Kathryn Weil Center for Education to host free peripheral arterial disease screening

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education, St. Elizabeth Regional Health and area health care providers are teaming together to provide a free Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) screening from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education.

The center is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

PAD is a clogging of arteries in the leg that can be life-threatening if left untreated. An estimated 12 million Americans have PAD, increasing their risk of death by two to six times from heart attack and stroke. PAD can decrease blood flow to the legs and feet, resulting in muscle fatigue and pain when walking and can lead to amputation, disability and diminished quality of life.

PAD develops slowly over many years and the chance of having PAD increases as you get older; people over age 50 are at highest risk for PAD, but the risk is increased among people who:
• smoke or previously smoked;
• have diabetes;
• have high blood pressure;
• have abnormal blood cholesterol levels;
• are of African American ethnicity; and
• have had heart disease, a heart attack or a stroke.

The screening is in conjunction with National Peripheral Arterial Disease month and materials are provided by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health and Spirit of Women Health Network.

Participants may also participate in a free personal cardiac assessment, which includes a cholesterol screening and a glucose screening, as well as a body composition assessment.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of the Spirit of Women network, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

This screening is free and open to men and women, but registration is limited and required. To register, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Free seminar: "Concussions: Prevention and Treatment in Athletes"

Brian F. Morris, M.D.

Concussions can be a serious side effect of athletic participation. Dr. Brian F. Morris, Sigma Sports Medicine, will speak about concussions and the need for ImPACT testing on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. The seminar will be held at St. Elizabeth East located at 1701 S. Creasy Lane in Lafayette. Attendees should use the North Entrance. This seminar is free, but registration is required. Please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133 to reserve your spot.

An ImPACT test is a computer-based test used to measure an athlete’s memory and how quickly they can recall words, numbers and shapes. Athletes are tested in the pre-season to create a baseline score. If an athlete suffers a concussion, their pre- and post-concussion scores are compared to help determine their ability to return to play. Student athletes, weekend warriors and virtually anyone involved in sports can benefit from ImPACT testing.

Free Overactive Bladder Seminar

If you’ve tried overactive bladder treatments without any success, don’t lose hope. InterStim Therapy by Medtronic, is FDA-approved therapy that works with the bladder to control urinary function. Come to a free health seminar hosted by St. Elizabeth Regional Health to find out if InterStim Therapy could eliminate or greatly reduce your bladder control problems.

Dr. Richard Selo and Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, of Lafayette Clinic of Urology, will speak about InterStim Therapy and the latest treatments for overactive bladder. This seminar is free but registration is required. Please call (765) 449-5133 to reserve your spot.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Spirit of Women encourage women to create new opportunities with the ‘Reinvention Factor’

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and the Spirit of Women are hosting a program that encourages area women to create the life they want.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will present “Reinvention Factor” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Inspired Fire Glass Studio and Gallery, 2124 State Road 25 South in Lafayette.

“Reinvention Factor” will include several presentations, door prizes and surprises designed to make the evening both fun and educational. The following events are currently scheduled:

• “Take A Deep Breath” by William Hutchison, M.D., a pulmonologist and internal medicine physician with Sigma Medical Group. Dr. Hutchison will talk on how disorders of the respiratory system can prevent you from enjoying life. 
• “Reinventing Yourself From The Inside Out” by Simone Yeomans, Ph.D, M.S., MFT. Dr. Yeomans will provide important background information about breathing as well as on teaching breathing techniques to easily and effectively apply in daily situations. 
•  “Inspired Reinvention” by Sharon Owens of Inspired Fire Glass Studio and Gallery. Owens will craft a beautiful glass art Christmas ornament. One fortunate participant will get to take it home. All participants will receive a 10% discount on all purchases made at the event.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of the Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

This program is free for Spirit of Women members or $5 for non-members, and registration is required. To register, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133. For more information on the Spirit of Women, please visit www.ste.org/spirit.

Camp Bluebird sessions scheduled for Oct. 27 - 28; volunteers needed for Camp Bluebird

Fall Camp Bluebird sessions scheduled for Oct. 27 – 28

Camp Bluebird, an adult retreat for cancer survivors, will be held Oct. 27 – 28 at Camp Tecumseh’s Leadership Center. The camp is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Regional Health.

The two-day, one-night retreat is an informal educational experience in a relaxed nature-filled environment.

Open to cancer survivors of Tippecanoe and surrounding counties, a camper candidate is any adult, 18 years or older, who has had a personal cancer experience. Newly diagnosed cancer patients are encouraged to inquire about Camp Bluebird.

Space is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register or for more information, call St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Oncology Services at (765) 423-6291. Registration deadline is Sept. 17, 2010.


Camp volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to assist with the fall session of Camp Bluebird.

Camp Bluebird, an adult retreat for cancer survivors will be held Oct. 27 – 28 at Camp Tecumseh’s Leadership Center. The camp is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Regional Health.

The two-day, one-night retreat is an informal educational experience in a relaxed nature-filled environment.

Interested volunteers need to fill out an application and go through a short training session before the camp. For more information or to receive an application, call St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Oncology Services at (765) 423-6291.

St. Elizabeth Hospice offering grief support meetings

St. Elizabeth Hospice will offer two 10-week grief support groups. The group is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions will be facilitated by Nancy Eberhard, M.Div., hospice bereavement coordinator.

The evening group meets weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospice office, located in the lower level of the Bill Long Building, 1415 Salem St. in Lafayette. The group starts on Monday, Sept. 20.

A morning session will be held weekly on Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in a private conference room at MCL Cafeteria, 521 Sagamore Parkway West in West Lafayette. The group starts on Friday, Sept. 24.

Some aspects of participating in a grief support group include:

• Giving information about the grief process so that people understand the changes that are happening;
• Providing a safe place to share the grief experience; and
• Sharing ideas on how to handle daily concerns and changes that come with grief.

Materials include a workbook and Understanding Your Grief, Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Cost for the book is $12. Participants may return the book at the end of the final session for a full refund.

Registration is required and can be made by calling Nancy Eberhard at (765) 423-6732.