The District 1 Hospital Emergency Planning Committee received the trailer last week. It made its first appearance Friday outside a meeting of the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission, a 13-member entity appointed by the governor, at Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus.

"Last week, we took delivery on a mobile surge trailer, which allows us to set up a mobile hospital anywhere," said Emery Garwick, District 1 hospital emergency preparedness chairman and emergency medical services and emergency preparedness coordinator for Methodist Hospitals.

The trailer belongs to the District 1 Hospital Emergency Planning Committee but can travel to assist outside communities. District 1 includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties.

The mobile hospital, bought with a grant from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, is stocked with oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, IV poles, monitoring supplies, beds and a large tent for shelter.

It will roll out in July at the South Shore Air Show at Fair Oaks Farms.

"It's basically a mobile hospital," Garwick said.

It can function in any emergency situation where the needs of the patients outweigh the capabilities of local hospital, he said.

Commission members, who are touring the state, got a firsthand look at the trailer.

"We meet every other month and talk about the agenda items and anything else that comes up," said Chuck Valentine, co-chairman of the commission.

Members have a host of emergency response backgrounds, such as firefighting, emergency management services and nursing, he said.

Friday's discussions included updates on hospitals seeking trauma status. Methodist Hospitals is in the process of applying for status as a Level III trauma center.

Courtesy of The Times

“There are a lot of side effects associated with too little sleep,” says Jake Messing, director of behavioral health services at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago.

For one, “Poor sleep affects the ability to work effectively,” asserts Dr. Olusegun Apata, a sleep specialist at Methodist Hospital in Gary. He cites the examples of lack of sleep as a factor in the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.

But hitting close to home for everyone is the effect of too little sleep on mental health. “Studies have found a definite link between interrupted sleep and mood swings,” says Apata.

If you’re thinking it’s natural to feel a little cranky from lack of sleep, that may be oversimplifying. “I always tell people at stress management seminars that lack of sleep is usually the first sign of stress,” says Messing, and it can lead to difficulty concentrating, even depression. In a 2005 Sleep in America poll, people who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety were more likely to sleep less than six hours at night.

ADHD and sleep

The problem isn’t limited to adults. Apata says studies show a link between ADHD in children and the quality of their sleep. “When kids come into my office (when ADHD is suspected), the first thing I ask the mom is, ‘Does your child snore?’ The mom will be surprised and say ‘Yes.’ Children who snore often have enlarged adenoids, causing sleep apnea.” And sleep apnea can cause symptoms of ADHD, Apata explains. In those cases. “The first line of therapy is to relieve the obstruction,” by removing the enlarged adenoids (a patch of tissue in the back of the nasal cavity). The resulting uninterrupted sleep can resolve issues associated with ADHD — and remove the need for Ritalin, often prescribed for ADHD.

Sleep-disordered breathing affects up to 25 percent of children with ADHD, according to a study reported at www.health.harvard.edu.

Sleep and depression

What about recent studies showing a connection between too much sleep and depression? Says Messing, “The most common symptom of depression is too much sleep—but it’s a restless sleep, tossing and turning.”

Apata says studies show there’s a link between obesity and lack of sleep. “And the more people weigh, the greater depression they may experience, so it’s a triad.”

It may sound counterintuitive, but lack of sleep can result in mania. “You can get super energized, but not in a positive way,” says Messing. “You’re going 100 miles an hour, like you’re on speed, but you’re not on drugs. You walk and talk fast, maybe go on a spending spree. When people come in with mania, we try medication to help them sleep and the symptoms are gone. It was just plain sleep deprivation.”

The most extreme sleep deprivation, not sleeping at all for perhaps three days, can result in hallucinations. But quality of sleep is just as important. When REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is interrupted, “You’ll begin to hallucinate because you’re not dreaming. If you’re not dreaming at night, you’ll begin to dream during the day,” says Messing. He recalls a startling study in graduate school. Students in the study went to sleep, then, “We’d wake them up during REM sleep. We had to stop the experiment because the students were hallucinating.”

Experts’ advice

Apata cautions that the effect of lack of sleep has been compared to being impaired because of using alcohol. The National Transportation Safety Board attributes 100,000 auto accidents a year to sleepiness.

Messing urges seeking help if troublesome symptoms persist, first to rule out any medical condition. “Sleep disorder can also be the first sign of mental illness, and the earlier it’s treated, the getter and faster recovery there is.”

Finally, pay attention to signs of too little sleep. A Harvard University report on sleep studies says, “if you think you’re doing fine on less sleep, you’re probably wrong.”

