Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1470098
2 | Health Matters: Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro and Torrance Letter to the Community T his summer, many residents of our community will enthusiastically resume travel, activities and projects that were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A return to a sense of normalcy is a welcome respite from months of isolation and restrictions. At Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers San Pedro and Torrance, our goal is to make sure you resume activities you enjoyed prior to the pandemic including preventive measures that support good health. This could include an assessment of your current health by having a wellness check or a full physical. If you haven't received your COVID-19 vaccinations and the booster shot, it is not too late. If you are dealing with any chronic health impacts from a COVID-19 infection, our health professionals are available to help. In this issue of Health Matters, we discuss the importance of regular well checks and screening tests for cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses with a primary care physician. On page 5 you'll see a useful chart to help you quickly identify the screenings you may need. These screenings are typically free of charge and may save your life. We are honored to offer our patients the latest advances in health care that can make treatment easier and contribute to improved outcomes. Our story on page 6 features a new treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that afflicts millions of men. The minimally invasive treatment, called Aquablation, uses a high-pressure water beam to remove parts of the prostate. On page 9 you can learn about hand disorders from one of our specialists. Hand disorders are often ignored but can be successfully treated. On page 8 we describe the latest model of hospital care, using a network of hospitalists and laborists to ensure that patients who are admitted to the medical center are cared for by a physician, around the clock, in partnership with each patient's primary care physician or specialists. Lastly, we are proud of our Catholic heritage and long-standing commitment to care for the most vulnerable members of our community, and we're excited to share the news of a new clinic in San Pedro that will provide primary care to all patients, including ones who are uninsured and/or underinsured (see page 10). This outpatient clinic, on Butte Street in San Pedro, is designed to help people receive care for non-urgent conditions to prevent the need to go to the emergency room to seek care. More importantly, the clinic will connect each patient to a primary care physician to ensure the patient receives ongoing care. The best primary care involves a trusted doctor-patient relationship. Relationships are at the heart of our patient-centered care. Take care and stay well, Garry Olney, Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro and Torrance