You are viewing this page in an application that does not support the display of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Please visit http://www.themedicalcenter.org/news_room/news_releases.aspx to view this page in your default Web browser.
Kohl’s Cares® has once again awarded Commonwealth Health Foundation a grant to enable The Medical Center to reach expectant parents with vital obstetrics education classes. This year’s grant totaling $32,814 will be used for The Medical Center’s Newborn Care and Safety Class which teaches expectant parents essential baby care skills.
“The Newborn Care and Safety Class is one of our most attended classes because expectant parents, as well as new parents, are very eager to learn how to care for their newborn,” said Amber Herman, OB Clinical Manager for The Medical Center. “Parents want to feel confident and comfortable in caring for their newborn, and this class teaches them the basic skills they need to know.”
The Newborn Care and Safety Class is a free, hands-on class where participants use baby dolls to practice swaddling and holding a newborn, diapering and giving the baby a bath. A variety of safety issues are addressed, and a CPR demonstration shows parents what to do in an emergency.
As a result of Kohl’s support, The Medical Center expanded its class offerings by adding a second location for the class. Now the class is held at Fairview Community Health Center Annex in addition to The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center. Classes at The Health & Wellness Center are typically full with a waiting list; classes at the Fairview Annex are overflowing each month. Last year 31 classes were held with 632 total participants, and 34 classes are already scheduled for 2012.
The Kohl’s grant also funds the purchase of safety tote bags for expectant parents who take part in the Newborn Care and Safety class. The tote bags, which include items such as a Lullaby CD, DNA identification kit, baby bath sponge, bath water temperature tester, infant CPR refrigerator magnet, and baby safety gift set, are provided to parents at no cost.
The Medical Center is the local Kohl’s Cares® beneficiary. Since 2006, Kohl’s has donated more than $133,000 to The Medical Center to support its health and wellness programs including construction of two community walking trails at local elementary schools.
Kohl's commitment to Commonwealth Health Foundation and The Medical Center is made possible through the Kohl's Cares® philanthropic initiative. Kohl’s Cares® includes a merchandise program featuring $5 books and plush toys where 100% of net profits benefit health and educational opportunities for children nationwide. Since 2000 when Kohl’s Cares® was introduced, Kohl's has raised more than $180 million through its merchandise program. In addition to its hospital partnerships, Kohl's Cares includes Kohl’s Cares® scholarship program, Kohl's Associates in Action program, and fundraising cards for local schools and nonprofit youth organizations.
About Kohl’s Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.
About Commonwealth Health Foundation
Commonwealth Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Commonwealth Health Foundation helps build relationships and partnerships across Southcentral Kentucky that will inspire charitable giving by individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. These gifts help support the mission of CHC to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.commonwealthhealthfoundation.org or call 270-796-5543.
About The Medical Center
The Medical Center at Bowling Green is the flagship hospital for Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Located in Bowling Green, Ky., The Medical Center is a 337-bed, full service, not-for-profit hospital specializing in heart, cancer care, obstetrics and neonatology, and orthopaedic services. With a mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, CHC and its entities including The Medical Center at Bowling Green contributed $58.4 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2011. The Medical Center treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and annually provides millions in community benefit through charity care for the uninsured and shortfalls in governmental reimbursements (Medicare and Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.TheMedicalCenter.org.
After 13 years in its Greenwood Mall location, The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center will begin operations in a new facility in Chandler Park beginning Monday, December 19. The new Health & Wellness Center is located at 1857 Tucker Way off Cave Mill Road and is housed in the building adjacent to Chandler Park Dental, the office of Eli Jackson, D.M.D.
“The change in location of The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center is reflective of the growth we have experienced in recent years,” said Linda Rush, Director of Community Wellness for The Medical Center. “The Center has become a destination point for patrons rather than just mall shoppers stopping by. We are seeing more and more patrons being referred to us by their healthcare providers for our services.”
The Center offers educational classes, exercise classes, blood pressure checks, health screenings, support group meetings and a lending health library. Specialized services offered by physician referral include the Diabetes Education Program, Medical Nutrition Therapy and the Healthy Weight Program for Kids.
Since opening in 1998, over 200,000 patrons have visited the Center and benefited from the many services offered. Currently, the Center averages 1,400 patron visits each month.
The Center is staffed by registered nurses, dietitians and health educators. The new hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (270) 745-0942 or (877) 800-3842.
Beginning Thursday, December 1, renovation of The Medical Center’s first floor main corridor will begin. Cosmetic updates such as new flooring, rails and paint as well as modernization of public bathrooms will be included in the renovation. The renovation will be divided into three phases to minimize inconvenience for patients and visitors and to ensure that alternate access routes are available throughout the project. Completion of the entire project is expected in early May.
