Health Alliance Newsletter: Your guide to all the latest news and events - News
You are here: Health Alliance Newsletter: Your guide to all the latest news and events - News
Adjust Font Size:
Also See...
Galichia Heart Hospital
HEALTH ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
September 2010
Dear Galichia Friend,
Galichia Health Alliance is a free membership organization that offers you VIP status at Galichia hospital, educational events, screenings and many other member benefits. We hope you enjoy the latest news from your favorite Wichita hospital, where quality care and patient satisfaction are our top priorities. To join the GHA, please send an e-mail to rbeach@ghhospital.com.
Addressing your health concerns
Did you know heart disease will cost Americans $503 billion in medical care this year? Listen to guests such as Dr. Peter Macander, cardiologist, as they join Dr. Joseph Galichia every Saturday on "Take Your Health to Heart," live at 11 a.m. on KNSS News Radio 1330 AM. Click here for a link to past shows.
Flight physicals at your fingertips
Dr. Meyer
Need a flight physical? Flying is not just a hobby. It's a way of life. No one understands that better than Aviation Medical Examiner Dr. Chris Meyer, a former F-15 Eagle pilot and United States Air Force flight surgeon.
Dr. Meyer, chief executive officer of Galichia Medical Group, now provides 2nd and 3rd class flight physicals for all pilots. "I get how important a flight physical is for a pilot's livelihood or ability to enjoy a hobby," he said.
Call (316) 858-2223 to schedule a physical.
Dr. Matassarin
"Dr. Ben" -- one of Wichita's oldest practicing physicians -- receives first annual Clinical Excellence Award
Internist Dr. Benjamin Matassarin, who turned 90 in July, was recently honored during Galichia Heart Hospital's first annual Clinical Excellence Award ceremony.A Kansas native, Dr. Matassarin has been practicing medicine -- almost exclusively in Wichita -- since 1945, when he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
"My dad was a doctor and I always said I wanted to be one," said Dr. Matassarin, who turned down a full basketball scholarship to Baker University to go to medical school at KU. "I didn’t care who you were, if you were sick, I treated you, the famous or not famous ... it didn’t matter. I treated the patient."
Dr. Matassarin is an associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and has held faculty positions at KU and Kansas State University. A pioneer in diabetes and liver disease research, Dr. Matassarin published the first test for liver cell damage in 1952.
His medical career spans numerous leadership positions around Wichita, including president of the former St. Francis Hospital medical staff and various committee chairs. Dr. Matassarin remains an active member of the Internal Medicine physician staff at Galichia Medical Group.
"Dr. Matassarin is a highly respected internist, citizen of the community and great family role model," said Dr. Joseph Galichia, cofounder of Galichia Heart Hospital. "He grew up in medicine at a time when bedside diagnosis of medical problems was so critical because we didn't have all the technology we have today. He made huge contributions in the pre-technology era and he has sustained the same approach."
GHH recognized for Heart Walk support 
The American Heart Association has recognized Galichia Heart Hospital and Galichia Medical Group with a beautiful plaque for creating hope as a Cause Sponsor for the Association's 2010 Heart Walk in Wichita.
Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of all Americans? In fact, someone dies from heart disease every 38 seconds! Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
The funds all of us raise in Start! Heart Walk will support projects like these:
Get ready for 2011! For more information, click here to visit the Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk site.
GHH lead security officer takes patient, staff and visitor safety seriously
Congratulations to Doug Gettis, recently promoted to lead security officer at Galichia Heart Hospital. Doug has enjoyed a long career in corporate and industrial security and takes his job very seriously.
"I try to lead by example," he says. "My job is to make sure we can provide the best service we can for patients, staff and visitors. Safety is first."
GHH devoted to helping women be healthy
Galichia Heart Hospital is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Wichita Go Red For Women Luncheon. The Go Red For Women® Luncheon helps women choose to live better!
Choices. We face them every day. Some choices are unimportant, some are life-changing. What if the choices you thought were small were actually the ones that mattered? The stairs or the elevator? Baked or fried?
Here are some resources we support from the American Heart Association. Click on them to learn more about your health!
Nutrition Center
At the heart of good health is good nutrition. Find recipes, healthy cooking tips, secrets to heart-smart shopping and much more.
