Mercy Health System offers numerous classes and seminars for expectant mothers and mothers in Wisconsin at little or no cost. The following classes are being offered in September:

Prenatal classes
Important prenatal class information is presented to help you and your support person prepare for the birthing experience. We offer these classes in three different class formats to accommodate your schedule. Please call to register when you are four months pregnant. Class is $35.

3-week prenatal class series
6-9 pm
September 13, 20, 17
September 19, 26 and October 3
October 10, 17, 24

Weekender prenatal class
September 11 and 12, 9 am-1 pm

Express prenatal class
October 5, 5:45-10 pm

Offered at Mercy Hospital Janesville, 1000 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville

Sibling class
Help your child become a caring big brother or sister. Free to two- and three-year-olds; 2:30-3 pm. Four- to eight-year-olds are $5 for the first child and $3 for each additional child; held 3:30-4:30 pm. Please call to register.

Thursday, September 16
Offered at Mercy Hospital Janesville

Infant care classes
Prepare for your infant by learning about:

6 pm breastfeeding
6:45 pm bathing baby
7:15 pm infant CPR
7:45 pm formula preparation

Attend one or all of the classes for $5. Please call to register 6-10 weeks before your due date.

Offered at Mercy Hospital Janesville

Safe Sitter
*Recognized as a Top 25 Teaching Site by Safesitter, a national organization dedicated to safe babysitting
This two-day program teaches 11- to 13-year-olds the responsibilities of safely caring for young children. Attendance is required both days. Cost is $45.

September 18 and 19
8 am-1 pm
Offered at Mercy Palmer Building, 903 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville

Class fee and registration is required prior to the first class. Unless otherwise noted, call Mercy HealthLine at (608) 756-6100 or toll-free at (888) 39-MERCY for more information and to register. You may also register online by clicking HERE.

      

Here’s more reviews and ratings from our patients and customers about Mercy employees, facilities and customer service:

“To Dr. Gulliver and the Mercy Hospital Janesville ICU staff: this being my first trip to an intensive care unit, I had no idea what to expect. Everyone of you has set the bar very high for any future trips I may (hopefully not have to) make. Thank you for the wonderful care!”

“Dr. Sachs removed my child’s adenoids and I want to express my deepest gratitude for what he did. We were really confident with him. He made us feel so comfortable. He was just wonderful and we want everyone to know.”

“I hadn’t been feeling well, so I saw Dr. Hartlaub. He took me on as a new patient. It was the best check-up ever. He’s great! He was personable, on time and explained everything. I’m sure Mercy is aware as to how great he is, but I thought I’d put it in writing. His nurse was nice, too, and reception staff moved me right through.”

“Dr. Goldman is one of the best doctors I have ever seen. I was impressed with the amount of time he spent with me, how attentive he was, and how well he listened to me. The staff at Mercy Woodstock Medical Center is so very nice. I haven’t had a medical experience that great ever before.”

“I was at the Women’s Night Out event in Crystal Lake earlier this year and one of the perks at the event was the blood pressure screenings. Each nurse was paired with a physician. I work as a nurse at Mercy and was paired with Dr. Mitra. I can’t say enough about this physician. He’s young, exuberant, caring and extremely professional. For each woman who had her blood pressure taken, he counseled them in such a friendly and caring manner. He is really an asset to our health system.”

“Making a visit to the endoscopy unit was uncomfortable at first. The staff at Mercy Hospital Janesville really takes good darn care of its patients. I cannot remember everyone’s names but they were all beyond fantastic. I feel strongly about Mercy being recognized because it is these staff that make up Mercy Health System and are often the ones who go without praise and the appreciation they deserve. These people are the ones who bring patients back to Mercy after they receive such extraordinary, complete care.”

“It was my first time at Mercy Harvard Hospital and I am very impressed with how they take care of their patients like family. I think I found my new hospital at Mercy Harvard Hospital in Harvard!”

“I came in with my son for his hurt ankle. The staff made him feel very special. Thanks to such a wonderful staff at Mercy McHenry Immediate Care, you make the difference in health care. Thank you for such care! We will recommend your facility in the future.”

      

On August 29, Mercy Health System, along with 35 other local businesses, came together to walk to help fight heart disease and stroke at the 2010 Bert Blain Memorial Start! Heart Walk at Palmer Park in Janesville.



