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Breast Care Symposium Featured Premier Breast Imaging Specialists

The country’s premier physicians in breast care gathered for a symposium held October 19-20 at Hyatt Regency in Lexington. Both coasts were represented, from Seattle to Virginia, as the conference brought nationally known researchers to discuss state-of-the-art technology on breast imaging and diagnosis of breast cancer.

October is a month devoted to highlighting the importance of breast care. With that in mind, Lexington Clinic is sponsoring a symposium directed primarily towards healthcare professionals involved in breast cancer care.

The scientific program consisted of invited lectures and mini-symposia by six nationally recognized names in the field of breast imaging, including Gilda Cardenosa, M.D., Virginia; Christopher Comstock, M.D., San Diego; Randy Hicks, M.D., Michigan; Angela Moore, M.D. Lexington; Jay Parikh, M.D., Seattle; Mary Scott Soo, M.D., Durham, NC.

“Access to this level of professionals is extraordinary. The guest faculty that presented are truly cutting edge,” stated Dr. Leonel Vasquez, Center for Breast Care at Lexington Clinic. “It was our intent to bring together a panel that has exemplified stellar performance in the area of breast imaging and intervention and tap into their expertise by extending invitations to participants all across the region,” continued Dr. Vasquez.

Over a dozen states were represented with clinicians participating in panel discussion, workshops and question/answer sessions delivered by experts of breast and diagnostic radiology

Surgery Center Receives Three Year Accreditation

July 6, 2006 – Lexington, KY Lexington Clinic Ambulatory Surgery Center has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association), according to Dr. Andrew Henderson, CEO of Lexington Clinic.

Status as an accredited organization means Lexington Clinic Ambulatory Surgery Center has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association. Over 2,600 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by the AAAHC.

“Accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality care to the community we serve,“ said Kathleen Whitlow, Administrator of the Surgery Center. “One of our keys to success in the surgery center is the team of excellent staff and physicians who provide a safe, caring and personalized experience for our patients and families. We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation.”

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

Lexington Clinic Ambulatory Surgery Center opened in May 2004 and provides a state-of-the-art facility to provide the community surgical and endoscopic procedures in many different specialties including Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Gynecology, General Surgery, Urology, Interventional Radiology, Podiatry and Neurosurgery.

For more information about Lexington Clinic, please visit www.lexingtonclinic.com or call (859) 258-4284.

Lexington Clinic is a private, primary and specialty-care group practice with 200 providers in 31 specialties working in locations throughout Central Kentucky. Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and operates offices in Corbin, Georgetown, London, Nicholasville and Richmond, as well as Lexington.

Dr. Stephen Umansky Joins American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Dr. Stephen Umansky has recently become an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. The mission of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) is to advance the science and practice of hand surgery through education, research and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners. Founded in 1946, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand is the oldest medical specialty society in the United States devoted entirely to continuing medical education related to hand surgery.

To become an active member, the following must occur:

  • Are fully licensed to practice medicine in a state, territory, or province of competent jurisdiction and shall have hospital privileges in hand surgery
  • Are of high moral ethical and professional standing, as attested to by two sponsors who are ASSH Active members, meeting such additional qualifications as established by Council, and the applicant’s fellowship director
  • Reside in the United States or Canada
  • Have attended, by the application date, one annual meeting of the Society within the last three years
  • Are certified in general, orthopaedic, or plastic surgery by the appropriate Specialty Board and shall hold a current Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQSH), or shall be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or, in special circumstances, shall be certified by the equivalent Specialty Board
  • Have performed at least 125 major hand surgical procedures in a consecutive 12-month period during the previous years, in categories delineated on the application form
  • Have made worthwhile contributions in areas of hand surgery including: publications, teaching, clinical practice, basic research or participation in educational activities of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • Meet such additional criteria as the Council may from time to time establish.
Welcome Spring! ’Tis The Season To Sneeze


Dr. Nelson Lamkin, Allergy Department of Lexington Clinic offers the following suggestions about controlling allergies and asthma during the anticipated season of sneezing. . . .SPRING!

The extent of just how bad an allergy season depends on what part of the country one lives in, and here in the Bluegrass, one can count on it being severe.
“Checking pollen counts is a good source of determining how much patients who suffer with allergy will endure. The higher pollen and mold counts are measured, the greater chances for allergy,” stated Dr. Nelson Lamkin.

The seasonal allergic asthma comes from the same mechanism that causes seasonal allergic rhinitis; that is, when exposed to pollens, the susceptible individual manufactures a specific antibody (called IgE) that will bind a particular post defense cell, called a mast cell. There are mast cells in the nose, chest, and in other parts of the body. The patient with allergic asthma activates their mast cells when exposed to the pollen. It is the mast cell contents that are responsible for the acute asthma attacks in the allergic individual.

Many people are unsure of whether their symptoms are the cause of a cold or an allergic reaction. The basic difference is the presence or absence of fever.

In allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever), there is no fever. Fever indicates some sort of infection. Also, hay fever typically causes symptoms that are limited to the nose, throat, and perhaps ears and eyes. In contrast, a cold or the flu makes a person feel bad all over, such as achy muscles and joints, and even difficulty moving about.

“If a patient has typical allergy symptoms which are controlled with allergy medications, there isn't a need to be tested. However, if symptoms persist and a patient isn’t responding to medication therapy, then skin testing and an evaluation by an allergist would be necessary,” commented Dr. Nelson Lamkin.

A good reason to identify specific allergies would be in those patients who also suffer from other associated illnesses, such as chronic asthma, recurrent ear infections and/or chronic sinusitis.

It isn’t possible to cure a patient from allergies, however, the symptoms they cause can be treated and controlled. Making changes in environment or behavior to avoid or reduce exposure to certain allergens is key. Medication helps relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction and even without treatment a body's immune system will continue to react when exposed to allergens. In some cases, however, children may outgrow their allergies, particularly those to food.

For more information regarding allergies, please contact Dr. Nelson Lamkin, Allergy Department at Lexington Clinic at 258-5244.

Lexington Clinic Physicians Named to Best Doctors List

April 16, 2006 — Lexington — Nine physicians affiliated with Lexington Clinic appear on the just-released Best Doctors in America® list for 2005-06.

This widely respected list, created by Best Doctors, Inc., results from exhaustive polling of 35,000 physicians in the United States. Respondents select the expert in their subspecialty. On a confidential survey form, they answer the question, “If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, to whom would you refer them?”

Best Doctors, Inc. evaluates the survey results, verifying licensure, certification and disciplinary actions. The experts that are part of the Best Doctors in America® database can provide the most advanced medical knowledge to patients with serious conditions. Lexington Clinic’s group of experts listed in the database includes world-class specialists in Orthopedic Surgery, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dermatology, and Cardiovascular Disease. The physicians at Lexington Clinic include W. Ben Kibler, M.D., William C. Bailey III, M.D., Robert M. Cooper, M.D., John D. Cronin, M.D., Robert Davenport, M.D., Tamara James, M.D., John W. Collins, M.D., Margaret H. Terhune, M.D., and John C. Sartini, M.D.

Best Doctors has earned a worldwide reputation for reliable, impartial results by remaining totally independent. Doctors do not pay to be included in the database and respondents are not paid to complete the survey. The list is a product of validated peer review, where doctors choose who excels in their specialty. Only 5% of the doctors in America earn a spot on the list.

About Best Doctors, Inc.

Best Doctors, Inc. is the world leader in connecting people with the best medical care.

Best Doctors services help dramatically improve quality of care by bringing the clinical knowledge of the world’s top specialists to the problems of people with serious medical conditions. By making sure individuals get the right diagnosis and treatment the first time, Best Doctors reduces complications and avoids ineffective treatments—and as a result eliminates unnecessary spending. Founded in 1989 by doctors affiliated with Harvard Medical School to provide doctor-to-doctor consultations for complicated cases, Best Doctors has grown into an international company providing services to 10 million people in 30 countries. For more information please visit www.bestdoctors.com.

Dr. Shailendra Chopra lectures in Hawaii

Dr. Shailendra Chopra was an invited speaker at the 7th Annual Abdominal Radiology Course held jointly by the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiology and Society of Uroradiology in Hawaii. Dr. Chopra presented on the topic of “MR Angiography of the GI Tract and Mesentery.” He also gave a workshop on “Optimizing Abdominal MR in a Community Radiology Practice.” This workshop outlined his experience in bringing abdominal MR from the position of a rarely used exam to that of a mainstream tool, immensely helping in patient management at Lexington Clinic.

The Lexington Clinic Radiology Department is committed to providing the highest quality expertise and service to patients and referring physicians.

Tell Us Your Experience

Lexington Clinic is passionate about making each interaction full of compassion and meeting your needs. Have you had an exceptional experience at Lexington Clinic? If so, please send us an email and tell us all about it. Remember to include your contact details. Send to webbox@lexclin.com   

Unique Procedure Performed at the Ambulatory Surgery Center

Recently, Dr. Paul Warfield implemented an unique procedure at the Ambulatory Surgery Center. Gastroenterologists traditionally place stents in the esophagus, biliary tree, colon and proximal small intestine. However, on September 21, 2005, it was necessary for Dr. Warfield to place a Medtronic colonic stent after first performing a colonoscopy under fluoroscopy to locate and mark the structure. This was completed under conscious sedation, and the patient was discharged in stable condition. Gastroenterologists at the ASC also offer the Argon plasma coagulation procedure which may be indicated for radiation proctitis or other forms of GI bleeding. An upcoming project at the ASC is a 24-hour esophageal PH monitoring with a catheter-free system.

