Dyersburg Hospital now offering new treatment option. * Shannon McFarlin * July 8, 2026 * 8:18 am DYERSBURG, TN. - West Tennessee Healthcare is pleased to announce a new treatment option for people living with urge urinary incontinence. Dyersburg Hospital is now offering the Altaviva(TM) implant, an innovative therapy designed to help patients regain control and confidence. Unlike medications or injections that target the bladder muscles, the Altaviva(TM) implant works by stimulating the tibial nerve near the ankle. This gentle stimulation helps restore communication between the bladder and brain, which may reduce urgency and leakage. The therapy is designed to fit seamlessly into daily life. How It Works A small device is placed just under the skin near the ankle during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The implant sends gentle electrical pulses to the tibial nerve. These signals may help regulate normal bladder function and improve bladder control. This approach is known as tibial neuromodulation, a proven therapy for UUI. Why Altaviva(TM) May Be Right for You * One-time outpatient procedure - go home the same day * Therapy begins the same day as implantation * MRI-ready for full-body 1.5T or 3T scans * Long-lasting battery designed for up to 15 years of treatment Brent Zamzow, MD, urologist on staff at West Tennessee Healthcare- Dyersburg Hospital, recently performed the hospital's first Altaviva(TM) implant. "Urge urinary incontinence can have a profound impact on quality of life, said Zamzow. "This innovative implant expands treatment options by providing a safe, minimally invasive solution for patients whose symptoms persist despite conservative therapy". He says. Important Safety Information: As with any surgery, there are potential risks. Complications may include pain at the implant site, lower leg pain, infection, or technical/device issues. Results vary. Talk to your doctor to see if Altaviva(TM) therapy is right for you. For more information, visit www.Medtronic.com/Altaviva About Altaviva(TM) Therapy The Altaviva(TM) system from Medtronic is an implantable tibial neuromodulation (ITNM) therapy designed to treat urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in patients who have not responded to or could not tolerate more conservative treatments. The device is placed near the ankle in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and automatically delivers electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve to help restore communication between the bladder and brain - potentially reducing urgency and urinary leakage. The Altaviva(TM) system is activated on the same day as implantation, features long-lasting battery life, and is MRI-compatible, offering patients a streamlined and life-enhancing therapy option.

Registration open for grief education series. JACKSON, TN. - West Tennessee Healthcare, in partnership with Butterfly's Embrace, will host a two day grief education series featuring nationally recognized grief counselor and best-selling author Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt. The series will begin on Thursday, April 30, 2026, with an evening community event titled Tending to Your Broken Heart: Hope for Your Healing. This free event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Church in Jackson. Dinner will be provided, and while attendance is free, registration is required. On Friday, May 1, 2026, the series will continue with a full-day educational workshop, The Art of Companioning a Mourning Heart: Caring Versus Curing, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the J. Walter Barnes Conference Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. This session is designed for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and others who support individuals experiencing grief. Continuing education credits will be available. Throughout both events, Dr. Wolfelt will share practical, compassionate approaches to understanding grief, helping attendees recognize the emotional, psychological, and social impact of loss while learning how to truly walk alongside those who are hurting. The sessions will also explore the important difference between "caring" and "curing," offering guidance on how to support others in meaningful and lasting ways. "At West Tennessee Healthcare, caring for our community means being there not only in times of illness, but also in times of loss," said Leigh Ann Sutton, WTH Perinatal Bereavement Social Worker. "These events are an opportunity to learn how to support one another with compassion, understanding, and heart." Registration for both events is available by visiting www.ButterflysEmbraceFamilySupport.com. This series is made possible through the partnership of West Tennessee Healthcare, Butterfly's Embrace, and community sponsors who share a commitment to caring for others through every stage of life. About West Tennessee Healthcare: West Tennessee Healthcare is a public, not-for-profit healthcare system with locations serving 19 counties in West Tennessee and Southeast Missouri. The mission of West Tennessee Healthcare is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve while providing exceptional and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wth.org.