I have been working at Holy Family Memorial for 42 years; with 32 of those years in oncology nursing. My journey into oncology nursing started as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in 1981. Sometimes I think I got more from my patients than I gave to them. My oncology patients are one of the reasons […]
Blog
Why do I work in the HFM Cancer Center?
When people ask me what type of nursing I do, and I say “oncology” I always hear “that must be so sad.” Yes, it is some days. But I wouldn’t do anything else. I’ve been working oncology at Holy Family Memorial for 31 years and truly feel it has been my calling. I cannot take […]
Mental Health Breaks, Seriously?
Many of us Wisconsinites have likely heard about Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Cole Madison’s decision to take a “mental health break” from football. Is there anything the rest of us can take from this example. In the month of May, we focus on Mental Health Awareness. The days of “pulling yourself up by your […]
The importance of healthy employees
Improving the health of employees through employer-based wellness programs has many benefits to the employee and the organization’s bottom line. This article will share four common benefits of having healthy employees that are frequently shared by the Wellness Council of America or WELCOA. First, healthy employees typically will have fewer sick days. Whether a result […]
Why do I work in the HFM Cancer Center?
I have worked for Holy Family Memorial for 23 years. In 2011, I was invited to a meeting to collaborate services for rehabilitation and cancer patients. Survivorship and rehabilitation programs were quickly growing among cancer centers throughout the United States. HFM gave the opportunity to 25 physical, occupational, speech therapists and assistants, radiation therapists, nurses […]
Meaningful Difference of an Exceptional Patient Experience
When we go to a restaurant, we expect great service. When we purchase clothing, we expect great service. When we get work done on our home, we expect great service. There is a theme here. Regardless of what we do, we expect great service. When it comes to healthcare, we also expect great service. From […]
Why I Work in Cancer
After many years pastoring churches in the United Church of Christ, I made the decision three years ago to move into hospital chaplaincy. I wondered at first if I would miss the endless variety of work one is presented with in parish ministry. What I quickly learned is that chaplaincy is as varied as the […]
Employee Burnout: Impact and Solution
In 2018, Gallup conducted a study that was published by CNBC stating that 23 percent of full-time employees report they very often or always feel burned out. This burnout accounts for $125 billion to $190 billion in healthcare spending. The increase in healthcare spending is attributed to an increase in diabetes, heart disease, increased weight, […]
Why do I work at the HFM Cancer Center?
I’ve been with HFM for more than 32 years and have worked in the HFM Cancer Center for nearly two years. Why did I make the change? I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life. I see amazing things happening every day at the HFM Cancer Center—both wonderful and sad. Many of our patients […]
Snow shoveling techniques to prevent lower back injuries.
Winter is finally here in Northeast Wisconsin and that means snow shoveling! Most people don’t prepare themselves physically for the rigors of this activity. That can be a painful mistake for our muscles, joints and our heart. We should look at snow removal as physical exercise and use the same concepts to get our bodies […]
A Community without Healthcare
Nearly 120 years ago, Manitowoc was a growing region with three successful shipbuilding companies, and local business and government leaders asked the Franciscan Sisters to sponsor a hospital. Citizens collected money from private sources, and while far short on needed funding, the hospital was built based on deep trust in God and a mission to […]
The Engaged Digital Healthcare Consumer
The healthcare landscape today is evolving rapidly, including how patients shop for healthcare and services. Embracing digital tools which allow patients to change how they manage their healthcare is vital. In the end, the traditional relationships between patients and healthcare delivery networks or providers is changing at the direction of the engaged digital healthcare consumer. […]
Healthy Holiday Eating Tips
We all have our favorite holiday foods or drinks—green bean casserole, eggnog, prime rib and of course Grandma’s Christmas cookies. When it comes to eating healthy, this time of the year can be a challenge. But it is possible! First, consider setting yourself up for success. What I mean by that is when you know […]
Importance and Uncertainty of Community Healthcare
We can all agree healthcare is complex, yet needed to serve people in all communities. This becomes increasingly difficult given the myriad healthcare networks merging or being acquired. What can be done to ensure healthcare stays in our community? This is an important question for all to discern – more so based on uncertainty with […]
October is Audiology Awareness Month
More than 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. While this condition is often viewed as an inevitable part of aging, over half of all patients are otherwise healthy adults under the age of 65. Regular hearing screenings are an invaluable tool in identifying problems early and taking steps to prevent further hearing damage before […]
