Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of three hospitals, recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, in addition to primary and specialty care physician offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services and comprehensive home health services.
HealthBreak is a community health education segment sponsored by Dignity Health Central Coast that features a local physicians and other health care professionals discussing health care topics, procedures, and treatments.
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In the past, many people with atrial fibrillation have needed one procedure to correct their heart rhythm and blood thinner medications or another procedure to lower their risk of strokes. But now, Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Brett Gidney says Dignity Health Central Coast can perform these two procedures at once for some patients. Even combined, the procedures are both minimally invasive. These techniques help patients recover faster. And with their regular heart rhythm restored, people feel better and can be more active.
When a woman has a mastectomy, nerves are cut which could result in permanent chest or breast numbness. But Surgical Breast Oncologist Dr. Julie Barone from Marian Regional Medical Center explains how they are addressing this complication. Even some of the nerves that must be cut to completely remove the breast and the cancer can be repaired. Dignity Health is one of the first to perform these nerve-sparing procedures on the Central Coast.
When Katie Limoli reached 324 pounds, with high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pain, she knew she needed help losing weight. She chose Marian Regional Medical Center and weight loss surgeon Dr. Carol McCloskey. She chose the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and is feeling healthier now than ever before.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury which needs careful monitoring before a person can safely return to activity. Dr. Thomas Rehder from the Family Medicine Center at Marian Regional Medical Center says headache is only one of the most common symptoms. Concussion rehabilitation should start somewhere between two and seven days after the injury takes place.
French Hospital Medical Center is expanding to meet the growing medical needs of the Central Coast. President and CEO Sue Andersen says their current plans are simply a continuation of their 80-plus years of commitment to our community.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can arise suddenly with severe symptoms. Rheumatologist Dr. Attiya Randolph explains what causes gout. If you’ve had gout or you have a family history, talk to your doctor about diet and lifestyle modifications that could lower your risk of chronic episodes.
Medicines have long been the first option used to treat the irregular heart rhythm atirial fibrillation; but for some patients, the side effects are severe. Fortunately French Hospital Medical Center Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Ragesh Panikkath says there are ways to treat AFib without medications. French Hospital has advanced cardiac mapping capabilities that help doctors pinpoint these ablation treatments. Cardiac ablation is usually an outpatient procedure.
The human body’s ability to move is nothing short of a miracle. But we often take that ability for granted until an injury or illness takes it away, according to Neurological Surgeon Dr. David Yeh from French Hospital Medical Center. When conservative options fail to provide relief and surgery becomes an option, a good surgeon will look for ways to preserve the movement of the spine. New surgical equipment, smaller instruments, and minimally invasive techniques are making motion-preserving spine surgeries much more common.
Urogynecology is one of the newest subspecialties in medicine. Dr. Brett Lebed from Marian Regional Medical Center explains the advantages of combining the training of a urologist and a gynecologist. Dr. Lebed is the only board specialized urogynecologist on the Central Coast.
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm, and can cause fatigue, passing out, strokes, or eventually heart failure. Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Brett Gidney says Marian Regional Medical Center is leading the way in treating AFib. Marian Regional Medical Center tailors therapy to each patient, with options ranging from medication therapy to complicated ablation procedures or even Watchman device implantations.
In a knee with osteoarthritis, the body grows new blood vessels around the injured areas. But these arteries actually tend to cause more fluid build-up, which damages cartilage and causes pain. Fortunately, Interventional Radiologist Dr. Aaron McBride says Dignity Health Central Coast is now offering a non-surgical treatment option to provide relief. Patients can go home a few hours after the procedure.
If you are scheduled to have a surgery, it’s important your surgeon and anesthesiologist know what medications you’ve been taking. Dr. Shawn Fouhy from French Hospital Medical Center says that’s especially important for people taking GLP-1 medications. Because GLP-1’s slow the movement of food through your system, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them for a brief period before your surgery.
Katie Limoli says she struggled with her weight her whole life, but after the Covid pandemic, when she reached 324 pounds, she decided to reach out for help. She turned to weight loss surgeon Dr. Carol McCloskey at Marian Regional Medical Center, which in turn, improved her mindset and her physical health. In 3 years she’s lost 180 pounds and now goes on backpacking trips, soon to even be climbing Mount Whitney.
