Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2015

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The Methodist Advanced Lung Center is San Antonio’s premier center for the
treatment of patients with advanced lung disease, specializing in the latest
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
At the center, an exceptional team of physicians, nurses and therapists is
dedicated to the care of patients with advanced lung disease. With a focus
on pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease and lung cancer, the
facility provides comprehensive screening and diagnostic, therapeutic and management services.
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
The Pulmonary Hypertension Program focuses on the chronic and debilitating disease caused
by increased pressure within the blood vessels of the lungs, resulting in heart failure of the right
side. The program includes early detection and management of the disease by a team of trained
physicians and cardiology experts and an interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers, finan-
cial counselors and specialty pharmacists experienced in complex pulmonary vasodilator therapy
drugs. Patient education on disease management is included in the program.
Lung Nodule Program
The Methodist Lung Nodule Program focuses on the early detection of lung nodules with surveil-
lance plans, including a multidisciplinary team designed to diagnose lung cancer at an earlier
stage with timely referrals and treatments, ultimately saving lives.
Endoscopic Procedures
The Methodist Endoscopy Center, part of the Methodist Advanced Lung Center, offers advanced
endoscopic procedures, including standard, advanced and interventional bronchoscopy, bronchial
thermoplasty, chest tube placement and tracheostomy.
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is also offered at Methodist Endoscopy Center. This multidisciplinary
program is used for the personalized treatment and management of acute and/or chronic cardiopulmo-
nary disease, including physical activity evaluation and instruction, nutrition and stress management.
Multidisciplinary Team
A dedicated team of physicians, nurses and other specialists provide prompt treatment with ongo-
ing support to patients and families throughout the cancer journey. Through the program’s Oncology
Navigator Services, Methodist Advanced Lung Center provides a health professional trained in lung
cancer treatment who remains a point of contact throughout the continuum of care.
The Methodist Advanced Lung
Center at Methodist Hospital:
Helping you breathe easier Doctors at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital coordinated a
complicated combined procedure for a patient with an
inherited condition that increased her risk of colon and
other cancers, and the result was the first combined
robotic procedure in Texas.
While at the doctor’s office for her annual exam,
Veronica Howard Birch, 55, was advised to have a colo-
noscopy because of her age. She went in for her first
colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome,
an inherited condition that increases the risk of colon
cancer and other cancers. Birch had no symptoms
and was unfamiliar with the syndrome. She is the first
person in her family to be diagnosed with it.
Since patients with Lynch syndrome have a 60 to
70 percent chance of getting ovarian and cervical can-
cers, she decided to get a total hysterectomy in addi-
tion to the surgery needed to remove the colon cancer.
Cannon Lewis, MD, one of the most experienced
colorectal robotics surgeons in San Antonio and one
of the top in South Texas, led the team in performing a
combined surgical procedure involving robotic surgery
for colon cancer prevention and robotic surgery for a
complete hysterectomy. Wendy Askew, MD, board-
certified in obstetrics and gynecology, was the gyneco-
logic surgeon.
“With our patient, the role that genetics plays in
developing cancer was an important consideration in
our treatment,” says Lewis. “Not all hospitals have a
system in place to be able to coordinate a complicated
procedure like this one. It was truly a team approach
that involved the cooperation of staff in admitting, sched-
uling and the operating room and skilled physicians.”
“Ms. Birch’s experience is an excellent example of
the importance of having screenings at the right age,”
he adds. “The colonoscopy and the Pap smear led to
her diagnosis and preventative treatments.”
In complex surgeries like the cholectomy and
the hysterectomy, robotic surgery offers enhanced
visualization, precision, dexterity and control for the
surgeon. For the patient, it means less postsurgical
pain and faster recovery. Birch had her procedures on
Monday and was ready for discharge on Wednesday.
Invasive surgery would have put her in the hospital for
six to eight days.
Askew comments that the passion that doctors at
Methodist Stone Oak Hospital have for their patients
combined with their training and experience enable
them to perform these specialized procedures that pro-
vide patients with the best and most compassionate
care.
To learn more about robotic surgery at Methodist
Stone Oak Hospital, go to and
visit the Methodist Stone Oak Hospital home page.
Methodist Healthcare also offers genetic counsel-
ing services for cancer patients to help them better
understand hereditary risks. For genetic counseling
information, visit
FIRST combined
robotic surgery in
Texas performed at
Methodist Stone
Oak Hospital for
colon cancer
For more information on the Methodist
Advanced Lung Center, please phone
210-575-LUNG (210-575-5864).
Nurse navigator guides the way
Lisa A. Milcak, RN, BSN, MBA, Oncology Nurse Navigator, brings more than a de-
cade of nursing experience to serve as a patient advocate providing education for
lung cancer patients. To attain high quality outcomes for each patient, she works
as a liaison with the patient, family, specialists and primary care physicians assess-
ing the medical, social and psychological needs of each patient.
Lisa A. Milcak
Jairo A. Melo,
MD, Co-Medical
Program Director
Arturo Lopez ,
MD, Co-Medical
Program Director
Napoleón
Antonio Puente
Cuéllar, MD,
Pulmonary
Medical Director,
Methodist
Endoscopy
Center
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