Franciscan Healthcare - Munster Web Site

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Managing a New Year's Diet Plan

As we finish up this great holiday season, many individuals look back at their consumption and wonder, "what happened?" While this feeling is a common one, it's important that those individuals considering a New Year's diet resolution have a plan.

Joe Mishlove, dietician at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, gives the following advice on starting and managing your diet plan for the coming year:

1. Be aware of what you're taking in. Often times, individuals aren't monitoring their calories and they're eating freely. Try to utilize a plate every time you eat. This way, you're always seeing exactly what you're taking in.

2. Monitor your calorie intake by writing down everything you eat on a small notepad that can be carried with you.

3. Substitute healthy foods for unhealthy ones. With diets, there is a concept called caloric-density. Choosing foods with a high caloric-density means your eating foods that are high in calories. Substitute these out for those with less caloric-density. For example, instead of drinking a large amount of apple juice that's high in sugar and calories, eat an apple. You'll get the same nutrition and filling without the sugar and calories.

4. Keep it pleasurable with the foods you eat. Eating is a stimulating experience and indulging isn't a bad thing on occassion. The problem is that people indulge too often. Watch how often you're eating heavily and work to limit your intake, especially when large amounts are around.

5. Have friends and family that you can count on for support. Talk to them about your struggles and successes with the diet. Eating healthy and losing weight don't happen overnight, and everyone needs the support of those they care about to accomplish such a large endeavor.



For more information about losing weight and starting a diet, check out our weight loss guide.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

FPH President Named a Top Leader in the Hospital and Healthcare Industry

Becker's review recently released the "52 Women Hospital & Healthcare Leaders" list. It comes as no surprise to those who know her that Barbara Greene, Franciscan Physicians Hospital President, was included among the top women leaders in the hospital and healthcare industry.

Members of the list were selected for their accomplishments in leading healthcare and hospital organizations, including improvement of patient care, development of relationships between providers and facilitation of organizational growth.

Each featured woman was lauded by her colleagues for contributing significant value to the healthcare industry.

To create the list, the editorial team at Becker's Hospital Review accepted nominations for the most influential women in healthcare through the Becker's Hospital Review website and weekly online newsletters.

After several months of collecting nominations and researching the background of each nominee, the editorial team narrowed the contenders to a list of 50 top women leaders. Becker's Hospital Review repeats this process annually to ensure an up-to-date compendium.

Leaders do not pay and cannot pay to be included on this list.

Becker's Hospital Review is a Chicago-based publication focusing on hospital and healthcare news and business advice. The primary audience for the publication is hospital executives and healthcare industry leaders.

Congratulations Barb for all the hard work and contributions you make to Franciscan Physicians Hospital. Your recognition is well earned!

Quit Smoking - This is Your Year to Succeed

With the start of a new year, comes a new round of resolutions. We've all made them at one point in our lives, and we all know how hard they are to keep. Surveys suggest quitting smoking consistently ranks in the top 10 resolutions people make each year.

There are a lot of ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers are supportive or encouraging, but the true desire and commitment to quit must be your own.

Roseann Wetzel, Respiratory Therapy Manager at Francisican Physicians Hospital, understands how difficult it is to stop, but also knows that anyone can do it by setting achievable goals and following some useful recommendations:

Create a Plan

  • Set a specific quit date. If it is a New Year's Resolution, deciding on a date after the stressful holidays is a great starting point.
  • Make a list of top 10 reasons to quit (health benefits, cost savings, etc.). This can be a useful motivational tool.
  • Get your family, friends and co-workers involved in your plan. Let them know of your start date

Change Your Lifestyle and Activities

  • During the times in which you smoked, take a walk, play a game, solve a crossword puzzle. Activities that involve your hands and brain can curb your urge and distract you from wanting to smoke.
  • Remove ashtrays from your home and car.
  • Get more exercise. Not only does physical activity help you quit smoking, it also reduces the risk for weight gain.
  • Instead of reaching for a cigarette, choose a piece of fruit, vegetables or a stick of gum.
  • Frequent public places where smoking is not allowed.

Classes, Support Groups, Medications

  • Enroll in a smoking cessation program.
  • Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (800-784-8669), the Indiana stop smoking hot line with one-on-one advice.
  • Talk to your doctor about prescription medications and/or over the counter medications (such as nicotine patches and gum) that are safe and appropriate for you.
  • Find out about nicotine patches, gum and sprays.

Reward Yourself

  • Saving the money you would have spent on cigarettes gives you a great opportunity to buy something you have been wanting for a while, or you can donate the money to your favorite charity.

Remember, in order to stick to your plan, take it one day at time. It is easy to get discouraged. If you find that one strategy isn't working, don't give up completely; try something new. So whether you are a lifelong smoker or have recently picked up the habit, now is a perfect time to quit.

