Women’s health in the bag at St. Francis Health-sponsored ‘Girls Night Out’ event

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Spirit of Women at Franciscan St. Francis Health is hosting its fall Girls Night Out event, featuring Reneé Rongen – dubbed “the mother of motivation and combination of “Oprah, Lilli Tomlin and Mother Teresa.”

Rongen is an author, motivational speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, wife and mother who resides in Minnesota.

The event, which is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at Valle Vista Country Club, 755 E. Main St., celebrates women’s health as their “best accessory,” program leaders say.

The program offers a variety of tips and techniques for women to discover their “purse-onality” and improve their health for a long and vibrant life; and break-outs sessions and information on various women’s health services, including breast augmentation, skin care and ultrasounds and a raffle of top-line purses.

This annual event is free to the public, but reservations are required by calling 317-528-5866.

“As a Spirit of Women hospital, we are dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs,” said Michele Wood, R.N., who directs the program at Franciscan St. Francis.

Franciscan St. Francis’ Spirit of Women program touches the lives of thousands of women each year through inspiring seminars, health education, a consumer membership program, the annual Day of Dance event and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women around south-central Indiana.

For more information about the Franciscan St. Francis Spirit of Women program, visit www.StFrancisHospitals.org/women.

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Actress and author Stacey Halprin shared life-changing weight loss story with Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS – Nearly 300 people gathered on Sept. 11 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral to hear actress and author Stacey Halprin share her incredible weight loss story. This day had special significance for Halprin.

Seven years ago on Sept. 11, Halprin found herself trapped in her New York apartment just one mile from the World Trade Center. At 550 pounds, she was unable to escape on her own. Halprin was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers’ Spirit of Women program.

Halprin took the audience through her weight loss journey, and explained the physical and emotional impacts of losing nearly 400 pounds. Halprin explained that oftentimes the hardest part is keeping off the weight one has lost.

The St. Francis Spirit of Women program is part of Spirit of Women, an elite network of
hospitals nationwide committed to caring for women. As a Spirit of Women hospital,
St. Francis works to bring the very best in women’s programming from across the nation
to central Indiana.

Cutline for photo:
Stacey Halprin brought her weight loss story to Indianapolis on Sept. 11. She is shown holding the underwear she wore at 550 pounds. Stacey has lost close to 400 pounds. The event was sponsored by St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and took place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

A high-res photo can be found by clicking on the image above, or contact Emily Koch.

Contacts:
Emily Koch, Borshoff (317) 631-6400 Emily(dot)koch(at)borshoff(dot)biz

Teresa Clark, St. Francis Community Relations (317) 782-7992 (office) (317) 906-1101 (pager) Teresa(dot)Clark(at)ssfhs.org

Actress, author shares story of what she gained from weight loss

INDIANAPOLIS – As the tragedy of Sept. 11 struck around her, Stacey Halprin was trapped in her apartment just one mile from the World Trade Center because at 550 pounds, she was unable to escape on her own.

Today, Halprin has transformed herself to a healthy 190 pounds and shares her incredible weight loss journey with others. She will be in town on Thursday, Sept. 11, as the keynote speaker at an event hosted by St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

What: St. Francis Hospital & Health Center’s Spirit of Women program is hosting an evening with Stacey Halprin, a nationally recognized actress and author who has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The night will include dinner and a fashion show, highlighting local weight loss success stories. The event also includes health care information and resources.

Where: Scottish Rite Cathedral ballroom
650 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis

When: 5:30 p.m.; September 11, 2008

Detailed schedule:
5:30 p.m. Cocktails and health information booths featuring health care information and resources
6:30 p.m. Dinner and fashion show, highlighting local weight loss success stories. Sponsored by Dress Barn. The emcee for the evening will be Stacia Matthews, health reporter for WRTV-Channel 6.
7:30 p.m. Featured speaker Stacey Halprin
8:30 p.m. Stacey Halprin book signing. Copies of Stacey’s book, “Winning After Losing” will be available for purchase at the event.

Cost: The cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required.

Registration: Register by calling (317) 865-5866.

Who: St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, one of the largest health care systems in Indiana, is part of Spirit of Women, an elite network of hospitals nationwide committed to caring for women. As a Spirit of Women hospital, St. Francis works to bring the very best in women’s programming from across the nation to central Indiana.

More than 400 participate in annual Spirit of Women Day of Dance for heart health

Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels dances the Merengue with Mark Smith, owner of Dance Master Studio. Daniels kicked off the Spirit of Women Day of Dance on Saturday, Feb. 23.

