Health Watch 7/22/20 Telegraph/Intelligencer

HEALTH WATCH JULY 2020

Health technology becomes new ‘norm,’ governor praises OSF

2 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • Health Watch

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Health Watch • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • 3

IN THIS ISSUE

3...............COVER STORY 5...............Conscious and Connected with Dr. Kristina 5...............‘Dear Dietitian’ answers your health questions 6...............Know the ABCs for boosting your immune system 9...............Discover love for fitness in a safe and healthy environment 10.............Girl Scouts ‘rock’ at Alton Memorial 10.............Siteman Connection benefits AMH oncology patients

healthwatch HEALTH WATCH PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500 — HEALTH WATCH ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500 —

HEALTH WATCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448 — HEALTH WATCH COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433 —

4 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • The Telegraph

Technology takes big role in health care: OSF helps patients prep for video doctor visits Health Watch

ALTON — By now, you’ve probably at least heard about video doctor visits. Maybe you’ve even had one.

More than 15,000 people from Alton, Illinois, to Escanaba, Michigan, to had a video visit with their primary care physician, advanced practice provider or specialist in the first few weeks after OSF HealthCare rolled out the telehealth service on March 30.

Those numbers are growing every day.

When COVID-19 changed the world, OSF HealthCare changed, too. We grew to meet the growing needs of our world by expanding options for care and creating new ones to keep you safe, connected and ready for whatever comes next.

One of those new options is a video visit with your physician or advanced practice provider.

“Anything new creates a little anxiety, but I encourage people to give it a try,” said Stephen Hippler, MD, chief clinical officer of OSF Multispecialty Services. “It’s a great way to connect with your provider from the convenience of your home. A video visit will be a little different, but it still has the essential components. You’re talking to your provider, asking questions and getting answers. It’s very much the same as being in person.”

Getting started All you need for a video visit is a smart phone, tablet or computer that’s equipped with a camera. You might consider using a headset to improve sound quality, but it’s

not a necessity.

It’s easy to make an appointment for a video visit. Just use your OSF MyChart account.

If you don’t have an OSF MyChart account, it’s easy to set one up. Sign up at osfhealthcare.org/mychart.

Easy preparation for everyone “As we designed our telehealth system, one of the principles that was very important was to make it easy for any patient to participate,” said Amy Hasty, vice president of physician recruitment, ambulatory training and support for OSF HealthCare.

“As soon as your video visit is scheduled, we will provide all the instructions on how to prepare technically for that visit, step by step.”

Preparing for your video visit will help ease anxiety.

Here’s a partial checklist: • Find a quiet, private location with enough light that the provider can see you clearly.

• Make sure your device is plugged in or is fully charged.

Video can quickly drain battery life, so it’s good to keep your charger handy, just in case.

• Verify that the camera, microphone and speakers are working.

• Unmute your speakers and set the volume level appropriately.

• Consider having someone present with you to hold and position the camera, if needed.

• Check your connectivity. If you are having internet issues, contact your provider’s office immediately.

• Log into your video visit 15 minutes before your sched-

uled appointment to ensure the technology is working.

Helping with vital signs The video visit itself is very much like an in-person visit.

So make sure you have your insurance card and a list of your current medications ready for that opening information session.

One thing that’s different is that a provider won’t be able to take your vital signs. You can help with that.

If you have a home bloodpressure monitor, take your blood pressure before logging onto your visit. If you have a thermometer, take your temperature. Record the results and note the time, so you can provide this information when asked.

Safe and confidential Other than that, handle this like any normal visit to your

health care provider.

Write down everything you want to make sure to tell them. Same with questions.

You will be able to see and hear your provider, and they’ll be able to see and hear you.

There’s no need to worry about confidentiality or safety of your records.

“We make sure the provider is in a private area,” Amy said.

“The technology we use is secure; we have completely vetted that. We are doing everything we can to keep information and interaction private, as always.”

Routine care – and more Video visits are open to patients of all ages. They are recommended for these situations: • Back pain • Chronic disease management, such as high blood pres-

sure or diabetes • Flu, cold, allergy • Follow-up visits • General health questions • Medication management • Mental health issues or questions • Pediatric fever or advice • Rashes and other skin problems • Sharing test results • Smoking cessation • Sports injuries “The examination will be somewhat different, but with video, you can still see the patient’s skin, swelling in the leg and things like that,” Dr. Hippler said. “In the end, there will still be a discussion about possible causes and treatment options, leading to testing and medication, if needed. see TELEHEALTH, Page 8

Michelle Conger, OSF HealthCare Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Executive Officer Saint Gabriel, talks with Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Health Watch • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • 5

Conscious and Connected with Dr. Kristina It’s never too late

By Dr. Kristina Bemis Tupman For Health Watch

ALTON — As a chiropractor, I have the privilege of meeting an array of people at different stages of life for various reasons.