Local Healthcare Supports a Strong Community
The strength of a local community is driven by many factors – a strong job market, great schools, government/business partnerships, diverse industries, stable infrastructure, and recreational and social activities. While we usually associate healthcare to people’s health, access to local healthcare also affects the strength of a community, especially in a rural community. Healthcare in […]
Winter Wellness Tips
Fall is truly is my favorite time of the year. Cooler mornings, bright sunshine and the turning of the leaves just make me feel refreshed and energetic. You’re probably wondering why I want to write about winter wellness when it’s only Fall but the change in season is a perfect time to look at ways […]
Achieving an Amazing Patient Experience
Quality and cost are commonly discussed as key decision factors when choosing a healthcare network; although it may be patient experience which is the ultimate factor. Cost is based on your insurance plan, while quality is generally expected, leaving patient experience. Patient experience is similar to customer service at a restaurant, hotel or anywhere else […]
Population Health
In recent years, greater emphasis has been placed on population health by both health care networks and insurance companies. Years ago, patients would see their healthcare provider to treat a specific injury, illness or chronic disease (i.e. diabetes, asthma, or heart disease). Now, a greater emphasis is being placed on improving or keeping the population […]
How to Prevent Skin Tears
As we get older, our skin becomes paper thin and is more fragile. A minor injury like bumping into furniture or even removing a band-aid can cause a significant skin tear. Skin tears are commonly seen on the arms, hands, and legs. They occur when the outer layer of the skin breaks or tears from […]
Who to see for primary care?
For most, healthcare is a relationship with a primary care provider. This is typically a patient’s main contact point for annual physicals and most other healthcare concerns. Yet, healthcare is changing. I remember having the same physician as my pediatrician, primary care, and virtually everything else growing up. He gave me vaccinations as a child […]
Hearing Loss: Separating Fact from Fiction
Hearing loss is a condition that affects 48 million Americans. There are several misconceptions surrounding hearing loss, like that it only happens to people over the age of 70, that are untrue. It is important to distinguish the myths from the truth, as hearing health greatly impacts overall health conditions such as balance, cognitive health, […]
Value-Based Payments in Healthcare
As a patient, understanding and paying healthcare bills can be challenging and confusing. It is also challenging and confusing how healthcare delivery networks get paid. Healthcare networks and insurance carriers are working toward more processes based on the quality of care delivered. The process of getting paid is ever changing, moving from Fee-For-Service (payment for […]
Dry Needling: What You Should Know
Have you heard of dry needling? It is one of the hottest topics in physical therapy practice right now! It is trending on social media, the news, in physical therapy clinical advertisements, and is now offered at Holy Family Memorial! As a physical therapist who has been practicing dry needling for three years, I believe […]
Nutrition for managing blood pressure
May is National Blood Pressure Education month. The foods that we eat can play an important role in managing blood pressure. The tips below are helpful for anyone to both manage high blood pressure or to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range as a proactive approach. You may have heard of the DASH […]
Millennials make health and wellness a way of life.
Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce — larger than Baby Boomers — and view health care very differently than other generations. Health care and employers must adapt accordingly. To ensure we are on the same page regarding millennials, the following information is from Goldman Sachs to provide a baseline for this generation. Millennials […]
Ask a Doctor: High blood pressure raises heart disease risk
Question: I recently had my annual exam with my doctor and my blood pressure was a little high. If I can’t feel high blood pressure, is it something that I need to be concerned with? Answer: High blood pressure is a very important health problem. It is one of the most important modifiable risk factors […]
Preventing stroke in your life.
Each year about 800,000 people suffer stroke in the United States and about 140,000 of those strokes will be fatal making stroke the fifth leading cause of death in America. It’s my hope that awareness, education and screening can help change the numbers of people having strokes. Risk factors for stroke are the same as […]
Is breastfeeding or formula best for infants?
Comparing the benefits of breastfeeding versus formula feeding has been a hot topic not only among mothers, but throughout the medical community at large. Much research has been done to obtain objective data that show breast truly is best. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands firm in its recommendation of “exclusive breastfeeding for about six […]
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain.
