Latest News

July 18, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center’s Healthy Families and Healthy Babies programs, in partnership with the East Yavapai Breastfeeding Coalition (EYBFC), are hosting the first annual Verde Valley World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) Celebration. The event will take place on Friday, Aug. 1, in VVMC’s Outpatient lobby, 10 a.m.-noon.

WBW is a worldwide event started in 1992 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide.

The EYBFC is a local group of lactation professionals with a mission to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding rates in the Verde Valley through education and support. Community agencies will be in attendance to provide information on how their organizations are available to assist families meet their breastfeeding goals and practical needs. Some of these include VVMC’s Healthy Families and Healthy Babies, WIC, Yavapai County Health Start, Parenting Arizona, La Leche League and others. Lactation professionals will be available to answer questions, and small giveaway items will be distributed.

In celebration of WBW, every baby born at VVMC during the month of August will receive a complimentary onesie, through the VVMC Lactation Fund and the EYBFC.

Please join VVMC to show support and learn how you can support families and promote the many benefits of breastfeeding. For more information, please call Maya at 928 301-3323 or Karen at 928 202-1216.

For assistance with a breastfeeding issue, please call the EYBFC Warmline at 928 639-6662.

July 16, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center invites the community to its “Heart of the Matter” education topic Tuesday, July 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This month’s lecture, “Cardiac Arrest,” will be presented by James Dwyer, M.D., interventional cardiologist.

Cardiac arrest kills half of all people who die of heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack; rather, it is a devastating event in which the heart abruptly and without warning ceases to function. There are no known or reliable indicators that occur immediately before cardiac arrest that give people enough warning to seek emergency help. There are, however, a number of symptoms that may indicate a person is at increased risk for sudden cardiac death. Learn about the risk factors of cardiac arrest and approaches to treatment including continuous chest compression CPR and hypothermia therapy.

The free program will be presented at VVMC in Conference rooms B and C. Preregistration is not required. If you have questions or would like more information about VVMC’s cardiac health and fitness lecture topics, please call Sue Bridge, 639-6322.

July 10, 2008

Elizabeth Palomino recently joined the staff of Verde Valley Medical Center as new director of the Radiology department. In her position, she will be responsible for oversight and management of the Medical Imaging areas of the hospital which include CT scan, X-ray, nuclear medicine, MRI, PET, ultrasound, bone density, and mammography. Palomino also will be managing the coordination of the relocation of the current Medical Imaging department to the first floor of the new four-story east tower.

“I’m excited to be here during this time of transition. Having an expanded department with new equipment will benefit the community, and allow us to provide better customer service – to our patients and families, our physicians and our colleagues,” Palomino said.

Palomino’s education includes a Bachelor of Professional Science degree from Barry University, Port St. Lucie, Fla., and a Master’s of Science degree with an emphasis in healthcare from Central Michigan University, West Plains, Mo.

Her work experience includes a number of director and administrative director positions for hospitals and medical centers in Florida and Missouri where she was responsible for the implementation, oversight and management of radiology and cardiovascular programs, systems, and technologies.

Prior to relocating to the Verde Valley, Palomino served five years as vice president of operations and chief operating officer of the Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, Mo. where one of her many accomplishments was the redesign and renovation of the entire Medical Imaging department.

July 08, 2008

In partnership with Midwestern University’s Glendale campus, Verde Valley Medical Center now is providing learning opportunities to third and fourth year medical students. Midwestern University is the largest medical school in Arizona. Howard Shulman, D.O., associate dean for postdoctoral education at Midwestern said, “We are so pleased to be able to send our students to VVMC, one of the premier hospitals in Arizona. We look forward to continuing and expanding our partnership into the future.”

The students will be rotating throughout the hospital on a monthly basis, and will be performing histories and physicals, consultations, and minor medical procedures under the direct supervision of members of the VVMC Medical Staff.

Medical students must complete four years of undergraduate study, the first two of which are classroom-based, followed by two years of clinical study in hospitals and/or physician offices. Students choose a specialty before moving on to a residency program, which can last three to seven years, after which they are eligible to take state boards to become certified as a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.).

According to VVMC Chief of Staff Kevin Wilson, M.D., “Having these students at the medical center is a win-win situation for everyone. The field of medicine is ever-changing, so we all benefit by constantly learning in order to remain current. As physicians, teaching enhances our own capabilities. It also is good for the community and recruitment – these students may become Cottonwood’s future physicians.”

July 3, 2008

Don Nelms of Farmer’s Insurance in Sedona recently awarded the Healthy Families program at Verde Valley Medical Center $1,000 for its Diapers and Dreams Program.

“The Diapers and Dreams Program was established to help Verde Valley families become more self-sufficient and promote better quality of life while providing opportunities for advancement in education, employment and personal development,” said Lance Spears, a supervisor in the Healthy Families Program. “The Farmer’s Group first became involved in 2006 when they heard about our family-related programs and wanted to help. Nelms and Dorothy O’Brien, Farmers marketing representative, have helped raise $3,500 for the program since then.”

