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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Franciscan Physicians Hospital House Supervisor Pays it Forward

Susan Goodman, whose later name became Susan Komen, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. Three years later, she lost the battle to her illness. Susan’s younger sister, Nancy, made a promise to increase awareness about cancer and its treatment in hopes that future generations would have better outcomes.

TO DONATE, CLICK THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM!!

Today, the breast cancer awareness movement has grown to international levels, with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walk raising over $600 million dollars since 2003, according to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Taking part for her first time in this endeavor is cancer survivor Jessica Tancos. Tancos is a Nursing House Supervisor at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, who says her involvement is all about “paying it forward.”

American author and historian Edward Everett Hale once said this: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Jessica is reflective of that ideology as she works to raise the $2,300 to walk in the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk.

“The 3-Day for the Cure Walk is such a distinctive event. I’m working to raise the money not only for the benefit of those fighting breast cancer, but also so that I can come together with other survivors and do something that, at one point, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do again. I’m getting more and more excited everyday, yet I always come back to thinking about those still suffering,” says Tancos.

The 3-Day for the Cure Walk pushes men and women to raise money for breast cancer research while pushing the boundaries of their own goals. Thousands of people take their commitment to end breast cancer and walk 60 miles over the course of three days.

These walks, reaching national proportions, will take place in Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Arizona, Cleveland, Dallas, Michigan, and many other locations.

Raising the money to participate in this challenging endeavor is no easy feat, but Jessica has taken the stand to fight back against breast cancer. As a cancer survivor herself, Jessica’s endurance will be on par with many others who walk as a way of supporting the fight against cancer.

“I have two girls that I have to worry about now, and I’ve lost two very good friends to breast cancer, both under the age of 45,” says Tancos. “I just hope that we can continue to expand this event and soon end breast cancer for good.”

To donate to Jessica’s cause, click here. This donation page allows you to post comments, track Jessica's achievements, and more! Click here to reach the 3-Day for a Cure website, which provides links, donations, locations, and more about the 3-Day for the Cure Walk.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Video: Making Diet Changes Now to Improve Future Health

Jody Adams, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, discusses how changing your diet and eating habits today will impact your well being in the future.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Blessing of the Franciscan Hammond Clinic

June 15, 2011 - Today marked the blessing and commitment service of the Franciscan Hammond Clinic. Staff gathered to give thanks for the clinic and to commit to its healing ministry. Together, the Franciscan Hammond Clinic and Franciscan Alliance are able to offer patients access to more providers, newer procedures, and new diagnostics.


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Childhood Obesity: Facts, Figures, and Fun Ways to Change

The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality identifies higher levels of physical inactivity, lower levels of moderate physical activity, and excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages as detrimental contributors to high rates of childhood obesity.

Between 2007-2008, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics found that almost 17% of children and adolescents ages 2-19 were obese. Furthermore, they report that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years, and that obesity prevalence among children aged 6 to 11 years old increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008.

What do all of these numbers tell us with concern to our future generations? They tell us that an era of instantaneous technology and unhealthy foods is having a negative effect on the young ones we love. It's up to today's adults to strive for a healthy young generation.

Understanding the causes of obesity, specifically in children, can help to determine an appropriate plan of action to improve their physical wellness. Many factors contribute to obesity, and some are listed below:

-Medical conditions
-Genetic conditions such as Down, Prader-Willi, or Bardet-Biedle syndrome
-Heritability, such as relatives and immediate family members
-Nutritional factors
-Sedentary lifestyle, with availability of TV, computers, video games, etc

Changing the lifestyle of an obese child, as studies have shown, is easier than that of adults because children respond better to treatment. Reasons for this include greater motivation, more influence of the family on behavioral change, and the ability to take advantage of longitudinal growth, allowing children to "grow into their weight," according to the World Health Organization.

All of these factors are influencing parents to monitor their children's eating and exercise behaviors more closely than ever, with physical activity becoming a staple of growth and health prosperity.

Increasing physical activity in children and youth is easy, and fun! Not to mention, you can get involved as well, which makes for great family bonding time. Physical education in schools is a great start, but isn't enough for many children to receive their recommended daily physical activity.

The PLAY (Promoting Lifestyle Activity for Youth) program encourages the accumulation of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physicial activity daily beyond school time. This has been shown to increase the physical activity levels of children, especially girls.

Further physical activites you can utilize with your children, highlighted by the World Health Organization, include active transportation, unorganized outdoor free play, personal fitness, and recreational activities.

In conclusion, you can assist in your childrens health by following the 5-2-1 steps:
5: Eat 5 or more servings of fruit and veggies every day
2: Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day
1: Be active for 1 hour or more every day.

Let's work together to keep our future generations healthy and happy by promoting better diets and more physical activity in their daily routines. For more information, visit the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality or visit our complete online health library.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bike Smart...It Makes for a Fun Ride!

Riding a bike is an excellent way to get fit and can be fun for children and adults. But accidents do happen. Each year, more than a half-million people in the U.S. are treated in emergency rooms for bike-related injuries. So before taking that two-wheeler out for a spin, take a few minutes to brush up on some tips to help you enjoy a safe, healthy ride.

