Nearly everyone experiences abdominal pain at some point in their life. The pain is usually short-lived and causes minimal discomfort. But when the pain is localized to the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, this is an indicator of serious illness and should not be ignored. Many organs, including the liver, gallbladder and intestines crowd into this area of the abdomen and disease in nearby organs such as the stomach and pancreas can also cause pain .Causes of right upper quadrant abdominal pain may be due to something as simple as increased stomach acid or involve infection or organ damage.

 “The body’s digestion system is very complex, it takes many functions to process the food we eat into the energy we need,” shares Dr. Kamran Ayub, gastroenterologist on staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

Find Relief  Join Dr. Kamran Ayub on Tuesday, May 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center 1, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox for a free program, Commonly Missed Causes and Management of Upper Abdominal Pain. He will discuss the common symptoms, causes and latest treatment options available to help find pain relief. Register to attend this program here or  call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

With summer around the corner, it is important to remember to  practice proper sun protection and understand the risks of skin cancer – the most common type of cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 2 million new skin cancers will be diagnosed this year alone.

The odds of developing skin cancer increase with age. Other risk factors include having fair skin that freckles, a family history of skin cancer, and more than 50 moles. However, the most preventable cause of skin cancer is excessive sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure (both natural and artificial) has been proven to be the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. To help minimize your risk of skin cancer, Silver Cross Hospital suggests the following tips:

• Generously apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” sunscreen provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, whenever possible.
• Seek shade when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen every hour.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
•  Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements.
• Avoid tanning. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, try an alternative method such as spray tans.
• Check yourself. A change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole or an unusual new mole is often the first sign of melanoma, the rarest but deadliest form of skin cancer. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

“To help detect skin cancer at an early stage, become familiar with your moles and birthmarks,” said Dr. Gregory Bezanis, dermatologist with Premier Dermatology on staff at Silver Cross Hospital. “Then, every month, check your entire body in the mirror for skin changes, including your back, scalp, and feet. A handheld mirror can help ensure a thorough self-exam.”

In honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness month, Dr. Aaron Cetner, dermatologist with Premier Dermatology and on staff at Silver Cross Hospital, will offer free skin cancer screenings on Thursday, May 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dr. Gregory Bezanis, dermatologist, will provide screenings on Friday, May 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Register to attend online or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Screenings will be held at the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health, Pavilion B, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.

This free event will be held at Orland Mall–Lower Level Carson’s Court.

Stop by the Silver Cross Booth, sign up for the I Matter program and receive a special gift bag and learn how you can get valuable discounts with over 50 local businesses just for taking care of yourself.

People often add dietary supplements to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals perhaps not otherwise obtained through their regular diets or to aid in finding relief from health concerns. Dietary supplements include products such as botanical (herbal) products, amino acids, essential fatty acids and oils, enzymes, and probiotics. While the benefits of supplements abound, deciding on what supplements and nutrients your body needs can be a puzzling task. With so many options and so many deciding factors, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Join Dr. John Obert-Hong, family practice physician on staff at Silver Cross Hospital, on Tuesday, May 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center 1BC, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox for a free program, Take This, Not That! He will discuss the best nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and natural ways to help you and your family heal. He will also discuss the hidden risks of combining supplements with prescriptions. Register to attend here.

“It is important to discuss which supplements and what doses might be appropriate for you and your family with a physician since there are many possible side effects and interactions with any medications you take,” says Dr. Obert-Hong.

Benefits In most cases, multiple-vitamin supplements provide all the basic nutrients your body needs. These multiple-vitamins are generally safe because they contain only small amounts of the each nutrient. Individual nutrients can also be sold as dietary supplements, but usually in larger amounts than what’s found in a typical multiple-vitamin. They may be used to treat a simple deficiency or used therapeutically to treat specific health conditions or risk factors.