Phase 1 is estimated to last from December 1 through January 11. During this phase, two public entrances will be closed.
The Outpatient Entrance located on Park Street will be closed. All patient registration normally completed in Outpatient will be moved to the Diagnostic Imaging Center Registration. Patients and visitors coming to The Medical Center for the following services or procedures should use the Diagnostic Imaging entrance located on the High Street side of the campus.
Temporary parking will be designated in the back of the ER parking lot across the street from the Diagnostic Imaging Center on High Street.
The side entrance to the hospital on 2nd Avenue side of campus will be closed. Patients and visitors should enter the hospital through the main entrance of The Medical Center on Park Street.
Two other sections within the main corridor will be closed for renovation. Signage will be posted to direct patients and visitors through alternate routes.
The Medical Center is now offering the Surgical Weight Loss Program, the first surgery program to treat severe obesity in Southcentral Kentucky. With this new service, patients will no longer have to travel outside the region for minimally-invasive weight loss surgery.
“Obesity is a serious health risk that can lead to a wide range of chronic health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea and more,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center. “The Medical Center Surgical Weight Loss Program will address this growing national problem and help severely obese patients in Southcentral Kentucky improve their health and quality of life.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity rates have rapidly increased over the last 25 years. It is estimated that over 30 percent of Kentucky’s population is obese. Patients are considered obese if their body mass index (BMI), which takes into account a person’s height and weight, is over 30. Severely obese is defined as a BMI of 35 to 39.9 and morbidly obese as a BMI over 40.
For a patient to be a candidate for weight loss surgery, they must meet specific criteria. A candidate must have a BMI of 40 or more. A BMI of 35 may qualify if other high-risk conditions exist, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Nonsurgical treatments such as dietary programs, behavior modification and exercise have been unsuccessful for the candidate. A candidate must fully understand the surgery, its benefits and risks; be willing to make lifestyle changes to diet and exercise; and, commit to medical follow-up.
The Medical Center worked with John S. Oldham, Jr., M.D., FACS, FASMBS and G. Derek Weiss, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, bariatric surgeons with Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates (BBSA) to establish the Surgical Weight Loss Program. BBSA is a leader in minimally-invasive weight loss surgery, having established successful weight loss surgery programs throughout Kentucky.
“The goal of bariatric surgery is to live better, healthier, and longer,” said Dr. John Oldham. “The technically advanced, experienced surgeons at Bluegrass Bariatrics feel strongly that surgery for the debilitating, chronic disease of morbid obesity should be performed in the safest, least invasive means possible. That is why we perform all of our bariatric procedures laparoscopically, a technically challenging minimally-invasive method proven to have less complications than traditional ‘open’ bariatric surgical procedures.”
The Medical Center Surgical Weight Loss Program offers a variety of minimally-invasive surgery options including Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve and ROSE procedure. Each option limits the amount of food a person can eat or decreases the absorption of food, and some options do both.
Because surgery is just one component of a successful weight loss strategy, patients can expect up to six months of preparation before surgery takes place. Surgery is supported by a comprehensive program that includes nutritional counseling, psychological counseling and support group meetings.
Understanding the various surgery options, the benefits and risks, and the program requirements are essential for a weight loss surgery candidate. Free informational seminars are held each month in The Medical Center Auditorium. A bariatric surgeon discusses the surgery options and program components, and an insurance specialist is available to discuss costs, insurance coverage and financing options. The next seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 22 at 6 p.m. Participants can register online at www.TheMedicalCenter.org or call 270-796-6333.
Commonwealth Health Corporation has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! initiative for helping employees eat better and move more.
"Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Commonwealth Health Corporation. We are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation. "We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. This will benefit our employees' health and produce even more positive results for our company overall."
As a Platinum-level employer, Commonwealth Health Corporation promotes a wellness culture within the workplace and offers employees a variety of programs to promote healthy living. Some of the programs offered include:
The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority. American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. Start! helps change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.
"We in Southcentral Kentucky are truly blessed to have The Medical Center. Not only do they give outstanding care to their patients, but they truly care about their employees," said Michelle Alloway, Great Rivers Affiliate Division Director for the American Heart Association. “That’s why when it came to companies receiving this honor, I could not think of a better one to receive it. CHC is truly deserving of this honor, for they do a fantastic job of keeping their employees health as a priority."
For more information about the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy, call (270) 842-5700 or visit startwalkingnow.org.