Help is out there: “This area of medical practice is my forte; I just love to be able to help people with this,” says Apata.

Courtesy of The Times

“He gave me a prostate exam because I was having some symptoms,” says McDowell who lives in Gary. “We talked about it after we got the results and I decided to have the operation. I didn’t want to take any chances.”

McDowell still returns for his regular prostate exam and later had to undergo radiation therapy but he describes himself as “doing well ever since.”

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one of the leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating prostate cancer research globally, the older a man is the more likely he will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although only 1 in 10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 14 for ages 60 to 69. Over 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. The average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer in the United States is 69 years. After that age, the chances of developing prostate cancer become more common than any other cancer in either men or women.

“Prostate cancer is something most men will get when they get older,” says Dr. Bennett Caces, MD, PhD, a board-certified specialist in oncology and hematology at Ingalls Health System. “Every 90-year-old who passes away for whatever other reason, if you open them up 7 or 8 out of ten will have some type of prostate cancer.”

Currently, says Caces, there’s an upswing in general practitioners performing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests as a screener to detect higher levels of prostate cancer cells in the blood. The patient is then often referred to an urologist where even if overall the patient is doing very well with no other symptoms, a biopsy will be performed to determine whether it’s an aggressive form of prostate cancer that needs to be treat right away or slow growing and just needs monitoring.

Though the test is simple, the decisions following a positive test aren’t according to Caces.

“It gets into the psyche of the patient,” he says. “You’re sitting there and the doctor says you have prostate cancer but we’re not going to treat can cause anxiety. Some people who are biopsied and have slow growing prostate cancer still want to be treated.”

Other factors to consider in deciding whether to get a PSA test when no symptoms are apparent include the stress from the knowledge of having a slow-growing prostate cancer that doesn't need treatment and deciding to opt for surgery, radiation or other treatments that cause side effects more harmful than untreated cancer. Some side effects significantly impact lifestyles including urinary incontinence and/or bowel dysfunction. Besides that the treatments lower testosterone levels which impacts erectile functioning.

“Men who are getting treatment may experience fatigue, loss of libido and hot flashes,” says Caces. “These are some of the challenges in deciding what action to take. Life expectancy is one of the factors. If a person has an aggressive form of prostate cancer but whose life expectancy is less than ten years may not elect to have further treatment.”

PSA elevations don’t always mean prostate cancer either. Instead high levels might indicate an inflammation of the prostate. False-positives are also common. According to the Mayo Clinic’s Website, only about 1 in 4 men with a positive PSA test turns out to have prostate cancer.

“I would say one of the most important things is for a patient who has a high PSA level to sit down with their doctor and discuss what it means,” says Caces, “and consider other factors in their lives before making any decisions.”

Courtesy of The Times

A board-certified oncology nutritionist will show how to cook easier, healthier meals.

Space is limited; for more information, contact Evelyn Morrison, (219) 886-4412, emorrison@methodisthospitals.org. http://www.methodisthospitals.org.
 

Crozier, Francisan Omni Health & Fitness regional director of marketing and sales, suggested to other company leaders that if they really wanted to promote wellness among employees, the breakfast pastries had to go.

In that same vein, vending machines at the Franciscan Alliance hospitals are getting a makeover, offering more healthy options and fitted with an interactive screen that displays the nutritional value of food and drinks before people buy them.

"You can make informed decisions," said Cathy Estes, regional director of nutrition services for Franciscan Alliance.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, vending machine operators who own 20 or more vending machines must disclose calorie content, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Franciscan just inked a contract with vending company Ace Coffee Bar Inc., which had started posting nutrition information for its vending products. The timing of Franciscan's desire to revamp vending coincided with the health care law requirements.

"It was win-win for us," Estes said.

The machines will continue to offer a variety of snacks and beverages, but the healthy items will outnumber the not-so-healthy.

"The consumer has to make the choice," Estes said.

Methodist Hospitals offers healthy options in all of its vending machines, said Ray Gullatt, director of food and nutritional services for Methodist.

"Healthy options are marked with a heart in all snack machines," he said.

Offerings include baked chips, pretzels, milk, fruit cups, oat and honey bars, oatmeal, fresh fruit, water and juice, he said.

Community Healthcare System offers healthy options through its 43 vending machines, said Daniel Jaehn, lead system director of hospitality and nutrition services for Community Healthcare System.

