Go Red Luncheon celebrates MCSA and healthy living
The Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) Healthy Woman Board hosted their annual Go Red Luncheon yesterday at the El Dorado Conference Center; medical professionals, community activists and others gathered for the heart health awareness fundraiser.
El Dorado Fire Chief Chad Mosby gave the keynote speech, where he described a heart attack he had last year.
“Time is critical,” Mosby said. “Whether you’re having a cardiac event or you’re trying to prevent it. And we all can work together to prevent cardiac events.”
Last Easter, as he celebrated the holiday with his family in Tinsman, Ark., Mosby decided to go for a short run, a regular hobby of his. During his cool down exercise, he began to feel a burning sensation in his chest. The feeling was not quite pain, he said; in fact, he did not experience any of the typical symptoms of a heart attack.
“I noticed that I began to have a burning feeling in my chest, kind of like – the only way I can describe it is like running in cold air and your lungs start burning,” he said. “And the more I sat there, the worse it got.”
Shortly after the burning sensation began, Mosby decided to play it safe and return to El Dorado to get checked out by emergency medical technicians at the fire sta-
tion. On the way back to El Dorado, though, the potential severity of his situation set in and he wound up calling for an ambulance to meet him on the road.
It took only 73 minutes from the time he met the ambulance in Calion until he went into surgery at MCSA, Mosby said. In January, the hospital set a new record when a patient was transported there and put into surgery in 37 minutes.
“There are very few communities in Arkansas that are doing what we’re doing here. … We are making South Arkansas healthier,” Mosby said.
Mosby became emotional towards the end of his speech when he discussed his son Carson’s heart problems. Carson was born with fluid around his heart that had to be surgically removed, Mosby said. MCSA’s first cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Wilson, removed the fluid and Carson has done well since.
“This program has touched my family in ways that I could never, ever express my gratitude for,” he said. “God has put things in place in this community, in my life, in my son’s life and to Him we deserve to give the credit to.”
Amanda Bonsall and her daughter, Marleigh, were also featured at the event. Marleigh, 13 years old, was born with a congenital heart defect that was diagnosed when she was one month old. Despite Amanda Bonsall’s healthy pregnancy, Marleigh weighed less than five pounds at birth.
Marleigh underwent openheart surgery first as an infant and again at four years old. Since then, her health has been good. She also has diabetes, which she is able to manage with a glucose monitor and insulin.
“One day, my dream is to play D1 (Division 1) college soccer at Texas A&M, University of Arkansas or UCLA,” Marleigh said, adding that despite the difficulties she faces when playing sports, she handles it fine.
Amanda Bonsall said she and her husband, Craig, try to set a good example for Marleigh and Madilyn, their oldest daughter. Craig Bonsall said they try to strike a balance between letting their girls be children and having them take responsibility for their health.
“She’s no stranger to putting in some work when she has to, she knows how to do that,” Amanda Bonsall said.
El Dorado Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer made a proclamation declaring yesterday Union County Heart Health Day. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in Arkansas.
“El Dorado, Arkansas men and women need to take action to make heart health a priority for themselves and their families. Become aware of that risk for heart disease and take action for heart health,” Smith-Creer said.
Danna Taylor, vice president of operations at MCSA took time to recognize the cardiologists that serve El Dorado and Union County. She said MCSA will announce new cardiologists soon as well following a recent recruitment drive.
She also talked about Dr. Nicky Pipkin, an MCSA thoracic surgeon who passed away last year. She said he was known for being particularly attentive to patients. In 2014, he performed MCSA’s 500th heart procedure.
“He encouraged everyone he worked with to be the best they could be,” she said. “I think that Dr. Pipkin’s impact can be best summarized in the words written by his longtime nurse and friend, Katie: ‘Whether it be the knowledge he shared with us, the love and care he showed or a heart of a loved one that is still beating today because he repaired it, we are all much better people for knowing him.’”
Scott Street, MCSA CEO, said the hospital has made great strives in recent years to become one of the best health care providers in the state. He asked that anyone with ideas about how to further those objectives feel free to reach out to him.
“Our vision of destination health care is well underway. This means new programs, new services, new facilities, all for us in this room,” Street said. “To grow any organization or to improve any culture, input is required … what I want you to do is give me your feedback. Please take the opportunity to send me input and suggestions on how we can improve.”
In the hallway outside of the Conference Center ballroom, MCSA doctors and staff offered free health screenings and educational materials on different health conditions and treatment options.
Margaret Holzam, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center director at MCSA, discussed MCSA’s hyperbaric chamber, which helps to treat wounds by exposing them to 100 percent oxygen, speeding the healing process. She said expanding the hospital’s wound treatment capabilities has allowed physicians there to help many more people more comprehensively.
“I’m a believer and a half,” she said. “It makes you really proud to make such a big difference in their quality of life.”
Ken Kelley, ProMed Ambulance President and CEO, was also there; he discussed a pilot program the ambulance service has that allows EMTs to video conference live with doctors in Little Rock when transporting a stroke patient. The doctor is then able to order CT (computerized tomography) scans or blood clot medicine immediately.
Inside the ballroom, a silent auction took place before the Go Red program began. Items like spa packages, artwork and champagne were available for those in attendance to bid on. Additionally, MurphyPitard Jewelers donated a 1.5 karat necklace that was raffled off at the event.
The event was held to shine a light on good heart health. Risk factors for heart attacks can include a family history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, smoking and chest pain, among others.
Literature available at the event emphasizes prevention as the best way to stay healthy. Staying active, eating healthily and monitoring one’s health are all recommendations for preventing future heart problems.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or cbutler@eldoradonews.com.