Get to Know our Staff: Randy Preston, Security

Get to Know our Staff: Randy Preston, Security

by | Sep 12, 2022 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am the security manager for the Frisco campus, and my role is to ensure a safe environment for the staff and visitors. 

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work? 
Observe, react, respond, listen, train and fix if I can. I try to be alert to anything out of the ordinary that may be going on inside or outside our facility. I’m always busy making rounds through clinics and departments, checking live and recorded camera footage, listening to staff concerns, making employee badges and assigning proper access clearance and a lot of other little but important things that are semi-top secret.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job was a mail clerk for an insurance company. Before coming to Scottish Rite, I was a bank fraud investigator, which allowed me to learn and work alongside the FBI, Secret Service and several other areas of law enforcement. I loved the job, but I had to deal with dishonest individuals and criminals. Coming to Scottish Rite provided an atmosphere better for my heart. I’ll be coming up on my 22nd anniversary this year.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I love the family feel I get from the staff, and I could feel it when I first arrived. Times have changed, but it’s still there! Even the grumpy staff, which only makes it more like a family. Throughout the years I’ve worked alongside all levels of staff, including our trustees. The one common theme is the way we care for the kids and each other.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know.
I actually get a lot of security and safety improvement ideas from the staff and my officers by just listening to their concerns or asking questions. Some are a bit over the top. I’m a semi-perfectionist, so I’m constantly trying to improve every aspect of security for our facility.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Pebble Beach Golf Course. Two years ago my best friend and I made a pact to play a PGA golf course every year. It was an extremely beautiful course and to know that you are playing the same course that Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus played was amazing. That was last year. This year we played TPC Sawgrass and had the same “WOW” feeling.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Football is always first on my list. I still enjoy playing catch with the kids in the neighborhood. I love watching my Dallas Cowboys, when they are winning, and any Texas college team, but I do lean more toward the UT Longhorns. Golf became my sport because of the individual challenge it provides. Also, I can yell at myself instead of my teammates. I’m kind of competitive. Ok, I’m competitive!

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
For one month I was an actor. The opportunity came up when I was transitioning from banking to Scottish Rite. I was an assistant coach in the movie Any Given Sunday that was filmed at the old Texas Stadium. I was only a glorified extra, but I did get to meet Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jim Brown, the greatest NFL running back of all time, and several other stars. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things.

Share Your Story: My Favorite People

Share Your Story: My Favorite People

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Clubfoot & Foot Disorders

Meet Addison, a patient who is seen by our team of multidisciplinary experts. Learn more about her journey below.
 
Blog written by Addison.

I have been a patient at Scottish Rite for Children my entire life – more than 15 years! My first appointment was when I was only 5 days old. When I was born, my legs went up toward my head and my knees were backward. I have what is called Larsen’s Syndrome, and this caused me to be born with bilateral knee dislocations, hip dysplasia and club foot.

Dr. Rathjen is my doctor, and he is one of my favorite people. He changed my life by giving me the ability to walk. Throughout the years, I’ve had a bunch of different surgeries and my legs have been casted. Without him, I would not be able to walk, play sports or do any of the other things I love to participate in. My legs don’t really bend, but that does not slow me down! I really love volleyball, and I’m involved in National Charity League and volunteer in my church nursery.

baby sleeping
Scottish Rite will always be a huge part of my life. When I was younger, I was there so often the hospital almost felt like a second home. Everyone is nice, and I always look forward to the different Scottish Rite activities. My mom would bring me to different events, and I always thought it was the most fun place. Throughout the years, I’ve done different things to give back to the organization. I usually do them around the time of my birthday. Scottish Rite changed my life, and I want to give back to the place that gave me so much. I’ve gotten to know Stephanie Brigger, and she is another one of my favorite people!
Doctor with his patient

I’ve never allowed my condition to keep me from living life to the fullest.

I dream of becoming a pediatric physical therapist, so I can help other kids like me. I am so thankful for Scottish Rite.

 

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

Diagnosing, Referring and Treating Newborns with DDH

Diagnosing, Referring and Treating Newborns with DDH

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Hip Disorders

Watch the lecture on YouTube or read this summary to catch the highlights.

Download the PDF.

This is a summary of a presentation for medical professionals that focuses on developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH. Presented by William Z. Morris, M.D., the seminar dives into everything medical professionals need to know about evaluating and treating DDH in newborns, helping physicians recognize the condition and respond earlier.