Physical Activity
The benefits of physical activity are solidly-proven and well documented. But many of us need some extra motivation to get moving. Find that motivation with our programs, designed to offer you support and encouragement.
Weight Management
Losing weight usually takes effort, and keeping it off has its own set of challenges. But your small everyday choices matter! Learn about BMI, losing weight and tips for success.
Stress Management
Whether you're facing crisis or simply managing the challenges of fast-paced living, you can learn to take good care of yourself and solve many of life's problems. Don't let stress get out of control.
Fats & Oils
Not all dietary fats are bad! Do you know how to select healthy fats? The terminology can be confusing, so we've taken the guess work out for you. Learn about making good choices including healthy fats and oils.
Quit Smoking
If you or a loved one needs some extra support to successfully quit smoking, we can help. Learn how to handle slips and enjoy your new smoke free life, one day at a time.
GHH named a "Fit-Friendly Company"
As a result of our efforts, support and activities designed to improve our corporate health, Galichia Heart Hospital has earned Platinum Achievement recognition from the American Heart Association for meeting criteria for employee fitness.
We are officially a "Fit-Friendly Company!" We try to make a difference a number of ways, including healthy snacks, heart healthy food choices -- and designated heart days -- in our cafeteria, a Take Care newsletter, and we encourage people to get fit during breaks and other special events through exercise and nutrition. What ideas do you have for a healthy workplace? We'd love to hear from you!
Free health screenings around the state -- book yours now!
Stay on top of your health! Galichia Medical Group offers free screenings throughout the year at various locations around the state. Here's what's coming up in September, October and November:
- Great Bend (after clinic), Monday, Sept. 20
Heart health
Galichia Medical Group is now taking appointments for FREE men’s & women’s heart health screenings in Great Bend! Are you at risk? Call 800-657-7250, ext. 2277 to make your appointment. - Wichita, Saturday, Sept. 25
PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease)
Galichia Medical Group is now taking appointments for FREE men’s & women’s PVD screenings in Wichita! Are you at risk? Call 800-657-7250, ext. 2277 to make your appointment. - Douglass, Wednesday, Oct. 13
Heart health
Galichia Medical Group is now taking appointments for FREE men’s & women’s heart health screenings in Douglass! Are you at risk? Call 800-657-7250, ext. 2277 to make your appointment. - Larned, Wednesday, Nov. 10
Heart health
Galichia Medical Group is now taking appointments for FREE men’s & women’s heart health screenings in Larned! Are you at risk? Call 800-657-7250, ext. 2277 to make your appointment.
Stephanie credits father's nurses for her career path 
Vaughters
Congratulations Stephanie Vaughters! Stephanie, a telemetry unit nurse at Galichia Heart Hospital, recently passed her RN boards. She underwent the rigourous 2-year program at Pratt Community College.
Stephanie credits the care for her dad, who was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, as her motivation. "The nurses who cared for him inspired me," she said.
Dr. J.V. Buller joins Galichia Medical Group's Parsons Clinic 
Buller
Longtime family medicine physician Dr. Jimmy V. Buller, who has practiced in the Parsons area since 1978, has recently joined Galichia Medical Group's Parsons Clinic.
Dr. Buller joins the Parsons Clinic after serving patients since November 2009 at the Labette Health Family Physicians Clinic. Prior to that, Dr. Buller practiced for 28 years at the Katy Clinic in Parsons and the Family Practice Clinic in Erie, Kan. He remains on the medical staff at Labette Health.
"We are thrilled to have him join our clinic," said Dr. Chris Meyer, chief executive of Galichia Medical Group. "He is a skilled physician who has worked in the Parsons area for many years and is well-known and well-loved. He certainly will enhance our presence in the area."
Dr. Buller earned his medical degree in 1977 from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at the University Hospital, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his residency at the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice.
He is currently a member of the Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, the Kansas Medical Society, the American Osteopathic Association and the Labette Medical Society.
Nurse Vonda Wigal, a certified foot care specialist, joins G-Med's endocrinology department
Wigal
Board certified nurse practitioner and certified foot care specialist Vonda Wigal joins Galichia Medical Group in the endocrinology department, where she will serve as Dr. Sahar Hachem's nurse practitioner.
