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All about lung cancer.

Posted on by Dorey Huston
All about lung cancer.

Questions & answers from our expert lung cancer team.

Did you know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.? This November, in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we sat down with members of the team at Huntington Cancer Center, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, that specialize in thoracic cancer, including lung cancer. They offered helpful information on how to catch lung cancer early and how it can be effectively treated. Read on to hear from thoracic surgeon Amirhossein Mahfoozi, MD; Clinical Director of Medical Oncology Tina Wang, MD; and nurse navigator Christine Conti, RN.

When is surgery used to treat lung cancer?

Dr. Mahfoozi: For some patients diagnosed with lung cancer, surgery may be the only treatment needed. When we catch lung cancer early (stage 1), we can operate and remove the tumor. The surgery is often performed in a minimally invasive way using robotic techniques, which can speed up recovery times. When lung cancer is diagnosed at later stages, multimodality therapy is often needed that can include immunotherapy or targeted therapy either before or after surgery.

What other treatments are used for lung cancer?

Dr. Wang: Lung cancer is treated in several different ways, depending on the type of lung cancer and how far it has spread. Before starting treatment, we develop a personalized care plan for every patient. At Huntington Health, we offer immunotherapy, a novel way of treatment that activates the immune system to attack cancer. For some patients, we utilize targeted therapy, a type of precision treatment that uses drugs to attack cancer cells with specific mutations. Chemotherapy is also beneficial for many patients with lung cancer.

What does a nurse navigator do?

Nurse Christine: Our team of nurse navigators helps patients and their caregivers throughout their cancer journey. We are patient advocates. We assess and anticipate their needs, including clinical, emotional, spiritual, financial and other needs. We provide the patient and their caregivers with education about their type of cancer and treatment options, coordinate appointments, communicate with members of the care team, provide referrals for supportive resources and more. We are here to guide patients through one of the most challenging times in their lives.

What is a tumor board and what is the benefit?

Dr. Mahfoozi: We bring together medical experts across multiple disciplines — surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologist, radiologists, pulmonologists, and others — to plan and discuss optimal treatment. These meetings — known as tumor boards — help ensure the broadest and best clinical thinking regarding the most up-to-date therapy options for each patient. In addition to specialists from Huntington Health and Cedars-Sinai, tumor boards include specialists from other academic medical institutions. We have specialty tumor boards for lung/thoracic, prostate/genitourinary, neurological, general, and breast cancers. By bringing together leading cancer specialists in the region, these meetings help ensure our patients get highly personalized cancer care.

What should our patients know about lung cancer screening?

Nurse Christine: Early detection truly does save lives.In California, however, only 1% of those eligible, are getting screened, so it is important that we normalize screening. People aged 50 to 80 years old who have a 20-pack-year smoking history (that means one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, etc.) benefit from annual screening. The screening test for lung cancer only takes a few minutes and is not painful. It is performed using a low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan). Be sure to ask your doctor for a screening referral if you meet these guidelines.

What makes Huntington Cancer Center special?

Dr. Wang: At Huntington Cancer Center, we offer the care patients need, close to home. We have an expert team of dedicated cancer specialists and offer leading-edge treatment options using modern technology. We are also proud to have an unrivaled patient support program. Our support services include our Integrative Oncology program, support groups and more. Through the Constance G. Zahorik Appearance Center, we help patients manage the cosmetic side effects of their cancer treatment. We are very fortunate to be able to offer these above-and-beyond services for our patients.

Visit huntingtonhealth.org/lung to learn more about our lung cancer program.

New England Journal of Medicine publishes Huntington’s study on pacemakers

Posted on by Dorey Huston
New England Journal of Medicine publishes Huntington’s study on pacemakers
Mayer Rashtian, MD, FACC, FHRS
Mayer Rashtian, MD, FACC, FHRS

Huntington Hospital recently hosted a clinical trial for a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system. We’re excited to announce that the findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The study was helmed by Huntington physician Mayer Rashtian, MD, FACC, FHRS, (principal investigator) with support from his partners and our clinical research nurses. Thanks to a great recruitment effort from Dr. Rashtian and our outstanding team, Huntington was one of the top clinical trial enrollers in the world.