"Fresh products such as vegetable crudites, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit cups, hummus cups, antioxidant trail mixes, low-fat smoothies and low-calorie artisan sandwiches on wheat are offered in our cold food machines," he said. "The snack machines provide an 80 percent healthy and a 20 percent not-as-healthy blend of products, which is part of our 'Good For You and Nutritious Too' vending strategy."

Community worked with its dietitians to format a nutritious plan for the machines consistent with dietary guidelines, he said.

"We are seeing a conscientious shift to healthier products in our customer purchasing decision habits," Jaehn said.

Jaehn said Community views itself as a progressive health care system, and it is incumbent upon them to reflect the spirit by providing healthier options and communicating that to vending consumers.

"All of our snack machines are equipped with a nutrition facts video board technology so that customers can preview the nutrition content prior to purchasing," he said. "Informed customers can then make better healthier choices."

In the future, Community may convert more of its vending machines to cashless operations that would build in rewards for making healthy choices, Jaehn said.

Courtesy of The Times

MERRILLVILLE | With a little help, Bella Bahus climbed the three steps to the stage and claimed her tiara and title of "princess of the day."

It was the second time this month the LaPorte 6-year-old born with a congenital heart defect, in a red dress with gold shimmer and a red bow at the waist, was dubbed princess at a heart-healthy event.

"The American Heart Association was Bella's knight in shining armor," said her mother, Angie Bahus, in a video presentation about her daughter.

Thursday marked the American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women Educational Symposium and Luncheon.

Nearly 400 people, mostly women and mostly clad in red, attended the event, presented at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza and corporately sponsored by Methodist Hospitals and Fifth Third Bank.

“The Go Red for Women movement is so critical in raising awareness and funds for lifesaving research and education programs in our communities, and Methodist Hospitals is excited to work again with such a dynamic group of volunteers in making this year’s campaign a success," stated Dr. Michael Davenport, president and interim CEO of Methodist Hospitals.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States and claims more lives than all cancers combined, according to the Heart Association. One of every three women will die from heart disease.

Thursday's luncheon included free cardiovascular health screenings, exhibits and recognition of the women featured in the annual Go Red calendar.

Keynote speaker Theresa Behenna, an Australian pianist and motivational speaker, punctuated her talk with stints at the piano, encouraging the group to join in the chicken dance and YMCA dance.

She energized the group with "Great Balls of Fire" and propped a foot on the piano bench and pounded at the keys to play a Lady Gaga song.

Between songs, she shared nuggets of advice about the important "three shades of red" in life – following a passion, taking risks and learning lessons from embarrassing moments.

"Passion is the beginning of living life large," she said.

Behenna encouraged the crowd to follow their passion and ignore the naysayers and fear.

"Fear is what you pass on your way to success," she said.

Courtesy of the Times 

And for moms, one of two good workout programs—Tabata and Zumba—provide the movements needed depending on age, size, and fitness level and athletic abilities

“Zumba is good for all ages because it can be high or low intensity,” said Jerry Janda, a exercise physiologist in the Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Methodist Hospitals. “It incorporates martial arts movements as well as exercise movements like lunges and squats with lively Latin American music like salsa, merengue or pop. Zumba is something that can be done no matter what your fitness level, you just have to find the right class. It’s also social and fun and gets people out of the house.”

Tabata, on the other hand, is high intensity interval training (HIIT) comprised of exercises such as push-ups, squats, jumping jacks and sit-ups done with maximum effort in 20 second intervals with ten second resting periods lasting for a total of four minutes. Hey, one might ask, how hard can four minutes be?

“You wouldn’t guess that this is really going to work up a sweat but it does,” said Kelly Watts, an exercise physiologist at Ingalls Health Systems. “I wouldn’t recommend it for older moms in their 70s and up. I know someone in her 60s who does a lot of HIIT but I would imagine that anyone over 70 would want to keep the strength they have, not worked to get stronger and wouldn’t want to possibly injure themselves. But if you’re 50 and younger and in reasonably good shape, it can increase metabolism leading to weight loss as well as an increase core strength. And another plus about Tabata is you can do it in your house.”

According to Debi Pillarella, M.Ed. an ACE – Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, & Advanced Fitness Specialist and Program Manager at The Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, with the right instructor, a Tabata program can be modified to meet the needs of the individual.

