November is National Healthy Skin Month!

We all have it. We all wash it. We all take efforts to feel our best inside of it. What is it? This time it's not your car, it's your skin! And November is National Healthy Skin month, a recognition that provides us the opportunity to give advice on maintaining your precious human hide.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), along with Franciscan Alliance dermatologists, continually focus on helping people keep their skin healthy. While a wide variety of methods exist, lets concentrate on the simple ones.

Generally speaking, the first thing a person notices is your face. It's important to take care of your face whose skin is often very sensitive. The AAD offers the following advice for the best way to wash your face:

1) Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol.

2) Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Other items (washcloth, sponge) can irritate your skin.

3) Resist temptation to scrub your skin. Scrubbing can lead to irritation.

4) Rinse your skin with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
5)Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy.

6) Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration irritates the skin, so it's important to wash it off as soon as possible.

The face may often be the focus of our skin care, but with winter upon us it's important to take care of our body in its entirety. Here's some winter skin care tips for you to keep in mind as the snow begins to fall!

-Seek a specialist. A dermatologist or esthetician can analyze your skin type, review your skin care regimen and give you sound advice on the skin care products you use.

-Moisturize more! Use an oil-based moisturizer rather than a water-based one because it will provide a protective layer over your skin that helps retain moisture.

-Utilize a humidifier. Furnaces and space heaters blow hot, dry air through your home. Humidifiers get more moisture into the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out.

-Keep it cool in the bath! Extremely hot baths, while pleasant in their own time, break down lipid barriers in the skin which can lead to moisture loss.

Your local dermatologists are extensively trained on skin care, skin disease and skin care products. By utilizing their knowledge and expertise you can keep the quality of your skin at it's best.

For more information on skin care tips during this month of skin health, visit www.aad.org or visit the dermatologists at Franciscan Hammond Clinic! Make an appointment today by calling (219)836-5800!

Franciscan Omni Health’s Crozier receives Indiana Chamber Volunteer of the Year honor

Marci Crozier’s dedication to sharing her inspiring wellness journey and her work on behalf of the Wellness Council of Indiana earned her an Indiana Chamber of Commerce 2012 Volunteer of the Year award during a recent ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center.

Wellness is more than a way of life for Crozier – it’s a passion. When the Wellness Council of Indiana was established in the 1980s, she was an early contributor and volunteer. She’s spent nearly 30 years working at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness - Schererville, currently as regional director of marketing and sales. After chronicling her nearly 80-pound weight loss on the popular NBC television show, The Biggest Loser, she began empowering others with the story of her path to physical and spiritual health at speaking engagements and to Wellness Council audiences.

“There’s a word many people to use to describe Marci – compassionate. Combined with her wellness knowledge and experience, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to making a positive impact on people’s lives,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “Her dedication to helping others improve their well-being is simply inspiring.”

Crozier said the recognition extends beyond her, to Franciscan Alliance.

“It was my privilege to accept this recognition on behalf of the Sisters of Saint Francis, each and every one of them, and our Franciscan Alliance organization. When you are surrounded by such compassionate people, it just seems natural to want to give back. I am grateful for the opportunities that my position at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness has given me to encourage and motivate Northwest Indiana and the state of Indiana citizens to want to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Endless Improvement is Our Committment

Franciscan Physicians Hospital and Franciscan Hammond Clinic aren't slowing down as the year comes to an end. Rather, they're charging forward with the implementation of myriad improvements and programs to solidify the safest, most convenient care for our communities.

How are they doing this? It's safe to say there's very complex processes underway throughout these organizations. Lets start by looking at Franciscan Physicians Hospital and the efforts taking place in the hospital.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital has recently gone through a strategic hiring process to build a comprehensive, highly-skilled nursing structure. The structure was designed to ensure that all work taking place is being done under an umbrella of care and accountability. This structure includes a variety of nursing leaders, including:

• Five House Supervisors
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Educator
• Director of Patient Services
• VP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer

 Working under the direction of the president and vice president these 8 individuals provide an all encompassing approach to patient care through safety, satisfaction and overall hospital experience. But that's not all!

Hospital risk management and quality personnel recently finished the development and implementation of a discharge packet which takes into account the specifics of each patient's needs. The packet, which is broken down into easily navigable sections, is populated with the patient's specifics including diet, exercise, medicine and followup appointments.

Through the discharge packets patients are able to reference any information they need in one place, rather than searching through a variety of items. Once discharged the patient can relax knowing their care is still of the utmost importance to our physicians and staff.

Yet another advancement being made in the hospital is an implementation of the EPIC computer system, a process that will take several more months but will yield unprecedented results through streamlined workflow, simpler scheduling, enhanced customer service communications and more. Through EPIC we're continuing to bring convenience to you!