The pacemaker system, which consists of two implanted devices, one in the right atrium and another in the right ventricle, makes leadless pacemaker therapy a treatment option for a wider range of indications, such as consistent atrioventricular synchrony. During the trial, the team coordinated the dual-chamber leadless pacemakers implants, collected/reported data and ensured a good patient experience.

The dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system is now FDA approved. To learn more about the study, visit NEJM.

Panda Cares Foundation Donates $400,000 to Support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Huntington Hospital

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Panda Cares Foundation Donates $400,000 to Support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Huntington Hospital

Huntington Health recently received a generous donation of $400,000 from Andrew and Peggy Cherng of Panda Restaurant Group, through their philanthropic arm, Panda Cares Foundation. The check was presented on October 26, 2023, at the 24th Annual Panda Cares Charity Golf Invitational awards dinner held at the Marriott Springs in Palm Desert. Funds from the donation will be used to support NICU care at Huntington Health.

“Andrew and Peggy Cherng have provided an incredible service to the community through the Panda Cares Foundation,” said Jane Haderlein, senior vice president, philanthropy and public relations, Huntington Health. “Their ongoing commitment to Huntington Health, particularly in support of our smallest patients in our NICU, demonstrates their commitment to the health and well-being of families throughout the San Gabriel Valley. We are so grateful to be selected as a recipient of their fundraising efforts through Panda Cares Foundation.”

About Panda Restaurant Group

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (“PRG”), the global leader in Asian dining experiences and parent company of Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San, is dedicated to becoming a world leader in people development. Panda Restaurant Group’s humble beginnings started in 1973 with one restaurant, Panda Inn, in Pasadena, California, opened by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. With hopes of growing the business and creating more opportunities for their family, Andrew and his wife Peggy Cherng created the first Panda Express in 1983 to offer a faster and more convenient experience for guests to enjoy American Chinese favorites.

Panda Restaurant Group is more than a trailblazer of American Chinese food. Led by co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew and Peggy, the company’s people-first vision, values-driven culture. and associates’ inspiring growth stories have garnered industry-wide recognition and been key to the company’s extraordinary success. Awarded with more than 30 honors as top employer and best place to work to-date, Panda is nationally recognized as a top employer by Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Great Place to Work Certification and PEOPLE’s Companies That Care list. From developing its presence all over the world to developing more than 50,000 associates, each store built brings PRG closer to its mission to inspire better lives.

About PANDA CARES®

Powered by 50,000 associates of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc./Panda Express®, the organization’s philanthropic arm Panda Cares® is committed to bettering the health and education of youth as well as supporting communities in need. In 1999, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. created Panda Cares to live into its mission of inspiring better lives by giving back to its local communities and shaping a brighter future for generations to come. Through volunteer services, funding, and meal donations, Panda Cares has raised more than $329 million since its establishment, impacting over 15 million youth and counting. Areas of focus include leadership and academic programs for students, and whole person healing for patients. For more information, visit www.pandacares.org.

Screen your lungs for better health

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Screen your lungs for better health

Did you know that lung cancer screening is increasingly recommended to some patients during annual check-ups? That’s because early detection saves lives. Not to mention, it’s a fast, painless procedure: Just a quick scan, and you’re off! That’s great news, because according to the American Lung Association, scans can detect cancer at early, more curable stages and can reduce lung cancer death by up to 20%.

Eligibility for Screening

If you are 50-80 years old with a history of smoking – specifically, you currently smoke or quit smoking in the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history (i.e., a pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years) – you’re most likely eligible for screening. People with certain risk factors are also eligible: breathing problems, cancer, radon or asbestos exposure, or a family history of lung cancer. Medicare and most insurance/VA plans will cover lung cancer screening for high-risk patients.

Scan and Procedure

A radiology technologist will position you on an exam table while you’re lying on your back. The table will move through a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scanner as you hold your breath for a few seconds. After a few minutes, the scanner will create a detailed 3D image of your lungs, and that’s it! This painless test uses 75% less radiation than chest X-rays and can detect lung cancer before any warning signs occur.