One thing I try to always emphasize to patients is that it’s never too late to start making better decisions. We all have our “What ifs…” and our “If I had just…,” but today is a new day.

If we keep putting off our health for tomorrow, sometimes tomorrow never gets here. Health is something that we often take for granted, when we’re young, and then we wish we would have made healthier decisions in our younger years once we’re older.

One of the most common state-

Dr. Kristina Bemis Tupman

ments I hear from my mature patients is, “I wish I would have come here sooner.”

The good news is, it’s never too late to start making better decisions.

Many health ailments can be improved through lifestyle changes, which can be overwhelming

and daunting to know how and where to start. It’s important to know what direction you want to go, in order to figure how to get there. I always suggest setting goals by starting with one or two long-term goals, with a date to achieve them. For example, losing 20 pounds in 15 weeks.

From there, work backwards and set smaller, specific, shortterm goals, with dates to achieve them, that will help you achieve your long-term goal(s). For example: • increase daily water intake by two cups per day by the end of week one, • increase daily vegetable intake by two cups per day by the end of week two, • walk four laps around the house, in the driveway, etc., daily, by the end of week three.

Achieving these small goals will

break down the ultimate goal(s) into attainable pieces and give you motivation along the way to keep going. Not to mention every short-term goal achieved is a reason to celebrate, and who doesn’t love a reason to celebrate?!

I once read an article by a fitness expert who said, “You are not a dog. Do not reward yourself with food.” So, if health is your end goal, this is a very important piece of advice to remember!

Get a new shirt, get your nails done — safely — , buy a new power tool. These are the kinds of rewards and celebrations that will keep you on track to achieve your ultimate goal(s).

If pain and inflammation are keeping you from increasing your activity, sometimes breaking the pain cycle is the first step in being able to even consider making better decisions and setting goals.

Chiropractic care can often provide pain relief and improve your body’s ability to function better.

Remember, your body has an innate intelligence to heal itself, and sometimes that intelligence just needs a little help to be able to express itself 100% again, — that’s where chiropractic comes in.

Whatever your goal(s), whatever your health, whatever your age, you can start TODAY to change the course of your future health.

Because it’s never too late.

Dr. Kristina Bemis Tupman owns Bemis Tupman Chiropractic, along with her husband, Dr. Stephen Tupman, at 4105 Humbert Rd suite 101, Alton. For more information on how to begin or continue your journey on sustainable, toxin-free living, join Dr. Bemis Tupman’s Facebook group — Consciously Connected Momma — where she focuses on education, awareness and accessibly.

‘Dear Dietitian’ answers your health questions Some foods pack a punch

By Leanne McCrate For Health Watch

Dear Dietitian, Over the past several months, I’ve heard more about functional foods and the health benefits they provide. Is there science to back these health claims, or is this just crafty marketing?

Thanks, Jerry Dear Jerry, A functional food is one that provides a benefit beyond that of nutrition. Some of us drink a strong cup of coffee every morning to help us wake up. Others eat prunes to assist with regularity.

Still others sip a cup of chamomile tea to help them sleep at

Leanne McCrate

night. In these examples, food and drinks provide a purpose beyond providing calories and nutrients.

To some degree, all foods are functional. While there is no legal definition of functional food, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) defines them as “whole foods along with fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods that

have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet regularly at effective levels”.

The term “functional food” is considered to be marketing by some, while others believe these foods make us feel better and help prevent diseases. When it comes to making health claims, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates what food manufacturers can place on packaging labels. That is why you will see claims that state, “May help reduce cholesterol when used as part of a diet that is low in saturated fats and low in cholesterol.”

Here are some examples of functional foods: • Fatty fish. You’ve probably heard of the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna, trout, sardines and mackerel. Health experts recommend two servings a week to possibly reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Nuts are a great source of

fiber and monounsaturated fats that may promote heart health.

Try 1 ounce of your favorite nuts mixed with a few raisins for a healthy afternoon snack.

