HealthyLiving
Acessa Procedure at Silver Cross Another Option for Women with Fibroids
Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Radiofrequency
Ablation Treatment
Dr. Gamilah Pierre, OB/GYN on the medical staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, recently performed the hospital’s first two Acessa procedures. Acessa is a minimally invasive treatment alternative for women who have symptomatic fibroids and would otherwise require a myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Women who suffer from uterine fibroid tumors know the discomfort from bleeding and the pain they cause.
“But, believe it or not, there are some women who prefer to go through this rather than consider a hysterectomy,” said, Dr. Gamilah Pierre, board-certified obstetrician gynecologist on staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
“It is very emotional. Or maybe they want another baby. There are other options, but now, there is another tool we can offer that is much less invasive and allows them to keep their uterus, and it’s called Acessa.”
WHAT IS ACESSA?
The Acessa procedure, also known as Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Fibroids symptomatic fibroids, is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment that destroys living fibroid tissue using a thin needle through two small abdominal incisions.
The energy used during the procedure heats the fibroid tissue causing it to soften and shrink over time. This allows fibroid symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pressure or pain to improve with no suturing of the uterine tissue. Additionally, the body’s natural process gradually reabsorbs the fibroid into surrounding tissue in the uterus.
The Acessa procedure is unique among fibroid treatments in that it allows patients
to keep their uterus; patients can return to work (usually within a week) and there is minimal discomfort after the procedure.
Acessa has been available in the Chicago area, but Dr. Pierre recently performed the first two procedures at Silver Cross.
An Acessa proctor was in the operating room with Dr. Pierre’s team for both procedures, which she said she appreciated, as were her team members who vied for the opportunity to assist with the new technique.
She has performed many fibroid removals robotically, but Dr. Pierre said that can be very tricky depending on the size and location of the fibroids. Using the radiofrequency ablation to begin shrinking the fibroids is much easier, she said.
The procedure can take as little as 45 minutes, depending on the number and location of the tumors. Dr. Pierre said the two patients at Silver Cross – one in her late 30s and the other in her early 40s –spent about an hour in recovery and went home the same day.
“The fibroids might shrink a little right away; the two patients said they could feel some relief within a few days,” said Dr. Pierre. “But the fibroids usually continue shrinking for several months. We do a follow-up ultrasound to determine that.”
IS ACESSA RIGHT FOR YOU?
Dr. Pierre said the Acessa procedure isn’t
for all fibroid sufferers, especially those with larger tumors. But what attracted her to the procedure in the first place is that it is another tool, a minimally invasive procedure at that, for which Silver Cross is well-known.
And that’s important when discussing the options available to patients, Dr. Pierre said.
“You have to remember all patients with fibroids are different. Many women do not want to lose their uteruses. Others say, ‘I don’t want to think about these fibroids ever coming back. Do the hysterectomy.’
“Then, there are some who do nothing and suffer because they think a hysterectomy is the only option.
“I will talk with my patients about where they are in life and what they want. It’s important we do what’s best for them. And I love having Acessa as another option for them. We have a few more procedures scheduled in a couple weeks.”
To schedule an appointment with an Acessa-trained physician on staff at Silver Cross, visit silvercross.org.
URGENT CARE or ER? Know where to go.
Silver Cross Urgent Care in Mokena and New Lenox is your choice for non-emergency situations. For life-threatening conditions, choose our Silver Cross Emergency Departments in New Lenox or Homer Glen. When an emergency happens, know where to go. Visit us at SilverCross.org/urgent-care
Visit Silver Cross URGENT CARE for:
• Minor Fractures
• Back Pain
• Nausea
• Short-term Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Minor Headaches
• Mild Injuries
• Cuts and Scrapes
• Mild Adult and Child Fevers
• Ear or Sinus Pain
• Cough or Sore Throat
• Minor Burns
• Animal Bites
• Stitches
• Sprains and Strains
• Mild Asthma
• Objects in Eyes or Nose
• Allergies
• Rashes
• Cold or Flu Symptoms
• Burning with Urination
• Eye Irritation
• Swelling or Pain
• Minor Allergic Reactions
• Work-related Injuries
SCAN for information or to make an appointment.
U RGENT CARE
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ENCY ROOM
Major Cuts
Baby Fever
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UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED MEDICAL SERVICES
Nationally Recognized Weight-Loss Surgery Program
BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital
If you’ve been battling morbid obesity, choosing the right bariatric surgeon may be the most important decision you ever make. Your surgeon will provide essential support for you for years to come, so it’s important for you to feel at ease – and have confidence in their expertise.
BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital’s weight-loss program has received national accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQUIP). The program has also been recognized as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery for its demonstrated track record of outstanding outcomes in weight-loss surgery.
What’s more, BMI Surgery has helped over 9,000 patients live happier, healthier lives since its inception nearly 20 years ago using the latest and safest bariatric procedures including laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and revisional bariatric surgery.
BMI Surgery’s comprehensive program includes:
• Full screening with renowned
bariatric surgeon Dr. Brian Lahmann and other medical specialists
• Pre- & post-procedure diet and exercise instruction
• Monthly support group
• Tools to promote an ongoing healthy lifestyle
And for those who may not qualify for bariatric surgery, BMI Surgery also offers the latest injectable medications to help you lose weight.
Dr. Brian Lahmann, MD, FACS, Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Lahmann co-founded and developed BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital in 2005. He’s consistently been recognized as a TOP DOC at Silver Cross Hospital for ranking in the Top 1% of physicians in the nation for outstanding patient satisfaction.
Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Lahmann received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed a general surgery residency at the University of Kentucky where he was recognized with several awards. Dr. Lahmann completed a laparoscopic and bariatric surgery fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Brian Lahmann, MD, FACS Bariatric Surgeon
Specially trained in bariatric and minimally invasive surgical procedures, Dr. Lahmann is a past winner of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons’ Laparoscopic Skills Competition as well as the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons TOP GUN Laparoscopic Skills Competition. He lectures nationally and has published several articles on laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. For more information about BMI Surgery’s comprehensive weight-loss program, including surgery or medical management, visit bmisurgery.org or call 815-717-8744.
Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surger y
Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center
Varicose Vein Disease can lead to many symptoms, including swelling, aching, cramping, fatigue, heaviness, itching and burning. If left untreated, varicose vein disease can worsen and lead to hyper pigmentation (brownish discoloration) and ulcers. Individuals with varicose vein disease also have a higher risk of developing blood clots.
At Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center, we have a team of professionals, from our physicians to our medical and support staff. We strive to be a recognized leader in advanced, innovative, medically based treatments for varicose veins.
Vein treatments offered:
Sclerotherapy is the “gold standard” and is preferred over laser for eliminating large spider veins and smaller varicose leg veins. Unlike a laser, the sclerosing solution additionally closes the “feeder veins” under the skin that are causing the spider veins to form, thereby making a recurrence of the spider veins in the treated area less likely. Sclerotherapy can also be performed using micro foam sclerosants under ultrasound guidance to treat larger varicose veins.
Vasculaze is an innovative, customizable laser therapy treatment used to address small vascular issues such as spider veins and broken capillaries
Venaseal is a procedure that uses a medical glue to close affected veins. This special glue holds the walls of the veins together, stopping and then redirecting the blood flow to healthy veins. With time, your body will absorb the inactive veins, and they will disappear.
RFA is Radio-Frequency Ablation. This treatment is a minimally invasive technique and uses heat created by radiofrequency to shut down the vein and redirect the blood flow to the healthy veins.
Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center : 217 Vertin Boulevard, Shorewood, 60404 : 815.254.8888 : https://www.eternalaser.com/
Jodi Norcross was relaxing in her yard last fall, reading the Bible, as she is fond of doing.
FAITH, New Silver Joliet Woman with Stereotactic Radiosurgery specialized
Following successful brain cancer surgery, Jodi Norcross of Joliet is one of the first patients to be treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery, now available at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
“Suddenly, the words started getting mixed up,” said Norcross, 64, of Joliet. “I was reading, ‘Jesus lives,’ but it was looking like, ‘Go kart apple.’”
She waited a bit, but the same thing happened again. Norcross wondered if prescribed muscle relaxants for back pain was the culprit. When her doctor said the medication shouldn’t have that effect and urged a hospital visit, Norcross didn’t delay.
Norcross volunteered at the Encore Shop at Silver Cross Hospital, both at the former campus in Joliet and the new site in New Lenox. As soon as she and her husband, Barry, got to the Emergency Department, she was first evaluated for a stroke. But an MRI showed she had a growth on her brain.
Dr. Peleg Horowitz, a neurosurgeon on staff at Silver Cross with expertise in brain tumors and skull base tumors, said she needed to have it removed as soon as possible.