DDH is a common condition that occurs in about one in 100 infants. The condition is characterized by a shallow acetabulum and/or under-covered femoral head in the hip. It can occur due to a malformation of anatomic structures that have developed normally during the embryonic period and ranges in severity from physiologic immaturity to subluxation to frank dislocation. The presentation covers the epidemiology of DDH and its risk factors.

Dr. Morris provides updated guidelines for selective ultrasound screening for high-risk infants and includes data from his recent publications and presentations at national conferences. The presentation covered a full DDH screening and physical exam, showing providers exactly how to look for signs of DDH in newborns. He explains that physical findings fall on a spectrum and vary with the severity of the pathology and the age of the child. The presentation includes a detailed video of a newborn physical exam, showing participants hip-specific tests that can be performed to identify even subtle signs of dysplasia.

Email [email protected] to request access to the full exam video.

Imaging is a valuable tool in helping to diagnose DDH, but Dr. Morris shares why it is best to wait until the patient is 6 to 8 weeks of age in cases of screening ultrasounds for stable hips,  using facts and figures to illustrate this reasoning. He recommends ultrasounds at 6 to 8 weeks of age, which reduces false positive rate, and X-rays after 6 months of age once the hip has undergone sufficient ossification.

The presentation continues with Dr. Morris describing treatment protocols for DDH. For many, primary treatment for DDH begins with a Pavlik harness for six to eight weeks. He shares what to watch for with this treatment and its success rate using granular data in order to arm primary care physicians with data that can be used to reassure families once the diagnosis is made. He then talks about further treatments, including hip abduction brace, closed or open reductions and spica cast, and in which cases each may be used.

Finally, Dr. Morris shares vital information about DDH prevention, such as healthy hip swaddling, the use of proper sleep sacks and the correct use of baby carriers and how each of these can contribute to DDH in newborns.
Dr. Morris encourages physicians to refer patients early and often in cases of suspected DDH, know the risk factors and help parents with prevention techniques. He stresses that in most cases, nonoperative treatment is very successful, especially when the condition is caught early. Pediatric physicians and their patients can greatly benefit from Dr. Morris’ expertise with DDH, learning everything physicians need to know to provide their smallest patients with the best care.

With Her Knees Back in Sync, Abbee’s Ready to Take It From the Top!

With Her Knees Back in Sync, Abbee’s Ready to Take It From the Top!

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Sports Medicine

A woman in a green jumpsuit is dancing on a stage .

Abbee, age 16 of Denton, isn’t like most kids her age. She attends a unique online school just so that she can devote as much time as possible to her true passion – dancing. She is dedicated, spending more than 40 hours a week practicing her dance, earning an invitation to participate in an exclusive pre-professional program at The Joffrey Ballet School.

Abbee dances all day, every day and is determined to pursue a career as a professional dancer. “I knew from a young age that this is what I wanted to do forever,” she says. When Abbee began noticing that her knees were “buckling” while she was dancing, she knew something was wrong. “It would happen while I was dancing, and it would take me out of dance for a few days until the pain went away,” Abbee says. “Eventually, it was happening so often that we decided it was time to see a doctor.”

Abbee visited our Sports Medicine clinic in Frisco to see Jane S. Chung, M.D., pediatric sports medicine physician for Scottish Rite for Children who has a passion for caring for female athletes and dancers. After discussing her history, performing a physical exam and reviewing X-rays and an MRI, Dr. Chung explained that Abbee’s kneecaps sit higher than normal. This position of the kneecap is referred to as patella alta and it can cause patellar instability or patellar subluxation, which is a partial dislocation of her kneecap. Chung reviewed the treatment options, ranging from physical therapy (PT) to surgery. As many patients do, Abbee chose a nonoperative approach first. She began PT to strengthen the muscles in her knees right away, working with physical therapist Jessica Dabis, P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S., to complete exercises to reduce the frequency and hopefully prevent dislocations. After completing PT, Abbee returned to her rigorous dance schedule, and she noticed that her knees felt much stronger.

Abbee visited with pediatric sports medicine surgeon Philip L. Wilson, M.D., and pediatric orthopedic nurse practitioner Chuck Wyatt, M.S., CPNP, RNFA,  who described the procedure and recovery and put her at ease. In November 2021, Wilson reconstructed the torn MPFL, which also corrected her patella alta. This procedure should prevent the instability episodes in this knee. Abbee began PT with Jessica Dabis at Scottish Rite again to rehab her left knee following surgery, working to get back to dancing

Soon after her surgery, Wyatt and Wilson determined that Abbee’s right knee also had a torn MPFL. Abbee knew this meant she would likely need another surgery, but she wasn’t worried. “I was already going to be out for this entire dance season, why not just get them both done and be completely healthy?” Abbee says. She continued PT of her left knee while preparing for surgery for her right knee, just 59 days after her first surgery. After surgery, Abbee was extremely diligent about her rehabilitation, following every instruction.

