Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

It was a beautiful Friday in September, and Shelly Emrick was in her element, volunteering at a community service event. As the crowd grew, a fellow volunteer asked her to sign up for a carotid artery screening. The St. Elizabeth Healthcare CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit was parked nearby, waiting for its first “customer,” she explained. “Just get the ball rolling,” the volunteer said. “It’ll take you five minutes.” “Is Everything All Right?” The possibility of having vascular disease didn’t even cross Shelly’s mind. She was 54 years old, eats healthily, exercises and has never smoked. “I climbed into the mobile…

David, a Kentucky-born Permanent Deacon now living in Ohio, spent decades battling a smoking addiction that controlled his life. Starting in college, his habit grew to two packs a day. It left him breathless, coughing constantly and worried about his health. When a low-dose CT scan at St. Elizabeth showed lung abnormalities and loved ones encouraged him to quit, David knew it was time. That decision led him to the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program — and transformed his life. The Turning Point: A Personal Call to Quit Years of coughing and declining health weren’t David’s only reasons to quit.…

Childbirth can be a magical event. It can also be overwhelming and stressful. For first-time and veteran moms, compassionate, knowledgeable support and personalized care with an individualized birth plan, ensure that every birth experience is both unforgettable and positive. That’s why Markie and Angelica delivered their babies at the St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place. From conversations with friends and loved ones, they knew it would provide a warm, welcoming environment. They were confident in the Family Birth Place’s commitment to putting mother and baby first. “Everyone I know delivered their babies at St. Elizabeth, and I’d heard good things about…

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is challenging enough. But what if you weren’t sure your treatment center was right for you? In this episode of Rounding with Patients, you’ll meet Larry and Holly, who faced this unsettling question. Learn why they decided to come to the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth — even though it meant crossing the river and traveling to Edgewood, Kentucky. Q: Why Did You Switch Your Cancer Care to St. Elizabeth? Holly and Larry were already receiving cancer treatment elsewhere when they began to wonder if they were in the best place for their…

Cardiac Surgery Team Delivers Life-Changing Results When it comes to heart health, expertise matters. At St. Elizabeth, a nationally recognized leader in cardiac surgery, patients and families find unparalleled care, close to home. Through cutting-edge techniques, specialized teams and a commitment to patient-centered care, St. Elizabeth is transforming lives across the region. In recent years, St. Elizabeth has built a cardiac surgery program that surpasses other programs. Performing a full range of procedures—including minimally invasive techniques for heart valve issues—they are the only hospital in the region offering endoscopic surgery for valve problems. This commitment to excellence has earned national…

The New Year is a time for fresh starts and developing habits that shape a healthier future. But, instead of making resolutions — make small, meaningful changes to improve your life over the long haul. Questions like “How often should I get a mammogram?”, “When should I start colon cancer screening?” or “What are the best cancer prevention tips for women and men?” often surface when thinking about health goals. You can take small steps. Start by prioritizing your diet and exercise goals. Doing so can lower cancer risk and lead to a healthier, longer tomorrow. Taking care of your…

As the New Year begins, many people start with a new resolution — often to develop healthier habits. For those recovering from surgery, these resolutions can make a big difference. Drinking enough water and eating healthy foods are key to healing. When you focus on these good habits, it can help your body recover faster and feel better overall. Hydration: The Foundation of Healing Staying hydrated is one of the simplest and most critical steps you can take to support your body post-surgery. Hydration improves your body’s circulation, promotes cellular repair and helps the body flush out toxins. “Hydration is…

Dr. Doug Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning and the expansion of cancer programs. He is also the co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine, Genomic Health. He talks about efforts to bring the highest quality cancer care to Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Q: How has St. Elizabeth Cancer Care evolved over the last five years? Dr. Flora: As we’ve grown this program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare for the last five years, the most significant change I’ve seen is how easily we’ve been able to recruit nationally, adding nearly…

Getting enough quality sleep each night is good for your whole body – including making sure your heart stays healthy. Experts recommend that adults of all ages get an average of seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night to help keep their bodies (and heart) in tip-top condition. Anusha Shanbhag, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Center at St. Elizabeth, shares information about the importance of sleep and how it can affect your heart. Health Risks Due to Lack of Sleep Dr. Shanbhag says that poor sleep negatively impacts your health in many ways.…

If you’ve been looking for ways to improve your heart health — and especially if you have blood pressure problems — you may have heard of the DASH diet. Dr. Sudha Jaganathan, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, explains the health benefits behind this diet. What is the DASH Diet? DASH stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” otherwise known as high blood pressure. “This diet was developed to help lower blood pressure without using medications,” explains Dr. Jaganathan. People on the DASH diet work to reduce their sodium (salt) consumption, among other healthy dietary changes. Daily Food…