Without immediate treatment, “He said I may never get my reading back, and it could grow and cause more problems like blindness. He wanted to do the surgery that night! But we settled for the next day, so some of my children living nearby could get here,” she explained.
‘WANTED TO STAY ON THIS EARTH’
“I have a very strong faith. I know it rains on good people and bad people, so I don’t say, ‘Why me?’ But I wanted to stay on this earth for my husband, three children and 12 grands.”
Dr. Horowitz explained he would be doing a craniotomy to remove the 2-inch tumor that was causing Norcross’ communication problems. Following surgery, Norcross said he seemed almost as happy as she was to learn she could once again read clearly.
“He was so sweet,” she added.
But Dr. Horowitz also knew Norcross would need radiation treatment on that site, as well as that of a smaller tumor on the left side of her brain. Both were found to have spread from a lung cancer Norcross didn’t even know she had.
“I don’t even smoke!” she said.
Dr. Horowitz said oncologists would treat the lung cancer after they contained the brain cancer with radiation. To do that, radiation oncologist Dr. Azhar Awan would use a new system called Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), installed at Silver Cross just last year.
The SRS system is adapted to the existing radiation treatment equipment, using many precisely focused radiation beams to treat tumors and other problems in the brain, neck, lungs, liver, spine and other parts of the body.
NEW, BETTER TREATMENT
Like other forms of radiation, SRS works by damaging the
Dr. Peleg Horowitz Neurosurgeon
Cross Radiation Treatment Help Successful Brain Cancer Surgery
specialized treatment now available at Silver Cross
DNA of the targeted cells. The affected cells then lose the ability to reproduce, which causes tumors to shrink.
The highly advanced SRS system at Silver Cross uses three types of imaging (thermal, optical and X-ray) to target high doses of radiation to the affected area with minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissue. What’s more, the system continuously monitors the patient throughout the treatment.
If the patient moves even the slightest amount during the treatment, the machine stops automatically and then will reset to the original target and scope of radiation. The system also relies on a special operating table that can make very fine adjustments as necessary even during the treatment, Dr. Awan said.
“I didn’t feel a thing,” Norcross said. “It lasted maybe an hour. I was awake. I lost just a little hair, but that’s OK. I went in for treatment three times, every other day.”
A follow-up MRI a few months later showed the cavity left by the larger brain tumor had shrunk significantly, and the smaller one was nearly gone. Even more encouraging, there were no new tumors showing on the brain.
Drs. Horowitz and Awan, both associated with the University of Chicago Medicine at Silver Cross, were very happy with Norcross’ outcome, one of the first to be treated with the new SRS system at Silver Cross.
“Since SRS is now available to patients at Silver Cross Hospital,” Dr. Awan said, “patients can get this level of specialized treatment without having to drive to Chicago.”
Although she now is dealing with the effects of chemo treatments for her lung cancer and a small spot on her hip, Norcross could not be happier with the care she received from Drs. Horowitz and Awan, and their staffs.
“I can’t say enough great things about them and Silver Cross. They were all just wonderful.”
To learn more about cancer care at Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org/cancer
UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross: Academic Specialists Close to Home
The UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox offers advanced, personalized cancer care that’s closer to home. Their world-class oncology team provides state-of-the-art treatment for adults in a convenient Will County setting.
Services include radiation therapy, on-site chemotherapy and infusion treatments, pre- and post-transplant care for stem cell transplantation, as well as cancer screenings and supportive care services such as patient support groups. And a robust clinical trial program gives patients access to novel medications and treatments before they’re widely available.
In fact, the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center maintains more active clinical trials for cancer treatment than any other cancer care program in Illinois.
These promising new drug, surgical or radiation therapies are not typically available to patients in a community hospital setting, but are a cornerstone of our advanced care in Will County.
For more information about breast cancer clinical trials at the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, call 815-300-1400 or visit silvercross.org and click on cancer care.
The nutritional benefits of blueberries
Are you ready to dig into a bowl of delicious blueberries? Perhaps you’re adding a handful to your morning smoothie? Regularly eating blueberries is not only tasty, it can be excellent for your overall health.
While the term “superfood” has become controversial because it is now seen as a marketing ploy and there’s no standardized list of criteria to designate a food as “super,” blueberries have often been touted as especially nutritious. That’s because blueberries are not only low in calories, they’re full of nutrients the body needs to thrive.