  • Wear a bike helmet.
  • Make sure bikes are the right size. A child should be able to straddle a bike with both feet on the ground.
  • Young children should use bikes with coaster brakes -- the kind that brake when you pedal backwards. With hand brakes, a child's hands should be large enough and strong enough to use the levers.
  • Avoid riding at night if at all possible. Make sure your bike has reflectors.
  • Stop at stop signs, check for traffic before turning, and never ride out into a street without stopping first.
  • Ride on the same side of the road as the cars.
  • Be predictable and ride defensively. Ride where drivers of cars can see you. Bicycles are frequently hit by cars because the driver did not even know the bike was there. Many accidents have been avoided because the biker was watching out for cars.
  • Wear brightly colored clothing so that motorists can easily see you.

For more health and safety tips, visit our online Health Library at www.franciscanphysicianshospital.com.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Beat The Heat!

As temperatures climb into the mid- to upper 90s this week in Northwest Indiana (with the chance for triple-digit heat indexes!), it is important that you are aware of heat emergenices and what you can do to try to beat the heat.

Children, elderly, and obese people have a higher risk of developing heat illness. People taking certain medications or drinking alcohol also have a higher risk. However, even a top athlete in superb condition can succumb to heat illness if he or she ignores the warning signs.

If the problem isn't addressed, heat cramps (caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating) can lead to heat exhaustion (caused by dehydration), which can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke, the most serious of the three, can cause shock, brain damage, organ failure, and even death.

Prevention
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in hot weather.
  • Rest frequently and seek shade when possible.
  • Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity outside during hot or humid weather.
  • Drink plenty of fluids every day. Drink more fluids before, during, and after physical activity.
  • Be especially careful to avoid overheating if you are taking drugs that impair heat regulation, or if you are overweight or elderly.
  • Be careful of hot cars in the summer. Allow the car to cool off before getting in.

First Aid
  • Have the person lie down in a cool place. Raise the person's feet about 12 inches.
  • Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's neck, groin, and armpits.
  • If alert, give the person beverages to sip (such as Gatorade), or make a salted drink by adding a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. Give a half cup every 15 minutes. Cool water will do if salt beverages are not available.
  • For muscle cramps, give beverages as above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
  • If the person shows signs of shock (bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness), starts having seizures, or loses consciousness, call 911 and give first aid as needed.

For more information on heat emergencies, visit our Health Library at www.franciscanphysicianshospital.com.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Franciscan Physicians Hospital: Under the Influence of Great Woman Leader Barb Greene

Franciscan Physicians Hospital president Barb Greene received the award "2011 Influential Woman of the Year" along with 2011 Influential Woman in Healthcare on Thursday, June 2nd at the inaugural event Influential Women of NWI.

Held at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville, IN, the event delivered great results with some 550 people in attendance. Women were honored in 11 fields including business, non-profit, and political, among others.

Influential Women of NWI distinguished 100 nominees and 22 winners total, benefiting the United Way organizations of Lake and Porter County.

Barb Greene, reflecting on the achievement, states "I'm grateful to Diversified Marketing Strategies and Andrea Pearman for having the idea of this tremendous event to honor women in NWI. I was overwhelmed when I walked in the door to see that there were over 500 attendees at this inaugural event."


Greene thanked mentor Gene Diamond, CEO, Franciscan Alliance, Northern Indiana Region, along with Sisters of the Franciscan Alliance. "This is an extreme honor for me, being born and raised in NWI and working for the Franciscan Alliance. If not for them, I would not have been able to accomplish some of the things I've done."

Andrea M. Pearman, president of Diversified Marketing Strategies, a full-service marketing communications agency headquartered in Crown Point, IN, states "We created this event to encourage, support, and celebrate our female business leaders in NWI."

"We are honored to bring together such an accomplished group of women to share their successes and facilitate networking between the real movers and shakers of our business communities," added Pearman. Building Indiana News, which is also a sponsor of the event, will cover the celebration in their third quarter issue.

Thanks Barb for all that you do for the Franciscan Alliance and the community at large!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Philips Cath Lab Blessing Moves Operations Forward

Franciscan Physicians Hospital, proud to announce the opening of their new Philips FD20 Cath Lab, held a blessing of the space on Wednesday, June 1st, in the hospital's lower level. The new FD20 is a state-of-the-art lab that provides enhanced image quality with flat-panel technology.

During the blessing, Father Gregory Holicky was designated as Celebrant, with Barb Greene, FPH President, and Tracey Franovich, VP of OPerations/CNO, welcoming guests and providing the opening remarks.

Recommitment reading was done by Sister Jane Marie, Chairperson for the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Paul Jones, Interventional Cardiologist and Endovascular Specialist, read the Word of God.

Procedures afforded by the new Philips system will provide the level of detail image necessary for complex surgical/endovascular procedures such as peripheral vascular work, carotid stenting, complex revascularization and complex thoracic and abdominal aneurysm repairs.

FPH President Barb Greene states, "We're moving in an expansive new direction with this technologically advanced machine. The Philips system is going to provide Franciscan Physicians Hospital with some of the most definitive interventional abilities in the NWI region and greater Chicago land area. We look forward to promoting its capabilities with our exceptional Cardiology team."

With technician training now complete, cases will begin this week in the hospital's new cath lab.

Watch the attached video to see the Cath Lab Blessing and the Cath Lab itself.



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