T.J. Samson | Destination Health | April 2019

April 2019 3 Wellness T.J. Health Columbia is a vital part of this community The community spoke, and we listened. With your valuable feedback on areas of opportunity for improvement, some signifi- cant changes are taking place at T.J. Regional Health facilities in Columbia. One of the most sweeping changes occurred on Jan. 1, 2019, in T.J. Health Columbia’s Emergency Department when a new group of board-certified physicians came onboard and began treating patients.These new physicians are committed to excel- lence and will strive to serve the community with the highest quality emergency care that meets or exceeds your standards and expectations. In addition to this change in the Emergency Department, in- patient beds are open, and our team is providing compassionate care to patients on a daily basis. In response to community health care needs, more provid- ers are available locally, including specialists in the areas of Pulmonology, Cardiology, OB- GYN and Sleep Medicine. And finally, more than a million dollars has been invested in facility and equipment up- grades and electronic documentation updates at the hospital and at T.J.’s Columbia Primary Care and Columbia Clinic. In every community, the local hospital is vitally important, not only for the health care services they provide, but for their contribution to the local economy. T.J. Health Colum- bia and the two local clinics owned and operated by T.J. Regional Health are no exception. As patient volume grows and new services are added, more employees have also joined the T.J. Regional Health family. In fact, from 2016 to 2018, payroll at the local hospital in- creased by 78.5 percent.The jobs and the payroll they generate have a “ripple effect” as they move through the larger economy, supporting other businesses and jobs in the community through the purchase of goods and services. Total Local Care is more than just a tagline. Our commitment to this community and to providing high quality health care for your entire family is unwavering. We are invested in this community and are here to serve patients for decades to come. Change is often a good thing, and many positive changes are taking place at T.J. Health Columbia. I invite you to come see the difference. Sincerely, Neil Thornbury, CEO T.J. Regional Health Neil Thornbury, CEO T.J. Regional Health Some things naturally seem to go together. Bread and butter. Salt and pepper. Even red, white and blue. When it comes to your health, certain things are often seen together too— particularly risk factors. Metabolic syndrome is a good example. Metabolic syndrome is the name given to a group of risk factors that often occur together and increase your chances for developing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 1 in 4 American adults has the syndrome. However, it’s possible to have it and not know it.That—and the fact that you can take steps to prevent or delay the conditions linked to meta- bolic syndrome—is why it’s so important to learn about it. MAKING A DIAGNOSIS To have metabolic syndrome, you must be diag- nosed with three or more of the following: ●  ● A large waistline, which is defined as 40 inches or more for a man and 35 inches or more for a woman. ●  ● A high triglyceride level (or you’re on medi- cine to treat it). ●  ● A low HDL cholesterol level (or you’re on medicine to treat it). ●  ● A higher-than-normal blood pressure (or you’re on medicine to treat it). ●  ● A high fasting blood sugar level (or you’re on medicine to treat it). CHANGING YOUR FUTURE Fortunately, if you do develop metabolic syn- drome, lifestyle changes and medications can help you control it. You’ll want to lose weight if you’re overweight, quit smoking if you smoke and, with your pri- mary care provider’s approval, be more physically active. Also key is eating a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegeta- bles and is low in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt. Your provider can help you make these lifestyle changes. He or she may also recommend that you take medicines. Take charge now Metabol i c syndrome COME SEE THE DIFFERENCE Community Comes First T.J. HEALTH COLUMBIA CLINIC 902 Westlake Drive • Columbia, KY 270.384.0451 T.J. HEALTH COLUMBIA PRIMARY CARE 810 Jamestown Street • Columbia, KY 270.384.4764 T.J. HEALTH COLUMBIA 901 Westlake Drive • Columbia, KY 270.384.4753