• Leafy greens contain folate for your heart as well as the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which function to protect your eyes from damaging sunlight.

These nutrients are plentiful in kale, spinach and turnip greens.

• Berries contain phytochemicals known as anthocyanin pigments, which give them color.

Anthocyanins have been found to have anti-cancer effects in laboratories and animal studies. However, this does not mean the same thing occurs in the human body.

More studies are needed to provide a meaningful link. Whether you prefer strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, these colorful fruits are not only pleasing to the palate, they may promote better health.

• Orange juice with added

calcium is an example of a fortified functional food. Of course, calcium is not found naturally in orange juice, but adding it promotes strong bones.

When it comes to sizing up functional foods, a little common sense goes a long way. In some cases, it is difficult to provide a recommendation of how much of a particular food to consume for health benefits simply because it has yet to be hammered out in the research. As part of a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and good mental health, functional foods may help you live a healthier life.

Until next time, be healthy!

Dear Dietitian Leanne McCrate, RDN, LD, CNSC, aka Dear Dietitian, is based in Missouri. Her mission is to educate consumers on sound, science-based nutrition. Do you have a nutrition question? Email her today at deardietitian411@gmail.com. Dear Dietitian does not endorse any products, health programs, or diet plans.

6 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • Health Watch

Know the ABCs for boosting your immune system OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center Special to Health Watch

ALTON — When it comes to eating the right foods to boost your immune system, it can be as easy as the ABCs. Kaela Ketcham, a clinical dietitian with the OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center Weight Management Center, said vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamins C, D, E and zinc make up the alphabet for boosting your immune system.

Getting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of those vitamins and nutrients will help to keep you healthy.

Vitamin A Vitamin A helps with the immune system as a whole and in the functioning of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs.

“Really what it does is cell growth,” Kaela said. Foods high in vitamin A include: • Eggs

• Fish • Dairy products The RDA is: • Females – 700 micrograms • Males – 900 micrograms Examples: • 1 cup yogurt has 32 micrograms • 1 egg has 75 micrograms • 3 ounces of salmon has 60 micrograms Beta carotene Beta carotene goes hand in hand with vitamin A. “It’s called a provitamin and just becomes vitamin A as the body needs it,” Kaela said. Foods high in beta carotene include: • Plant-based food While there is a RDA for Vitamin A, there is no RDA for beta carotene.

Examples: • 1 sweet potato has 1,400 micrograms • ½ cup raw carrots has 460 micrograms • ½ cup cooked spinach has 570 micro-

grams Vitamin C Vitamin C aids in healing and boosting the immune system. Foods high in vitamin C include: • Citrus fruits • Berries • Peppers • Broccoli The RDA is: • Female – 75 milligrams a day • Male – 90 milligrams a day Examples: • ½ cup raw bell peppers has 95 milligrams • 1 medium raw orange has 70 milligrams • ½ cup cooked broccoli has 50 milligrams • ½ cup strawberries has 50 milligrams Vitamin D Vitamin D helps with boosting the immune system, along with aiding our bones. Kaela said vitamin D is not as common in foods, but can be found in: • Fatty fish • Eggs

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• Fortified foods such as fortified milk, cereal and juices – which means vitamin D has been added to the product The RDA is: • Over the age of 1 – 15 micrograms a day until age 70, then 20 micrograms a day due to those that age likely spend more time indoors and potentially are not eating as much • Infants up to age 1 – 10 micrograms a day Examples: • 3 ounces of salmon has 14 micrograms • 1 cup milk has 3 micrograms • 1 egg has 1 microgram “Vitamin D comes from the sunshine, too,” Kaela said. “It’s suggested that 5 to 30 minutes of exposure to the sun to the face, arms, legs or back during 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. twice a week would be enough to provide you with the vitamin D your body needs.”

