Danbury Hospital

Neurologists are testing a remote monitoring program to support patients with mild cognitive impairment POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. and DANBURY, Conn., Oct. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvance Health is one of the first health systems in the United States to pilot a new remote monitoring technology for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Neuroglee Connect™ is a virtual neurological specialty care program for clinical care teams to provide ongoing, personalized support for patients with MCI and caregivers from the comfort of their homes. MCI is an early stage of memory loss or other cognition problems, such as difficulty with language and thinking. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 12% to 18% of people age 60 and older have MCI in the United States. While MCI is not a type of dementia, the Alzheimer's Association estimates 10% to 15% of people with MCI eventually develop dementia every year. There are currently no approved medications to treat MCI. Current guidelines state that regularly stimulating the brain and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can be supportive to patients with MCI. The remote monitoring program Nuvance Health has made available through its Neuroscience Institute includes brain-stimulating activities that can measure performance through timely assessments and identify signs of deterioration. A digital dashboard captures this information in real-time for neurologists who can provide ongoing therapy modifications based on real-world data while efficiently tracking each patient's adherence to the program. "We care deeply about our patients with MCI and their caregivers, and understand how the diagnosis can be extremely worrisome," said Paul Wright, MD, senior vice president and system chair of the Neuroscience Institute at Nuvance Health. "We are passionate about bringing them the latest care options and support, and in particular, leveraging digital innovations that they can access from the comfort and convenience of home." "Nuvance Health's neurologists will use a digital platform to remotely monitor patients and keep them mentally active with consistent and intense brain activities," said Dr. Wright. "Patients will use an iPad to participate in medically-tested activities to stimulate their brains." The digital platform offers brain-stimulating activities such as playing games and learning new skills. It also offers memory compensation training, and reminiscing by uploading and viewing personal photographs and videos to trigger memories. In addition, the platform includes content about healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep. The remote monitoring program has a digital platform and resources for caregivers because they play a critical role in the management of neurodegenerative conditions. Care partners can monitor a patient's progress through the platform and access education, support, and informational tools for identifying and overcoming MCI-related anxiety and stress. "The caregiver is also involved as they are a major contributing factor to a patient's well-being," said Dr. Wright. "Our neurologists will support their efforts at home because we now have an objective way to continuously track each patient's condition over time. We can then use the information to inform appropriate, individualized care." A majority of Nuvance Health patients with MCI have adopted the remote monitoring program during the initial pilot phase. The new technology is currently available at Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute neurology practices in New York and Connecticut. Learn more about memory and dementia care at the Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute. CONTACT Amy Forni, Director of External Communications O: (203) 739-7478 | M: (475) 279-4673 | [email protected] About Nuvance Health Nuvance Health is a system of award-winning nonprofit hospitals and outpatient healthcare services throughout the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut, including: Danbury Hospital and its New Milford campus, Norwalk Hospital and Sharon Hospital in Connecticut; Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in New York. Nuvance Health offers the latest prevention, diagnostic, medical, surgical and rehabilitation services, including through the Cancer, Digestive Health, Heart & Vascular and Neuroscience Institutes; and primary and specialty care services through Nuvance Health Medical Practices. Nuvance Health also provides convenient healthcare through home care, urgent care and telehealth visits. Visit nuvancehealth.org for more information. TTY: 1-800-421-1220 SOURCE Nuvance Health

GIG HARBOR, Wash., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- James D. Atkisson, MD, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Physician for his distinguished career in Palliative Medicine and in acknowledgment of his work at Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care. Dr. James D. Atkisson has worked as a Palliative Medicine Specialist for over 38 years. He has practiced at Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care for the past fifteen years, located at 2901 Bridgeport Way West in University Place, WA. Continue Reading James D. Atkisson Dr. Atkisson has always wanted to be a doctor and help people. He was first inspired after witnessing a childhood friend who hurt his leg while playing. He constructed a splint for his friend to help him walk, and this was when he knew he would pursue a career as a physician when he grew up. To attain his college education, Dr. Atkisson attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1976. He then completed a General Surgery Residency at AMI Presbyterian Denver Hospital. Dr. Atkisson then did two Internal Medicine residencies at Danbury Hospital in 1980 and Greenwich Hospital in 1982. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and is board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a group led by physicians to evaluate doctors who achieve high standards in Internal Medicine healthcare. Dr. Atkisson currently works in Hospital and Palliative Medicine at Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care in University Place, WA. He understands the family's emotional pain when their loved ones are diagnosed with a terminal illness or decide to remove themselves from medical treatment. He works to make the patient's final days comfortable, relieve pain, and support their family. Dr. Atkisson mainly focuses on quality of life care, working closely with the Hospice Team to support patients and minimize their discomfort. He tries to reduce the patient's pain levels so they may spend time with their family in a relaxed environment after they stop receiving medical treatment. Dr. Atkisson enjoys working in this field to help his patients optimize their quality of life. On a personal note, Dr. Atkisson loves to travel the world and spend time in the great outdoors. He would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to his Chemistry Professor and great mentor at the University of Kansas, Earl Huyser. For more information, visit . Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who

WILLIAMSPORT – UPMC recently acquired West Branch Nephrology Associates in Williamsport, a private practice specialty care clinic with kidney health services provided by Sam Stea, MD, nephrologist; Emily Wascher, PA-C, and John Tyler Helmus, PA-C. The practice will now be known as SH Nephrology. “Dr. Stea and his team have a long-standing reputation in our community for providing high-quality, personalized care,” said David Lopatofsky, MD, chief medical officer, UPMC in the Susquehanna region. “As a part of UPMC, they will provide seamless integration into UPMC’s Living Donor Kidney Transplant program and evaluation clinic in Williamsport and continue to support the needs of patients and referring physicians in our region. We are thrilled to have another high quality group of providers join our team.” Dr. Stea received his medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn., and is fellowship trained in nephrology from University of Virginia Health Center, Charlottesville, Va. Dr. Stea is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He has over 20 years of experience serving patients in the Williamsport area. Dr. Stea will continue to see patients at SH Nephrology in Williamsport, 1201 Grampian Blvd., Suite 1A, Williamsport; and will now offer services to patients at UPMC Outpatient Center, 1 Outlet Lane, Suite 400, Lock Haven, and Brookpark Office Center, 260 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg. SH Nephrology accepts most major insurances, including Geisinger Health Plan, UPMC Health Plan, and Highmark. To schedule an appointment, call 570-326-8080.