INDIANAPOLIS – Some made it a girls’ day out. Others came alone. While some moms shared the experience with their daughters. More than 400 participants learned the latest dance moves and embraced new ways to get heart-healthy during St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers’ annual Spirit of Women Day of Dance.

The event was held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Greenwood Municipal Airport to accommodate the largest crowd ever for the event, now in its fifth year.

Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels kicked off day with a proclamation from Gov. Mitch Daniels, naming the day “Day of Dance.” Cheri Daniels and Marc Gerdisch, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon with the St. Francis Heart Center, teamed up with instructors from Dance Master Studio for the first dance – the Merengue. Soon after, participants filled the dance floor to learn dances such as the Merengue, belly dancing, hip hop, party dancing and the latest fitness craze, Zumba.

Although the event, which promotes exercise and healthy living, was targeted to women, men also came to join in on the fun. Along with the dancing, several participants won door prizes from local sponsors.

“This year, participants came out in record numbers to spend the day having fun and learning new ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Michele Wood, manager of St. Francis’ Spirit of Women program. “The great turnout shows more and more people are seeking ways to improve their overall health. What better way to have fun and stay fit than through dance?”

More than 100 hospitals across the country sponsored Day of Dance in February as part of Spirit of Women, an elite network of hospitals nationwide committed to caring for women. The goal of the event is to offer an exciting and interactive way to get people moving through exercise that is creative, expressive and fun.

Indiana’s First Lady, central Indiana women dance their way to healthier hearts

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contacts:
Shannon Phillips, Borshoff
(317) 631-6400
Shannon.Phillips@borshoff.biz

Teresa Clark, St. Francis Community Relations
(317) 782-7992 (office)
(317) 906-1101 (pager)
Teresa.Clark@ssfhs.org

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels will be among the guests attending the fifth annual St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers' Spirit of Women Day of Dance event on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Greenwood Municipal Airport, 799 E. County Line Road.

What: The free Spirit of Women Day of Dance event is open to women of all ages and their families. This annual event promotes exercise and healthy living. Statistics show that heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Exercise along with a balanced diet is a great way to lower your risk for heart disease.

Day of Dance participants will enjoy a fun-filled day of music and dance instruction. Professional instructors will teach participants the steps to such dances as the swing, hip-hop, belly dancing and the latest fitness craze, Zumba, a Latin-inspired workout. Healthy snacks and beverages will also be offered.

A detailed event schedule is available at StFrancisHospitals.org/women.

When: Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants may attend at any time throughout the day.

Where: Greenwood Municipal Airport, 799 E. County Line Road.
Due to limited parking at the airport, guests should park in the professional buildings on the south side of County Line Road. Shuttle buses will take guests the short distance from the parking lots to the airport. Look for signs designating the parking areas and the shuttle bus pick-up locations.

Who: St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, one of the largest health care systems in Indiana, is part of Spirit of Women, an elite network of hospitals nationwide committed to caring for women. As a Spirit of Women hospital, St. Francis works to find the very best in women’s programming across the nation to central Indiana.

Cost: Admission to Day of Dance is free, but advance registration is suggested. To pre-register, call (317) 782-4422 or online at StFrancisHospitals.org/women.

How: To learn more, visit StFrancisHospitals.org/women or call (317) 865-5865.

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Women’s health care, outreach programs garner national praise

INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has been selected as a Spirit of Women Premier Hospital after surpassing national standards measuring clinical excellence in women’s health care and community outreach.

This recognition comes from the Spirit of Women Health Network in cooperation with the Office of Women’s Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. St. Francis’ selection comes on the heels of a 2007 evaluation gauging performance in medical care, community outreach programs, diverse educational efforts and care provided to sexual assault victims.

"It’s rewarding to be recognized nationally for programs we believe are important to our community," said Lori Warner, director of St. Francis’ Women & Children’s Services. "Because Spirit of Women offers an ideal position to assess the range and scope of health issues facing women in our country today, this honor is particularly meaningful."

St. Francis offers a full spectrum of clinical services and community and educational programs targeting women of all ages and cultural diversity. Such programs include parish nursing, concierge models and health "navigators" who deliver personalized services.

One such program is Center of Hope, a partnership designed to reach and treat sexual assault victims in a compassionate and confidential way.

"Few hospitals in our nation – even the world – recognize how to provide appropriate medical care, preventive care and educational services to women," said Tanya Abreu, president and national program director of the Spirit of Women Health Network. "St. Francis is one of the few facilities in our country that accomplishes these goals."

Michele Wood, R.N, manages the St. Francis Spirit of Women program, which is one of six such hospitals in Indiana and among nearly 60 nationwide. To learn more about its programs, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Women.

Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives through a variety of health, community and educational programs. For more information about the network, visit www.spiritofwomen.com.