Scan Results

After your scan, the images are reviewed by a subspecialized radiologist. Your doctor will receive your results and discuss them with you. If the scan is negative, you should re-screen in one year.

Talk with your doctor to see if you are a candidate for lung screening today! Visit CT Lung Screening – The Hill Medical Corporation for more information about lung cancer screening.

Pasadena Unified School District, Exer Urgent Care and Huntington Health Partner to Provide Students and Families Education on Substance Use and the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Pasadena Unified School District, Exer Urgent Care and Huntington Health Partner to Provide Students and Families Education on Substance Use and the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

You’ve likely heard the frightening statistics about drug abuse in America. What you may not know is that in almost 50% of drug overdoses, bystanders are present and have an opportunity to intervene. In an overdose situation, knowledge and preparation could mean the difference between life and death.  Last week, Pasadena Unified School District, in collaboration with physicians from Huntington Health and Exer Urgent Care, held a seminar for students, parents and educators to learn important information about drug abuse and overdose prevention The entire presentation is available here: bit.ly/3saIdgS. We encourage you to watch.   

Panelists included:

• Ria Apodaca, Director, PUSD Health Programs

• Evan Adintori, PharmD, BCPS, pharmacist specialist, emergency medicine, Huntington Hospital

• Samuel Beckerman, MD, PhD, emergency medicine, Huntington Hospital

• John Rodarte, MD, pediatrics, Huntington Health Physicians and PUSD Medical Director

• Asbasia Mikhail, MD, emergency medicine, Huntington Hospital, and Site Medical Director of Exer Urgent Care Pasadena and La Canada 

Together, we can #FightOverdose!

Tournament of Roses Royal Court visits Huntington Health Pediatric and NICU Patients, Families and Staff

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Tournament of Roses Royal Court visits Huntington Health Pediatric and NICU Patients, Families and Staff

Yesterday, the Tournament of Roses’ 135th Rose Queen, Naomi Stillitano, and her royal court stopped by to bring some Halloween fun to Huntington Health pediatric and NICU patients! The court visited with our tiniest patients and their families and learned about Huntington’s level III B NICU for babies born prematurely or with medical problems. In addition, Huntington staff enjoyed meeting the court and hearing about their royal experiences so far.

A special congratulations to Princesses Phoebe Ho and Emmerson Tucker who also serve as volunteers at Huntington Health. We appreciate their dedication to our community. The entire Huntington family will be cheering for them on January 1st during the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Thank you to the Tournament of Roses for their annual Halloween visit!

Huntington Cancer Center, A Cedars-Sinai Affiliate Cancer, Welcomes Three New Oncologists

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Huntington Cancer Center, A Cedars-Sinai Affiliate Cancer, Welcomes Three New Oncologists

New Cedars-Sinai Faculty Specialists Expand Patients’ Options for Advanced Treatment and Cancer Care in the San Gabriel Valley

Huntington Cancer Center, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, welcomes three oncology specialists to its program. At the Center, they will offer patients leading research-based treatments, world-class care and access to Cedars-Sinai Cancer clinical trials.

“It is my pleasure to welcome these three expert Cedars-Sinai Faculty oncologists to our Huntington Cancer Center,” Howard Kaufman, MD, medical director of Huntington Cancer Center. “Dr. Marc Botnick is one of the leading radiation oncologists practicing at Cedars-Sinai. It’s a true privilege to have him join our team. We are equally proud to announce the addition of Dr. Paul Lin to our expert gynecologic oncology team, and Dr. Niki Patel, who offers specialized oncology care for adolescents with breast cancer.”

These specialists, highly esteemed among colleagues, patients and patients’ families, have chosen Huntington Cancer Center to serve the San Gabriel Valley. Their years of experience providing expert care to other communities in California and beyond will greatly benefit the Center.

