USC-VHH cardiac rehab helps patients get stronger in a supervised setting. Exercise is essential for people with heart disease to keep their heart as healthy as possible. But it can also be extremely intimidating to go to a regular gym or work out on their own at home, because many worry about what might happen
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital launches a public education campaign on the proper use of antibiotics. The overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics has long been a concern among public health officials because it creates antimicrobial resistance, a situation in which bacteria that make people sick no longer respond to common medications such as antibiotics. According
Learn more about the full range of volunteer opportunities available at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and our efforts to grow our team. Walk through the front doors of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) and a volunteer concierge is likely to greet you with a smile and direct you to your destination. It is the volunteers’
Sue Wilder, a volunteer at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital for 18 years, understands that when someone enters the hospital, they are at an extremely vulnerable point. Her first time at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital was when her father was admitted as a result of congestive heart failure. “He ended up spending seven weeks in this
Phil Mutchnik is easy to track down — if he’s not at the movies catching the films most likely be nominated for an Oscar, he’s volunteering at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital four and sometimes, five days a week. “I get a lot out of this myself,” he said. “I am not just doing this for
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation On Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, our 29th Annual Golf Classic went virtual and raised more than $250,000 for USC Verdugo Hills Hospital’s Greatest Needs Fund. The golf classic traditionally supports the hospital’s highest priority needs, which normally include clinical training, surgical and diagnostic equipment, modernized facilities, programs that enhance patient
Jonathan Curtis has a “type A” personality. So when he was hit with sudden, severe pain in his abdomen last October, he simply grabbed some antacids to settle his stomach and got back to work. Instead of improving, the pain got worse. Within a few hours, Jonathan was wheeled into the emergency room at
Older patients with a mental health diagnosis may feel helpless if traditional weekly therapy no longer meets their needs. For these patients and their families, a holistic therapy program at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital offers a solution. Stepping Stones is a geropsychiatric program at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital that is designed to help relieve emotional
USC-Verdugo Hills Hospital, part of Keck Medicine of USC, is being recognized for its exceptional support of emergency nursing certification. It is the first hospital in California to receive BCEN Honorary Certification Recognition, an award that is bestowed on one small and one large health care facility each year by the Board of Certification in
This July, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) is celebrating five years as members of the Trojan family. Keith Hobbs MBA, joined USC-VHH as CEO in January 2016. He focused on working to raise the hospital’s standards as both a hospital and a community partner, as well as improving its reputation. “We have made incredible strides,”
Nina Aghakhani, a native of La Cañada-Flintridge, knew from a young age that she wanted a career in health care. After graduating from college, Nina became a volunteer at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital during her gap year before medical school. Nina discovered her love for health sciences through her sports medicine and kinesiology classes at
Keeping your joints healthy and strong can help you stay active. As you age, the cartilage around your joints can wear or break down. This can trigger arthritis, a joint disorder that causes pain and stiffness due to inflammation of one or more joints. However, you can take steps to protect your existing cartilage and
Take control of racing thoughts and your spinning mind with these natural strategies for reducing anxiety. Occasional anxiety and nagging feelings of worry are a normal part of everyday life. In fact, about 18 percent of adults in the U.S. will experience anxiety, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Though you can’t
Battling a deadly disease can take a toll on family members. Learn how you can support loved ones in this time of turmoil. Dealing with cancer means more than addressing the physical side of the disease. There also is an emotional side of cancer that takes just as much — if not more —
No one wants to think about their friends or family members battling prostate cancer, but being prepared is the best way to protect their health. Early detection is a critical part of successful treatment, and it depends on regular screenings — especially for men with elevated risk. Too often, myths and misconceptions keep men from
Keeping your joints healthy and strong can help you stay active. As you age, the cartilage around your joints can wear or break down. This can trigger arthritis, a joint disorder that causes pain and stiffness due to inflammation of one or more joints. However, you can take steps to protect your existing cartilage and
