Healthcare

Dr. Ted Firestone checks on his patient, David Rudolph, as physical therapist Matt Smith takes him for his first walk, the day after a total knee arthroplasty at Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital. Recovery from orthopedic surgery is much quicker with patients often beginning physical therapy 24 hours after surgery and in some cases going home after a one-day hospital stay.

Janet McClure, registered CT technologist prepares to scan while Dr. J. Paul Rubin briefs a patient at Abrazo's Chandler TMC Advanced Imaging Center, Sept 23, 2009.

Dr. Maureen Romer works with student doctor Chris Wilde, on some filling work for Tanya Vanley of Chandler at the A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Romer is Associate Dean of post doctoral edication and director of special care dentistry.

Dr. Raoul Tibes MD, Ph.D., is working on a trial at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale that targets the abnormality in a gene associated with luekemia.

Surgical technician Michelle Small prepares syringes of fat, extracted from a patient for the centrifuge. Dr Daniel Shapiro preforms a fat transfer proceedure on a patient at Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery. Fat transfer is where a patient's own fat is removed from one part of the body, purified in a centrifuge and injected into areas where the patient and doctor want to add volume in the face. The fat, Shapiro said contains stem cells and growth factors that help to provide a lasting result.

Dr. Susan Van Dyke, MD uses a non-invasive fat reduction ultra sound machine, Liposonix, to help Ronalda Deal with some trouble areas. The ultra sound technique kills fat cells and thereby shrink the area of concern. Van Dyke owns Van Dyke Laser and Skin in Paradise Valley.

Tara Storjohann teaches pharmacy at Midwestern University in Glendale and talks about how the field has changed and become more interactive in guiding patients about medication, testing and other issues that improve patient care.

Dr. Tom Wall, M.D., PhD., works with Katya Nichols in the physical therapy center at his Athletic Institute of Medicine Scottsdale office.

Research associate Tala Khosroheidari extracts RNA from HepG2 cells to use in tests of various diabetes treatments in at the TGen, Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix. The insititute is researching a number of issues in trying to better understand Type I and II diabetes.

AIDSRelief/Bungwe (Rwanda) Health Center lab technician Bosco Karasira draw blood for an HIV test from the fingertip of an 11-month-old, while her mother tries to keep her calm. This was the first test at the center using the new PCR-DBS early diagnosis test. AIDSRelief is a 5-member consortium led by Catholic Relief Services that delivers anti-retroviral treatment to the most rural and underserved in nine countries. (Rick D'Elia)

The Yoga room at Bodhi Body Integral Medical Center in Gilbert which combines medical with holistic care under one roof.

Gail Morris-Breit, Radiological Technician of mamography, left, explains the operation of scanning and biopsy equipment to recovering breact cancer patient Laura Blank in the breast health center at Phoenix Baptist Hospial.

Kelley Nero, 17, reacts as a a virtual patient speaks to her as she and Shelli Herseth, 19 take turns listening to his heartbeat during a tour of Banner's simulation hospital. The Banner SIM center is a virtual hospital in Mesa that allows students to practice medical care skills on virtual patients that present a variety of symptoms and bodily functions.

Pulmonologist Dr. Loreto Sulit of Banner Baywood Hospital and Heart Hospital studies sleep apnea among other pulmonary issues while helping patients breathe easier.

Dr. David Adelson, Phoenix Chilrens Hospital's Chief of Neuro-Sciences Institute visits with his patient, Anton Brown, 2, and Anton's mom Senior Airman Ashley Brown for a follow-up on the boy's craniotomy and brain bleed surgery. The doctor tests his motor skills by playing catch and doing high fives among other skills. Phoenix Children's Hospital is ready to unveil a major expansion of their facilities.

Dr. Jeffrey Vaughn adolescent pediatric surgeon at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The Hospital is ready to unveil a major expansion of their facilities.

Registered nurse Chris Langston works with her patient Sofia Zaldana, one month, of Maricopa, in PICU unit at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. The child is being treated for a congenital heart defect. The hospital has recently unergone a major expansion that will officially open June 1.

Dr. Priya Radhakrishna prefers to refer to the progression of aging, the phenomenon of blooming, during which people should strive to eat less and excercise more. She and her family often take walks in the McDowell Mountain Preserve to get their excercise.

Dr. Howard Podolsky, cheif medical officer for NextCare Urgent Care encourages parents to be sure their chilren are up to date on their vaccinations before school starts.

Sue Smethurst R.N., BSN, corporate nurse for Mollen Immunization Clinics administers a flu shot to receptionist Kelly Jarvis at their Scottsdale location. The company administers 5 million flu shots a year nationwide.