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PROVIDER SPOTLIGHTS
PRACTICE AREA:
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:
LOCATION:
Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine
8
Scottsdale Norte Health Center
PRACTICE AREA:
Internal Medicine
North Valley Health Center
3
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:
LOCATION:
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We’ll be sharing provider and staff spotlights, patient testimonials, health tips, center updates, and even job openings. Be sure to connect with us so you don’t miss a thing.
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The weather reminds me of home in India!
Cardio, strength training and swimming.
FAVORITE FORMS OF EXERCISE:
FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN ARIZONA:
START A HEALTHY CONVERSATION
Wondering about certain medications and screening tests?
LEARN MORE
IMAGING SPOTLIGHT
CONNECT WITH US
Recommended questions from Brittany McArthur, MD
Do any changes need to be made to my medications?
Can you explain any test results I’ve recently received?
What can I do to improve my health?
Recommended questions from Shruti Mishra, MD
EvernorthCareGroup.com
Am I due for any screening tests?
What is my risk for developing heart disease and diabetes?
Are there any lifestyle changes that I need to make, in terms of diet and exercise?
Don’t forget to like,
follow and connect with
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OCTOBER 2023 - ISSUE 27
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Evernorth Care Group.
Shruti Mishra, MD
FUN FACTS+
An apple a day can keep almost anyone away if you throw it hard enough.
words to live by:
Brittany McArthur, MD
Patience is a virtue.
WORDS TO LIVE BY:
FUN FACTS+
All the great outdoor activities you can do when the weather is right.
FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN ARIZONA:
Today it’s chasing around
my children, but in the
past, I enjoyed running and swimming!
FAVORITE FORMS OF EXERCISE:
BACK
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women. As with many other types of cancer, you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Regular breast self-exams, clinical breast exams performed by your doctor and regularly scheduled mammograms are important screening tools in breast cancer detection — especially for early detection, when cancers may be more treatable.
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Accepting new patients
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
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Accepting new patients
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
This month’s Spotlight providers recommend asking these questions during your next wellness visit.
All Evernorth Care Group products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. Evernorth Care Group refers to the group medical practice division of Cigna Health Care of Arizona, Inc.
PEDIATRIC CORNER
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
While semaglutide medicines (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, etc.) have gained celebrity-level attention as a quick weight-loss fix, there’s more you need to know.
REMINDER 01
Here’s what you should know about semaglutides.
REMINDER 02
When should you get stitches?
REMINDER 03
Stitches are used to close a wound to stop bleeding, help minimize scarring and reduce your risk of infection. Because even minor cuts can cause bleeding that might appear excessive, it’s sometimes difficult to know whether to go for stiches or treat the cut at home. Here are some factors to consider.
Tips for keeping your child healthy during cold and flu season.
Now that cold and flu season is upon us, here are some tips for keeping your children and the rest of your family healthy.
Helping at-risk families in our community
RECIPES
Nothing says fall like the flavor of pumpkin.
PUMPKIN BARS
GET RECIPE
GET RECIPE
WHITE BEAN TURKEY PUMPKIN CHILI
GET RECIPE
JACK-O’-LANTERN STUFFED PEPPERS
If you’ve waited all year to enjoy it again, we’re sure these three family-friendly recipes won’t disappoint.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Evernorth Care Group recommends you talk to your PCP about semaglutide to learn more and decide if it’s right for you.
Connect with your provider on MyChart.
Messages are read as quickly as possible, but please allow up to three business days for a response.
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Evernorth Care Group partnered with The Cigna Group and the Arizona Cardinals Charities’ this past weekend, providing biometric and skin screenings to residents of the House of Refuge family shelter. Thank you to our partners for making this event a success!
House of Refuge provides safe, stable housing to families who are experiencing homelessness. They work with families on regaining dignity, healing from trauma, finding employment and ultimately obtaining permanent housing.
Learn more about House of Refuge.
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To learn more about pediatric services, visit our website.
To schedule an appointment, call Evernorth Care Group at 800.233.3264.
Practice prevention; help early detection.
To schedule an appointment call 602.282.9828.
Our Breast Imaging Center team is qualified to perform several different procedures and interpret a variety of medical images, including:
3-D mammography
Stereotactic breast biopsy
Breast ultrasound, including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
MRI guided biopsies
Breast surgeon consults within Evernorth Care Group
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In addition to completing the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program, Evernorth Care Group has achieved excellence in all of the rigorous voluntary breast imaging accreditation programs and modules from the American College of Radiology.