Meet Huntington Cancer Center’s latest board-certified oncologists, dedicated to excellent patient care and advanced treatment:

Headshot: Marc Botnick, MD

Marc Botnick, MD, is a radiation oncologist who manages all cancer types, with a specific interest and expertise in prostate and lung cancer. He completed his training in Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. Prior to joining Huntington Cancer Center, he practiced at City of Hope. Dr. Botnick is also regional medical director for the Department of Radiation Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. 

headshot: Paul Lin, MD

Paul Lin, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist.  Dr. Lin completed residency at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.  Prior to joining Huntington Cancer Center, he served on the faculty at University of Southern California, and at City of Hope.  His clinical focus has been on surgical management of gynecologic cancers and complex gynecologic procedures ranging from minimally invasive laparoscopy and robotic procedures to more extensive procedures depending on the clinical situation.

Niki D. Patel, MD

Niki Patel, MD, is a hematologist-oncologist who provides clinical care for patients with breast cancer. Dr. Patel focuses her care on adolescents and young adults. At Cedars-Sinai, she served as chief medical resident. She also completed a hematology-oncology fellowship at City of Hope and later directed the City of Hope Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program.

For more information about Huntington Cancer Center, go to: www.huntingtonhealth.org/cancer

Vascular Disease Awareness Month

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Vascular Disease Awareness Month

It’s Vascular Disease Awareness Month! You might be wondering, what exactly is vascular surgery? Here’s the short of it according to the Society of Vascular Surgeons:

Your blood vessels – arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood and veins carrying blood back to the heart – are the roadways of your circulatory system. Without smoothly flowing blood, your body cannot function. Conditions such as hardening of the arteries can create “traffic jams” in your circulatory system, obstructing the flow of blood to any part of the body.

Huntington Health recently sat down with two of our vascular surgeons, Theodore Teruya, MD, and Sally Schonefeld, MD, to learn a bit more.

How do you know if you might have symptoms of vascular disease?

“In general, if you have pain in your legs when you walk or stand for long periods of time, you may have a problem with your blood vessels,” says Dr. Teruya. “Other signs of potential vascular issues are leg swelling, varicose veins or non-healing wounds of the leg or feet.”

Why is it important to speak to your physician about these types of symptoms and conditions?

Dr. Schonefeld explains “Untreated symptomatic venous insufficiency can progress to chronic leg swelling, skin changes, and ulceration. Treatment directed by vascular surgeons can involve non-invasive management or procedures to prevent or reverse progression of disease.”

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please talk to your physician about your options for care, many of which are non-invasive and in the office setting. For the latest news on vascular surgery at Huntington Health, go to: Huntington Health, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate, Welcomes Two Pasadena-based Vascular Surgeons | Huntington Hospital

Huntington Health, A Cedars-Sinai Affiliate, Welcomes Two Pasadena-based Vascular Surgeons

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Huntington Health, A Cedars-Sinai Affiliate, Welcomes Two Pasadena-based Vascular Surgeons

Theodore Teruya, MD, and Sally Schonefeld, MD, Expand Vascular Surgery Expertise in San Gabriel Valley

Vascular surgeons Theodore Teruya, MD, and Sally Schonefeld, MD, have joined Huntington Health’s Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic team to provide care for Pasadena-area patients with vascular diseases exclusively at the Helen and Will Webster Heart & Vascular Center..

The addition of Teruya and Schonefeld means that patients throughout the San Gabriel Valley now have expanded access to Cedars-Sinai’s top-ranked vascular surgeons and programs.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Teruya and Dr. Schonefeld to the Pasadena area, providing expert treatment and care for patients with arterial and venous diseases,” said Ali Azizzadeh, MD, professor and director of Vascular Surgery and associate director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. “With the addition of these skilled surgeons, we continue to broaden our world-class vascular program at Huntington Health, which is the most comprehensive and innovative facility for vascular care in the San Gabriel Valley.”   

Teruya earned a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a medical degree from John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Hawaii and a vascular surgery fellowship at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Teruya has published extensively on a range of arterial and venous disorders. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of both the American College of Surgeons and is a distinguished fellow of the Society of Vascular Surgery. His academic interests include surgical education and clinical outcomes in vascular surgery.