“I’m a 53 year old mom and love Tabata training because it is time sensitive and very efficient, however, I need to make modifications based on my fitness and health level,” she said. “For example, instead of doing burpees with knee tuck jumps, I’ll do a burpee modification with alternating knee lifts. I still get the physical challenge, but at my own level. Tabata training, however, is not for everyone. Newbies to exercise should heed caution, as this type of training requires the intensity to be extremely challenging which could put a new exerciser at risk for injury. Even for the experienced exerciser, if you’re not used to participating in higher impact activities such as jumping or bounding, you may need to work your way up to the type of intensity and durations that Tabata training requires. Finally, Tabata training needs a complete warm up and cool down period to allow your body the time it needs to prepare and then recover.”

But healthy exercise goes beyond time spent doing Tabata or Zumba said Sporman. It’s also important to make such conscious decisions as climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, walking instead of riding when possible and, she says with a laugh, not wasting time and gas driving around a lot looking for the closest parking space when you’re going to exercise class.

“I see that all the time,” she said. “It’s also about being active 90 plus hours per week. Energy begets energy.”

As an example, Sporman mentions her own mother who died last year at age 91.

“She never exercised but she was active working full time, gardened a large garden, helped farm, and mowed her own yard which was approximately one acre,” said Sporman. “She only ‘worked out’ after 87 when in physical therapy after a fall because her musculoskeletal remained strong despite injuries and that was because she was active.”

Whether it's Tabata, Zumba or keeping up with the garden, staying active is one of the keys to leading a long and healthy life.

Courtesy of the Times

GARY | With an interim leader at the helm, Methodist Hospitals is guiding the company along a path of expansion, renovation and investment.

The hospital on Friday hosted its annual state of the organization address, with Dr. Michael Davenport, president and interim CEO, making key comments about the company's future.

He described a three-phase, 10-year upgrade plan to the hospital campuses.

The plan includes renovation of the emergency department at the Northlake campus in Gary, including creating individual rooms instead of curtain partitions.

The hospital wants to build a new 12-bed intensive care unit and upgrade patient rooms at both campuses, he said.

Plans call for a medical office building with greater capacity, including a new first floor dining facility, medical office space and outpatient clinic space.

Methodist also wants to upgrade its Labor and Delivery unit at the Southlake campus in Merrillville.

Davenport also stressed the desire for Methodist to achieve Level III trauma center designation. He expects the application to be submitted this year.

"We already operate at that level," he said.

Ideally, the Region needs a Level I center, or a Level 2 center at least, he said.

There are none in Northwest Indiana.

Methodist Hospitals experienced a 4.85 percent increase in emergency department visits last year, for a total of 63,930, Davenport said.

Friday's address included a reflection on the hospital's awards and achievements over the past year and recognition of its community partnerships.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Merrillville Town Councilman Shawn Pettit lauded the hospital for its contributions to the community.

When prospective developers visit town, among the services they ask about is health care, Pettit said, adding Methodist Hospital is the largest employer in Merrillville.

Freeman-Wilson said the hospital is a true community partner in it for the long haul.

"It's very clear that Methodist Hospital is more than a place where you simply get well," she said.

Courtesy of the Times.

Students for the Methodist Hospitals internship program were pre-selected by Sharon Row, teacher and facilitator of the Merrillville High School Internship, based on their academic standing and desire to pursue a college degree in health care.

Methodist Hospitals Community Outreach Manager LaTanya Woodson developed a rotation schedule that would allow students the opportunity to interact with physicians, nurses, clinical and non-clinical staff at both hospital campuses, Gary and Merrillville.

The rotation included switchboard, Surgery Services, Radiology Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Social Services, and meetings with physicians. Interns even participated in a mock trauma presentation conducted by Trauma Surgeon Ruben Rutland. The quartet also had the opportunity to meet with Executive Team members including Dr. Michael Davenport, president and interim CEO at Methodist Hospitals.
 

Courtesy of the Times

“Living Your Best Life with Parkinson Disease - How YOU Can Help Yourself” is open to patients, caregivers, family members, health care professionals and the general community from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Avalon Manor, 3550 U.S. 30.

Tickets are $35 per couple (attendee plus caregiver, family member or friend) or $20 per individual, and include a continental breakfast, lunch, and the forum.

For more information and tickets, call Cindi Rucinski, at (219) 322-8772, email at elizabethfashions@comcast.net, or visit the NWI Parkinsons Inc. headquarters inside Elizabeth Fashions, 748 E. U.S. 30, Schererville.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Jennifer Pallone, neurologist at Neurological & Specialty Centers in Merrillville. She will give an overview of current developments, research and medications.

