To view the latest photos of the construction site, please click http://mercywest.com/gallery/ and scroll to Construction Photos

To register for these free community seminars, please call 95-MERCY (513-956-3729) and press option 2 and then option 1 or visit e-mercy.com (unless otherwise noted in the listings).

HEART CARE

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Tuesday, May 21
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Harrison Medical Center
10450 New Haven Rd., Harrison, Ohio 45030
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Thursday, May 23
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Mt. Airy Hospital
2446 Kipling Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Tuesday, June 4
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Western Hills Hospital
3131 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Tuesday, June 25
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Mt. Airy Hospital
2446 Kipling Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Tuesday, July 2
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Western Hills Hospital
3131 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

Mercy Health – Mobile Heart Screenings Bus
Wednesday, July 31
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mercy Health — Mt. Airy Hospital
2446 Kipling Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239
To register, visit mercyhealthfair.com or call 1-855-641-TEST (8378).

CANCER CARE

Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Tuesday, May 21
6 – 7 p.m.
Dr. Pamina Kim and Dr. Suzanne Partridge
Mercy Health — Mt. Airy Hospital, Rooms ABCD
2446 Kipling Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239

Lung Cancer: Are You at Risk? Prevention and Treatment
Thursday, June 20
6 – 7 p.m.
Dr. Mary Ellen McCullough
Mercy Health — Western Hills HealthPlex, Rooms A&B
3131 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238

Sleep Disorders

Sleep Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Thursday, May 30
6 – 7 p.m.
Dr. Shyamsunder Subramanian
Mercy Health — Western Hills HealthPlex, Rooms A&B
3131 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238

Neurology

Get Relief From Headaches
Tuesday, June 4
6 – 7 p.m.
Dr. Zainab Contractor
Mercy Health — Western Hills HealthPlex, Rooms A&B
3131 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238

To meet Dr. Contractor, please click http://youtu.be/FSX4bSOSdkY

How did you become interested in cardiothoracic surgery?
After joining the research lab of a cardiac surgeon, I was inspired to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery.

How long have you been performing open heart surgery?
I’ve been in practice for more than 10 years in Cincinnati performing cardiac and thoracic surgery.

You have a special interest in women’s health. Why?
The prevalence of heart disease in women was underestimated for many years. Women were diagnosed later in the disease process and traditionally had poorer outcomes as a result. Educating the community is therefore imperative to bring timely care to female patients.

What are you most looking forward to at the new Mercy Health – West Hospital?
Bringing exceptional cardiothoracic surgical care to the West side community.

What is the most rewarding part of your profession?
Seeing patients recover well from surgery and resume meaningful activities.

For more information about Dr. Patel, please visit her group’s web site at www.cvts.com or call 513-421-3494.

Dr. Michael Adolph joins Mercy Health from his current position as a full time academic physician, working in cancer pain and palliative medicine at the James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Adolph supported program expansion of interdisciplinary palliative care team services throughout three academic medical centers and contributed as teaching faculty for a palliative medicine fellowship.

For the past seven years Dr. Adolph has been an Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Ohio State University College of Medicine. In 2011, Dr. Adolph received Ohio State University’s inaugural Physician Excellence Award. He has served as a project manager and physician champion for quality projects to clinically integrate multiple initiatives on an organizational level.

Nationally, he serves as a 2012 Health Policy Scholar for the American College of Surgeons, and is also a member of the Executive Committee for the American College of Surgeons’ Surgical Palliative Care Task Force. His policy interests include healthcare access and chronic disease management. Dr. Adolph also helped develop oncology guidelines in palliative care for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Prior to his work at the James Cancer Hospital, he served as a community general surgeon in Canton, Ohio (Mercy Medical Center, Aultman Hospital) and Columbus, Ohio (Bariatric Treatment Centers). His surgical interests have included nutritional support, bariatrics, cancer, and surgical palliative care.

Dr. Adolph received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his residency at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University Hospitals in Cleveland. He is board certified in surgery and palliative medicine, and competed a Cancer Pain and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Ohio State. Dr. Adolph also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Ashland University and a Master of Public Health from The Ohio State University. His interests in quality management include six sigma certification. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Institute for Healthcare Quality.

Dr. Adolph begins his new role on January 7, 2013.

Stephanie comes to Mercy Health with an extensive background of experience and education. Most recently she was Executive Director of Patient Care Services with The Christ Hospital with responsibility for operations and strategy implementation for patient care services, 555 licensed beds and approximately 1600 employees.

Prior to her Executive Director role, Stephanie served as Divisional Director for Women’s (including newborn) and Renal Services. Her operational responsibility included four inpatient units, three outpatient units and approximately 600 employees. As Division Director, Behavioral Health, Women’s and Medical Surgical Areas, Stephanie was responsible for 10 inpatient units, five outpatient units and 740 employees. She co-led nursing implementation of Electronic Medical Records and leader for Joint Commission Certification.

Stephanie has also served as Clinical Manager at The Jewish Hospital, Unit Manager at Drake Hospital, and Clinical Care Coordinator at Episcopal Retirement Homes.

Stephanie received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Post Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics from Northern Kentucky University (NKU). She is currently enrolled in the MBA program at NKU with anticipated graduation this month. Stephanie is a graduate student preceptor at NKU and UC, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Nurse Executives, the Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and a volunteer with the YWCA.

Dennis Wiwi, M.D., is a founding member of Seven Hills Women’s Health Centers and specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1974 from Morehead State University, in Kentucky, and his medical degree in 1978 from the University of Indiana, College of Medicine.

Dr. Wiwi has served with numerous professional organizations, including his current appointments as a Diplomate of the American Board of OB/GYN, a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN, and a Member of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Wiwi has lived in the community of Monfort Heights with his wife, Cheryl, and their three sons since 1978.