Teruya also serves in the U.S. Armed Forces as commander of the Medical Corps for the Navy Reserve. He is an Afghanistan veteran and received both a Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal.

“I’m looking forward to building strong relationships with patients seeking care at Huntington Health, as well as with a team of expert providers,” Teruya said. “To be part of this exceptional health system—one that prioritizes delivering high-value services to patients, envelope-pushing innovation including clinical trials, and overall excellence in patient care—marks an exciting next chapter in my career.”

Schonefeld earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and her medical degree from McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She completed a general surgery internship and residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, as well as a vascular surgery fellowship at Cedars-Sinai.

She has authored or coauthored more than 20 publications, book chapters, presentations and abstracts and is a member of multiple professional organizations including the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.

“Having just completed my fellowship at Cedars-Sinai, where I had a terrific vascular surgery training experience, I’m proud to now have the opportunity to join the expanded vascular care program at Huntington Health,” Schonefeld said. “I look forward to delivering the highest standards of care to patients throughout the San Gabriel Valley, as well as being able to offer them improved quality of life and life expectancy thanks to new discoveries in diagnostics, treatments and more.”

Teruya and Schonefeld are now part of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

From research and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, the Helen and Will Webster Heart & Vascular Center offers a wide range of cardiac and vascular services – along with the latest medical technologies – all under one roof. Learn more at huntingtonhealth.org/heart

Huntington Health welcomes three pediatricians to the Arcadia, La Canada and Pasadena Huntington Health Physicians offices

Posted on by Dorey Huston
Huntington Health welcomes three pediatricians to the Arcadia, La Canada and Pasadena Huntington Health Physicians offices

Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai, announced three expert pediatricians, Christine Chen, MD, Francesca Corley, MD, and Hailey Heer, MD, have joined Huntington Health Physicians (HHP). With offices in three San Gabriel cities – Arcadia, La Canada and Pasadena – the HHP team of pediatricians provides world-class medical care to 25,000 children each year.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Dr.’s Chen, Corley and Heer to our Huntington Health Physicians family,” says Shital Arya, MD, medical director, Huntington Health Physicians. “We are proud to be expanding our team of expert physicians to increase access to this essential care for children in our community. Our pediatric caregivers, with added support from our dedicated nurses and office staff, are ready to help local families with their immediate and ongoing health care needs as their trusted partners for years to come.”

Huntington Health pediatricians are dedicated to ensuring children’s optimal health and well-being. They provide exceptional care to meet the unique needs of children – from infants to adolescents – through every stage of their development.

Meet the pediatricians who recently joined HHP to provide the highest level of care for their patients:

Christine Chen, MD, is an outstanding board-certified pediatrician with clinical expertise in performing Gomco circumcisions and attending high-risk deliveries and cesarean sections of term and near-term infants. She earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and completed her pediatric residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She joins the Arcadia office from Optum Magan Medical Clinic – a Division of Optum/OptumCare, where she was a staff physician. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association. Dr. Chen and her family live in Arcadia.

Francesca Corley, MD, is a talented pediatrician known for her excellent patient care and exceptional leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Dr. Corley earned her medical degree at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center. She has participated in multiple projects to improve children’s health in her community, including creating asset maps of local food resources, providing nutrition education and improving discharge orders. Dr. Corley provides expert care at the La Canada office.

Hailey Heer, MD, MS, is a dedicated pediatrician who is certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and will be board-certified in November 2023. Dr. Heer received her medical degree and Master of Science in pharmacology at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. She completed her pediatric residency through UCLA’s program. She has volunteered at many organizations, including Venice Family Clinic, where she provided resources for physical activity and free food markets and created a live webinar about nutrition, exercise and mindfulness. She has also mentored at MedPals and tutored for New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School and AmeriCorps, where she received a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for her service. Dr. Heer provides excellent care at the Pasadena office.    

To learn more about Huntington Health’s pediatricians, visit: www.huntingtonhealth.org/huntington-health-physicians/our-services/pediatric-care/