Healthline indicates blueberries are among the most nutrient-dense berries. A cup contains only 85 calories, and in that serving a person can enjoy 3.6 grams of fiber, 16 percent of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C; 24 percent of the DV of vitamin K; and 22 percent of the DV of manganese.
One of the main benefits of blueberries is that they are rich in antioxidants. Produced as a natural result of metabolism or exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke and alcohol, free radicals are molecules that damage cells over time. Antioxidants create barriers around cells to help protect them from damage by free radicals.
The Cleveland Clinic says that the high soluble fiber content of blueberries can make them strong allies in the fight against cholesterol. Soluble fiber binds to bile in the gut. Bile is made of cholesterol and other substances that need to be removed from the body. Lowering cholesterol helps prevent or reduce risk of heart disease.
In relation to heart health, blueberries also may help reduce blood pressure, which can be beneficial for the heart and brain. Healthline reports that in an eight-week study, people with obesity who had high risk of heart disease noted a 4 to 6 percent reduction in blood pressure after consuming two ounces of freeze-dried blueberries per day. Additional studies have uncovered similar blood pressurelowering abilities of blueberries.
Individuals concerned with keeping their brains sharp may want to consider adding blueberries to the mix of foods they eat regularly. A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition uncovered cognitive function improved when participants ate about 3⁄4 cup of blueberries per day. Since blueberries lower blood pressure, more blood can flow to the brain, which improves cognitive function.
BBC Good Food says blueberries also are low in sugar and high in fiber, which gives them a low glycemic index. This means blueberries can potentially control blood sugar levels.
Blueberries are powerhouses of nutrition and people of all ages can benefit from consuming them regularly.
Families can make the most of summer’s end
Even though summer will soon be singing its swan song, there is still plenty of time for families to enjoy the waning days of surf and sunshine. Here are some family-friendly options to consider.
Catch a concert
Summer is a time of year when many artists go on tour and sell out everything from arenas to ampitheaters to more intimate venues
Pick fruit
Peach season varies depending on where you live, but May through September is a prime time for pick-your-own farms to open their orchards to the peach-picking public.
Watch some fireworks
Those who didn’t have an opportunity to catch a fireworks display already this summer, or who enjoyed it so much that they want more, can find out when the next big display will take place.
Climb a lighthouse
Locate a lighthouse within driving distance and visit one of the beautiful and historic structures that commemorate maritime history.
Pick a day to re-do
Ask all members of the family what sticks out in their minds as the best summer day so far. Compile the answers and then pick one activity to enjoy all over again.
Head to a state fair
State fairs fill calendars this time of year. They’re perfect ways to enjoy carnival rides, fair foods, live entertainmen.
Watch balloons rise
Check to see if there is a hot-air balloon festival taking place nearby. Watch these huge items become lighter than air and get lifted off the ground.
Enjoy an outdoor movie
Purchase or borrow a movie projector and set up a screen outdoors. That screen can be an actual outdoor screen or a white sheet stretched between two poles.
Camp out
Pitch a tent at a campground or even in your own backyard and spend an evening sleeping under the stars.
Visit a garden or arboretum
Plan a day trip to a botanical garden or arboretum to view the various trees, flowers and shrubs in bloom. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day in nature.
Morris Hospital Rehabilitation Services Helps Coal City Man Learn to Swallow Again
A steak dinner. It might sound simple, but for months, that was Terry Stewart’s wish — to be able to eat a juicy steak again.
An avid cook, Stewart had always enjoyed a good meal. But when complications from open-heart surgery left him unable to swallow, he wondered if he would ever be able to have his favorite foods again.
“For three months, I couldn’t take anything orally,” the Coal City man says.
A feeding tube helped sustain the retired electrician his first three months after surgery and during home health care. As soon as he was able, he sought help at Loyola Medical Center where he learned the nerves in his neck were damaged and he needed extensive swallow therapy. The therapy would require visits three times a week, a process Stewart wanted to complete closer to home.
That’s when he enlisted the help of Morris Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services where he was connected with Jennifer Furlane, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist who specializes in swallow therapy.
Though swallow therapy often focuses on exercises to help patients suffering from dysphasia re-learn the swallow process, in some instances that is not enough. Stewart was one of those cases.
In addition to the exercises Furlane instructed him to do at home, Stewart underwent neuromuscular electrical stimulation three times a week at Morris Hospital’s Diagnostic & Rehabilitative Center on Gore Road in Morris. During the therapy sessions, the four electrodes placed on Stewart’s neck pulled on the muscles in his throat, forcing Stewart to overcome the electrical pull to swallow and ultimately helping retrain his muscles, Furlane explained.