The event kicked off with a heart healthy breakfast from Best Events, music from Cool Jazz Trio and interactive booths, health screenings, and kids’ health activities at the health tents.



Thomas Teelin, MD, electrophysiologist/cardiologist , our newest member of the Mercy Regional Heart and Vascular Center, is amazed to know the annual walk has brought in over one million in funds since its inception to help support heart research, right here in Wisconsin.



As a heart disease survivor himself, Rich Gruber (right), vice president of Mercy Health System and this year’s chairman, is amazed by the generosity of so many people who want to join in as we try to fight heart disease and stroke, the number one and number three killers’ in our nation. Rich Gruber is pictured with Chuck Elliot of Johnson Bank in Janesville. To hear about Rich's heart story, visit Channel 27 News.



Steve Heise, Mercy Cardiac Rehab patient, gets this year’s Lifestyle Change Award from the American Heart Association. For Steve, the walk was a celebration of a new life and a way to “pay it forward” for other future patients.



Jessica Sheetz is presented with a Lifestyle Change Award for her results at Mercy’s Healthy Image Weight Program, losing over 35 pounds since March.



Stephanie Kittleson, clinical exercise physiologist and manager at Mercy Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, warms up the crowd with fun stretches and disco dance aerobics.



Walkers enjoyed a one or 3-mile walk route through Janesville.



Accomplished walkers brush past the finish line with smiles. The Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk is the largest fundraiser for the American Heart Association in its market size.



Fair-goers enjoy music and health activities after the walk.



We would like to extend our sincere thank you to all who attended and supported this year’s event. This year, nearly $300,000 is expected to be raised via walkers, donors, supporters and volunteers.

For more photos, visit our Facebook page  OR you can read Heart Smart , coverage by the Janesville Gazette.

      

Mercy Health System recently received silver-level recognition by the Joint Commission in its “2009-2010 Flu Vaccination Challenge.” Approximately 81 percent of Mercy Health System employees received the seasonal flu shot last season.

“Mercy is committed to helping decrease the spread of the seasonal flu,” said Javon R. Bea, President and CEO of Mercy Health System. “The high percentage of our employees who received the vaccination shows the importance we put on ensuring patients and staff members stay healthy.”

Among the nearly 1,100 health care providers nationwide who took part in the initiative during the 2009-2010 flu season, the average employee immunization rate was 76 percent, up 13 percentage points from last year’s average rate of 63 percent, Joint Commission said in a news release. And this year’s vaccination rate is also 27 percentage points above the national staff immunization rate of 49 percent.

The Joint Commission program was launched just prior to the 2008-2009 flu season to help increase flu vaccination among health care workers. For more information about the “Flu Vaccination Challenge,” visit FluVaccinationChallenge.com .

      

Mercy Health System is offering its next A.W.A.K.E. (Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic) support group meeting on September 14, 6:30 pm, at the Mercy Regional Lung Center, 903 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville. Russ Antos, respiratory therapist discusses the “Do’s and Don’ts of CPAP Therapy.”

A.W.A.K.E. is held quarterly and is sponsored by the American Sleep Apnea Association to help individuals and their families who suffer from this common sleep disorder.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form, occurs when throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Symptoms include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and brief cessation of breathing while sleeping.

For more information, please call the Mercy Regional Sleep Disorders Center at (608) 758-5765.

      

Pictured above: Mercy partners gather for a photo at last
year's event. Together, we raised over $11,000 to help
fight heart disease and stroke.

According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease kills over 630,000 people every year. That means every minute one person in the United States will die from heart disease.

The 2010 Bert Blain Memorial Start! Heart Walk is working to change those staggering statistics with its event Sunday, August 29. Through the Start! Heart Walk, we create opportunities for people to improve their health by walking and simultaneously raise funds to help fight heart disease and stroke.

Did you know:

• Mercy Health System has been a strong supporter of the American Heart Association (AHA) for over 15 years.

• Mercy, along with other local supporters, has brought in over one million in funds since inception.

• The Bert Blain Memorial Start! Heart Walk is AHA’s premier community fundraising event in Rock County.

• The Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk is the largest fundraiser for the American Heart Association in its market size.

