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Controlling Pain
or some it is sharp and short-lived. For others, long-lasting pain has
become a debilitating component of their daily lives.
Acute pain generally does not last long. Rest and appropriate medications usually
relieve the symptoms and lead to a cure. But
when acute pain persists for a long period of
time, it has become chronic and may cause
stress, family and job tension and disruption
of everyday activities.
That’s when it’s time to visit the Pain
Treatment Center at Houston Medical Center,
a multi-disciplinary' pain-management facility
that offers chronic pain sufferers the chance
for a better quality of life.
Directed by four board-certified
anesthesiologists on staff at Houston Medical
Center, the Pain Treatment Center takes the
team approach to treating many types of
chronic pain which do not require surgical correction. The center’s individualized
programs utilize special pain control measures that are progressive and proven,
helping patients reduce and manage their pain.
“We don’t usually get rid of anybody’s pain entirely,” said Dr. Doug
Culverhouse, Chief of Anesthesiology at Houston Medical Center. “We work towards
reduction in the amount of pain and ways to cope with it.”
Dr. Culverhouse and three other anesthesiologists Dr. Hunt Sanders, Dr. Jim
Dawson and Dr. Norman Worsley head the center, which also includes referring
physicians as part of the multi-disciplinary network.
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Make a difference! Houston Healthcare Complex has been selected as a
satellite site for the national Women’s Health Initiative study through Emory
University. This 15-year research study focuses on strategies for preventing
major diseases unique to women: heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer
and osteoporosis.
Until now, women’s health research focused mainly on diseases affecting
fertility and reproduction.
Now, all that’s about to change. Over the next several years, more than
160,000 postmenopausal women throughout the United States will participate
in the $628 million study. Called the “most definitive, far-reaching study of
women’s health ever undertaken,” the Women’s Health Initiative will attempt
to redress many of the inequities in women’s health research and provide
practical information to women and their doctors about hormone replacement
therapy, dietary patterns and calcium/vitamin D supplements.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to offer women in Houston County
and the Middle Georgia area the chance to improve the health of future
generations of women,” said Beth Jones, RNC, Director of Community
Education at Houston Healthcare Complex.
“This study is the premiere research in women’s health. It will give us the
ouslon Healthcare Complex offers a comprehensive range of Diapostic Imaging Services including:
Diagnostic Radiology Mammography
CT Scan Bone Densitometry
Ultrasound Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine Specialized and Geographic
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR!) Procedures
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Robert J. Bolotin , Ml)
Dr. Balotin graduated from
New York Medical College
and completed his internship
and residency at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center in
Washington. DC. He is Board
Certified by the American
Board of Radiology.
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G. Wayne Bohanan, Ml)
Dr. Bohanan is a graduate of the
University of Georgia and the
Medical College of Georgia. He
completed his internship and
residency at the Macon Hospital,
the Medical College of Georgia
and at Eugene Talmadge
Memorial Hospital in Augusta.
Dr. Bohanan is Board Certified
by the American Board of
Radiology.
William A. Bootle. Ml)
Dr. Bootle is a Mercer
University graduate. He
attended medical school at
Tulane University and
completed his internship at
Charity Hospital in New
Orleans. Dr. Bootle completed
his residency at Grady Hospital
in Atlanta and is Board Certified
by the American Board of
Radiology.
Open since April, the Pain Treatment Center lakes patients only through referrals
from a primary care physician. Patients are then evaluated by one of the centers
Following the evaluation, the anesthesiologist often in conjunction w ith other
physicians, physical therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists works out a
treatment plan, which may include nerve blocks, medications, physical or
occupational therapy and counseling.
When necessary, the Houston Pain Treatment Center also calls upon die expertise
of several other medical specialists who can help reduce or eliminate pain, including
orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons, radiologists, gynecologists, internists,
neurologists and neurosurgeons.
Registered nurses coordinate the activities of the various specialists and help to
monitor patient progress. Nurses also educate patients about the role of activity,
weight reduction and diet play in their treatment plan.
Because chronic pain can also affect other people in the patient’s life, spouses and
significant others are encouraged to participate in treatment programs.
Treatment goals of the Pain Management Center are:
Providing a multi-treatment approach
Decreasing Medication
Increasing Activitv
Encouraging Patient Responsibility
Impro ring Communication
Encouraging normal activities
The Pain Treatment Center, which features a waiting room and two treatment
rooms, is located within the Outpatient Surgery Center.
This is an advancement in medical care," Dr. Culverhouse said. "It now gives
patients a place in Houston County to treat chronic pain instead of having to go out
of town."
For more information about the Pain Treatment Center at Houston Medical
Center, call 329-3451
answers about breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis that will make a
difference in the lives of our daughters and granddaughters,” she said.
Participation in the Women’s Health Initiative Study is open to women who
are between the ages of 55 and 79 and who have gone through menopause.
Women interested in joining the study will be scheduled for several study
visits in which information will be taken on medical history and general health
habits, a brief physical exam and some blood tests. Based on the results,
women may be able to join at least one of the following programs:
Participants in this study are asked to follow either their usual
eating pattern or an eating pattern low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables
and grains.
In this program, participants are asked to take either hormone
pills or inactive pills (placebos). Those already on hormone therapy should ask
their doctor before joining the study.
Participants are asked to take either calcium and
Vitamin D pills or inactive pills. Only women in the Dietary or Hormone
programs may join this program.
For those unable to join the other programs, health
habits and medical history will be monitored during the study.
For more information or to participate in the study, call EduCare at
923-9771, or call the Women’s Health Initiative toll-free at 1-800-549-6636.
hese tests and procedures are viewed and interpreted by a
staff of board certified radiologists who have undergone
specialized training in diagnostic imaging.
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Scott M. Stephen . Ml)
A graduate of the University of
Massachusetts Medical School,
Dr Stephen completed his
internship and residency at
Harvard Medical School in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. He
is Board Certified by the
American Board of Radiology.
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Gary M. Suhr, Ml)
Dr. Suhr graduated from the
University of California Medical
School, in Los Angeles. He
completed his internship at the
Medical Cenier of Central
Georgia. He completed his
residency and a fellowship in
neuroradiology at the University
of South Alabama Medical
Center in Mobile. Dr Suhr is
Board Certified by the American
Board of Radiology.
Ada P Wang, MD
Dr. Wang graduated from
Cornell University and New
York Medical College. She
completed her internship at
Washington Hospital Center in
Washington. DC and her
residency at the University of
Maryland. Dr. Wang is Board
Certified by the American Board
of Radiology.