Franciscan Hammond Clinic is also improving the patient experience through the development of a Direct Admit Program. The program, formed in conjunction with Franciscan Physicians Hospital, allows patients to call the clinic at any time outside normal business hours and speak to a night staff nurse. The nurse will note the patient's symptoms and call a physician who can determine if the issue warrants a direct admit at the hospital. Through the program patients avoid emergency room waits and charges, ultimately improving their experience while getting them the care they need quickly.

Together hospital and clinic staff put forward creativity and dedication to the improvement of your care. Next time you need care, it's great to know that Franciscan Physicians Hospital and Franciscan Hammond Clinic are right here in Munster, ready to serve you and your loved ones!

Pastoral Care Week: October 21-27

Dear Friends,

If the season is a hint of the work of chaplains and pastoral caregivers, it provides a perfect metaphor. When the mercury of our lives drop, we often find ourselves walking through cold and dark valleys of visible and invisible pain and suffering. Faith can then be tested and many questions arise about the meaning of our lives, the meaning of suffering and the meaning of death. We struggle. Yet, the season also teaches us, when the mercury drops, there is a grand transformation and glorious display of beautiful autumn leaves, as if to tell us that the autumn days of our lives are not without their own gifts….as if to tell us that there’s beauty in the dark valley of life. We too will emerge transformed if we are willing to persevere in our struggles.

The work of chaplains is just that. Chaplains - through the eyes of faith - help individuals in their struggles to move toward transformation. Chaplains empower individuals to draw on their own faith traditions and teachings for comfort and guidance as they walk through the dark valley. Chaplains believe that “FAITH OPENS OUR EYES TO HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS GRANDEUR AND BEAUTY,” even when we are facing the dead winter days. Following the Divine Master Himself, Chaplains empower individuals to see hope in a confusion, joy in sadness, light in darkness, faith in doubt, and life in death.

October 21-27 is Pastoral Care Week. Please join me in honoring and celebrating the dedication of our Franciscan Alliance Chaplains and Spiritual Care Staff. To quote the late Sister Corita Last, OSF, “Spiritual Care is the heart of who we are.”

In prayerful appreciation,

Mission & Spiritual Care Services

Video: Living Miracles - Stories of Healing & Hope

Miracles do happen. Check out four heartfelt stories of people who have seen them and lived them...all touched by a Franciscan Alliance miracle at our hospitals.

 

The Flu and You

It's that time of year again. Sick children, ill adults and the never ending attempt to prevent yourself from getting the flu. Influenza, known as "flu" for short, is back in season. Remember that you can greatly decrease your risk of getting the flu through a vaccination within the Franciscan Alliance.

Influenza, while common, is a serious and contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. Flu strains are constantly changing, creating the need for an annual vaccination to help the body resist new strains.

Cover your mouth and wash your hands! Experts believe that the flu virus is spread mainly through droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk. People can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest a three step approach to preventing the flu, with the first step being vaccination.

Second, take everyday actions to help prevent the spread of germs that can cause respiratory illnesses. Do this by:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand rub
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals
• Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others

Third, the CDC recommends that you take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs work best if taken within the first two days of symptoms to treat those who are very sick. Be sure to see a doctor if you begin to have symptoms reflective of influenza.

To find the closest Franciscan Alliance flu vaccination provider,  call (800)931-3322.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis

“FAITH OPENS OUR EYES TO HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS GRANDEUR AND BEAUTY.”

Dear Friends,

October 4th is the feast day of the world’s best known and most recognized saint, Francis of Assisi. G. K. Chesterton called him the “first hero of humanism,” and Sir Kenneth Clark called him Europe’s greatest religious genius. According to the Smithsonian bibliography, more lives have been written about him than any other person in history. Even in his lifetime, Francis exerted a magnetic attractiveness, not because of money, good looks and success, but because of his willingness to fully accept the gift we often hesitate to take.

Imprinted in the core of our being is the sense that we are not just accidental, anonymous chips of dust in the universe, destined to flicker for an instant and then disappear forever. We know we are more. We literally feel timelessness, eternity and immortal meaning inside of ourselves. We are special. Faith tells us: We are, all of us, made in God’s image and likeness, blessed. That’s the gift. Our private secret that we are special is in fact the deepest truth.

That isn’t always easy to believe especially in a world in which billions of others are also trying to do the same. Can billions be infinitely precious and utterly unique? Life and circumstances often tire us in ways that tempt us to believe its opposite. American Idols, NFL, Miss Universe, and White Sox tell us that there will be only one special winner. In the end mediocrity, anonymity and mortality overwhelm us.

Saint Francis also faced these challenges. He stepped out into a world being recast by the emerging market economy. His father – thanks to competition – was moving quickly into the new entrepreneurial class with all its positive and negative influences. Francis, however, trusted a deeper voice and a bigger truth. Not only did he see himself as made in God’s image and likeness, but he also saw God’s fingerprints in everything. He saw God in creation, Jesus in the leper, a new church in the ruin, hope in a confusing time, perfect joy in sadness, light in darkness, faith in doubt and peace in the most unexpected places.

Please join us in celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.