“It was the extra therapy,” Furlane said when asked what helped Stewart achieve a successful recovery, “and his motivation. Terry was very motivated.”
When he first started therapy, Stewart was limited in what he could eat or drink. Even water had to be thickened so he could swallow. After several weeks of therapy, he
was eating yogurt and pureed foods again. Stewart’s first regular meal came 5 months after starting therapy —a French Dip sandwich soaked in au jus. His feeding tube also was removed at that time. Two months later, he was done with his therapy sessions.
“She did what nobody else could do,” Stewart’s wife, JoAnn, said of Furlane.
“She got him to eat. She really was his last chance.”
Looking back on their journey, JoAnn Stewart said there were times she and her husband wondered if he would ever eat regular foods again. There were even days the couple wondered how long Terry could survive on a feeding tube.
But Terry Stewart was determined and didn’t like his other option of relying on a feeding tube. Though he says he wasn’t always the easiest patient, Furlane helped “soften
the blow” of the initial news regarding his swallow reflex and encouraged him throughout therapy.
He followed his therapy assignments, tracked what he ate and how he reacted, and made sure he brought up concerns as he went through therapy.
Even after therapy was over, Stewart continued to do his swallowing exercises at home. He also continues to follow Furlane’s recommendations – smaller bites and a few extra chews before swallowing.
“Food-wise, I can eat anything today,” said Stewart, who has even enjoyed steak from time to time.
For more information on Morris Hospital’s Speech Therapy services, call 815-705-7828.
Morris Hospital Speech Language Pathologist Jennifer Furlane was instrumental in helping Coal City resident Terry Stewart learn to swallow again.
Individuals experiencing the physical effects of an injury or medical condition may benefit from physical, occupational, or speech therapy, or a combination of the three.
Morris Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services helps patients return to maximum independence, with therapy services available at locations in Morris, Channahon, Diamond-Coal City, Joliet and Ottawa.
For more information, visit morrishospital.org/rehabservices, or call 815-705-7828.
Morris Hospital Orthopedic Surgeon Explains Robotic Surgery
Morris Hospital is now offering Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery for total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacement surgeries.
An innovative treatment solution intended to relieve painful arthritis of the knee or hip, the advanced surgical technique has been associated with less pain, less need for pain medications, reduced hospital length of stay, and improved knee flexion and soft tissue protection.
What exactly is Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery?
For patients having hip or knee replacement surgery with the Mako System, it all starts with a CT scan to give the surgeon more information about the patient’s anatomy.
Images from the CT scan are then used to create a 3D CT-based model of the patient’s hip or knee joint, which the surgeon uses to create a personalized surgical plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy. The 3D model also assists the surgeon during the joint replacement procedure.
In the operating room, the surgeon follows the patient’s personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the hip or knee implant, depending on the type of surgery. This essentially means removing diseased bone and cartilage.
The surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm within the predefined surgical area, while Mako’s AccuStop TM technology helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when the personalized preoperative plan was created.
For some patients, this can mean preserving more soft tissue. For others, it can mean saving more healthy bone.
Does a robot actually perform the surgery?
No. It’s important to understand that robotic arm-assisted surgery is still performed by the surgeon, not a robot.
“Mako does not perform the surgery, make decisions on its own, or move without the surgeon guiding it,” explains Dr. Paul Perona, an orthopedic surgeon with Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “The surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm during the surgery and is able to make adjustments to the plan at any time as needed.”
What type of surgeries are performed at Morris Hospital with the Mako System?
At Morris Hospital, the Mako System is used in the following types of orthopedic surgeries:
• Mako for Partial Knee replacement is a treatment option for adults living with early- to midstage osteoarthritis that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee.
• Mako for Total Knee replacement is a treatment option for adults living with mid- to late-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. With a Mako Total Knee replacement, the entire knee joint is replaced.
• Mako for Total Hip replacement is intended for patients who suffer from noninflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint
Orthopedic Surgeons Paul Perona, M.D. (from left), and Ahmed Eldib, M.D., are using Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery at Morris Hospital for total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacement surgeries.
disease, which may include osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, and hip dysplasia.
Which physicians at Morris Hospital are trained in Mako RoboticArm Assisted Surgery?
