Video: Spirit of Women - Day of Dance 2013

Feb. 10, 2013: Franciscan Alliance's second annual Day of Dance event, as part of our Spirit of Women campaign. More than 900 joined us at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville to "Get Their Dance On" and focus on women's health through a myriad of events, including dance instruction and performances, health screenings and discussions with local doctors.

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!

"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.

Spirit of Women is Here - Join Today!

Franciscan Alliance is proud to announce a new partnership with the Spirit of Women Health Network, a program that provides health events and resources specifically for women.

"Spirit of Women uses a 'Health-U-Tainment' approach to health and wellness that engages the consumer through fun, interactive and memorable experiences," said Eva Tokarz, regional outreach and wellness specialist for the Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals. Such experiences include a seminar series along with two special events that occur in the months dedicated to women's health: Day of Dance in February (American Heart Month) and Girls' Night Out in October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month).

At Day of Dance, attendees are taught fun dance moves while also learning about heart health and participating in screenings. Girls' Night Out will feature fashion and accessory workshops, mini-spa services and gourmet food tastings along with information on the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

The seminar series pairs fun activities with educational health messages. New topics are addressed every quarter; past topics have included pelvic health, cancer, pain management, and diabetes. Spirit of Women also delivers health information via email newsletters— brief, custom-designed messages about topics that concern women.

Because women are typically the health care decision makers in their households, Spirit of Women aims not only to help them make the right decisions, but also to keep them healthy for continued care of their families.

"Spirit of Women has the busy woman in mind," said Gene Diamond, chief executive officer of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region. "There are topics, resources, answers to questions and helpful hints as close as her fingertips. The northern Indiana hospitals of Franciscan Alliance are nearby, ready to provide highly trained professionals to meet her needs, whether through education or the provision of high-quality care that is designed by us to make her feel consciously aware of being loved."

For more information or to SIGN UP for Spirit of Women, check out our Spirit of Women pages on our Web site.