Vitamin E Vitamin E is helpful with the immune system. It is found in: • Nuts • Seeds • Oil The RDA is:

Health Watch • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • 7

• Age 1-3 – 6 milligrams a day • Age 4-8 – 7 milligrams a day • Age 9-13 – 11 milligrams a day • Over the age of 14 – 15 milligrams a day Examples: • 1 ounce of almonds has 7 milligrams • 1 ounce of sunflower seeds has 7 milligrams • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter has 3 milligrams • 1 tablespoon of soybean oil has 1 milligram • 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil has 6 milligrams • 1 tablespoon of corn oil has 2 milligrams Zinc “Zinc does a lot of different things with cells, but it also helps with the immune system and in healing,” Kaela said. Zinc can be found in:

• Meat • Dairy products • Grains The RDA is: • Females age 14 and older – 8 milligrams a day • Males age 14 and older – 11 milligrams a day • Children age 1-3 – 3 milligrams a day • Children 4-8 – 5 milligrams a day • Children 9-13 – 8 milligrams a day Examples: • 3 ounces of chuck roast has 7 milligrams • 3 ounce pork chop has 3 milligrams • 1 cup low-fat milk has 1 milligram Variety is the key “A lot of the vitamins you need are in different foods, that’s why it’s important to get a wide variety of food groups in your diet each day,” Kaela said. “If we’re eliminating

one or more food group we’ll be missing out on nutrients that will help with our immune system.”

What about supplements?

“Meeting with a dietitian can help determine if a supplement is needed or if your diet is providing you with the nutrients you need,” Kaela said. “Before starting any supplements, talk to your doctor to make sure a supplement won’t cause any interaction with any medication you are currently taking.”

The No. 1 goal “The more nutrients you can get from food the better,” she said. “Food gives you more bang for your buck when it comes to getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.”

For more information, contact OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center.

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8 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • Health Watch Gov. Pritzker applauds OSF Telehealth Services Announces Applications Open for $50 Million in Broadband Grants Governor J.B. Pritzker lauded OSF HealthCare for leading the way in digital health care transformation through its telehealth program that has delivered care to 70,000 patients in just the last three months of 2019.

Pritzker visited OSF HealthCare’s Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center to view the capability of telemedicine to connect rural communities to scarce specialists and to offer new ways for patients to manage their health digitally.

The governor also toured OSF ConstantCare (eICU) which offers remote monitoring technology for an added level of clinical support. It helps hospitals across the OSF Ministry prevent potential patient complications within the intensive care unit. The goal is to save lives, reduce complications, decrease length of ICU stays and better manage health care costs.

The technology depends on a reliable support that will be available through Governor Pritzker’s Connect Illinois, an investment in broadband technology to improve telehealth, education and economic development.

OSF HealthCare CEO Bob Sehring said, the high speed connection is critical to delivering care where people need it.

“Critical to achieving this connectivity is ensuring the communities and patients we serve have access to reliable high speed internet access.

Connect Illinois will help us to achieve our goals and better serve our patients and the communities they call home,” according to Sehring.

The initiative includes a $400 million broadband grant program and a $20 million capital program for the Illinois Century Network, a high-speed broadband network serving K-12 and higher education institutions, public libraries, museums, state and local governments and the health care community.

Governor Pritzker compared his initiative to the transformation that occurred with rural electrification that began in 1936 that created cooperative electric power companies and expanded electric use in rural communities across the country. His four-year plan has a goal of delivering broadband to every corner of the state by leveraging federal money with local and state resources.

The governor congratulated OSF HealthCare and OSF Innovation leaders for the inroads already made in leveraging technology to provide better access to medical care in rural communities.

“By connecting patients, physicians and specialists, OSF is using technology to provide the right care, in the right places at the right time and in just the last three months of 2019, OSF has totaled over 70,000 virtual, clinical interactions for a program that launched only October 1st,” he said.

“That’s over six percent of all clinical interactions at OSF HealthCare and frankly, those numbers are astonishing! They are a true test of the impact of telehealth and how critical these services can be for residents all across Illinois.”

- Governor J.B. Pritzker Pritzker highlighted innovative ways OSF HealthCare is using technology to improve access and the overall health of Illinois residents.

“From remote ConstantCare for critical patients and virtual assisted care for at home connections to the OSF OnCall virtual urgent care visits, OSF’s telehealth services are fundamentally altering Illinois’ health care landscape for the better,” according to the governor.

Governor Pritzker also announced the state has opened applications for the first $50 million in Connect Illinois grants through April 3. He emphasized the program is open to all hospitals and medical clinics, governments, schools, non-profits, rural cooperatives and companies throughout Illinois.

“We want to hear great ideas from people across the state for meaningful ways that public-private partnerships can extend the critical reach of broadband throughout Illinois. It doesn’t have to be the same old way. We can find new ways to solve an old problem,” he emphasized.

TELEHEALTH continued from Page 4

“And if care cannot be completely given, then a provider may recommend you come in for an office visit. Or, if it’s more serious and you need emergency care, that recommendation will be made as well.”