Experts say that one-third of the world's dementia cases could be prevented by managing lifestyle factors such as hearing loss, hypertension and depression. This remarkable fact was part of a report by the first Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care that was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2017 and published in
While most food allergies start in childhood, adults can develop allergies and it can happen out of nowhere. Maybe you have been eating seafood your entire life and out of nowhere your favorite lobster dish at your local restaurant causes your lips to swell. What’s causing it? Chances are you have developed an adult
Our 26th Annual Golf Classic was one of the most successful in its long history, raising more than $300,000. Our fundraising efforts, fueled by the generosity of our event sponsors, underwriters, golfers and community members, were unparalleled. Funds will be used to support our highest-priority needs, including investments in technology, facility improvements, patient services and
Your 20s are typically a whirlwind of independence, soul-searching, hyper-socialization and figuring out exactly who you are. These lifestyle tricks will help you along the way. People in their 20's often experience rapid and frequent changes. Increased responsibilities; moving to and from college or out of your parents home; significant personal relationships grow or dissipate;
You may feel helpless when someone has a seizure, but remember to stay calm and be present. Your actions could save a life. Seizures are more common than you think; 1 in 10 people will experience one, and they are usually associated with epilepsy. While medication can often control them, seizures are still unpredictable. If
It’s common knowledge we are all more likely to get sick during winter. But what does science have to say about why? You’re outside on an unexpectedly chilly day. You forgot to wear your hat and gloves and now you’re shivering. Is it a given that you’re going to catch a cold or come down
On January 1, 2017 at 1:03pm, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital welcomed its very first baby of the new year. Adoptive parents Felipe Osorno and Ian Holloway, as well as older sister Sophia H. Osorno, are thrilled to welcome baby Lucia into their family. Baby Lucia weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces. Lucia was greeted
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is hosting a special contest in anticipation of the upcoming birth of the hospital's first baby of the new year. All you need to do is give your best guess about when the baby will be born and how much the baby will weigh. To participate, visit the USC Verdugo Hills
Over 70 guests were in attendance for our most recent Men’s Health Seminar which was held on Thursday, December 8th. Various topics related to men’s health were addressed by local physicians and USC Medical School staff. The evening was especially poignant as it was the capstone for Men’s Health Awareness Month. Pictured below are Dr.
Can Keith Hobbs please report to the principal’s office? Crescenta Valley High School invited our USC Verdugo Hills Hospital CEO to be ‘principal for a day’ at his alma mater.
This innovative procedure helps improve the quality of your husband’s life with a quick, minimally invasive procedure — and will help you and your husband get a good night’s sleep again. We reached out to Leo R. Doumanian, MD, associate professor of clinical urology who practices at the USC Institute of Urology of Keck Medicine of USC
It can be hard to talk about issues below the belt, but if you or your partner experiences this problem; you don’t need to suffer any longer Has sex been less fun and more painful in the bedroom? Have you noticed that something down below is curving like a banana? Is this affecting your
The very same Botox that works for wrinkles can stop you from running to the bathroom every 15 minutes. Want to learn more? Read on.First, know that it’s not uncommon to have to urinate more frequently and have leakage issues, particularly as you get older — about 16 percent of men and women do. But
Surgeons at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital call on the latest surgical advances to tackle prostate cancer. Robotic surgery is relatively new at USC Verdugo Hills, having debuted in January 2016, but the team and program are long-standing. The USC Institute of Urology is a pioneer in robotic prostatectomies — urologists at Keck Medicine of USC
Local celebrity Betty Porto from Porto's Bakery came to deliver our nurses lunch in honor of National Nurses Week! A special thank you to our donor Bill Pounders for the donation. Some photos: Read the full story here.
Our hospital received the Get With The Guidelines Silver Plus Achievement Award for reaching an aggressive goal of treating (heart failure or stroke) patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for 12 consecutive months.
Its early symptoms can be confused with those of a cold or flu — which may be why an urgent care doctor thought it was a passing virus that could be treated with rest and over-the-counter medications. But something inside both Tammy Stradiotto and her husband James Przybyla told them that their son’s complaints
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital has been serving the Verdugo Hills community for more than 40 years. Sue and Steve Wilder took on a project to create the history wall at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. When going through the scrapbooks, they discovered the pioneers and leaders that were able to make USC Verdugo Hills Hospital a
We held a special event with the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) of Los Angeles to acquaint the community at large with Medical Innovations and Excellence in high quality healthcare. Read more in Armenian Life.