Common Risks In the United States, dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as drugs. However, manufacturers are required to oblige to rules in regards to labeling and the claims that can be made about the supplements. The claim can be made that a dietary supplement addresses a nutritional deficiency, supports health, or reduces the risk for a specific health problem when there is enough evidence to support that claim.

Pictured is the innovative da Vinci Surgical System known as the “da Vinci robot.”

Recently, New Lenox resident Lisa Berger was the first patient to benefit from having surgery using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System at Silver Cross Hospital. Berger’s urologist Dr. Thai Nguyen, was the first physician to use the da Vinci robot at Silver Cross as he performed Berger’s pyeloplasty procedure, which reconstructed her blocked kidney.

Berger suffered for 20 years with kidney issues. Her left kidney would hold urine and as a result kidney stones developed leaving Berger in great pain for years. Under the care of Dr. Nguyen, it was determined that a defect existed in her left kidney. Berger’s ureter, the tube draining urine from the kidney into the bladder, was very narrow where it connected to the kidney. The resulting blockage was causing serious damage to her kidney.

New Lenox residents Terry Berger and Lisa Berger pose with Dr. Thai Nguyen, with Advanced Urology Associates, prior to Lisa’s surgery which was the first one using the state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System at Silver Cross Hospital.

Using the innovative da Vinci robot, Dr. Nguyen made 4 tiny incisions in Berger’s abdomen then inserted long, delicate instruments that enabled him to remove half an inch of the defective narrow area and re-attach the healthy tubing to the kidney.

The da Vinci Si™ Surgical System is the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology available.  The da Vinci system combines a surgeon’s skill with precision technology to provide patients with the newest minimally invasive option for hysterectomies, prostatectomies and other procedures.  Compared to traditional open surgeries, patients benefit from smaller incisions, minimal bleeding, shorter hospital stays and faster, less painful recoveries.
 
“I am amazed how small my incisions are especially after undergoing such a complex surgery,” said 45 year-old Lisa Berger. “I feel so special to have met Dr. Nguyen and fortunate to benefit from his expertise to perform surgeries using the da Vinci robot. He is so knowledgeable, and my husband and I appreciate how he thoroughly explained my procedure and answered all of our questions prior to the surgery.

As a result of this minimally invasive surgery, Berger had a short hospital stay and was home in two days. “The nursing care I received at Silver Cross was very good. The nurses were so kind and continuously took time to check on me to ask how I was doing,” said Berger. “Also the new hospital is beautiful. I truly felt like I was staying in a 5-star hotel! I am so proud that this wonderful hospital with such high quality medical care and state-of-the-art technology is located in my community.”
 
Dr. Thai Nguyen, with Advanced Urology Associates, says the da Vinci robot helps surgeons see better and operate with superior precision.  “The robot allows me a magnified, 3-dimensional view of the operative field which is unmatched by traditional open surgery or conventional laparoscopy. The robotically-assisted instruments give me unparalleled dexterity and precision, which are essential to achieving excellent outcomes during complicated minimally-invasive procedures.”

He continues, “I am very pleased with the outcome of Lisa’s surgery. With the da Vinci robot, we were able to repair her kidney with minimal bleeding, and her recovery was much shorter than what it would have been had we performed the surgery using the traditional flank incision, a very painful, long incision which often involves the removal of a rib.”

Robot Name Selected
Recently Silver Cross announced the “Name the Robot” contest winner. The new name for the $2 million, state-of-the-art surgical system at Silver Cross Hospital, is Mia—minimally invasive approach.  Tinley Park resident Suzanne Mitchell submitted the name during the community Housewarming Celebration for the new Hospital in February.  Mitchell along with more than 8,500 area residents had an opportunity to see Silver Cross’s new da Vinci Surgical System before offering their name recommendations.

Mitchell submitted “Mia”, which she says is an acronym for minimally invasive approach.  “I had heard that Silver Cross was going to be offering more minimally invasive surgery at the new hospital so I immediately thought of the name after seeing the robot,” says Suzanne Mitchell.  “The hospital is so beautiful and this new equipment will be such a benefit for patients.” The Silver Cross Procedural Care Unit Staff chose the name after sorting through thousands of submissions. 