Guest speakers and topics are: the Rev. Charles Niblick from St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, on "Body, Mind and Spirit"; Susan DeGroate, supervisor of Occupational Therapy, The Community Hospital, Munster, on "Helping YOU Help Yourself"; Priscilla Mulesa, physical therapist, The Community Hospital, on "Strategies for Home Mobility"; Jill Westerfield, supervisor of Speech Pathology and Mary Bond, clinical specialist of Speech Pathology, at The Community Hospital, on "Take Charge of Your Path"; Dr. Nancy J. Trimboli, Trimboli Chiropractic, Munster and Cedar Lake, on "Trigger Point Therapy At Home"; Dr. Andrea DeLeo, neurologist, The Community Hospital, on "Movement Disorder Control"; and Dr. Wayel Kaakaji, neurosurgeon, The Community Hospital, on "Surgery For Parkinson’s Disease."

Helping fund this year’s symposium and other programs is the NWI Parkinsons Inc. 10th Anniversary Dinner & Style Show to Benefit Parkinson Disease, which will be presented May 22, also at Avalon Manor.

The theme is “Sparkle Like A Diamond For Parkinsons.” The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. and features specialty boutique shopping and a silent auction, followed by dinner and the fashion show.

To purchase tickets, call Elizabeth at (219) 322-8772, email elizabethfashions@comcast.net or stop by Elizabeth Fashions 748 E. U.S. 30, Schererville.

Community support has enabled the organization to donate more than $250,000 to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) in the past nine years.

The organization also funds an exercise and movement class, and three Parkinson Support Groups, located at Southlake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, Franciscan St. Anthony Health Crown Point, and The Community Hospital in Munster. The latest project is the Parkinson’s Therapy Group at Community Hospital's Fitness Pointe.

Courtesy of the Times.
 

MERRILLVILLE | Javier Nunez was a big man with a big heart.

He was thoughtful and generous, even helping fund his sister's college education without wanting recognition.

A cirrhosis diagnosis at 37 put him on an organ donor waiting list. On his 39th birthday, he lay in a bed in an intensive care unit, where doctors told him a liver was ready.

But, four days later, he died of a brain hemorrhage. His corneas were transplanted. His bone tissue was used in 46 procedures.

Although he could not be saved, his donation helped the quality of life for those strangers. Knowing that has helped his family grieve.

"It still gives us comfort," said his sister, Angie Merryman, of Portage. "We want to spread the word of organ donation."

Nunez's story was among those lauded at a flag presentation and lantern launch ceremony Tuesday at Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, in conjunction with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Indiana Lions Eye Bank.

Merryman became active in the organ donor movement when it touched her family. Her mother was on a waiting list for a liver but died March 8, still waiting.

About 18 people die every day waiting for an organ donation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last year was the most successful in the last two decades for Gift of Hope, but more needs to be done, said Jack Lynch, director of community affairs for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.

"As well as we did, it's not enough," he said.

He talked of visiting a friend on dialysis Tuesday in a building north on Broadway and seeing more than 40 people hooked to dialysis machines. It happens in three shifts a day in that one facility, demonstrating the need for more organ donors, he said.

This month is National Donate Life month.

More than 1,500 Indiana residents and more than 120,000 Americans nationwide need an organ transplant, said Diana Goodwin, director of nursing quality and regulatory compliance and chair of Methodist Hospitals Organ Donation Committee.

Nurse Julie Crane donated a kidney to a family friend nearly nine years ago.

The boy was born with a congenital defect and underwent numerous surgeries before doctors decided he needed a new kidney, Crane said.

When he reached 25 pounds and was healthy enough to undergo the surgery, the transplant happened, Crane said.

She described the donation as "beautiful," knowing she gave the boy extra quality years of life.

Crane wants to use her story to spread the word about organ donation.

Courtesy of the Times. 

Linton has been part of Methodist Hospitals more than 30 years, serving in various leadership roles, including chair and vice chair of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology and on a variety of medical staff committees.

Linton will continue part time in his medical practice while taking on the responsibilities as medical director of the group.

In his new role, Linton will collaborate with Jim Kirchner, vice president of physician integration, to support the continued growth and development of Methodist Physicians Group.

Linton will be instrumental in implementing clinical protocols, quality outcomes, data analysis and practice development.

He also will provide assistance to physicians with patient management, quality assurance, process improvement and medical education.

Linton, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners.

He attended medical school at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his residency at Boston City Hospital/Boston University.
 

Courtesy of the Times.

As the captain of your own health care team, you are free to select the appropriate professionals to help you meet your goals.

While your physician must refer you for therapy in Indiana, you are free to choose your own physical therapist, and you are not obligated to receive physical therapy in any specific facility. However, your therapy should always be provided by a licensed physical therapist.

