‘Mammothon’ offers convenient breast cancer screenings, other services

INDIANAPOLIS – With early detection, diagnosis and treatment options, more patients are beating breast cancer. Yet, many women don’t seek annual mammography screenings for a variety of reasons.

Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis wants to make it more convenient for women. That’s why it’s sponsoring Mammothon, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7.

The event will be held at the Breast Center area near entrance 5 at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

In addition to mammograms and consultations with physicians and specialists, the hospital will provide free bone density, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings; free chair massages and skin care demonstrations by Lancóme Cosmetics; and refreshments and door prizes. Those scheduling a screening mammogram during the event will receive a free Vera Bradley® gift.

The mammograms are by appointment only and can be made by calling 855-837-8830. All major insurances are accepted.

For those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the Little Red Door Cancer Agency. Call 317-925-5595 for more information.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer occur annually in the United States. The survival rate has improved significantly because of mammogram screenings.

In addition to clinical exams, the ACS recommends that women 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep on doing so for as long as they are in good health.

Although regular mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by more than 30 percent, nearly one-third of eligible women do not get regular screenings.

To learn more about Mammothon, breast cancer and services available at St. Francis Cancer Center, go to www.mammothon.com.

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.

###

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.

‘Heart Matters’ when it comes to women and their health; program open to public

INDIANAPOLIS – With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s clear the life of a mother is anything but a holiday: Taking care of kids, running errands, working straight through the day and skipping lunch. Women often are so busy taking care of others they forget to care for themselves, perhaps ignoring or being unaware of signs of their risk of heart disease.

That’s why the St. Francis Heart Center is offering "Heart Matters: What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Disease." The program, which is free to the public, is 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8.

Cardiologist Babu Doddapaneni, M.D., of the Indiana Heart Physicians is the featured presenter. He will discuss risk factors and heart disease, how women’s symptoms for a heart attack differ from men’s, less-invasive surgical procedures that benefit women, blood pressure and cholesterol, and how diet, weight and physical activity are important in preventing heart disease.

The program is at the Heart Center’s community center on the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis campus, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

The program is free; registration is requested. To register online go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38 or call (317) 782-4422.

More information about the St. Francis Heart Center is at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart.

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.

Program helps women cancer patients ‘Look Good, Feel Better’

INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis will host a free workshop for women with cancer from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 11.

The program is at the hospital, 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Indianapolis. Family members or a support person is welcome to attend.

The Look Good, Feel Better workshop teaches women with cancer beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Volunteer licensed cosmetologists lead small groups, usually consisting of six to 10 women, through practical, hands-on experience. Women learn about makeup techniques, skin care, nail care, and options related to hair loss such as wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each group program participant receives a free kit of cosmetics for use during and after the workshop.

The workshop is supported by the American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetology Association. Participants are required to register for the workshop and may do so by calling 317- 782-4422.

More information on cancer services at St. Francis Hospital, visit www.StFrancisHospitals.org/cancer.

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.