“Dr. Carter literally saved my life, and Dr. Medling is a miracle worker” Amy says as she begins her story.

Amy Lysycyzn is mother of two beautiful girls, bonus mom to a son, a realtor, and an advocate.

Amy was acutely aware of the risks of breast cancer. She had a family history: Her aunt had passed away from complications due to breast cancer in her late forties. Then, at 30, she lost her best friend to the disease. Her experience made her hyper vigilant about doing breast self-exams and maintaining appointments with her OBGYN at MMC, Dr. Brad Chesney. 

Shortly after the birth of her first child she found a lump in her breast. A needle biopsy was performed, and the area was benign. She began seeing MMC general surgeon, Dr. Jimmy Carter every 6 months. Another mass was found and then surgically removed, but still benign. Amy was having mammograms at MMC Radiology every year, sometimes irregular findings, but the high-density scans would be clear.

After her third mammogram in less than a year, Amy and Dr. Carter discussed genetic testing. Within 10 minutes, Amy had completed paperwork and had blood drawn. Two weeks later, Dr. Carter called and gave Amy the news no one wanted to hear, she was BRCA 1 positive. Within 2 hours she had an appointment with Dr. Chesney to have her ovaries removed and an appointment with Dr. Carter the following day. 

Amy was then scheduled for a double mastectomy in late October of 2019. The area they were watching was benign, but cancer was found in her right breast. A long 8-hour surgery gave them clear margins, and the team was optimistic. Amy opted for immediate reconstructive surgery with MMC plastic surgeon, Dr. Brad Medling. Unfortunately, multiple infections in her left breast led to more surgeries until the last infection in March 2020.

As Amy was battling an infection, the world was shutting down. Covid precautions meant Amy was all alone as she faced an emergency surgery and recovery. Once she was able to leave the hospital, because of her compromised immune system, the family was isolated indefinitely. During a follow up with Dr. Medling, the decision was made that she would not continue with breast reconstruction. 

The physical recovery from breast cancer surgery and multiple infections was hard, but Amy describes the emotional recovery as brutal. A friend referred Amy to Tennessee Oncology for counseling and then Amy was referred to the Ascension St. Thomas Foundation Cancer Wellness Program which includes support groups and a physical wellness class.

Through Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, Tennessee Oncology, and Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford, Amy has begun to move forward and heal, both physically and emotionally, after breast cancer. She has made a lifelong connection with both Dr. Carter and Dr. Medling and will be forever grateful for their compassion and devotion to her care.

The month of October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or (SIDS) Awareness Month. SIDS is a sudden death in an infant under the age of a year old. This means the death was unable to be explained despite proper examination and a thorough medical history review. In the United States, more than one-third of sudden unexpected infant deaths occur each year from SIDS. Having a safe sleeping area for your baby is essential as it can decrease the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death. There are more tips on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby: Make Baby's Room Safe: Parent Checklist - HealthyChildren.org. 

Non-fitted sheets, blankets, quilts, and crib bumpers should be avoided because they can increase the risk of SIDS causing strangulation or suffocation. You should wait until they are at least 12 months old to have them sleep with soft objects or stuffed animals. It is best to keep the crib free of clutter. Having a firm mattress would be advisable for your baby as well. There is more information about soft objects and toys: When can my baby sleep with a stuffed animal or doll? | BabyCenter

It is best to lay your baby flat on their back for every sleep. This reduces the risk of suffocation and keeps their nose and mouth unblocked for better breathing, limiting choking and vomiting. The more your baby sleeps on their back, the more they’ll become used to sleeping in this position. You can learn more about how to safely position your baby for bedtime: Why Babies Should Sleep on Their Backs (momtricks.com).

Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter welcomes Suresh Chitturi, M.D. and Michael Yu, M.D. to its Neurology department. Drs. Chitturi and Yu have practiced in the Smyrna area for more than 8 years as part of Middle Tennessee Neurology and Sleep Medicine. The board-certified Neurologists will join MMC Neurologist, Blake Kellum, M.D. and nurse practitioners Dana Carter, APRN, FNP-C and Megan Childers, ARNP-ANP.

“For the past several years, there has been significant need for additional Neurologists in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, noted Joey Peay, MMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Having Drs. Chitturi and Yu, with their years of expertise, join MMC allows us to expand our service offerings in the neurology service line while also keeping them in the community. We welcome Drs. Chitturi and Yu and their patients to MMC.”

For now, they will continue to see patients primarily in their existing office located at 300 StoneCrest Blvd. Suite 365, Smyrna, TN. As MMC’s expansion efforts come online, their practice location may be reevaluated.

Dr. Michael Yu’s areas of expertise include: Sleep disorders: Apnea, Narcolepsy, Restless Legs Syndrome, Insomnia, Pediatric Sleep Evaluation and Testing. Neurology: Migraines/headaches, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia/Memory Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease/Movement Disorders, EEG, Stroke, Neuropathy, Neuromuscular Disorders.

Referrals from a patient’s primary care provider are typically required to be seen by a neurologist. To learn more about Dr. Chitturi and Dr. Yu, visit www.mmclinic.com/neurology.

An immigrant from Egypt, Kirolos has seen first-hand the negative impact that lack of access to medical care can have on an individual and their community. His background has given him an appreciation and respect for diversity, and a desire to serve not only the Rutherford County area, but the world through Doctors Without Borders. By completing more than 300 volunteer hours with Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and teaching Sunday school classes, he has demonstrated a passion for serving others. He aspires to better the lives of people and seeks to break the cycle of heath care discrepancies related to race, age, and gender. 

What inspired the scholarship?
In 2020, the physicians at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and SurgiCenter established The MMC Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation) to advance its mission to foster continuous improvement in the community’s health. The MMC Foundation partnered with MMC’s Diversity Committee, led by Dr. David Chatman for the past 3 years, to develop a scholarship for local students who are advancing to medical school and who are also members of ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the medical profession.

“Representation matters,” said Dr. Chatman. “There are physical, educational, social, and economic barriers which serve to dissuade diverse students from seeking leadership opportunities and membership within dissimilar communities. Diversity in representation helps to break these barriers down, and helps to normalize and realize the American dream for all Americans. We are very impressed with Kirolos, who seems to know exactly what he wants to do and has a plan to get there. We hope that he will remember us, and remember this community. We believe that given his experience and skills, he can shape the future of medicine and we believe that he will serve his community well.” 

Did you know? 

• 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. 

• One blistering sunburn significantly increases a person’s risk for developing melanoma. 

• Tanning bed use (even once!) increases melanoma risk by 20%. 

Protect the skin you’re in! 

• Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) SPF30 or greater applied every 2 hours provides adequate protection for children and adults. 

• Long sleeves protect for a long time! Choose sun protective clothing and wide brimmed hats. 

• Keep children in shade to protect them from UV exposure. Play outdoors in the morning or evenings when the sunisn’t as bright. 

Free Skin Cancer Screenings 

May is nationally recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness month. For the past several years, MMC Dermatology has offered free skin cancer screenings for new patients in the month of May. And they are proud to provide that same offer again this year! New patients will be scheduled with Carolyn Goodman Henn, DNP/FNP-C, who recently joined the practice as Dr. Brad Bledsoe’s Nurse Practitioner in 2021. Any additional treatment or procedure recommended will be scheduled accordingly. For more than 25years MMC Dermatology has served our community by providing adults and children the very best in skin care. To schedule an appointment, call 615-867-8220 or visitmmclinc.com/dermatology.

Your health is our mission. 

Recent studies have revealed an increase in incidence of colorectal cancer amongst people younger than age 50, which has led to updated screening recommendations.