How did you become interested in obstetrics?

I fell in love with obstetrics during med school rotations. Obstetrics allows me to be involved in one of the most precious moments in life and to take care of the entire family. I also like surgery so this was a perfect specialty for me.

How many babies have you delivered?

More than 4000. It is such a privilege because you develop a special bond with the baby and the entire family. It’s wonderful to see a baby you delivered come back because she is pregnant, starting the next generation in her family

What are you most looking forward to at the new Mercy Health – West Hospital?

I am excited about being able to deliver patients right here in their community and in their surroundings. Residents will have a top rate, full service hospital right here where they live. A unique benefit for me personally is that our practice will have an office at the hospital. I will be able to walk through a hallway from our office to my patients in the hospital. That will be an exciting first for me.

Tell us about the Family Birth Center at Mercy Health – West Hospital.

It is going to be a top rate, fantastic service. We will have an all inclusive unit: labor, delivery, recovery, post-partum, c-sections, Level II Neonatal Nursery (NICU) all in one unit. We will have a full time, dedicated OB anesthesiologist in the unit 24/7 and Maternal Fetal Medicine on site for consultations to reduce risks for mothers who experience complicated pregnancies.

The staff will be highly experienced in obstetrics, labor, delivery and post partum. And they will deliver care for the entire family with the compassion Mercy Health is known for.

The Family Birth Center will have all private rooms with private shower and bathroom, a sleeper sofa and desk, windows with plenty of natural light; two family suites for families that want to be close to their child while he or she is in the NICU. There will also be a variety of Childbirth Education classes including one-day classes (Baby Basics, Infant Safety and CPR, Breastfeeding, Siblings at Delivery, Childbirth Refresher), and a four-week Childbirth Education series plus a Lactation Programand a Lactation Room with help available from lactation specialists who can help with breastfeeding and provide general patient education.

Watch the video below to “Meet” Dr. Wiwi or you can call him at 513-481-5100 or visit his group’s web site at www.womenshealthcenters.com.

Meet the obstetricians who will be delivering babies at our new hospital!

Dr. Ambrose A. Puttmann

Undergraduate Degree: Xavier University 1979

Medical Degree: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 1983

Residency: Four year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Minnesota 1987

Board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Dennis J. Wiwi

Undergraduate Degree: Morehead State University 1974

Medical Degree: Indiana School of Medicine 1978

Residency: Four year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Good Samaritan Hospital 1982

Board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Jeffrey K. Rahe

Undergraduate Degree: Wittenberg University 1983

Medical Degree: Medical College of Ohio 1989

Residency: Four year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Good Samaritan Hospital 1993

Board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Sarah F. Sabin

Undergraduate Degree: University of Kentucky 1994

Medical Degree: University of Louisville School of Medicine 1998

Residency: Four year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Good Samaritan Hospital 2002

Board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Preeti S. Ghatora

Undergraduate Degree: San Francisco State University 1997

Medical Degree: Ross University College of Medicine 2001

Residency: Obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Southern California Women’s and Children’s Hospital 2005

Board active in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Patel specializes in cardiothoracic surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. She received her medical degree and completed residencies in both general surgery and surgical research at the University of Vermont, followed by a residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. She has been practicing in Cincinnati for the last 10 years.

Dr. Patel is one of approximately 40 female cardiac physicians in the nation, and one of only two in the city of Cincinnati. Dr. Patel is passionate about women’s heart health. She serves on the board of the American Heart Association and is actively involved in the Go Red for Women initiative, which aims to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

When Mercy Health – West Hospital opens in 2013, the 250-bed hospital will feature the latest advancements in design for patient care and comfort, all private rooms, and expanded medical capabilities for residents of Cincinnati’s West Side. The comprehensive care will include a premier heart care program with open heart surgery, a cancer care center, an orthopaedics center, a women’s health center, and the Family Birth Center. Mercy Health – West Hospital will serve as the hub of the system’s growing network of healthcare services throughout the West Side including primary and specialty care physician offices, 24/7 emergency care medical centers, outpatient imaging centers, senior living communities, and Mercy HealthPlex.

Mercy Health – West Hospital was awarded a Citation/Unbuilt in Modern Healthcare magazine’s annual Design Awards program, recognizing excellence in the design and planning of new and remodeled healthcare facilities.

Entries are judged by a panel of nationally prominent architects and distinguished healthcare executives, and evaluated based on four criteria: design excellence, response to patient and family needs, functional utility, and flexibility of design.

Strong connections between architecture and landscape — including what will be the largest green roof in the state of Ohio — will enhance the healing environment; while the hospital’s functional planning will support safety, efficiency and future flexibility.

“When complete, the new Mercy Health – West Hospital could set a new national standard for community hospital design,” said Mic Johnson, AIA, design principal with AECOM.

The design provides a strong visual statement that will give our new hospital a unique presence in the community. Designers created a unique mosaic exterior wall system — comprising 11 different colors and 19 different shapes of glazed brick. The blue-to-green color palette was inspired by the surrounding forest and color of the valleys and hills of the region.

“A serene healing environment is an important component of our patients’ recovery. It also plays a strong role in the wellbeing of our visitors, employees, physicians and wider community,” said Mike Stephens, Market Leader and President, Mercy Health – West Market. “AECOM was tasked with ensuring that Mercy Health – West Hospital promoted a sense of healing and inspiration, and they delivered.”

The hospital was also presented with the Urban Conservation Award from the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District at its annual meeting last month. The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District is a legal subdivision of the State of Ohio responsible for the conservation of natural resources within Hamilton County, Ohio. The district has a special emphasis on soil and water with a focus on assisting landowners in planning and applying conservation practices on the land.