New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, talks with Paul Pawlak, Silver Cross President/CEO, about the construction progress and new services that will be available when the replacement hospital opens in February 2012. The video is embedded below, but if you’d prefer to watch it on YouTube, click here.
Tupperware has extended a special offer to our I Matter members that’s good from now until October 8! For more information, call Nancy Shlifka at (815) 577-9422 or visit mytupperware.com.
Ladies, high cholesterol is not just a man’s problem.
It’s important to understand the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol and to know the levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat.
A cholesterol screening measures your level of HDL and LDL. HDL is the “good” cholesterol which helps keep the LDL (bad) cholesterol from getting lodged into your artery walls. A healthy level of HDL may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL ( less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.
Take charge of your health. Sign up for your $40 baseline caridovascular risk assessment today by calling (815) 740-7076. This screening includes a 12-lead EKG, HDL/LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood glucose level, body mass index (BMI), history and lifestyle evaluation,and a personal phone consultation with a cardiovascular nurse. Screenings are available in three convenient locations:
And, if you are an I Matter member, will receive an additional 5% off at over 150 local businesses–all for just taking care your health! Know your cholesterol status, because YOU matter.
We have designed the rooms in the new hospital to help patients heal faster. Now we will be able to find out just how much! Over the next 18-months, patients, visitors and caregivers will have an opportunity to try out a mock-patient room on the 6th floor of the current hospital.
“This is the time to get feedback so we can make any necessary changes before we build-out all 289-private patient rooms,” said Mary Shanahan, Administrative Director of Nursing. “We want to build the safest and most efficient room that will allow us to give the best possible care to our patients and their family members.”
The mock-room is the same size as a medical-surgical room in the new hospital and has been retrofitted down to the very last detail—even the placement of the window. We want to be able to test out as many new pieces of equipment and furniture as possible including:
• Hand-rails to assist the patient to the bathroom
• Chairs and couches
• Lighting—both surgical and ambient
• Foot wall with sink for hand-washing
• New patient lift
• Wood-like flooring in the room
• Bathroom with a door—no curtain
• 30” flat-screen TV system
The room has been designed to be acuity-adaptable, which means that we will have the space, supplies and staff to deliver the appropriate level of care to the patient rather than transfer the patient between units as needs change. And, as we get closer to the opening, we will even be performing some procedures at the bedside. This will give us an opportunity to fine-tune our processes now so we are ready when the new hospital opens in February 2012. Read more.
Osteoporosis is a disease which can cause your bones to grow weak and fragile. Researchers estimate that about 1 out of every 5 American women over the age of 50 has osteoporosis.
Women continue to build bone mass until their 30s, after that it is important to continue to maintain your bone mass. This means consuming enough calcium, eating healthy, and living an active lifestyle.
To increase the amount of calcium you are getting, increase your intake of dairy products and leafy green vegetables. Also, adding a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement of Vitamins D and K will help keep bones strong.
Exercise is key to help prevent bone loss. Some exercises to try are:
You should also have regular bone density tests beginning around menopause or if you:
To find out if you are at risk, the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health will be offering $5 Osteoporosis Heel Screenings on Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 3 to 7 p.m. This quick and painless screening uses ultrasound to measure the bone mineral density in your heels, assessing the risk for osteoporosis. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Did you know that there are approximately 4,800 Will County residents diagnosed with cancer (including breast cancer) every year? Often, people seek treatments at academic medical centers. This may require long travel times to unfamiliar places adding additional stress for patients and their families during what is already a traumatic time.
So, Silver Cross Hospital and University of Chicago Medical Center have teamed up to bring cancer care close to home—in New Lenox.
The University of Chicago Medical Center is nationally known for their expertise in cancer treatment:
The two hospitals recently submitted a Certificate of Need application to the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Planning Board to build a the UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CANCER CENTER at SILVER CROSS HOSPITAL on our Replacement Hospital campus at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. The Cancer Center is planned to open in 2012.
Services would include:
LEND YOUR SUPPORT!
If you agree that having a world-renowned Cancer Center nearby is good for our community, you can support us by attending a Public Hearing on Friday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. in the New Lenox Village Hall Community Room. You don’t need to speak—just come out and show your support. However, if you would like to say a few words or write a letter to share how having a Cancer Center in our community could or would have benefited you and your family, please contact us.
Curves is a business partner of the Center for Women’s Health, and they would like to extend an offer to our I Matter members! As you likely know, the international fitness facility is designed specifically for and focused on women.
Below is a PDF of a wonderful deal. We encourage you to download the document to your computer (using the orange “Download” button) and call the Curves location nearest you for more details.
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann recently interviewed Marybeth Antone (Administrative Director for Imaging and Cardiology Services at Silver Cross Hospital) about the new Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health!
Let’s face it, as women we take care of everything and everyone in our lives—husbands, children, siblings, friends and, yes, even our pets. Yet, we do so most times with a smile on our face and without so much as a “Thank You.”
Well now here is your chance to do something special for someone you love and maybe even win a $100 shopping spree!
Simply ask your female friends or family members to join the Silver Cross I Matter program and you both will be entered in a drawing to each win a $100 Gift Certificate to the I Matter Business Partner of your choice.
You may recall, there is no cost to sign-up. And I Matter members receive valuable discounts from over 150 local businesses just for taking care of themselves by having an annual mammogram and heart screening.
So what are you waiting for? Call, Email, Facebook or Tweet your girlfriends today to sign up. And don’t forget to make sure that they include in the I Matter application that YOU referred them.
There is no limit to the number of times you can be entered in the drawing. In fact, your name will be entered each time it is listed on a new I Matter member application. Winners will be drawn and notified by Email on Sept. 30, 2010.
Remember…You Matter too!
1. Who is at risk? According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Nearly 190,000 American men will be diagnosed this year alone, ultimately leading to 27,000 deaths.
2. What are the risk factors? While the exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown there are dynamics that can increase a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer including:
• Age: A man’s chance of developing prostate cancer increases quickly after age 50.
• Family History: Those with a father, brother, uncle or other male relative who have had prostate cancer are at increased risk.
• Race: African American males are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer, as they are up to twice as likely to develop and die from the disease.
3. What are the signs & symptoms? Early stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. Therefore, in addition to regular checkups, a man should see a health care provider if he experiences persistent hip or back pain, has difficulty urinating, feels pain and/or a burning sensation during urination, or has blood in his urine.
4. How is it caught early? The most common early detection methods include a digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Abnormalities may indicate the need for further testing. Beginning at age 40 (35 for high risk men), men should have a baseline PSA and digital rectal exam, and speak with their physician about annual screening thereafter.
5. What can women do to help? Gently remind him to get a prostate cancer screening. If that doesn’t work, make an appointment for him. Silver Cross Hospital and Advanced Urology Associates will offer free prostate cancer screenings in September. Click here for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Remember, early detection leads to the greatest outcomes and an improved quality of life.