When a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, SLO Oncology and Hematology Health Center offers much more than just a plan for medical care. Oncology Nurse Practitioner Grace Thompson Bell says they offer many tools to help a person with the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of their cancer journey as well. These services can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can overwhelm a patient and their family.
As obesity rates in America increase, another condition on the rise is called Fatty Liver Disease. Dr. Omar Viramontes from Marian Regional Medical Center talks about how common it’s becoming. If you have any risk factors, such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, ask your doctor for a quick and easy ultrasound screening.
With osteoporosis, there are almost no symptoms that a person’s bones are weakening until they suffer a fracture. That’s why Dr. Attiya Randolph from Dignity Health Central Coast says screening is so important. Men over the age of 70 and women over 65 should be getting screening bone density scans about every 2 years. A dexascan is quick imaging test requiring no needles or IV’s that can help a doctor measure bone density. Dignity Health offers options to stabilize and grow your bone density.
The Family Medicine Clinic at Marian Regional Medical Center offers a Sports Medicine Clinic as well. It’s designed for anyone who wants to stay active but is dealing with an injury. Dr. Thomas Rehder says one of their unique offerings is called Point of Care Ultrasound. A point-of-care ultrasound can make a diagnosis faster and help avoid more expensive tests like a CT or MRI. Plus, ultrasound can help in treating the pain as well.
Marian Regional Medical Center is a Level 2 Trauma Center, meaning they’re prepared to deal with the most serious injuries, including broken bones. Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon Dr. Brian Kistler talks about managing complex fractures. And in an emergency involving broken bones, it’s important to get care as quickly as possible.
An unusual bend in a toe, sometimes called a hammertoe, is caused by ligaments that weaken and allow muscles to pull the bones out of alignment. Fortunately, there is a way to correct a hammertoe with a minimally invasive surgery, according to Orthopedic Surgeon and Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr. Ryan Filler. The surgery is designed to both relieve a person’s pain and restore mobility — and recovery is much faster with this minimally invasive approach.
If you’re wondering what your risk of heart disease or heart attack might look like, Marian Regional Medical Center offers a quick, non-invasive way to find out. Dr. Kirsten Shaw describes calcium scoring, which looks at how much calcium you have deposited in your heart and arteries and how dense that calcium is. Doctors can then use a calcium score to guide a patient’s care plan and determine the intensity of treatment needed.
French Hospital Medical Center has earned the Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from the Joint Commission and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Orthopedic Program Coordinator Morgan Olexson explains what this means for patients. All patients have an orthopedic nurse navigator to help them prepare for the procedure and guide them through the recovery process. Advanced technology is also helping make total hip and total knee replacements at French more precise than ever before.
French Hospital Medical Center offers a minimally invasive method of treating some liver cancers from inside the liver, meaning patients can avoid surgery. Interventional Radiologist Dr. Karan Gulaya says it’s called Y90 radioembolization. Y90 can be used to treat some cancers that arise in livers with extensive cirrhosis and also in some cancers that have started elsewhere in the body such as in the colon, and spread to the liver. For patients with no other options because their tumor is too large to be removed surgically, Y90 at French Hospital Medical Center may help shrink the cancer. It can also be used to help bridge a patient to a liver transplant.
Interstitial Lung Disease is an umbrella term for any condition that causes inflammation and progressive scarring of the lungs. Pulmonary and Critical Care Dr. Allison Ramsey says it can be difficult to diagnosis, but it is treatable. Dignity Health offers many specialists to help patients find the best treatments for interstitial lung disease.
It’s Spring on the Central Coast, and that means seasonal allergies are back. Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Dr. Matthew Lelegren from Marian Regional Medical Center explains when you might need to see a doctor for allergy relief. A visit to a specialist is critical, because no two patients are exactly the same, and treatment must be specific to be effective. If surgery is needed, the technology and techniques are much improved compared to years past.