Our hands. We use them every day to get us through many tasks throughout the day. Texting. Cooking. Writing. Opening Doors. Typing. Carrying Things. Exercise. Giving high fives. And more! Many times, our hands can become tired, sore and painful. If you have arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome or other uncomfortable hand ailments, you might
Waking up in the morning can be tough. You’re tucked comfortably under the covers only to realize the sound of your alarm means it’s time to get up and start your day. But once you do, you head over to the mirror to start brushing your teeth. Lo and behold, you still have that belly
Your family means everything to you. Your dad, your husband, or your boyfriend are potentially some of the most important people in your life. Their health is important to you. But the unfortunate and shocking truth is that, on average, men die 5 years earlier than women. More often than not, it is due to
You’re young, energetic, feel great and are up on the latest health and fitness trends, but that doesn’t mean you should skip seeing your primary care doctor. Your 20s are a busy time in your life. Socializing, working, studying, newfound responsibilities and random adventures can jam-pack your days. But, scheduling a check-up appointment with your
The holidays are an opportunity to give thanks and celebrate life. They also can be a time of danger. Overindulgence of alcohol or drugs is an increased health threat during the holidays, experts at Keck Medicine of USC say, as is accidental consumption of harmful substances. Children may be most vulnerable. During the holiday
Each day brings about an opportunity for a fresh new start. Are you considering losing weight? Getting back in shape? Diets are hard to stick with (trust me, I know!) and more often than not we cave in at the first sign of temptation. Other times, diets can make us miserable when we watch our coworkers,
Dealing with stress is tough. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming. Some days you just feel like tossing in the towel and giving up.I get it.I have been there myself. And can I say it definitely is not a fun situation to be in.Whether you are overworking yourself or juggling too many responsibilities in between, work,
Everyday is an opportunity for a new beginning. Pressing restart may be overwhelming, especially considering our daily responsibilities, but you can set out to accomplish all of your goals this year with a bit of inspiration. Here are 10 simple ways you can start on that today: 1. Read a book Picking up a book
Googling apple cider vinegar returns seemingly endless search results, many of which describe apple cider vinegar to be the key to a healthy lifestyle. Apple Cider Vinegar’s purported health benefits – from weight loss to blood sugar regulation – have been reported in a wide range of websites from from Cosmopolitan to Authority Nutrition.
A hip replacement in October 2014 has not slowed James Foley down at all. “I’m ready to do an Irish jig now,” says the 79-year-old Catholic priest. Originally from Tipperary County, Ireland, Foley, or “Father Jack,” served the parish of Holy Redeemer in Montrose, CA, for 23 years. Although he retired in 2007, he still
The first kidney stone that Larry Collings had was a stubborn one; doctors tried sounds waves and surgery, but nothing helped. It wasn’t until he came to USC Verdugo Hills Hospital that he found relief. Battling kidney stones and the pain associated with them had become a way of life for the La Crescenta resident.
Dr. Gilbert is the new medical director of orthopaedic surgical operations for Orthopaedic Surgery at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. He has worked in orthopaedics for the last 31 years. Here’s what you won’t find on his resume: He has strong ties to the Verdugo Hills community. “My family and I have lived in the Foothills
When Charles Mason found his wife, Chris Mason, on the floor of their bedroom, unable to move the left side of her body, he recognized that she was probably having a stroke. He also knew, after years of serving on the board of directors of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH), that she needed to get
Prostatectomies performed using the da Vinci® Surgical System have the potential for less blood loss, less pain, minimal scarring and faster recovery time as compared to traditional procedures. USC Verdugo Hills Hospital of Keck Medicine of USC has acquired a da Vinci® Surgical System Robot for minimally invasive, robotic-assisted prostatectomies. Mike Nguyen, MD, MPH, associate
Physicians often want surgical patients to be up and walking soon after an operation, but a full recovery may still lay ahead. For some patients, what follows is therapy overseen by physical therapists, like those of the Physical Therapy Department at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC–VHH). The staff of physical, occupational and speech therapists treats
“I’ll see you around.” “Not if I see you first!” This kind of good-natured ribbing isn’t what you’d expect to hear at a hospital-based fitness center, but it’s part of a normal day at the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USCVHH) Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (CRP) for cardiac patient Phil Downs. Downs, 73, a retired California Highway