Free Lecture
Join Dr. Thai Nguyen, urologist with Advanced Urology, for a lecture about Prostate Cancer Options & Treatments on Wednesday, May 9 from 6  to 7 p.m. at the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center 1, in Pavilion A, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd, New Lenox. He will discuss how robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci surgery system can treat prostate cancer. FREE. To register, call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or click here.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital offers free screenings in May

Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.

Speech and language disorders can take many forms and can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. An individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or it may be caused by accidental injury or illness.

“Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped,” says Kris Peters, Senior Speech Pathologist with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live and communicate more independently.”

Free Screenings
In honor of Better Speech and Hearing Month, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital will offer free 15 minute pediatric speech and language screenings throughout the month of May.  Call (815) 300-7110 and mention “SPEECH” to make an appointment.

Celebrity chef Paula Deen greets nursing staff as she enters the Pediatric Unit. View more photos from her visit on the Silver Cross Hospital Facebook page.

Food Network star and celebrity chef Paula Dean stopped by Silver Cross on Wednesday, April 4 to spread some cheer to patients at the new Hospital.  She was accompanied by her husband Michael, brother Bubba, and dignitaries from Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel where she is opening a new restaurant.

 Silver Cross Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Mary Bakken welcomed Deen and escorted her up to the new Pediatric unit where she talked with patients and their families, autographed cookbooks and even fed applesauce to 5-year old Jordan Cameron of Country Club Hills.  Deen also looked at X-rays of 13-year-old Shannon Macaulay’s newly straightened spine following surgery just the day before to correct scoliosis.  And she shared nail polish secrets with 12-year-old Julia Bisbikis of Lockport who had just been admitted.  Deen even took time to chat and take photos with nurses and other caregivers praising them for their compassion and dedication.

“Every time I leave (a hospital), I feel like they give me more than I give them,” Deen said.  “It’s just wonderful that I’m in a position that people will allow me to do that. And I have a real soft spot for children.”

“Paula was just delightful,” said Bakken.  “Her smile just lights up the room.  We are so honored that she chose Silver Cross to share her southern hospitality with some of our youngest patients and their family members.  She is definitely welcome anytime!”

After sorting through thousands of names, the Procedural Care Unit Staff have chosen the name for the brand new, $2 million, state-of-the-art surgical system at Silver Cross Hospital. The da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System is the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology available.  The da Vinci system combines a surgeon’s skill with precision technology to provide patients with the newest minimally invasive option for hysterectomies, prostatectomies and other procedures.  Compared to traditional open surgeries, patients benefit from smaller incisions, minimal bleeding, shorter hospital stays and faster, less painful recoveries. 

And the name is… 

drumroll please… 

Tinley Park resident Suzanne Mitchell tests out the da Vinci surgical system’s control panel with Silver Cross Hospital’s Marybeth Antone. Mitchell was the winner of the “Name the Robot” contest held at Grand Opening for the new Silver Cross Hospital in February.

…Mia!  Tinley Park resident Suzanne Mitchell submitted the name during the community Housewarming Celebration for the new Hospital in February.  Mitchell submitted “Mia”, which she says is an acronym for minimally invasive approach.  “I had heard that Silver Cross was going to be offering more minimally invasive surgery at the new hospital so I immediately thought of the name after seeing the robot,” says Mitchell.  “The hospital is so beautiful and this new equipment will be such a benefit for patients.” 

Dr. Thai Nguyen, urologist, who will be performing the first procedure at Silver Cross in April using Mia, says the da Vinci robot helps surgeons see and work better.  “The robot allows me a magnified, 3-dimensional view of the operative field which is unmatched by traditional open surgery or conventional laparoscopy. The robotically-assisted instruments give me unparalleled dexterity and precision, which are essential to achieving excellent outcomes during complicated minimally-invasive procedures.”