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, see “Clare” If you are having symptoms of COVID-19,

contact Clare, our digital assistant chatbot located on the www.osfhealthcare.org home page. Clare, a service of OSF St. Gabriel Digital Health, will provide an initial screening and refer you to a video visit, phone visit or in-person appointment, if necessary.

You also can call our COVID-19 Nurse Hotline, available 24/7, at 833-673-5669.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited OSF HealthCare’s Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center to view the capability of telemedicine to connect rural communities to scarce specialists and to offer new ways for patients to manage their health digitally.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker greets John Vozenelik, Vice President/Chief Medical Officer Innovation and Digital Health.

Health Watch • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • 9

Discover your love for fitness in a safe and healthy environment A guide to choosing a wellness center

By Dustin Heiser B.A., CPT, FNS Wellness Coordinator SSP Wellness For Health Watch

ALTON — Anyone with a love for fitness has had the experience of leaving a fitness facility satisfied with their positive work done, endorphins pumping through their brain, giving them that feeling of, “Wow, I feel so much better than I did when I came in!”

This positive physical and emotional result of exercise has been well researched and well documented, but if you haven’t discovered your love for physical fitness yet, how can you get to that point?

Let’s cover some things to look for on your way into a fitness facility and things to consider before you ever work out. With facilities reopening after the quarantine, with choices such as gyms, clubs, boxes, fitness studios and wellness centers, how do you choose which to belong to, and better yet, what to stick with?

When choosing a place to exert yourself physically and improve on your physical fitness limits, what better thing to consider first than safety.

There are many aspects of safety to consider within a wellness center.

Some of the most important considerations include: • If the center has an on-site automated external defibrillator (AED).

• A staff trained in CPR and first aid.

Should a worst case scenario occur, like, a cardiac event, you want to know that the chances of your life being saved are drastically improved.

There have been many documented cases in which a fitness center member claims that the only reason they survived a heart attack is because their gym had an AED and the staff acted quickly.

There are many other safety features to consider, especially in these unprecedented times, including sanitation standards, air quality, temperature checks, ability to socially distance, wellness screenings, mandatory masks, training and education of staff and condition of equipment, as well as the facility itself in terms of safety.

There are other factors that play into the decision of choosing a wellness center or a fitness facility. These can include the more obvious, like, cost, a friendly and inviting environment and a reasonable distance for the commute. Also, think about whether the services you desire are at a facility under consideration. Services such as personal training, group fitness classes, indoor walking space or walking track and nutrition counseling can be of tremendous benefit to its members.

With all things considered, keep in mind it does not matter how safe or state-of-the-art a facility is, you will receive none of the benefits of services if you don’t go and utilize the facility.

But the most important factor in a physical fitness program is adherence. Having an enjoyable experience will greatly help with adherence, so choose a wellness center at which you can have an enjoyable experience.

First and foremost, consider a facility’s safety, and also one in which you feel like you feel socially accepted and belong.

Senior Services Plus is located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., in Alton, which is open to answer telephone calls at 618-465-3298. SSP’s School House Grill offers curbside services but the SSP Wellness Center is closed to the public due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

For Health Watch

Senior Services Plus member Rosie Howard and SSP Wellnes Coordinator Dustin Heiser during a SSP one-on-one personal training session.

10 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • Health Watch

Girl Scouts ‘rock’ at Alton Memorial Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Health Watch

ALTON — For five local Girl Scout troops, it was “less talk, more rock” when it came to their appreciation for Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH).

As a gesture of thanks for the work that AMH has done during the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 30 girls from the troops came together and painted more than 100 rocks, some with inspiring and kind messages for the hospital staff. They were delivered July 8 to AMH and placed outside the Duncan Wing entrance along with a sign reading “You Make the World a Better Place.”

“Basically, everything came to a screeching halt in the middle of March with Girl Scouts,

much like everything else in the country,” said Jen Melton, leader of Wood River-based Girl Scout Troop 130 and the Service Unit 101 manager.

“Community service and giving back is a big part of what we do as Girl Scouts,” Melton said.

“I saw the rock idea on a Girl Scout Facebook page and put it out to the leaders in the area to see if there was interest, and we took it from there. Each troop leader coordinated with their troop to get the rocks painted.

“We wanted a way to say ‘Thank you’ to all the hospital employees who have been working so hard to keep everyone safe and healthy during this pandemic. We hope it puts a smile on their faces each day they arrive at work.”