This is why Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (MMC) Gastroenterology is educating their patients and community about the importance of routine screenings.  March is nationally recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Gastroenterologists at MMC hopes to bring attention to recent developments in the field and to break stigmas associated with colorectal healthcare and colonoscopies.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that adults begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. Because of this new guideline, both private insurers and Medicare will soon be required to cover the costs of your colorectal cancer screening when performed by an in-network provider starting at age 45. In fact, most insurances already are.

Screening with Colonoscopy

Although there are many screenings that can help find colorectal cancer, MMC Gastroenterologist Brian D. Smith, M.D. says that none is better than a colonoscopy.

“Early stages of colorectal cancer usually present with no symptoms. A colonoscopy is the only test to prevent colorectal cancer, with the unique ability to remove polyps before they turn into cancer,” said Dr. Smith. “It is the only screening test recommended at 10-year intervals, because it’s by far the best test at finding precancerous polyps.”

With four gastroenterologists, four advanced practice providers and an in-house, accredited SurgiCenter, MMC is well-equipped to perform safe and reliable colonoscopies. Preparations have improved, and are generally easier to tolerate than in the past. The procedure is performed with the patient sedated, and generally there is no pain during or after the procedure. Most patients will feel well upon leaving the SurgiCenter, get back to a regular diet that day and resume regular activities, such as work, the day after.

Breaking the Stigma

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. in 2022, leading to an estimated 52,580 deaths. Even with these startling statistics, the CDC says that only about 7 out of 10 U.S. adults aged 50 to 75 are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.

“My suspicion is that people do not want to have the test mostly out of embarrassment,” said MMC Gastroenterologist Robert Knox, M.D. “But talking to the patient directly will usually alleviate their angst about going thru the procedure. Knowing where you stand regarding your colon health is incredibly valuable.”

To learn more about colonoscopies and to see if screening is recommended for you, please click here.

If have questions or concerns about getting a colonoscopy, talk to your doctor. If you would like to schedule a colonoscopy, please click here or call 615-867-8070.

More About Colonoscopies

Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and SurgiCenter (MMC) announced that applications are now being accepted for the ‘Drs. David and Yolando Chatman Scholarship’. The scholarship will be awarded to a local college junior, senior or graduate student who is advancing to medical school and is also a member of an ethnic minority group that is often underrepresented in medicine.

MMC named the scholarship after two of its physicians, each known for their impact on the culture, diversity and overall success of Murfreesboro Medical Clinic in their 25+ years with the clinic.

Yolando McGriff-Chatman, M.D. joined Murfreesboro Medical Clinic in 1996 as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and later practiced Gynecology only. David Chatman, M.D., a Vascular Surgeon, joined MMC a couple of years later as a member of its Surgery Department. Through the years, they have mentored many students on their paths to medical school. The couple plans to retire from the practice of medicine and MMC in May and move to Ohio to be closer to their daughter as she begins her medical career.

“Both David and Yolando have dedicated their careers to providing their patients and this community with the highest levels of care,” said Joey Peay, MMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we considered what to name our scholarship, it made sense to honor those two individuals who have served as important role models in our Clinic and in the overall medical community.  Their compassion and their commitment to helping develop the skills of other physicians, especially minority physicians, should be an example for all of us to follow.  We, as an organization, are thankful for their leadership, and they will be missed at MMC and in the Murfreesboro medical community.”

What inspired the scholarship?

The scholarship was inspired by Rutherford County’s own Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund (created by the late Dr. George Smith and Mary Scales), which was created in 1984 to help address concerns regarding the African American achievement gap in the local community.

“Representation matters,” said Dr. Chatman. “There are physical, educational, social, and economic barriers which serve to dissuade diverse students from seeking leadership opportunities and membership within dissimilar communities. Diversity in representation helps to break these barriers down, and helps to normalize and realize the American dream for all Americans.” 

Criteria for the scholarship can be found online at www.mmclinic.com/scholarship. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2022 to be considered.