I walked through at night to do an end-of-day check at other facilities where I worked, the dogs would be jumping and stressed and want desperately to get out. Here, I walk through, and the dogs
are sacked out! A tired dog is a happy dog because they’ve had a full, fun day. For all the joy that our dogs bring us, they deserve to be celebrated, which is how we spend our day giving them
a fun, good, happy time.” Observing from the parking lot as dogs pull their dog owners through the door, it’s obvious that the four-legged citizens of the Trussville area agree.