When faced with a cancer diagnosis, many patients today are choosing traditional Western medicine treatments plus what is known as complementary medicine. Dr. Tom Spillane says French Hospital Medical Center can help with both types of care. Patients should always be open with their doctors about complementary therapies they want to try, so they can be integrated into their overall care plan. Fortunately, the Central Coast has many complementary medicine options.
Marian Regional Medical Center is offering a new, less invasive way of treating carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. Dr. Marie Dusch, the first in the Central Coast to offer this technique, describes Ultrasound Guided Treatment, which greatly decreases recovery times needed.
A bunion forms when the bones at the base of the big toe move out of their regular position, causing a bump on the outside of the joint that can make wearing shoes painful. Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr. Ryan Filler from French Hospital Medical Center explains when someone should consider surgery. Fortunately, French Hospital offers a minimally invasive surgical option that can relive the pain. New technology at French makes this option better than traditional surgeries. That means benefits for the patients during the recovery phase and a faster return to normal activities.
Nurse Practitioners have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and then at least 2 more additional years of training, preparing them to diagnose and treat most health conditions, including writing prescriptions. Family Nurse Practitioner Ashley Wells from Marian Regional Medical Center talks about the many things she does for her patients. Nurse Practitioners are trained in holistic medicine — treating the whole person, not only a disease. Nurse Practitioners can order diagnostic testing and prescribe medications as well.
French Hospital Medical Center has been using robotic technology to assist surgeons in hip and knee replacement procedures. Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Dimitri Delagrammaticus says that as this method has gained popularity, their patients are reaping the benefits. This technology allows surgeons to modify each surgery plan to fit the unique anatomy of each patient. These surgical benefits then translate to benefits for patients in recovery and their future quality of life.
The aorta is the main vessel carrying blood to the lower half of the body. Many people are at risk for an aortic aneurysm, a section of the vessel that balloons out and could burst. Dr. Matthew Georgis talks about how these aneurysms can be treated at Marian Regional Medical Center. These techniques are much better for patients than the traditional large incision into the belly which required extensive recovery time. Ask your doctor if you might be at risk for an aortic aneurysm and if you should have a simple screening ultrasound.
French Hospital Medical Center has earned an Advanced Certification from the Joint Commission for their specialization in hip and knee total joint replacements. Orthopedic Program Coordinator Morgan Olexson explains how they work to ensure their patients receive the best care possible. The Nurse Navigator will also visit you during your time in the hospital.
Dignity Health knows that the best healthcare extends outside the walls of the hospital to where people live and feel most comfortable. Vice President of Post-Acute Services Dr. Kathleen Sullivan says that’s why they offer Dignity Health Home Health and Hospice Care. If someone is given less than six months to live, Dignity Health offers palliative and hospice care options that many home care services don’t.
Dignity Health provides high-level, high-quality cancer care across the Central Coast. Dr. Tom Spillane talks about the experts, technology, and treatments they provide. Statistics now show around 40% of all people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, so this care has a broad and lasting impact for our community.
If you’ve ever seen a movie or TV show in which a character has a heart attack, it’s often a dramatic clutching of the chest with a painful scream. But Dr. Kirsten Shaw from Marian Regional Medical Center says these portrayals can be misleading. There’s good news when comparing the outcomes of Hollywood Heart Attacks to real treatments available at places like Marian Regional Medical Center, who has been nationally recognized for heart attack care.
Have you made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, but aren’t making strides with medications or diet changes? Dr. Carol McCloskey from Marian Regional Medical Center offers some advice. Marian Regional offers a comprehensive weight loss surgery program that includes dietary, exercise, and psychological guidance before and long after the procedure.
Whether age or injury has taken a toll on your joints, the results can be debilitating. That’s where our experts come in. Dignity Health Central Coast's orthopedic specialists are here to help you feel your best, working with you to get to the source of your discomfort and developing a personalized treatment plan so you can seize every hop, skip or jump life has planned for you ahead.
Take our online assessment and find out if it’s time to talk to your doctor about joint replacement.
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At Dignity Health Central Coast, we put our heart into healing yours, combining advanced cardiac services with a personalized level of care and compassion. Whether it’s a routine screening or serious heart concern, we are committed to helping you write your next chapter.
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Find a Dignity Health doctor to help you get back to the things you love.