Health insurance companies often endorse the benefits of physical therapy. Most require patients to try physical therapy before turning to expensive surgery to address some issues. In fact, physical therapy can actually negate the need for surgical treatment.

For example, people with back pain can receive physical therapy to strengthen the core muscles in their back. Not only will they feel better, patients may also emerge from physical therapy with a restored, functional body.

Physical therapists often specialize in treating specific areas of the body. For example, a physical therapist may focus on the back, neck, knee, hand or shoulder. A physical therapist may also specialize in specific disciplines, including pre- and post-natal care, sports injuries or stroke rehabilitation.

The Inpatient Rehabilitation Institute at Methodist Hospitals is one of the largest medical rehabilitation units in the state. Its complete continuum of services includes:

• Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation

• Neurological Rehabilitation

• Medical Rehabilitation

• Wound Care

It also features specialty programs for orthopedic and sports injury patients; home care services; and coordination with community-based organizations to help each patient achieve maximum functional ability.

Methodist Hospitals also offers outpatient rehabilitation care for adults and children at two locations in Merrillville and Gary. The Merrillville facility is located on the hospital’s Southlake Campus The Gary facility is located at the hospital’s Midlake Campus and is among the area’s largest state-of-the-art facilities. They are staffed by experienced, licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, diabetes educators, and other skilled professionals.

Their goal is to assist patients in reaching their rehabilitation potential by providing quality care that enhances independence, self-sufficiency, and productivity while promoting cost-effective care. Services emphasize patient self-responsibility for better outcomes and, when appropriate, utilize a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Home health and hospice services are also provided.

The full range of outpatient programs for patients of all ages includes:

• Aquatic Therapy

• Wound Care

• Neurological Rehab

• Functional Capacity Evaluations

• Work Hardening Program

• Bariatric Surgery Support Services

• Joint Replacement Rehab

• Hand Therapy

Your physical therapist will perform an examination at your first visit. At that time, your physical therapist may design a care strategy and timetable to help you achieve your goals and optimize your movement and function.

The best physical therapists will provide emotional support as well. Treatment and recovery is very hard work, especially for patients in severe pain. When you feel exhausted, the physical therapist will provide motivation, push you to your limits, which will aid in your full recovery. The therapist will inspire you to regain your full independence.

With the assistance of a good physical therapist and your own hard work, you can often recover fully and enjoy life again.
 

Chronic back pain is among the most common medical problems in America.

Most people have experienced back pain at some point in their lives. It impacts people in different ways. Different back conditions require different methods of treatment. So how can you best address back pain?

FIRST STEP: PREVENTION

Prevention is a strong defense against back pain. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising on a regular basis and building muscle strength in your core muscles will help you avoid back pain.

Many people don't realize that strong stomach muscles provide support for back muscles. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight may help reduce your back pain. It will also lessen the strain on the joints that support your weight, including your knees.

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Sprains and muscle spasms often cause back and neck pain. In more serious cases, degeneration, deformity, injury and disease may be creating physical pain.

When your body is in pain, it means something is wrong. When your back issue doesn't lessen within a few days, or if the pain is sharp, worsening or accompanied by numbness, you need to address it immediately. If you are experiencing any of the following seek immediate medical attention:

• Sharp pain

• Numbness

• Loss of bodily functions such as bladder or bowel control

• Shooting pain

• Pain that steadily gets worse

• Night Pain

• Weight loss

• Fever

The Methodist Hospitals Spine Care Center offers both surgical and non-surgical treatments for:

• Back pain

• Deformity/scoliosis

• Degenerative conditions

• Disc problems

• Inflammatory conditions

• Osteoporosis

• Spine Infection

• Spine trauma/fractures

• Tumors

A cornerstone of the Spine Care Center is Priority Consult, a pioneering patient management system designed to improve the patient experience.

The Priority Consult process utilizes digital technology to organize and review the patient's medical history, clinical status and any completed tests and imaging in the early stage of evaluation. This allows the spine care team to determine the most appropriate course of treatment and direct patients to the most appropriate care, from non-surgical to surgical treatments – all with out the patient coming into the Center.

Many patients require no surgical intervention. Priority Consult enables patients to avoid the time and expense of an unnecessary appointment with a surgeon, as they embark on a path to recovery much more rapidly.

SEEK EXPERT CARE

A good practice is one that concentrates on making a good diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation. A provider should perform a thorough exam and identify any abnormal findings and not totally depend on the X rays, CT and MRI.

