Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Summer is finally here! It is time to get outside, get moving and absorb some vitamin D. While you’re enjoying the sun, you can add even more nutrients by eating some summer superfoods while they are available fresh, locally. Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center tells us superfoods are not only great for your diet, they can help increase your immunity and your energy. She says, “The nutrients and antioxidants in superfoods can help you fight cancer, cardiovascular disease and even liver disease.” Rachel recommends adding these seven superfoods to your…

Immunization is designed to protect your child early in life when they are most vulnerable to life-threatening diseases and not strong enough to fight the illness. Christina Rust, DNP, MSN, RN, Education Specialist for Maternal Child Health at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, explains why immunization is so important for infants, “Your child isn’t born with an immune system that can protect them from most diseases. By following a vaccination schedule, you can protect your child from serious illness, possibly even death.” St. Elizabeth Healthcare is partnering with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in observance of National Infant Immunization Week in…

You may not think hand splinting is an athletic event, but in Northern Kentucky, it is a world-class competition. Each year, St. Elizabeth Healthcare invites physical therapy and occupational therapy students from local universities to square off to learn more about the importance of splinting during the Crosstown Splint Off. Meg Robinson, OTR/L, CHT, St. Elizabeth Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist, is one of the founders of this annual event. Meg is passionate about making sure students are more comfortable with splinting techniques. “Over the years I have found that many students are intimidated by splinting and the materials…

Cold and Flu Season Is Upon Us We all dread cold and flu season and the seemingly endless parade of illnesses that march through our households. Along with these viruses come a variety of information – sometimes accurate and sometimes less-than-factual. Dr. Elizabeth Velazquez-Noll, a family practice physician at St. Elizabeth Physicians, sees countless illnesses all year long. She weighs in on the most common winter illness myths she encounters in her family practice: “The majority of coughs, colds, sinus pressure and sore throats are viral,” says Dr. Velazquez-Noll. “Antibiotics will not help and could even affect your ability to…

Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center tells us the pros and cons of the hottest diets and how to achieve your long-term weight goals. “Trendy diets tend to have more negatives than positives. Although some of this year’s trends are backed by good research. The positive effect is trendy diets can get people thinking about steps to improve their health.” The Pros and Cons for Keto, Paleo, Fasting and 21-day Fix The Keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet. It restricts carbohydrate intake and replaces it with fat. The reduction in…

It’s that time of year again. January is coming, and you are ready to push the reset button and stop all of your bad habits. For the past few years, the number 1 and number 2 New Year’s resolutions have been to get fit and healthy and lose weight, but only 8 percent of people felt they kept those resolutions. Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a Registered Dietitian at St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center says, “If you are like most people and want to make health improvements in the New Year, it would be a mistake to wait until January 1. By…

Holidays can be a stressful time of year for any family, but dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. The holiday season is about traditions and celebrations. Sharri Butcher, MSN, RN-C, Nurse Manager for St. Elizabeth Healthcare Cancer Care/Medical Oncology, offered some insights on how to help during the holidays. By providing comfort and cheer to someone with a cancer diagnosis, spirits will raise and they can enjoy the holiday season. Here are ten ideas to help your loved one: Ask about expectations. Ask the individual what they wish to do during this holiday season? What traditions would they…

Nothing is more fun than buying a gift for a newborn. Since the baby is too young to be thankful for the gift, you want the parents to be happy with your gift choice. Myra McElheney, RN, OB Prenatal Educator, reached out to some of the mom’s that have delivered babies at the Family Birth Place at St. Elizabeth Edgewood to ask what they felt were the most cherished baby gifts—from the essentials to the splurge items. Essential Items New Parents Want Most When you are shopping for a new baby, you don’t want to just buy diapers but the…

It’s that time of year again—party, party, party! Whether it is at the office, or with friends and family, it seems impossible to make it through the season without your healthy eating habits going off the rails. These four tips can help you enjoy the holiday season and keep your diet on track. Don’t go on an empty stomach. Going to a party on an empty stomach is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach—you pick up things you don’t need. To avoid consuming too many calories eat a healthy snack before you leave home. Betsy Oriolo, MS, RD, LD,…

Holiday stress comes in myriad forms. Too much to do, too little time, too many little nagging details that need attending. “The holiday season can be a time of great joy and excitement but also a time of stress and anxiety,” says Robert. D. Wells, Ph.D., a psychologist with St. Elizabeth Behavioral Health. So whether you’re stressed because you spent the afternoon circumnavigating the shopping mall looking for a parking spot or spent an entire evening trying to make small talk with your boss at the holiday office party, Wells recommends some basic strategies to help manage the stress and…