For more tips on how to quit smoking and other health and wellness information, read our In-Depth Report on Smoking online at franciscanphysicianshospital.com.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Holiday Cheer for Those in Need

For the last two years, Franciscan Physicians Hospital employees and physicians have "adopted" children at the Carmelite Home in East Chicago. These people give of themselves this time of year by donating items like clothing, food and money.

The Carmelite Home, which opened in 1913, has evolved from an orphanage to a group home, to a certified residential treatment center for children between the ages of six and 18. They also provide service as an emergency shelter for babies and toddlers in need of immediate assistance. This center is available 24 hours a day.

The Carmelite Home has helped countless children experiencing personal and family problems. Many suffer the trauma of physical and emotional abuse or neglect, needing care and nurturance in a supportive environment.

Many residents of the Carmelite Home are not able to function academically or socially in the public/private school environment, so they've created an accredited home school to meet their individual needs. Now students who were once failing are succeeding with new confidence!

The impact made on these individuals with help from Franciscan Physicians Hospital's is positive. By providing gifts and necessities, these children can experience the Christmas that they deserve in the loving environment of the Carmelite Home.

Thank you to the employees and physicians who made this possible. Christ's love is shown through your grace and generosity during this giving time of year.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Donating to Those In Need This Season

With Christmas just around the corner and Thanksgiving just behind, it's important to think about those who are less fortunate than us. While so many people have suffered hardship and economic loss over the last year, there are so many more with little or nothing to hang on to.

Our organization, under the guidance of the Franciscan Alliance, works in and throughout the community to help provide for those in need. Our charitable donations go to a variety of programs and provide support to the services of our Franciscan values: Respect for Life, Fidelity to our Mission, Compassionate Concern, Joyful Service and Christian Stewardship.

We rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations throughout Northwest Indiana to help us continue to provide exceptional healthcare to the families in our community and for future generations to come. It's your contribution that provides not only services and provisions to those in need, but hope.

The hope that each person knows they're cared for and loved through Christ. It is his love that is truly reflected by the kindness of individuals like you.

So this season, please give. Whether it is money, time or moral support, give all that you can to ensure that those with less know there's a future ahead.

Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to one of our great organizations that work to provide exceptional healthcare services:

-Franciscan Physicians Hospital
-Saint Margaret Mercy (Hammond and Dyer)
-Saint Anthony Memorial
-Saint Anthony Medical Center

For more information on giving, contact Rob Cummings, Regional Director of Philanthropy, at (219)932-2300 ext. 32554.

There's so much to be thankful for this time of year. Share that appreciation with those around you. From the Physicians and staff at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dec. 5-11: National Handwashing Week - Tips and Instructions

December 5-11, 2010, is National Handwashing Awareness Week. ‘Tis the season for colds and the flu, and because they are easily spread, you should always be mindful of when and how you should properly wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands. The CDC offers the following recommendations for proper handwashing to prevent illness at home, at school and at work:

When should you wash your hands?

  • Before and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating food
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
  • Before and after tending to someone who is sick
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling an animal or animal waste
  • After handling garbage
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound

When washing hands with soap and water:

  • Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
  • Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
  • Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
  • Rinse hands well under running water.
  • Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel (at least 60% alcohol) to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

  • Apply product to the palm of one hand, using the amount of product indicated on the label.
  • Rub hands together.
  • Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.


Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Friday, December 3, 2010

Beat Your Holiday Stress This Year!!

Cars honking, traffic jams, spending money, family running around in the same house. Sound familiar? With another year almost gone we face the holiday stress that comes with every Christmas season.

To help you cope with this month's often overbearing events, take this information and advice from our Hospitalist, Dr. John Szymczak.

What are the health implications of holiday stress?
"Holiday stress generally warrants lots of symptoms including anxiety, depression, overeating, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure and high cortisol levels. Extensive high cortisol levels, which are a steroid hormone released from the adrenal gland, can lead to impaired cognitive performance, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure and many other symptoms."

What are some symptoms of overeating due to stress?
"When you overeat, blood goes to your intestines and your stomache. Because of this, individuals with PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and heart conditions put added stress on their heart. This increases their risk for heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain)."

What are the best ways to cope?
"Go out of your way to prevent stressful situations, spend time with people you really enjoy and can relax around, eat and drink in moderation and try to save money for things you know you'll need later." Dr. Szymczak also says that volunteering somewhere helps miminize stress. He suggests adopting a pet, noting that people with dogs are three to four times less likely to die of a heart attack, if one were to occur.

For more information about holiday stress, click this link: http://franciscanphysicians.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=003211

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Holiday Food and Clothing Drive

Please join us in helping those in need this holiday season.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and gently used clothing from November 22, 2010 through December 20, 2010.

Collection bins are located in the hospital lobby, 701 Superior Avenue, Munster. Your generosity is very much appreciated.