Eating Right When Money's Tight - March 15

There are many ways to save money on the foods you eat.

Join Franciscan Hammond Clinic registered dietitian JoAnn Franczek as she provides tips on how to stretch your food dollars.

Thursday, March 15
6 p.m.
Franciscan Hammond Clinic - Specialty Center
3rd Floor Meeting Room
7905 Calumet Ave., Munster, Indiana

To register call (219) 836-3600 or (800) 279-8700.

Pediatric Sleep Services Now Offered

Pediatric sleep studies, entailing knowledge, screening, evaluation and treatment practices regarding sleep disorders in children, are often unspoken of.

According to Child Uplift, Inc., less than two percent of students with sleep disorders are identified, treated and corrected.

The Sleep Disorders Center of Franciscan Physicians Hospital, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is changing that silence for Northwest Indiana with a new location and pediatric evaluations introduced in February 2012.

Located in the second floor of what was previously Surgical Hospital of Munster, 7847 Calumet Ave., Munster, the Sleep Disorders Center provides a range of pediatric sleep disorders tests, along with their adult testing.

Sleep disturbances can represent highly common phenomena interfering with daily life and causing significant emotional, behavioral and cognitive dysfunction over time. Elevated occurrences of sleep problems in youth often coincide with medical conditions and psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Muhammad Najjar, medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center, states "approximately twenty five percent of all children experience some type of sleep problem at some point during childhood, ranging from short-term difficulties in falling asleep to more serious primary sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy."

Childhood sleep disorders, classified into the categories of dyssomnias, parasomnias and medical-psychiatric disorders, include sleep walking, bedwetting, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and others.

"Sleep is the only priority in our center," explains Najjar. "We have always aimed to be the best sleep disorders center in Northwest Indiana for adults and children by having a board certified physician and credentialed staff here full-time. We continue to be open seven days a week to address the sleep needs of Northwest Indiana in our new facility."

For more information, call the Sleep Disorders Center at (219) 836-7535.

Video Recap: Day of Dance 2012

Feb. 12, 2012: Franciscan Alliance's first Day of Dance event, as part of our new Spirit of Women campaign. More than 700 attendees of all ages took part in a myriad events, including dance instruction and performances, health screenings, cooking demonstrations and a vendors bazaar - all meant to stress health during February, which is American Heart Month.

Enjoy!

Franciscan Focus for iPhone, iPad and Android Users - Download Today!

Last week we announced the launch of our Franciscan Focus magazine app for the iPhone and iPad.

Now we are pleased to offer a free app for Android users!

Click on the links below to get Franciscan Focus "on the go" - mobile access to news and features about the best and latest services offered at the Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals.

Patient Education Classes, March/April 2012

Join us at the Franciscan Hammond Clinic Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave., as we celebrate the health of our community! March and April patient education classes are almost here to provide you and your family a gateway toward better health in 2012! Click image to enlarge.

For more information, visit the Franciscan Hammond Clinic website at http://www.franciscanhammondclinic.org/!@

"Spirit of Women" Shines at Day of Dance Program

Franciscan Alliance's first Day of Dance program, as part of its new Spirit of Women campaign, kicked off with a bang at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza on Feb. 12, with more than 700 attendees of all ages taking part in myriad events, including dance, health screenings, including for blood pressure, blood glucose, body fat analysis, bone density, breast exam self-education, heart attack prevention, and foot, stroke and peripheral arterial disease testing.

Also offered were a chef's corner, vendors bazaar and other offerings meant to stress health during February, which is American Heart Month.

Among special guests were Maurice Basile, 90, and wife Helen Funk, 101, of Munster, who shared a special fox trot dance to a song done by Jimmy Durante. The couple have been married 14 years and "just love to dance." They also participate in programs offered in Hammond and in Highland. Both are cancer survivors who believe in living life to the fullest by staying active. They also have taken seven vacation cruises.

For more photos of the event, visit facebook.com/FranciscanNWI.

To become a Spirit of Women member and to register for monthly programs, call (800) 931-3322, or visit FranciscanAlliance.org/SpiritofWomen.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Northwest Indiana include, Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City, Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

Franciscan Hammond Clinic Receives BCBSIL Award

MUNSTER | Franciscan Hammond Clinic received the 2010 Blue Ribbon Designation by BlueCross BlueShield Illinois, according to a BCBSIL 2011 report.

The Blue Star Medical Group/IPA Report recognizes HMO contracting medical groups/Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) that have documented high levels of performance in providing patient care.

BCBSIL assesses medical group performances annually based upon national clinical practice and preventive care guidelines.

Groups earn a “blue star” when they meet or exceed a target care goal within a reporting category. Franciscan Hammond Clinic received eight blue stars total for the categories of Asthma, Diabetes, Mental Health Follow-Up, Breast Cancer Screening, Management of Cardiovascular Conditions, Controlling High Blood Pressure, Cervical Cancer Screening and Influenza Vaccination.

Dr. Cynthia Sanders, medical director at Franciscan Hammond Clinic, states, “Franciscan Hammond Clinic is pleased to have been recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois in its annual Blue Star report. Staff is thrilled to have our ongoing commitment to high quality health care for Northwest Indiana recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.”

For more information on the Franciscan Hammond Clinic and the Blue Star report, visit www.franciscanhammondclinic.org.