Wigal joins the practice after working since 2008 at Harris Healthcare, a nurse practitioner-owned practice that specializes in diabetic foot care. Since 1999, Wigal also has managed and coordinated personnel and medical technicians in the medical operation support division of the Kansas Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base.
For nearly six years, Wigal served as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Dr. Patsy Barker and before that was a clinical nursing instructor at Wichita State University.
A Kansas native, Wigal completed her BSN from St. Mary of the Plains College in 1988. In 1989, she joined the Air Force as a registered nurse and completed three years of active duty service.
Wigal returned to Wichita in 1997 after working as a travel nurse in medical, surgical and pediatric clinical areas, and completed a master’s degree in nursing with family and pediatric specializations in 2002 from Wichita State University.
Wigal maintains her military service in the Air National Guard. She also is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Caring about patients: Galichia Heart Hospital adds hospitalist program
Galichia Heart Hospital, in partnership with Kansas Inpatient Services, introduced its new hospitalist program in July. Hospitalists are doctors who have advanced training and experience in the special medical care needed by patients during a hospital stay. They treat only hospitalized patients and do not see patients outside of the hospital setting.
"Our philosophy has always been that patients get better care when they have a physician providing for them who is available in the hospital to see them in a timely manner and make decisions regarding their care," said Dr. Adam Flynn, chief executive of Kansas Inpatient Services. "Medicine has just become so complicated that taking care of inpatients is something really useful to do as a full-time operation."
Hospitalists at Galichia Heart Hospital will see patients whose primary care doctors are unavailable or who do not typically make hospital rounds. The hospitalists coordinate care with the patient's primary care doctor and if additional expertise is needed, a specialist is consulted.
"This is about offering patients the best care possible in conjunction with their primary care physicians," said Steve Harris, chief executive of Galichia Heart Hospital. "We want all physicians in the community to feel good about sending their patients to Galichia hospital."
Galichia Heart hospitalists are board-certified in either family medicine or internal medicine and have experience with a wide variety of inpatient conditions.
"Patients typically have immediate access to a physician and, as a result, tend to have shorter hospital stays, lower costs, better outcomes, and increased satisfaction.It's good continuity of care," said Dr. Chris Meyer, chief executive of Galichia Medical Group.
"Hospitalists come in and they are very focused on patient care and they take excellent care of them. Primary care physicians also enjoy the advantages of a hospitalist program. They gain more time with their office patients and with their families, and they are able to concentrate and focus their efforts on outpatient medicine while still being fully informed about their patients' inpatient status."
For more information, call us anytime at (316) 858-2610.
Extracurricular activities: GHH Chief Executive Steve Harris to run for city council seat in 2011
Harris
Galichia Heart Hospital CEO Steve Harris has announced he will run for the City Council District 2 (mostly east Wichita and parts of College Hill) seat in 2011. Photos, news articles and more at his official campaign Web site, www.Harris4Wichita.com.
GHH receives five-star ratings for community value
Congratulations, Galichia Heart Hospital! GHH was one of six smaller Kansas hospitals given five-star ratings in the community value index of the State of the Hospital Industry - 2010 edition.
The community value index looks at areas that directly impact financial performance of health care facilities. Click here to read more from The Wichita Eagle story.
Galichia Heart Hospital honored as one of Wichita's best businesses
Steve Harris accepts award on stage
with presenter John Eck, publisher
of the Wichita Business Journal
Galichia Heart Hospital was honored at the Best in Business awards luncheon May 27 at the Hyatt. Galichia Heart Hospital was one of 15 finalists for the award, sponsored by the Wichita Business Journal.
GHH goes red at Women's Heart Disease Awareness fair
Galichia Goes RED! Dozens of women visited the Women's Heart Disease Awareness Fair in May at Galichia Heart Hospital.
GHH supports Strong Kids
Crawford
GHH supports Strong Kids! The Greater Wichita YMCA Strong Kids Campaign raises funds for numerous activities, including free water safety classes, job preparatory training, early learning child care centers, summer day camps, need-based program scholarships and before and after school programs.
"It's important to promote healthy habits and activities with our youth," said Alisa Crawford, who now serves on the Strong Kids advisory committee on behalf of Galichia Heart Hospital.
Follow us on Facebook!
©2006-2011 Galichia Heart Hospital - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Statement | Investor Relations | 316.858.2610