Our robust mammography program is offered at one of our four Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers throughout the Valley.
+ C.J. Harris - Tempe
+ Phoenix Central
+ Sun City
+ Superstition Springs
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Did you know that you don’t need a referral to get a mammogram screening? That’s right. Evernorth Care Group will perform a mammogram and send the results directly to your Evernorth Care Group primary care provider (PCP).
Breast Imaging Center services make it easier to practice prevention.
NATIONAL PHARMACY WEEK IS OCTOBER 15-21
What better time to recognize the pharmacists who make an impact on our Evernorth Care Group patients every day?
I love working for Evernorth Care Group because they treat me well as an employee, so I have the opportunity to treat my patients the way I want to treat them – with excellent customer service!”
Jana Anderson,
Pharmacy Supervisor
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Matt Morrison,
Pharmacy Senior Manager
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I enjoy working at Evernorth Care Group because I get the opportunity to help patients to the best of my abilities. We are able to be part of a collaborative practice that ensures each patient gets the best care in the timeliest manner.”
Sometimes problems arise with a prescription and clarification is needed before we can dispense. Since we work with our clinicians and communicate regularly, we can get the clarification immediately. The patient usually doesn’t have to wait, and that results in better outcomes for them.”
Miodrag Bunea,
STAFF PHARMACIST
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I enjoy getting to know my patients by name. Evernorth Care Group encourages us to go above and beyond for our patients, which lets me be me!”
APRIL CORBIN,
Pharmacy TECHNICIAN
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WALKING CURBS
CRAVINGS
FOR CHOCOLATE.
3
LEARN MORE
HERE ARE
THE WORST CANDY
FOR YOUR TEETH.
2
LEARN MORE
FALL IS A GOOD TIME
TO ORGANIZE YOUR
MEDICINE CABINET.
1
LEARN MORE
Top 3 Tips for National Wellness Month
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READ MORE
Empty. Take note of expiration dates and set expired medication off to the side to dispose of properly.
1. Fall is a good time to organize your
Semaglutide is used for weight loss in specific patients to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, in patients who have type 2 diabetes.
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Semaglutide also controls appetite, helping reduce the amount of food that patients want to eat.
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Each of the different brands of semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, etc.) are FDA approved for different conditions.
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Drugs.com. Semaglutide. Last updated August 23, 2023. https://www.drugs.com/semaglutide.html
+ If you meet specific criteria dependent on diabetes, body mass index (BMI), etc., your PCP may request a prescription.
+ The prescription will need to go through a prior authorization through your insurance.
+ Insurance won’t cover the drug unless you qualify.
Providers like to give their undivided attention to the patients they are seeing for appointments, but they respond to messages in between appointments as time allows.
You should only send non-emergency matters through MyChart.
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Size. This includes length as well as depth. Your wound will likely require stitches if it’s deeper or longer than half an inch, if it’s wide or gaping, or if fatty tissue, muscle or bone is exposed.
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Amount of blood. A cut that’s bleeding profusely and doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure will likely require stitches. Also, spurting blood may be a sign of a severed artery.
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Location. Wounds on or across a joint will likely require stitches, especially if the wound opens when you move the joint. Cuts on cosmetic areas, such as the face, should also be evaluated immediately.
Cause. Stitches are often required with puncture wounds and wounds caused by a bite. Your risk of infection is higher, and you may need a tetanus booster or antibiotics, as well as stitches.
If you need stitches, visit an Evernorth Care Group Urgent Care location:
+ Paseo Multi-Specialty Center and Urgent Care
Phoenix Central Multi-Specialty Center and Urgent Care
+ Stapley Multi-Specialty Center and Urgent Care + Sun City Multi-Specialty Center and Urgent Care
Get a flu shot. It is recommended everyone six months of age and older receive a flu shot every year.
Practice hand washing with your child. Make sure to have hand sanitizer available for when you are out and about.
Help build up your child’s immune system. Encourage plenty of sleep at night, a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, and an hour of physical activity every day.
Keep our community healthy. When your child is sick, a good rule of thumb for returning to school or daycare is when they are 24 hours fever free, and other symptoms are improving.