Many of our patients have benefited from having a spinal cord stimulator implant to decrease their chronic back, leg, or arm pain when surgery and other modalities haven’t provided relief. Spinal cord stimulation masks pain signals before they reach the brain. It is a drug free option for patients with the following conditions: Chronic leg […]
Heart and Soul Inspired Leaders in Healthcare
A heart and soul inspired leader is any individual, regardless of age, regardless of role, regardless of title; who embraces his/her personal gifts, strengths and passions to positively impact others and change the world. Many view leadership as a series of traits such as honesty, humility, grace, authenticity, etc. While each is necessary to be […]
LINX procedure gives reflux patients alternative to meds
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when acid and enzymes that belong in the stomach are pushed back up (reflux) into the esophagus. Stomach acid has a pH of around 2. That’s strong enough to eat through some metals. We use it to digest an amazing variety of foods, absorb important nutrients, and to fight off […]
Is back pain holding you back?
In America, most adults experience back pain at some point in their life. It remains one of the most common concerns patients bring up with their doctor. Back pain is often grouped by duration of symptoms, less than 12 weeks or greater than 12 weeks, and by associated symptoms. For example, whether there is associated […]
Health care cost transparency improving.
In today’s wired world, we can easily compare products across vendors to make sure we are purchasing the best product at the best deal. Hundreds, if not thousands, of apps and websites can do all the heavy lifting for us — they gather reviews and prices for hotels, flights, restaurants and more, and give us […]
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine is an area of medicine that focuses on using the body’s own natural healing ability to heal injured or degenerative tissue. While the field is branching across many medical specialties, in my office I focus on the orthopaedic applications. The field holds promise to heal tissue, such as tendon or cartilage, which we […]
Women and Heart Disease
Although it’s often considered a “man’s problem,” heart disease is a serious threat to women’s health. Every year, heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, claims women and men in equal numbers—approximately 1 in every 4 deaths. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) say only 54% of women […]
Ear Infections in Children: What You Need to Know
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday, and most of these are not serious. An ear infection occurs when […]
Healthcare Consumerism Benefits All Entities
Healthcare consumerism is a topic which has been discussed for years. It is defined as putting economic purchasing power and decision-making in the hands of participants – you – and supplying information and tools to make informed decisions which encourage engagement in altering health and healthcare behaviors. In simpler terms, the intent of healthcare consumerism […]
5 Tips to Help You Start Your Weight Loss Journey
In a few days, 2018 will be here. Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions that people make—but how many of us actually stick to it? The real challenge is how to stay motivated all year long. Here are five tips to help you get started with your weight loss goals: […]
Humility in Healthcare
It is refreshing to interact with individuals exhibiting humility. People we admire, follow, learn from; and traits we desire for ourselves. Healthcare professionals should provide a great example since they do Jesus’ work. Healthcare has roots in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ – whose birthday many celebrate this month. It is a belief that […]
Ask a Doctor: Early signs of hearing loss
Question: I am 50 years old and work in the manufacturing industry. I have noticed lately that I am having trouble hearing certain things when someone is speaking to me. I think I might have a hearing problem, what can I do about this? Answer: This is a very common problem, especially for those who […]
Cold, flu or just allergies?
Symptoms of allergy are most commonly sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching. Other symptoms often present are cough, fatigue. There may be itching or watering of the eyes. Allergies may be “seasonal”, meaning that they happen at certain times of the year due to environmental factors such as grasses, weeds, or pollen. Fever is not […]
Nan’s Story: Climbing the mountain of recovery.
A year ago, after recovering from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, I realized that I could not ignore my dysfunctional knee any longer. I despised the idea of another blip in my routines and recreation. Reluctantly, I began to meet with orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kirk Dimitris and physician assistant Eric Goddeyne of HFM Lakeshore Orthopaedics who […]
What’s the difference between targeted therapy and chemo?
Chemotherapy consists of drugs that are used to treat cancer. These drugs usually work by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to grow and multiply, leading to death of the cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs usually have effects not only on cancer cells but also on normal cells, especially those that grow and multiple more […]
Someplace else is right here!
Have you ever heard someone from Manitowoc County say “It’s got to be better because it’s happening in Appleton…or Milwaukee…or Madison.” I’m sure you have. We all have. That’s because it’s human nature to undervalue the community in which a person lives and automatically assume that life and all that goes with it is better […]
What parents should know about the HPV vaccine.
The human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is a great preventive tool available to the physician. HPV exposure can lead to the development of cervical cancer as well as cancer of the penis and also of the oral cavity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the HPV vaccine to children age 11 and older, and […]
Is there a return on investment for wellness programs?
Most employers have wellness programs, although they vary in breadth and depth. This seems to be based on the organizational culture relative to wellness and determining if there truly is a return on investment for wellness programs. To document ROI and value, a recent study by Health Enhancement Research Organization followed stock performance of 45 […]
