If previous years taught us anything, it’s to prioritize our wellbeing and take care of ourselves through difficult times. Each year brings new stressors and challenges, but being able to take a look at your health and make changes that promote wellness can make all the difference.
In 2024, we shared news about all sorts of health topics: cancer care, healthcare symposiums, women in healthcare, children's health, the latest medical technology, various healthcare resources, and more. We’re glad to partner with such great organizations, businesses, and healthcare groups to help share the good and keep our Region a healthy one.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 health articles on Valpo.Life to recap the good news in 2024!
NorthShore Health Centers adds four veteran podiatrists to growing team
NorthShore Health Centers offers comprehensive healthcare at an affordable cost, driven by a mission to provide quality care to everyone without exclusion, every time. Their providers range from family care physicians and pediatricians to specialists such as optometrists and psychiatrists. One field of care NorthShore has increased dramatically over the last year is podiatry – adding four podiatrists, experts in foot and ankle disease, deformity or fractures, sprains and strains, skin care, and more.
Community Healthcare System hosts 19th annual Hearts of Hope ceremony, honoring patients and pioneering research
As part of its month-long effort to draw extra attention to heart health, Community Healthcare System hosted its 19th annual Hearts of Hope ceremony.
The event, which took place Feb. 8 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, highlighted advances in cardiovascular research and how those findings benefit patients in Northwest Indiana. Attendees heard from speakers and admired the Hearts of Hope tree, knowing that each light on the tree shines in honor or memory of those who have battled heart disease.
Porter-Starke Services’ Crisis Center provides safe space every day of the year
While a crisis can be difficult to predict, knowing where to go during it doesn’t need to be. Porter-Starke Services’ Crisis Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers calm, qualified care to patients no matter where they fall on the crisis continuum.
“The Crisis Center provides individualized crisis services designed specifically to meet a client’s needs and promotes a balanced, whole view of the person,” said Director of Acute Intensive Services Melanie J. Johnsen. “Each client is evaluated on an individual basis and is recommended to a level of care designed to meet their individual needs.”
Avalon Springs’ Legacy Lanes keep minds sharp, social battery full, residents happy
Memory loss is something that many Americans will have to face in their lifetime. According to the Center for Disease Control, about one in 10 Americans will experience some form of dementia as they age, and that number is only expected to increase. Having somewhere to go that can accommodate your needs while maintaining individual dignity is important, and Avalon Springs Health Campus’ Legacy Lanes provides all its residents with privacy, respect, and a trained, compassionate staff.
Speech therapy speaks volumes for Life Care Center of Valparaiso residents
Speech is a powerful tool that can be quite beneficial at many points in day-to-day life. However, older age may antagonize the ability to use this tool to its top potential and bring about conditions greatly harming the throat and vocal cord area. In these cases, when the going gets tough, Life Care Center of Valparaiso is able to help its residents with speech therapy. Through various programs and exercises, the team works to provide comprehensive care to make sure each resident’s voice is heard as they embark on a positive treatment journey at the center.
Porter County Health Department hosts inaugural health and wellness fair for the community
The Valparaiso community was treated with a health and wellness fair presented by the Porter County Health Department on Friday, June 14. Several vendors filled up Central Park Plaza to help educate everyone in attendance.
Dr. Maria Stamp, Porter County health officer, describes what the attendees were in store for at the event.
Powers Health brings multidisciplinary approach to nationally accredited oncology rehab
With national accreditation from the Physical Oncology Rehabilitation Institute (PORI), it comes as no surprise that Powers Health – formerly known as Community Healthcare System – offers a variety of robust cancer care programs in Northwest Indiana.
These options utilize the latest technology to treat patients, such as SOZO® and the Ovation Interactive Treadmill System.
Associated Pediatricians partners with Purdue University Northwest to provide integrated mental health care
Mental health is just as important as physical well-being, and few know this better than the team at Associated Pediatricians. Beginning this year, Associated Pediatricians has partnered with Purdue University Northwest (PNW) to take part in Northwest Indiana Identification and Management of Pediatric Experience of Trauma and Underlying Stress (IMPETUS), which is implementing routine screenings and in-office interventions for childhood traumatic stress.
A closer look at therapy options offered by Midwest Center for Youth and Families
Midwest Center for Youth and Families provides young people living with complex mental illnesses the support and care they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives. Midwest Center’s secure residential facility in Kouts caters to males aged 12 to 18 and females aged 10 to 18, while its secure residential facility in Valparaiso cares for females aged 12 to 18. Midwest Center specializes in full immersion dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a method that helps the residents develop their mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.
Dr. Asia Filatov educates the community about good sleeping habits at Northwest Health HealthyU seminar
On April 30, Dr. Asia Filatov, a neurologist at Northwest Health - Porter location in Valparaiso, presented the latest installment in the network’s monthly HealthyU wellness series. Filatov’s presentation, entitled “Sweet Dreams: Why Good Sleep Matters,” supplied the attendees with information about the benefits of healthy sleeping habits and the root causes of sleeping disorders.