So, join us and start walking to help fight heart disease and stroke august 29, 8:30 am at Palmer Park in Janesville! Bring your family, friends and colleagues for a morning of exercise and entertainment. Enjoy a light breakfast, music, interactive booths, screenings, kids’ health activities and meet and greet other heart disease or stroke patients and their families.

For details, please click HERE .

      

Do you have acne? Are you having trouble with your current skin regimen? There may be a few culprits as to why you’re struggling with your current skin products. Switching skincare products frequently can cause breakouts. You should give yourself three to four weeks on a new product to let your skin get to used to it. Stress can be a major reason for breakouts. Stress and hormone-related breakouts are usually found on the jaw line and chin area.

Whether you're in high school or heading back to college, back-to-school means wanting to look your best this fall. That’s why Mercy Plastic Surgery, Skin and Laser Center in Janesville is offering a back-to-school anti-acne sale.

Now through August 31, you can save $30 on Obagi’s ClenziDerm Acne Kit.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Mercy Plastic Surgery, Skin and Laser Center at (608) 756-6300 or visit us at plastics.mercyhealthsystem.org 

      

Summertime can mean your feet are getting lots of work with exercising, swimming and running around barefoot or in flip-flops. It can also mean that when they are tightly enclosed in shoes in hot temperatures, problems can occur. There is a whole host of problems that feet can endure such as eczema, psoriasis, blisters and fungal infections. Here are eight foot care tips from Alan Reinicke, DPM, podiatrist at Mercy Clinic East in Janesville , to help keep your feet in tip-top shape this summer.

•    Wash your feet frequently. When you wear tight shoes, your feet perspire, and where there is moisture, there is potential for a fungal infection.

•    Find a good foot powder. Foot powders soak up the excess moisture, keeping toes and feet dry.

•    Let your feet breathe. Going barefoot or wearing open sandals will give your feet a chance to air out.

•    Get a foot massage. If you’re on your feet a lot or wearing heavy shoes, getting a foot massage every 4-6 weeks can help with circulation and lower stress.

•    Change socks frequently. Socks can hold moisture, causing fungal infections. Wear fresh, dry socks whenever possible.

•    Use sunscreen. You usually don’t think about putting sunscreen on your feet, but they can get burned too. Make sure to protect them with at least SPF 15.

•    Be careful in locker rooms, which are breeding grounds for bacteria. Always wear sandals in public locker rooms.

•    Have good foot support. If you exercise frequently, help your feet out by investing in shoes that support your feet.

Friend us on FACEBOOK , tweet with us on TWITTER , join the health discussion on our BLOGS , watch our videos on YOUTUBE .

      

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 380 people die every year from heat-related illnesses. Exercising outside is a popular pastime in the hot summer months, but are you aware of the dangers related to outdoor activities in the sun? Here are a few tips on summer fitness safety.

• Try to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Exercise early in the mornings (5-8 am) or later at night (6-9 pm).
• Make sure to drink water before, during, and after exercise.
• In high temperatures, decrease the intensity of your workout to decrease your chances of becoming overworked and overheated.
• Exercise with someone. If something goes wrong, someone is there to help.
• Wear a high SPF sunscreen to lessen the chances of sunburn.  
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable cotton to reduce chances of getting overheated.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke , so if you notice one while working out, you can act accordingly.

This list was compiled by the medical professionals at Mercy Cardiac Fitness Center in Janesville. For more information, CLICK HERE

MercyHealthSystem.org

      

If you have not been diligent in keeping your fitness goals and workout records, consider making a strong commitment to yourself to do so over the next week and review it carefully. At the end of the week, ask yourself these questions:

1.    Is my daily calorie intake where it should be?
2.    Is my diet balanced- am I eating the appropriate number of servings from the food guide pyramid?
3.    Is my daily intake of fat less than 30% of my total calorie intake?
4.    Are there patterns that may lead me to eat inappropriately?
5.    Are my thoughts about my weight management and health positive?
6.    Am I getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days?
7.    Is there room to increase my physical activity?
8.    Are there other activities I can do to help increase my activity or make it more enjoyable?

Use your answers to start setting short-term goals to help you increase your success with changes to your meal and exercise plan. These changes will start to add up, helping you reach your long-term goals of weight loss, increased energy and improved health.

What would you add? Share below.

Source: Mercy Healthy Image Weight Management Program, News and Notes, Summer 2010