Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2021

SAHealth.com 3 KEEPINGWELL — FALL 2021 Methodist Hospital | South celebrates 4th anniversary Methodist Hospital | South celebrated their fourth anniversary in July since coming into the Atascosa County community in 2017. “We are so excited to celebrate our fourth anniversary as Methodist Hospital | South! Since the hospital became part of Methodist Healthcare System in 2017, we have been able to provide high-quality and cost-effective healthcare to the community members of Atas- cosa County. We want to thank everyone for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic and for trusting us with their care,” said Greg Seiler, CEO of Methodist Hospital | South. Robotic technology is helping Methodist Hospital diagnose and treat lung cancer, and it’s the first of its kind in the area. Robotic bronchoscopy technol- ogy allows physicians to navigate into the hardest to reach areas in the lungs, some- times the size of a few strands of hair. What was formerly a very invasive method to diagnosis abnormal nodules has pul- monologists excited for the future of lung cancer and patient survival rates. John Underwood, a retired police officer of 25 years, has been a smoker most of his life. When he drastically started losing weight unexpectedly, his doctor referred him for a lung cancer screening. A CT scan revealed tumors on each of John’s lungs. He was sent to Ali Abedi, MD , pulmonolo- gist at Methodist Hospital, for a robotic bronchoscopy to detect if the tumors were cancerous. During surgery, a CT scan uses high reso- lution imaging to create a 3D model and navigational path of the airways needed to locate the tumor. The robotic system then guides a small, maneuverable cath- eter—much like driving a drone—to the tumor site to effectively reach the tar- geted tissue. “Once we navigate to the tumor site, we’re able to biopsy with- out having to puncture the lung itself,” commented Abedi. “The risk of significant bleeding or lung collapse is less than 3%, so it’s a much safer way of per- forming a biopsy and allows us to go after multiple targets in one single procedure, which is what we did on Mr. Underwood.” During John’s robotic bronchoscopy, Abedi and pathology were able to simultaneously diagnose two different types of cancer in his lungs. Fortunately, his cancer was diagnosed in its early stages, which al- lowed John to get on a treatment path to remission. Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer-related killer in the United States and often insidi- ous, producing no symptoms until the dis- ease is well advanced. In fact, only 16% of cases are diagnosed in early stages. Once patients with undiagnosed lung cancer become symptomatic—chest pain, short- ness of breath, cough—it’s often too widespread to treat surgically or with radiation. Patients who are diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer are more likely to be suc- cessfully treated with much more favorable outcomes. Early detection and treatment of lung cancer saves lives. Physicians at Methodist Hospital urge lung cancer screenings for those who are current smokers or smokers who have quit in the past 15 years and those who have at least a 30 pack-a-year smoking history. Advanced robotic technology helps Methodist Hospital diagnose retired police officer with early-stage lung cancer To take a lung cancer assessment, visit SAHealth.com/HealthMatters . John Underwood, a retired police officer of 25 years. Pictured, from left, are Amber Champagne, Vice President of Human Resources; Joe Vasquez, Chief Financial Officer; Greg Seiler, Chief Executive Officer; Pam Guillory, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Nursing Officer; William Dylla, Vice President of Clinical Operations; and Rita Castillo, Vice President of Quality, Risk Management and Safety.