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Visit one of our six pediatric locations:
+ Chandler
+ C.J. Harris – Tempe
+ Paseo – Glendale
+ South Mountain
+ Stapley – Mesa
+ Westridge
IN THE COMMUNITY
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Categorize. Organize by first aid, allergy, cold/flu, sore throat, digestion, pain meds, etc. Use bins or baskets to hold the various medicine containers within easy reach for you, but not children.
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Restock. Make a list of what you’ll need to replace or stock up on to be prepared for the upcoming season.
And once you’re done, use the inside of the cabinet door to keep any lists, emergency information or medication instructions that you’ll need for easy access.
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READ MORE
2. Here are the worst candy for your teeth.
Anything sticky. Their effects will linger and because they stick around, increasing the chance for cavities.
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Gummy worms. They’re the most acidic, and acid wears down the tooth enamel that protects your teeth.
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Lollipops. Frequent exposure to sugar – like sucking on a lollipop – is more harmful than the quantity of sugar.
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Now, want some good news? According to several studies, chocolate may be more effective than fluoride at fighting tooth decay, due to a compound in chocolate that helps harden tooth enamel.
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READ MORE
3. Walking curbs cravings for chocolate.
Of course, you already know that any physical activity is good for your health. But did you know that walking may also benefit your sweet tooth’s cravings? A pair of studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for chocolate and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. And the latest research confirms that walking can reduce cravings and intake of a variety of sugary snacks.
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One of the many benefits to using MyChart is the ability to send messages directly to your provider. Use these tips to take advantage of this feature:
Watch this tutorial on how to send a message in MyChart
WATCH VIDEO
https://www.evernorth.com/evernorth-care/location/paseo-multi-specialty-center-and-urgent-care
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Learn more about screenings, symptoms and risks.
40%
in breast cancer death among women who participated in a breast cancer screening.*
Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain or changes in size that may be of concern. You should report any changes that you notice to your doctor or health care provider.
It's recommended that you give yourself a breast self-exam once a month, and you should report any changes that you notice to your doctor or health care provider.
Although preventive actions such as breast cancer screenings cannot prevent breast cancer, they can help find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
*Duffy SW, Tabár L, Yen AMF, et al. Mammography screening reduces rates of advanced and fatal breast cancers: results in 549,091 women. Cancer. 2020;126:2971-2979.Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is Breast Cancer Screening? Last reviewed July 25, 2023. What Is Breast CancerScreening? | CDC
Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Breast Cancer Awareness. Last reviewed September 26, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/
breastcancerawareness/index.htm.
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Practice prevention;
help early detection.
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risk reduction
25%
reduction
in advanced-stage breast cancer among women who underwent mammography screenings, compared with women who received no screening.*
Breast cancer screening check a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening methods include:**
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Talk to your Evernorth Care Group Primary Care Physician (PCP) about steps to prevent your risk of breast cancer. Schedule an appointment online or call 800.233.3264.
Breast cancer screening check a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening methods include:**
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years.
Women who are younger than 40 years old and at a higher risk, should talk to their doctor or other health care provider about when to start and how often to get a mammogram.
Mammogram recommendations
Breast cancer screening check a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening methods include:**
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. For many women, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.
At this time, a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer for most women. If you are at high risk, you may need to start getting a mammogram earlier than age 40. Talk to your provider to find out what they recommend.
Mammogram
Breast cancer screening check a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening methods include:**
A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes. Clinical breast exams are recommended every one to three years, as part of your annual wellness check-up.
Clinical breast exam
Breast self-exam
Clinical breast exam
Mammogram
Mammogram recommendations
Clinical breast exam
Mammogram
Mammogram recommendations
Breast self-exam
Mammogram recommendations
Clinical breast exam
Breast self-exam
Mammogram
Mammogram recommendations
Clinical breast exam
Breast self-exam
Breast self-exam
Mammogram
Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).
A new lump in the breast or underarm.
Lowering your risk
Risk factors
Symptoms
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
Being a woman, although men also get breast cancer.
Being older – most breast cancers are found in women 50 years old and older.
Having changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
Lowering your risk
Symptoms
Risk factors that affect your chance of getting breast cancer include:
Risk factors
In addition to making time for regular screenings, there are things you can do to help lower your breast cancer risk.
Symptoms
Risk factors
Lowering your risk.
Lowering your risk
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If you have any signs that worry you, see your doctor right away.
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Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
Avoid alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation.
If you are taking hormone replacement
therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks.
Breastfeed your children if possible.
SCREENINGS
SYMPTOMS
AND RISKS