It is important to treat the patient pain following an exam and accurate diagnosis. Treating pain without these crucial elements could lead to unpleasant consequence.

Methodist Hospitals has long been known for its expertise in the comprehensive treatment of spinal disorders. The Spine Care Center brings this multidisciplinary expertise together through a collaboration of physicians and other clinicians specializing in neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and physical therapy. The goal of the Center is to provide the highest quality care to give patients the mobility and freedom from pain that lets them return to healthier and active lives.

Patients are guided by Care Coordinators who offer education and assist with coordinating treatment, pain management or therapy. In addition, care coordinators provide a vital communication link back to the referring physician, who is regularly updated regarding the status of patients referred to the Spine Care Center.

Back pain can be debilitating. Contact the Methodist Hospitals Spine Care Center at 888-549-5648 when you experience pain that can't be attributed to simple stress or strain. The earlier you seek treatment, the faster you can start on the road to recovery.
 

Partnering organizations include the Methodist Hospitals, Community HealthNet, Cover Kids and Families Indiana, Gary Health Department and the Lake County Minority Health Coalition.
 

Courtesy of NWI Times.

One finally stuck.

The Gary-raised and Le Cordon Bleu-trained sous chef was tapped as a contestant for "Guy's Grocery Games." The Food Network game show, hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, challenges contestants in a grocery store setting.

Games in past episodes include preparing meals solely out of canned foods, preparing a taco feast without tortillas and pulling together dinner for $10 or less.

Ward, a Merrillville resident, said thinking on the fly is one of her strengths.

"You just have to be quick on your toes," she said.

She said being a mom of three picky eaters helped hone creative meal planning, and her upbringing helped fashion her culinary skills.

"Growing up, we didn't have a lot, so we made meals using fresh herbs and vegetables by going and picking in the garden," she said.

Ward spends her days as a sous chef at Methodist Hospitals, where she has worked for more than 2 1/2 years, floating between the Gary and Merrillville campuses.

She plans menus for hospital executives and doctors and oversees cooks who cook for patients and the cafeteria.

Ward, who interned at the well-known but now-shuttered Charlie Trotter's restaurant in Chicago, operated a catering company called Twice As Nice Catering before taking the job at Methodist.

Dr. Michael Davenport, president and interim CEO of Methodist Hospitals, said Methodist is thrilled and honored Ward will compete on the show.

"Her selection is a testament to her commitment and dedication to her field, and Methodist is proud to have her as one of our employees," he said. "The entire Methodist family wishes Pam the best as she embarks on this competition.”

Ward is a faithful watcher of the Food Network.

"I've auditioned for 'Next Food Network Star,' 'Master Chef' ... I finally landed one," she said.

She said the Food Network links the auditions to see where a person might best fit. A producer contacted her about appearing on "Guy's Grocery Games," which is heading into its second season.

Ward does not know when the episode will air and or even which day she will fly to California for the three-day taping, although it will be this month.

"They don't tell you anything," she said.

To prepare, Ward has reviewed the first season, although it was not much help because the game show components and grocery store aisles are different.

“I've watched every episode 20 times,” she said. “Neither one of them is the same.”

Ward said the Methodist staff is supportive of her game show appearance.

“That's the foundation that I have here — that family-oriented atmosphere,” she said. “I appreciate it.”

She was even born at the Gary hospital. 

Courtesy of the NWI Times

MERRILLVILLE | Crowned at the annual Methodist Hospitals Foundation Mardi Gras Ball held Feb. 15 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, King Mario Minotti and Queen Randalynn McColly-Fleener will preside over the foundation’s 11 philanthropic Krewes’ fundraising efforts for the next year.

Patterned after their counterparts in Mobile, Ala. and New Orleans, the Methodist Hospitals Foundation Krewes have raised $107,000 to date in support of health care in Northwest Indiana. That is $42,000 more than the Krewes raised the previous year, and donations continue to arrive.

“For the first time in the history of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation, our Krewes will be led by two individuals from the community at-large," foundation Executive Director Rob Hanrahan said. "Our goal is to make more people in the community aware of the work of the foundation.”

Minotti, of Crown Point, and McColly-Fleener, of Munster, earned their titles because the Krewes they led were the top fundraisers. As king and queen, the two will lead overall fundraising goals for the next year and serve as ambassadors for the foundation.

Minotti, a partner with Legacy Investment Services, thanked the members of Krewe Athena for helping secure his crown.