“We plan to continue to raise funds and awareness,” said Nelms. “Our plans include utilizing more community support to aid in resources available to the programs.”

Young parents face many different challenges, and often struggle just to provide basic needs for their children – one of the most costly being diapers. Many parents put their dreams on hold when children come into their lives. Some have dropped out of high school, left college or lost jobs as the result of becoming a parent. The Healthy Families program believes parents should be able to pursue their dreams. The Diapers and Dreams program was developed to help families become more self-sufficient. It promotes better quality of life while providing opportunities for advancement in education, employment and personal development.

To learn more about the Healthy Family programs, call Lance Spears at 639-6657.

July 3, 2008

For an unprecedented third time, Verde Valley Medical Center has been presented the C.H. William Ruhe, M.D. Award by the American Medical Association (AMA). This award recognizes meritorious achievement and innovation in continuing medical education programs in Arizona. VVMC is the only rural hospital in the state to receive the award.

Since the commencement of VVMC’s program, the CME committee has been viewed as one of the most effective, quality providers of continuing medical education. James Swain, M.D., chairman of the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Committee on Accreditation and Medical Education said, “…the longevity of the VVMC CME leadership and staff is to be commended and lends to the excellence of the program…the revision to Exemplary Status is not easily achieved, and your CME program should be proud as we find VVMC to be one of the best in the State of Arizona.”

To be eligible for the award, a provider must be accredited in Arizona by the AMA and ArMA. An award recipient is recognized for achievement of high standards in its overall CME program, and for outstanding creativity and successful implementation of new ideas that enhance compliance with the Essential Areas of Education as set forth by the Committee on Accreditation and Medical Education.

Members of VVMC’s CME committee include Debby Castro, Medical Staff Services coordinator; Peg Crowell, R.N., risk manager; Donald Curran, D.O.; Karen Fanning, Library associate/CME coordinator; Jay Fleishman, M.D.; Bridgett Gollogly, R.N., Education; Kim Hemphill, R.N., director/Senior Lifestyles Behavioral Health; Henry Kaldenbaugh, M.D.; Cory Krueger, M.D.; Devin Mikles, M.D., chairman; Terence Mueller, M.D.; and Alan Wilson, M.D.

June 30, 2008

Steven J. Kurzweil, M.D., urologist, recently joined the Medical Staff of Verde Valley Medical Center. Board certified in urology, Dr. Kurzweil received his medical degree from the Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines. He completed his internship and two years of general surgery at the Harlem Hospital Center, New York, followed by a residency in urology at the University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.  Dr. Kurzweil then completed a fellowship in stone disease and endourology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Dr. Kurzweil is a member of the American Urology Association and the Luzerne County Medical Society in Pennsylvania. His clinical interests include stone disease, erectile dysfunction, cancer and infertility.

Prior to moving to the Verde Valley, Dr. Kurzweil had been in private practice since 1988 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He now will be located at 294 W. State Route 89A, Ste. 208, Cottonwood, 649-7970. He is joined by his partner of nine years and fellow urologist, Michael A. Campenni, D.O.

June 2, 2008

   Eric D. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I., interventional cardiologist, recently joined Northern Arizona Healthcare. NAH is the largest healthcare system in Northern Arizona, and is the parent company of Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center. Dr. Cohen will care for patients at both FMC and VVMC. With the addition of Dr. Cohen, NAH is embarking on a more regionalized approach to the delivery of cardiovascular services, including diagnostic and interventional catheterization for cardiac and vascular disease, and cardiothoracic surgical procedures.
   A native of New York, Dr. Cohen is board-certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency training at Albany Medical College. After a fellowship program in Invasive and Laboratory Cardiology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dr. Cohen returned to Albany Medical College to finish another fellowship in Clinical and Laboratory Cardiology.
   Prior to moving to Arizona, Dr. Cohen spent 20 years in private practice as an interventional cardiologist with Cardiovascular Associates P.C. and with Heart South Cardiovascular Group, both in Birmingham, Ala. Before going into private practice, Dr. Cohen held the positions of attending cardiologist and assistant professor of Medicine at Albany Medical College and Medical Center. He also was an attending cardiologist, chairman of Critical Care for the Medical College Program at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, and co-director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at St. Peter’s Hospital. 
   Dr. Cohen is a published author of numerous medical articles, case reports and reviews. He is heavily involved with research and development pertaining to interventional device progress, and will be bringing that interest to Northern and Central Arizona. He has lectured across the United States and internationally regarding technologies and serves as consultant for multiple companies specializing in interventional device equipment.
   Dr. Cohen is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama Jefferson County Medical Society and the Arizona Medical Society. He also is a charter member of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.
   Dr. Cohen’s special interests include coronary and non-coronary cardiac interventions, peripheral vascular angiography and intervention, aortic endografts, limb salvage procedures, venous intervention and carotid stenting.
   For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cohen please call 928 773-2150 in Flagstaff, 928 649-7910 in the Verde Valley or 1 800 270-2150.