'Be Dazzling' appeals to Spirit of Women

Marci Crozier, regional director of marketing and sales for Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness - Schererville, served as mistress of ceremonies for “Be Dazzling,” a free offering of Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, a community health education effort, which took place Nov. 8 at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton. Nearly 300 people were on hand.

Attendees took advantage of health screenings for varicose veins, bone density, blood pressure and blood glucose. Health information also was offered at a Dessert with the Docs segment. A photo booth and professional bra-fitting were available, along with shopping, gifts and refreshments.

"It's My Time" to Get an Annual Mammogram

A MAMMOthon program, consisting of digital mammogram screenings, free chair massages and giveaways, including watches, will take place May 11 at Franciscan Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (219) 836-3600 to schedule. Here, a physician referral is required.

The program will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 18 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave. Call (219) 933-2635 to schedule.

Chair massages will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. at all locations. Participants also may enter a drawing to win an Apple iPad.

MAMMOthon is sponsored by Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, which offers information and activities to encourage and enhance women’s health. Early detection is said to be key in beating breast cancer.

"It's My Time" to Get an Annual Mammogram

Take the time to have your annual screening mammogram!

An inaugural MAMMOthon program, consisting of digital mammogram screenings, free chair massages and giveaways, including watches, will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27 at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City, 301 W. Homer St.

The program will take place in the hospital’s Breast Imaging Center, on the first floor.

The event is sponsored by Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, which offers information and activities to encourage and enhance women’s health. Early detection is key to beating breast cancer.

Chair massages will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. Participants also may enter a drawing for an Apple iPad.

Mammogram appointments are required. Screening cost is covered by most insurance companies.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (219) 877-1980.

Other programs will be offered on May 11 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Dyer, Franciscan Hammond Clinic in Munster and at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, and on May 18 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond.

Thyroid and Weight: A Spirit of Women Presentation in Munster

Please join us on Thursday, January 12, 2012 for our first Spirit of Women presentation titled "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?"

The presentation will be given by Dr. Ashwini Reddy, endocrinologist with the Franciscan Hammond Clinic. Dr. Reddy is board certified in endocrinology and has been practicing at the Franciscan Hammond Clinic since October 2009.

The presentation will take place in the hospital's 3rd floor conference room from noon to 1 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public. We hope you can join us for this great event to learn about the thyroid and its effect on the body!

For questions, call (219)922-4200. For more information on thyroid, visit our complete online health library.

About Spirit of Women
The Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region hospitals have joined Spirit of Women. Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs. Spirit of Women hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. Spirit of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support. Sign up for Spirit of Women today!

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.