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Kohl's Grant Supports The Medical Center's Newborn Care & Safety Program

Kohl's Cares® has once again awarded Commonwealth Health Foundation a grant to enable The Medical Center to reach expectant parents with vital obstetrics education classes. This year's grant totaling $32,814 will be used for The Medical Center's Newborn Care and Safety Class which teaches expectant parents essential baby care skills.

"The Newborn Care and Safety Class is one of our most attended classes because expectant parents, as well as new parents, are very eager to learn how to care for their newborn," said Amber Herman, OB Clinical Manager for The Medical Center. "Parents want to feel confident and comfortable in caring for their newborn, and this class teaches them the basic skills they need to know."

The Newborn Care and Safety Class is a free, hands-on class where participants use baby dolls to practice swaddling and holding a newborn, diapering and giving the baby a bath. A variety of safety issues are addressed, and a CPR demonstration shows parents what to do in an emergency.

As a result of Kohl's support, The Medical Center expanded its class offerings by adding a second location for the class. Now the class is held at Fairview Community Health Center Annex in addition to The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center. Classes at The Health & Wellness Center are typically full with a waiting list; classes at the Fairview Annex are overflowing each month. Last year 31 classes were held with 632 total participants, and 34 classes are already scheduled for 2012.

The Kohl's grant also funds the purchase of safety tote bags for expectant parents who take part in the Newborn Care and Safety class. The tote bags, which include items such as a Lullaby CD, DNA identification kit, baby bath sponge, bath water temperature tester, infant CPR refrigerator magnet, and baby safety gift set, are provided to parents at no cost.

The Medical Center is the local Kohl's Cares® beneficiary. Since 2006, Kohl's has donated more than $133,000 to The Medical Center to support its health and wellness programs including construction of two community walking trails at local elementary schools.

Kohl's commitment to Commonwealth Health Foundation and The Medical Center is made possible through the Kohl's Cares® philanthropic initiative. Kohl's Cares® includes a merchandise program featuring $5 books and plush toys where 100% of net profits benefit health and educational opportunities for children nationwide. Since 2000 when Kohl's Cares® was introduced, Kohl's has raised more than $180 million through its merchandise program. In addition to its hospital partnerships, Kohl's Cares® includes Kohl's Cares scholarship program, Kohl's Associates in Action program, and fundraising cards for local schools and nonprofit youth organizations.

About Kohl's Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl's operates 1,127 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $180 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

About Commonwealth Health Foundation
Commonwealth Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Commonwealth Health Foundation helps build relationships and partnerships across Southcentral Kentucky that will inspire charitable giving by individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. These gifts help support the mission of CHC to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.commonwealthhealthfoundation.org or call 270-796-5543.

About The Medical Center
The Medical Center at Bowling Green is the flagship hospital for Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Located in Bowling Green, Ky., The Medical Center is a 337-bed, full service, not-for-profit hospital specializing in heart, cancer care, obstetrics and neonatology, and orthopaedic services. With a mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, CHC and its entities including The Medical Center at Bowling Green contributed $58.4 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2011. The Medical Center treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and annually provides millions in community benefit through charity care for the uninsured and shortfalls in governmental reimbursements (Medicare and Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.TheMedicalCenter.org.

The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center Relocates to Chandler Park

After 13 years in its Greenwood Mall location, The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center will begin operations in a new facility in Chandler Park beginning Monday, December 19. The new Health & Wellness Center is located at 1857 Tucker Way off Cave Mill Road and is housed in the building adjacent to Chandler Park Dental, the office of Eli Jackson, D.M.D.

"The change in location of The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center is reflective of the growth we have experienced in recent years," said Linda Rush, Director of Community Wellness for The Medical Center. "The Center has become a destination point for patrons rather than just mall shoppers stopping by. We are seeing more and more patrons being referred to us by their healthcare providers for our services."

The Center offers educational classes, exercise classes, blood pressure checks, health screenings, support group meetings and a lending health library. Specialized services offered by physician referral include the Diabetes Education Program, Medical Nutrition Therapy and the Healthy Weight Program for Kids.

Since opening in 1998, over 200,000 patrons have visited the Center and benefited from the many services offered. Currently, the Center averages 1,400 patron visits each month.

The Center is staffed by registered nurses, dietitians and health educators. The new hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (270) 745-0942 or (877) 800-3842.

Surgical Weight Loss Program Now Available at The Medical Center

The Medical Center is now offering the Surgical Weight Loss Program, the first surgery program to treat severe obesity in Southcentral Kentucky. With this new service, patients will no longer have to travel outside the region for minimally-invasive weight loss surgery.

"Obesity is a serious health risk that can lead to a wide range of chronic health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea and more," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center. "The Medical Center Surgical Weight Loss Program will address this growing national problem and help severely obese patients in Southcentral Kentucky improve their health and quality of life."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity rates have rapidly increased over the last 25 years. It is estimated that over 30 percent of Kentucky's population is obese. Patients are considered obese if their body mass index (BMI), which takes into account a person's height and weight, is over 30. Severely obese is defined as a BMI of 35 to 39.9 and morbidly obese as a BMI over 40.

For a patient to be a candidate for weight loss surgery, they must meet specific criteria. A candidate must have a BMI of 40 or more. A BMI of 35 may qualify if other high-risk conditions exist, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Nonsurgical treatments such as dietary programs, behavior modification and exercise have been unsuccessful for the candidate. A candidate must fully understand the surgery, its benefits and risks; be willing to make lifestyle changes to diet and exercise; and, commit to medical follow-up.