“We work in support of breast health. Our captain, Donna Ovanek, a manager at Marshalls, along with our entire team, worked so very hard to raise money for this very worthy cause,” Minotti said. "This year we intend to work even harder. We have goals to increase awareness in our region for breast cancer in men. It is vital that men know they are at risk, too.”

McColly-Fleener, who works at Forest Ridge Academy and McColly Realty, said her focus will be to continue to engage the community in philanthropy in support of health care.

“Mario and I have already been talking about hosting new events and getting a great many more individuals involved in the good works of the foundation,” said McColly-Fleener, who will begin medical school in the fall.

“We are very passionate about what we do. The difference it makes in the lives of those around us keeps us working harder for this very worthwhile cause.”
 

Courtesy of NWI Times.

So when the second annual Family Health Day at the Valparaiso Family YMCA took place Sunday, she wanted to be there.

Sponsored by Methodist Hospitals and the YMCA, the event featured health screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index.

There also were classes in Zumba, yoga, Pilates, boot camp and healthy cooking demonstrations by dietitians.

Fairgoers also browsed tables offering information on topics such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, breast health and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Bromley and her daughter Lauren, 11, had their body mass index measured and were looking at taking a family Zumba class.

“I've been trying to get the kids to eat healthier,” said Bromley, who also has a son, Ryan, 15. “We want to exercise more, and we're thinking about joining the Y.”

Lauren said she enjoyed a chocolate drink sample from Roots Organic Juice Cafe. She also planned to visit Staley Da Bear, the Chicago Bears mascot, who was a special guest at the fair along with mascots Rusty and Rascal from the Gary South Shore RailCats and Max from Methodist Hospitals.

For Valparaiso resident Nancy Koch, 75, and her brother, Gil Stephens, 70, of Jackson Township, the event was an opportunity to get tips on staying healthy.

Stephens said he wanted to compare his blood pressure testing equipment at home with the equipment at the fair. He filled out paperwork and joined residents waiting to have their blood pressure taken.

Marcia Brewer, director of the heart and vascular institute at Methodist Hospitals, said people may be at high risk for a heart attack or stroke but have never been tested.

“There are some people who refuse to go to the doctor, but they will come to a health fair,” she said.

Courtesy of NWI Times.
 

CROWN POINT | The Methodist Hospitals Foundation did not let a little snow get in the way of the unveiling of a new, regional community art project.

Foundation and city officials joined New Orleans-based artist Stephan Wanger in unveiling three canvases that will become part of a traveling exhibit to be known as Bead Town Northwest Indiana.

The canvases will spend the next few weeks in the former Crown Point library and at the Marshall Gardner Arts Center in Gary's Miller section. Members of the community, with help from Wanger, will turn the canvases into beaded mosaics depicting images from Crown Point, Gary and Valparaiso.

Wanger, who moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, is known for creating the more than 70 mosaics in Louisiana known as Bead Town. Created with Mardi Gras beads, and with the help of more than 10,000 volunteers, the mosaics showcase iconic images of Louisiana and New Orleans.

Now, with the help of local volunteers, Wanger will begin work on mosaic images that will showcase the region: the Old Lake County Courthouse, Orville Redenbacher and the dunes in Gary's Miller Beach area.

Wanger sketched and painted the outline for each image on canvas, and beads of various colors will be glued in place to create the mosaic. Wanger also intends to incorporate popcorn into the Orville Redenbacher image, he said.

“We’re excited about the impact and storyline you’re going to (create) in Northwest Indiana,” Crown Point Mayor David Uran said before adhering the first beads to the courthouse image with Wanger’s help.

Wanger will be hosting workshops beginning Tuesday in Crown Point and Gary. Any interested volunteer will be able to help him begin to create the mosaics.

Wanger's original vision for Bead Town in Louisiana came to him while working on crews helping to rebuild the city after the hurricane, he said. Seeing so many Mardi Gras beads that would otherwise have ended up in landfills, Wanger decided to combine his interest in recycling with his art. He used beads to create the mosaics that became known as Bead Town.

“We got to protect planet Earth while promoting the places that we go to,” he said.

The Northwest Indiana mosaics eventually will become part of a traveling exhibit he will take to other cities and communities.

Currently, there are 30 pieces in the exhibit, including the New Orleans riverfront and images of Mardi Gras.

The new mosaics will be works of art that also promote the region as they travel the country, said Robert Hanrahan, executive director of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation.

The Marshall Gardner Arts Center and the former Crown Point Library building will be open to members of the community who wish to participate in the project beginning Tuesday. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
 

Courtesy of NWI Times.