Hartford Business Journal

22 Hartford Business Journal • August 27, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 26 Hartford Business Journal • August 27, 2018 www.HartfordBusiness.com SPONSORED CONTENT Custom cardiac care Most women are not aware that they face unique heart issues that are not the same as what men face. However, the American Heart Association lists heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women — so Saint Francis Hospital doing its part to put a special focus on this important area of women's health. The Women's Heart Program at the Comprehensive Women's Health Center is headed by Dr. Anita Kelsey. With a free education session to any woman over 18, a cardiologist, registered dietician, registered nurse and exercise physiologist help each patient set goals and be proactive in reducing heart- disease risk. Integrative Medicine At the Comprehensive Women's Health Center, integrative medicine — which takes the whole patient and her lifestyle into account — helps patients on their healing journey, comforting them through cancer or guiding them toward optimal wellness. The center's modalities include massage therapy, art therapy, energy therapy, meditation, acupuncture and reflexology. Sharon O'Brien is founder and program director of the Center of Integrative Medicine, as well as the Comprehensive Women's Health Center's assistant director. Unique programs are offered in both group setting and one-on-one so that they are tailored to the needs of the patient, explained O'Brien. She went on to say that physician-guided stress management, classes in how to heal faster after surgery, sessions on healing through music and drumming circles are just a few of the programs which bring together patients who are going through similar health challenges. Dedicated infusion suite The Comprehensive Women's Infusion Center is another area with a vibe all its own; it's relaxing, peaceful and comfortable for women receiving chemotherapy infusions for breast or gynecologic cancers. "These patients need to make frequent visits to the center for their treatments, so they often see familiar faces and end up developing relationships with each other, making it a much more pleasant experience for them," said Bailey. Staffed by Saint Francis/Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center, the infusion center also has an intake coordinator to provide personalized attention. Also anchoring the Comprehensive Women's Health Center are the Trinity Health Of New England Medical Groups, including Gynecologic Oncology, Urogynecology, and Breast Plastic Surgery. Women requiring treatment, needing surgery or recovering from gynecologic cancers, pelvic-floor disorders or incontinence benefit not only from the outstanding quality of care at the center, but also its innovation — such as minimally invasive, robotic surgeries — all within the same location where they have been receiving other services through the years. Where myriad aspects of comprehensive care come together to form a successful model, the center's main goal is simple, said Bailey. "Women are known to put everyone around them first, letting their own needs fall by the wayside. We understand that and feel it is incredibly important to provide a way to make it easier for women to take care of themselves," said Bailey. "We are constantly assessing, growing, looking at evolving needs, addressing them as they develop and as research warrants, all in order to continue to be the top choice in women's health care in the region." ● Pictured from left to right, in the Comprehensive Women's Health Center's serenity space, members of the gynecologic oncology team, physician assistant Laura Kozol, Dr. Allan Mayer, chief of gynecologic oncology, Dr. Karyn Hansen, Dr. Phillip Roland, physician leader of Woman & Infant Services. Not pictured, Dr. Melissa Henretta. "We saw a chance here to create something special for women in our community." - Laura Bailey

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