Indeed, many AMH employ-

ees were talking about it with co-workers within one hour of the rocks being placed at the entrance.

“Thanks so much to the Girl Scouts for their hard work on this project,” said Brad Goacher, vice president of operations for AMH. “Our patients, visitors and employees will all appreciate the colorful rocks as they enter the building. You rock!”

Debbie Turpin, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, echoed the sign the girls made for the hospital.

“It really looks nice, thanks for all you (Girl Scouts) do to make the world a better place,” she said.

Visit www.altonmemorialhospital.org for more information.

For Health Watch

Members of Girl Scouts Service Unit 101 delivered more than 100 hand-painted rocks (see at their feet on the ground) July 8 to Alton Memorial Hospital, placing the rocks near the Duncan Wing entrance. From the Girl Scouts, left to right, are Karie Preston, Elisabeth Preston, KayLee Melton and Jennifer Melton. The Prestons are with St. Ambrose Parish-based troop 792 and Karie is the recording secretary for Service Unit 101. The Meltons are with Wood River-based troop 130 and Jennifer is Service Unit 101 manager. Back row is Kristen Ryrie, left, Alton Memorial Hospital development officer, and AMH vice presidents Debbie Turpin, center, and Brad Goacher, left.

Siteman Connection benefits AMH oncology patients Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Health Watch

ALTON — A Farmersville couple enjoyed taking in some of Alton’s most popular restaurants, but they are ready to return to having a flexible schedule.

“That’s worth a lot to us,” Linda Waldeck said.

Her husband, Marvin, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in spring 2019 and started their journey at the Siteman Cancer campus in St. Louis.

It was worth it for them to drive four and a half hours to appointments with radiation oncologist Dr. Hiram Gay. “We had heard good things about

Siteman and knew that they would have seen lots of similar cases,” Linda Waldeck said.

Soon they discovered a new option that would reduce their commute.

Alton Memorial Hospital became the first Illinois member of the Siteman Cancer Network during spring 2019, thanks to support from Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation. The Waldecks were told they could continue Marvin Waldeck’s treatments at Alton Memorial and receive the same excellent care, but closer to home.

“We aren’t really used to the traffic, so we would have to have one of our kids drive us to St. Louis,” Mar-

For Health Watch

Marvin and Linda Waldeck of Farmersville.

vin said. “After being here (at Alton Memorial), I can’t say enough about it.

Everyone has been so nice.”

“We were really impressed with the staff in St. Louis, so it was important to us to remain within the Siteman Cancer Network,” Linda said.

Marvin finished 25 treatments.

“Most patients I’ve spoken with about the affiliation have responded very positively to it,” said Dr. Gregory Vlacich, clinical director of radiation oncology at Alton Memorial Hospital.

“The network provides more direct access to cancer prevention and control strategies, and genomic and genetic testing,” he noted. “Patients also will have streamlined access to highly specialized treatments and technologies, including clinical trials, at Siteman.”

Now the Waldecks are getting back to what they would like to be doing.

“The staff was great,” Marvin said.

“They made a bad situation a lot better.”

Marvin and Linda Waldeck of Farmersville, Ill. Visit www.altonmemorialhospital.org for more information.

Health Watch • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 • 11

me for a “ TvetsTheytripsponsored to D.C. that I never dreamed could happen.

”

“If it weren’t for being at Cedarhurst, I wouldn’t have been able to experience the Honor Flights like I did. It was a life changing experience. I even met Bob Dole in Washington.

Staff and residents from Cedarhurst joined my family and rode the Cedarhurst bus to pick me up when I returned. Seeing everyone and their support really touched me.

I feel like I really am loved here by so many folks.”

— Earl Cedarhurst brings uplifting, meaningful moments to residents’ lives, ensuring each person enjoys life on their terms. From big adventures to small surprises, everyone’s experience is unique and deeply rooted in personal history. And rest assured, our first priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our residents. Please call for a virtual tour and information about Life Enrichment programs and more.

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1000 Airport Road Godfrey, IL 62035

3450 Village Lane Granite City, IL 62040

903 N. Moreland Road Bethalto, IL 62010

618-247-5235 • CedarhurstGodfrey.com

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618-228-3237 • CedarhurstBethalto.com

EDWARDSVILLE - Memory Care 7108 Marine Road Edwardsville, IL 62025

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