Currently, Orthopedic Surgeons Ahmed Eldib, M.D., and Paul Perona, M.D., are the two orthopedic surgeons at Morris Hospital trained in Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery. Dr. Eldib sees patients at the Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine offices in Diamond-Coal City, Morris and Joliet. Dr. Perona sees patients at the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine office in Ottawa. What should I do if I’m experiencing joint pain in my hip or knee?
Because each patient is unique and can experience joint pain for different reasons, it’s important to talk to a physician about the reason for joint pain in order to understand the treatment options available. Typically, joint replacement surgery is only recommended after more conservative methods of treatment are no longer providing relief from pain.
To learn more about Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery at Morris Hospital, visit morrishospital.org/robot or use the QR code below to go directly to the page.
Morris Hospital and Morris YMCA
Team Up for Healthy Happens Here Series
Morris Hospital and the Morris YMCA have teamed up to offer a series of health and wellness seminars that provide invaluable support and guidance for individuals looking to establish and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Held at the Morris Community YMCA, 320 Wauponsee Street, Morris, the seminars are free and open to everyone in the community age 18 and older. You do not have to be a YMCA member to participate.
“Morris Hospital’s mission is all about improving the health of area residents,” says Becca McKee, Wellness Manager at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. “One way we do that is by offering programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles, early detection and safety for our community.”
“The YMCA is a perfect partner in helping Morris Hospital advance its mission,” she adds. “We encourage everyone to check out the fall 2024 Healthy Happens Here schedule and join us for these beneficial programs.”
Fall 2024 Healthy Happens Here Schedule:
Technology Safety for Seniors
Tuesday, August 20
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Technology is a part of everyone’s lives: at home, at work, and in the community. A representative from the Morris Police Department will offer tips to help keep seniors safe from phone and internet scams. Seniors will also learn about services available through Morris Hospital that enable individuals to live independently at home with peace-of-mind.
Fall Prevention: A Guide for All
Thursday, September 12
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
More than one in four people ages 65 or older fall each year. It doesn’t have to be you. Join Morris Hospital Physical Therapist Sarah Whiteside to learn what you can do to prevent accidental falls so you can stay safe at home and active in the community.
Time is on the Brain…Act Fast for Stroke
Tuesday, September 17
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Early identification and intervention is critical to the survival and outcome for someone experiencing
a stroke. Morris Hospital Registered Nurse and General Educator Brenda Walsh will explain the different types of stroke, signs and symptoms, intervention, treatment, and ways to prevent a stroke from occurring.
Strong Bones Make Strong People
Wednesday, October 9
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Imagine your bones becoming so fragile that everyday activities such as lifting a laundry basket or even coughing could cause a fracture or break.
Taelor Stuedemann, nurse practitioner with Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, will talk about osteoporosis risk factors, common symptoms, and why it’s important to manage the condition in order to avoid debilitating bone breaks.
From Fear to Freedom: Cancer Education and Prevention
Thursday, October 24
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join Dr. Suzan Cheng from the Morris Hospital Radiation Therapy Center for a discussion on a variety of cancer topics, including the latest scientific recommendations on screening for breast cancer and familial genetic testing in breast cancer patients. Dr. Cheng will also explain how exercise, Vitamin D, and a healthy diet can help prevent cancer. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask their own questions about cancer prevention and treatment.
The Importance of Prenatal and Postnatal Exercise
Tuesday, November 19
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
If you are pregnant and not sure what type of exercise is safe for you and your baby, or if you are a new mom and not sure where to begin with a new exercise routine, be sure to attend this program to learn why it’s important to remain active during and after pregnancy and how to plan workouts. The program will be presented by Morris Hospital Wellness Manager Becca McKee, who is a certified pre- and post-natal exercise coach.
To register for Healthy Happens Here classes, call the Morris YMCA at (815) 513-8080 or use the QR code to go to the YMCA event page.
If registering online and you do not have a user name and password with the YMCA, choose Sign Up, Morris Community YMCA, and then the Community Member option in order to complete your registration for the free program.
Do you have pain in your Neck • Back • Shoulder • Elbow Hand • Knee • Hip • Foot or Ankle?
Our specialists provide expert care and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and problems, always considering conservative treatment methods first. And if surgery is needed, we offer the latest innovations and techniques ����������������� ����������������������including MakoTM Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery. Call today for an appointment: Diamond-Coal City and Morris 815-942-4875 Joliet (Houbolt Rd) 815-741-4000 Ottawa 815-433-0850