A woman in a green leotard is standing on one leg on a stage .

She continued PT through July 2022, strengthening the muscles in her knees and following her therapist’s prescribed dance-specific rehabilitation progression. This included a step-by-step return to dance skills and movements, building up from modified to full-out participation. She’s now back to doing what she loves most, dancing, and is so thankful for the team at Scottish Rite for helping her get where she needs to be. 

“Having two back-to-back knee surgeries before the age of 16 is never something I imagined for myself,” Abbee says. “But now I am so extremely proud of myself for making that difficult decision because now I can go back into dance confidently knowing that my knees will be better. I won’t have that fear that my knees will partially dislocate. This entire experience at Scottish Rite has truly changed my life for the better, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team and medical care.”

WE ENJOY HEARING ABOUT OUR CURRENT AND FORMER PATIENTS’ SUCCESS STORIES. TELL US ABOUT YOUR MVP. 

Ten Ways To Manage Pain Without Medication

Ten Ways To Manage Pain Without Medication

by | Aug 15, 2022 | Psychology

Whether following an injury or a surgery, pain management is an important factor in many orthopedic conditions. Our psychology experts provide our patients with the necessary techniques and skills to manage their pain, preventing the need for extensive medications. Much of pain management is based on mental perception. Pediatric psychologists Emily Gale, Ph.D., L.P., ABPP, and Emily Stapleton, Psy.D., explain how to manage pain using psychology.
 
Importance of Pain Management
 
Nobody wants to be in pain, and ongoing or chronic pain can lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Pain management is important to prevent increased stress levels and improve comfort in daily life. “Non-pharmacological pain management interventions are important because they allow patients to increase comfort for continued function, therefore supporting overall quality of life and allowing them to stay involved in the activities and sports they love,” Stapleton says. “Individuals who use these strategies also tend to rely on medications less, thus experiencing fewer side effects, decreased drug dependency and have reduced health care costs.”

Emotions and Pain Management
 
Our emotions and behaviors can directly impact our perception of pain. “The experience of pain is a multifactorial experience in our brains — multiple centers, including the limbic system, which is involved in emotional processing, help us understand pain,” Gale says. “In fact, the International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as ‘an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.’ Therefore, emotion management is a critical part of managing pain. Specifically, negative emotions often amplify the intensity of pain while positive coping skills can mediate the experience of pain.” Different psychology methods can allow patients to regulate their emotions and work through painful situations.
 
Pain Management Techniques
 
Our team of experts have many tips to help patients cope with pain. The following techniques can help manage pain:
 

  • Eat healthy meals at regular times throughout the day.
  • Be sure to get plenty of sleep to refuel your body.
  • Stay active and exercise regularly.
  • Address any concerns with mood (i.e. poor mood, irritability).
  • Use skills such as:
    • diaphragmatic breathing
    • progressive muscle relaxation
    • guided imagery
    • positive self-talk
    • stress management

 
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing is a technique that strengthens the diaphragm while deeply breathing.

  • Use the diaphragm and expand your belly instead of the upper chest muscles.
  • Diaphragmatic breathing can help you relax, breathe more easily and strengthen your diaphragm.

Diaphragmatic breathing does not take the place of medicines or other treatments, but it can help you breathe more easily in certain situations. Learn how to use diaphragmatic breathing in our Pain Management Workbook.
 
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or “Tense and Relax” is the simple practice of tensing, or tightening, one muscle group at a time followed by a relaxation and release of tension in that muscle group. Practicing this skill helps you get better at recognizing and reducing tension in your body and decreasing stress, anxiety and discomfort. PMR practice allows the muscles to relax more thoroughly after releasing, which makes letting go of physical tension more effective and increases relaxation.
 
Guided Imagery
Imagining a relaxing place or thinking relaxing thoughts can reduce pain and decrease stress. You can use imagery to imagine you’re somewhere else as a distraction from your pain and to feel more relaxed.
 
Positive Self-Talk
Self-talk is the inner voice or internal conversation that we have with ourselves. The way you talk to yourself can have a big influence on how you feel and act. Negative thoughts or self-talk increases stress, so with practice, you can learn to shift negative thoughts to positive ones and decrease stress using this cognitive-behavioral technique.
 
Learn more about the skills and psychology approaches used to manage pain in our Pain Management Workbook to assist patients and others with managing their pain. Download it now to get started. Learn more about our Psychology services.