The Medical Center worked with John S. Oldham, Jr., M.D., FACS, FASMBS and G. Derek Weiss, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, bariatric surgeons with Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates (BBSA) to establish the Surgical Weight Loss Program. BBSA is a leader in minimally-invasive weight loss surgery, having established successful weight loss surgery programs throughout Kentucky.

"The goal of bariatric surgery is to live better, healthier, and longer," said Dr. John Oldham. "The technically advanced, experienced surgeons at Bluegrass Bariatrics feel strongly that surgery for the debilitating, chronic disease of morbid obesity should be performed in the safest, least invasive means possible. That is why we perform all of our bariatric procedures laparoscopically, a technically challenging minimally-invasive method proven to have less complications than traditional 'open' bariatric surgical procedures."

The Medical Center Surgical Weight Loss Program offers a variety of minimally-invasive surgery options including Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve and ROSE procedure. Each option limits the amount of food a person can eat or decreases the absorption of food, and some options do both.

Because surgery is just one component of a successful weight loss strategy, patients can expect up to six months of preparation before surgery takes place. Surgery is supported by a comprehensive program that includes nutritional counseling, psychological counseling and support group meetings.

Understanding the various surgery options, the benefits and risks, and the program requirements are essential for a weight loss surgery candidate. Free informational seminars are held each month in The Medical Center Auditorium. A bariatric surgeon discusses the surgery options and program components, and an insurance specialist is available to discuss costs, insurance coverage and financing options. The next seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 22 at 6 p.m. Participants can register online at www.TheMedicalCenter.org or call 270-796-6333.

The Medical Center at Scottsville Completes $2.3 Million Expansion

The Medical Center at Scottsville announced today the completion of its expansion project that will enhance services provided to Allen County. The 5,700 square foot expansion estimated at nearly $2.3 million includes new space for the hospital's Physician Specialty Clinics and the addition of a permanent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system.

"Commonwealth Health Corporation and The Medical Center at Scottsville are proud to once again broaden the availability of quality healthcare services to the residents of Scottsville and Allen County," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center at Scottsville. "We are dedicated to improving technology and the availability of medical specialties, enabling residents to stay close to home for quality healthcare services."

"With the growing demand for healthcare services from residents of Allen and surrounding counties, The Medical Center at Scottsville continues to expand to meet those needs both in facilities and services," said Eric Hagan, Vice President of The Medical Center. "Enhancing our diagnostic imaging services with a permanent MRI improves local access to advanced technology for our physicians and patients."

Currently, The Medical Center at Scottsville offers mobile MRI services once a week. The hospital has purchased the EXCELART Vantage MRI system from Toshiba America Medical Systems. The permanent MRI complements the hospital's diagnostic imaging services that recently upgraded to 4D ultrasound and digital mammography.

In addition to the MRI suite, the expansion includes clinical space dedicated to The Medical Center at Scottsville's Physician Specialty Clinics. Currently, the hospital provides space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza to specialists from Bowling Green who see patients on designated days and times each week. Physician Specialty Clinics include cardiology, general surgery, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, and pulmonology.

With the building expansion and relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics, the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic will occupy the entire space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza. Currently, the Rural Health Clinic operates in half of the building while the other half is allocated to the Physician Specialty Clinics.

"The relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics will provide the Rural Health Clinic with much needed space that has the potential to improve patient flow and wait times," said Hagan. The Rural Health Clinic which is staffed by three physicians and two nurse practitioners see an average of 120 patients a day.

Another benefit of the building expansion is the connection of the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital. Rural Health Clinic patients who have diagnostic imaging exams ordered will no longer have to walk between buildings for services. The expansion connects the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital allowing for convenient, interior access to other hospital departments.

The Medical Center at Franklin Completes $4 Million Surgery Expansion

The Medical Center at Franklin announced today the completion of its $4 million surgery expansion project. Renovation and new construction encompassing 9,700 square feet includes two operating suites, an endoscopy suite, a six-bed recovery unit and other surgical support services.

"Commonwealth Health Corporation and The Medical Center at Franklin are proud to once again broaden the availability of quality healthcare services to the residents of Franklin and Simpson County," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center at Franklin. "Raising the level of healthcare with modern facilities and expanded services has been our goal since we acquired the hospital in 2000."

"Enhancing our surgical services will have a major impact on the delivery of healthcare in Franklin and Simpson County," said Clara Sumner, Chief Executive Officer of The Medical Center at Franklin. "Before the expansion, we were limited on the complexity of surgeries that could be performed at the hospital. Now with this new addition, physicians have a modern facility and equipment to perform an array of surgical procedures, reducing the need to refer patients out of Simpson County."

The new expansion provides a more spacious and centralized area dedicated to surgical services and endoscopy. More complicated surgeries can be performed due to expanded space in the surgery suites for large, specialized equipment.

Earlier this year, general surgeon William Daniel, M.D. opened a practice in the Franklin Medical Pavilion on the hospital campus to expand local access to general surgery services. John Korba, M.D., general surgeon with Bluegrass Surgical Associates in Bowling Green, practices in Franklin as part of The Medical Center at Franklin's Physician Specialty Clinics. Beyond general surgery, other specialties that comprise the hospital's Physician Specialty Clinics including orthopaedic surgery, urology, and podiatry will be able to utilize the new surgical area.

Since Commonwealth Health Corporation acquired the Franklin-Simpson Memorial Hospital in April 2000, over $21 million has been invested in The Medical Center at Franklin including the surgery expansion project. Improvements have included 24/7 physician coverage in the Emergency Department, expansion of its diagnostic imaging services, construction of two medical office buildings and construction of a new 25-bed patient wing.

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