Cancer Center Named in Honor of Dr. John D. Cronin

Lexington Clinic, Kentucky's oldest multi-specialty medical practice, has announced plans to name its cancer center in honor of Dr. John D. Cronin, long-time Lexington Clinic Hematologist/Oncologist.

Dr. John Cronin practiced at Lexington Clinic for over 34 years before retiring in December 2005.

Dr. Cronin has been a well-known oncologist, not only in Lexington, but also nationally since 1971. At the time of his employment, Dr. Cronin was the only trained oncologist east of Louisville in Kentucky.

Since 1971, patients and staff have come to appreciate the care and concern shown by Dr. Cronin. Dr. Michael Horn, Hematology/Oncology Head of Section, said of Dr. Cronin, "Dr. Cronin has not only been a pillar for Lexington Clinic patients and physicians, he has been one for the whole hematology and oncology community here in central and eastern Kentucky."

Lexington Clinic CEO, Dr. Andrew Henderson, has worked with Dr. Cronin since 1981. "Dr. Cronin has been an exceptional model of what it means to be a physician. His dedication to his patients, his partners, and to Lexington Clinic has been unflappable. The legacy he leaves behind is an inspiration for all of us, and he is truly irreplaceable."

First In Caring- Lexington Clinic Breast Center First In Accreditation

The Center For Breast Care at Lexington Clinic has recently become the first breast center in Lexington accredited by the American College of Radiology in Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, Breast Ultrasound Core Biopsy, and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy.

At the helm of the updates and improvements to the Center For Breast Care is Dr. Leonel Vasquez, Lexington Clinic Radiologist.

“When women seek out a breast care center, they look for not only the technology available at the facility but the comforts that are offered as well,” said Dr. Leonel Vasquez, Lexington Clinic Radiologist. “That is why at the Center for Breast Care at Lexington Clinic we focus on what is important to women. Women want to know their results soon after a mammogram, speak to a physician if an area of concern is found, and not feel intimidated by the mammography process. That is what we try offer to each woman who enters our doors.”

The Center for Breast Care at Lexington Clinic is lead by a fellowship-trained breast imaging specialist. The knowledge and experience Dr. Leonel Vasquez has as a specialist has been a comfort for many of his patients. Dr. Vasquez is also a clinical reviewer for the American College of Radiology in mammography and stereotactic breast biopsy accreditation. In this role he reviews the accuracy of work of other mammography facilities seeking accreditation.

In 2005, the Center for Breast Care at Lexington Clinic became the first facility in Lexington accredited in mammography, breast ultrasound, breast ultrasound core biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, and breast us/core biopsy. It is excellence in all breast health areas that allows the physicians and staff to deliver the ultimate in breast care for women of all ages.

Also in 2005, the Center implemented the cutting-edge technology of Breast MRI. “MRI has been safely used for decades to provide information to help in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease and is now available in breast care,” said Dr. Vasquez. MRI is a non-invasive technique for viewing the inside of the breast. MRI is a very sensitive diagnostic modality that uses magnetic fields and radio frequencies in order to produce images of the breast. Breast MRI does not use x-rays like the traditional mammogram. Instead, MRI uses a magnetic field to create over 500 images and does not produce radiation.

Breast MRI can assist in assessing a lesion in a dense breast, evaluating the extent of breast cancer after diagnosis, determining the response to chemotherapy, and evaluating implant leakage.

For precise diagnosis and treatment the Center for Breast Care at Lexington uses a multi-disciplinary approach. Physicians from Radiology, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Surgical Oncology all collaborate to determine the optimum course of care for each individual patient. With over 200 providers in 31 specialties, Lexington Clinic has an enormous resource in knowledge and skills.

To find out more about the breast care program at Lexington Clinic, please visit our website at www.lexingtonclinic.com or call (859) 258-4181.

Ophthalmology Services
 

Refractive surgery has been available since the 1970s and has gone through many changes from Radial Keratotomy (RK), Photorefractive Keratotomy (PRK) and Lasik. In the past, ophthalmologists used these techniques to treat near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism or so called lower order optical aberrations. An estimated 90-95% of patients treated with the Eximer Laser are seeing 20/20 to 20/40 without glasses. A small percentage of patients complain of glare, halos and shadows, and these side effects are now attributed to higher order optical aberrations. We didn't have the technology to measure this clinically until the last few years. Treating these higher order optical aberrations, along with the lower order optical aberrations, theoretically should improve quality of vision.The treatment is accomplished by mapping the cornea with a aberrometer and the cornea is reshaped with the Excimer Laser using a sophisticated system that uses computer-generated data with a precise method to track the eye to maintain centration of the eye.

Dr. John Collins, Lexington Clinic Ophthalmology, is now offering Lasik treatment for both the lower and higher order optical aberrations with the LADAR-VISION CUSTOM CORNEA for persons who qualify. Call 258-5310 to schedule an evaluation.