Features,
Health Matters, Lincoln
Park District,
Honors
& Awards, Announcements
Health & Fitness News Elsewhere
(fresh daily from the Web)
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Features
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ALMH
acquires new CT scanner
[AUG.
29, 2001] The
Radiology Department of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital has
acquired the latest in helical CT scanners. This state-of-the-art
equipment, a GE high-speed XI scanner, will provide faster, more
accurate films, according to Darla Ludolph, director of radiology at
the hospital.
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Among
the improvements noted with the new equipment is that larger
patients, up to 450 pounds, can be accommodated. Previously the
maximum weight was 250 pounds. While scanning, the new equipment
will simultaneously move the patient through the scanner to give one
continuous picture of the area to be scanned. This will ensure that
the most accurate scan is conducted with the least discomfort to the
patient.
In
describing the new CT scanner, Ms. Ludolph said, "This
equipment will speed up the process, provide clearer images and
allow us to perform a broader range of exams. This will save people
from having to go to Springfield or other larger communities and
will provide for better patient care all around. Some procedures not
previously done at ALMH include kidney stone studies and three-phase
liver scans. We can now do those here."
Computer
technology provided to the helical scanner will allow for the online
transfer of all CT scans to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield,
where technicians and physicians can view the images in real time or
at a later time. As though they were in Lincoln, staff at Memorial
can search the scan and adjust the images. Speeds of data transfer
have also improved, with the wait time reduced to 25 percent of
previous wait time.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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To
enable the staff to operate the sophisticated equipment, Ms. Ludolph
and ALMH radiology technician Ann Reichle attended a four-day
course, Theoretical and Practical CT Imaging, in Milwaukee. GE also
sent an application specialist to Lincoln for four days of on-site
training following the installation.
In
addition, Ms. Reichle recently passed an extensive examination to
receive her certification as a registered CT technologist. Reichle
stated, "This was a fulfillment of a personal goal for
me." She felt the certification would increase patient
confidence in her work.
Commenting
on the acquisition of the new scanner, hospital CEO Woody Hester
said: "This is one more step that ALMH has taken to improve
patient care. We are committed to providing the finest in equipment
and the most well-trained staff in our hospital. We are proud of
this new scanner and of the fine staff in our Radiology
Department."
[ALMH
news release]
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ALMH
celebrates with open house
New
women’s health and birthing facilities provide caring environment
while using advanced technology
[AUG.
3, 2001] Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital is celebrating the opening of its newest
additions, the Women's Health Unit and Family Maternity Suites, with
an open house on Sunday, Aug. 12. The community is invited to tour
the new unit and suites from 2 to 4 p.m.
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According
to Woody Hester, ALMH president and CEO, "We are committed to
recognizing and responding to the needs of our patients, families
and physicians, and these state-of-the-art facilities ensure that we
continue to provide the most up-to-date service available to our
community."
The
Women's Health Unit is designed to promote the lifelong good health
of women. Providing individualized care in a comfortable setting,
the unit is dedicated to providing quality care for women in any
stage in their life. The Women's Health Unit includes five private
rooms, each with private restrooms. The unit will focus on women's
inpatient gynecological surgical procedures.
According
to Donna Klawitter, obstetrics nurse manager, "At the new ALMH
Women's Health Unit, the balance between a warm, caring environment
and the most advanced technology helps make women's health our top
priority."
At
ALMH's new Family Maternity Suites, families are welcomed and
encouraged to share in the wonder and excitement of childbirth.
Inside each family-centered birthing suite, the latest technology is
balanced with the comforts of home.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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One
of the unique features of the attractively decorated suites is that
labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care are now possible in a
spacious single room. There is no need for an uncomfortable move to
another room after delivery. Family Maternity Suites includes four
private maternity suites, two private rooms and a state-of-the art
nursery. The floor also includes a surgery suite for Caesarean
sections.
All
rooms are private and feature a private bath and hand-held massage
shower, color television, VCR, phone and homelike furnishings,
including a sleep chair for the support person's overnight stay. A
24-hour visitation policy for fathers and support persons adds to
mom's comfort and confidence.
Klawitter
states, "We take the health and well-being of the women we
serve very seriously and are committed to improving it. These new
facilities are state-of-the-art. It is a tremendous accomplishment
for this community to have a Women's Health Unit and Family
Maternity Suites of this caliber."
These
projects were funded by the generous support of community friends,
with ALMH employees and the ALMH Auxiliary leading the way.
[ALMH
news release]
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Health
Matters A
monthly feature from Logan County Health Department
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Screening
detects early prostate cancer
[SEPT.
1, 2001] Prostate
cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in American men
(excluding skin cancer). Approximately one out of every five
American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. More than
80 percent of these cases will be in men 65 years of age and older.
Prostate cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer death in
men, exceeded only by lung cancer. About 3 percent of the men who
develop the disease die from it.
Screening
procedures can detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages. Most
cases of early prostate cancer cause no symptoms and are detected
only by a screening examination. The best way to find prostate
cancer is to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a
digital rectal exam (DRE) performed. Some prostate cancers may be
detected during evaluation of symptoms such as a slow or weakened
urinary stream or the need to urinate more often.
All
men 50 years of age and older should ask their physicians about
having the PSA test and a DRE every year. Men with close family
members who have had prostate cancer should talk to their physicians
about starting screenings at a younger age. The best protection
against prostate cancer is to have regular medical checkups that
include a thorough prostate exam. Regular checkups are important for
all men.
[Provided
by Logan County Health Department]
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Lincoln
Park District
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Lincoln
Park District fall programs
From
Roy Logan, program coordinator
[SEPT.
6, 2001] Your
Lincoln Park District is gearing up for its fall programs.
Here is a sample of what we are offering. If you have a special
interest or talent, give us a call. We appreciate your input,
but even more, we would appreciate your sharing one of your talents
with us and the rest of the community.
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Ceramics
Scotty
Hinman has had the summer off, and Ace says it is time to get back
to work. Ceramics will start Monday, Sept. 10, with four
different sessions being offered each week. This course will
cover a 12-week period. Call our office at 732-8770 or talk to
Scotty directly at 732-8168. There is a slight fee associated
with the class and a senior citizen discount as well.
Dog obedience
A
four-week class in basic dog obedience will be on Thursdays,
beginning Sept. 27. We are very pleased to have Mike Beiser back as
our instructor. He is owner of Canine Training Institute. If
your dog is big or small, you can see wonderful results with Mike's
excellent instruction. Handlers must be a minimum of 8 years
of age. Proof of inoculation is required at the time of
registration. Owners or handlers must provide a 6-foot leather
leash and a chain-choke collar. Classes will start at 7 p.m. If
necessary, there will be a second class, which will begin at 8 p.m.
(We may ask adults to move to the second session in order to get
school-aged children home earlier.) A fee applies.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Flag football and cheerleading
As
fall readily approaches, our sports-minded thoughts turn to
football. Flag football and cheerleading will start Sept.
10. Second- and third-grade players are still being sought to
round out the teams. If you are interested in playing, please
call Lincoln Park District as soon as possible. A fee applies.
Adult co-ed volleyball
Adult
co-ed volleyball leagues will have sign-ups beginning Sept.
17. All pertinent information can be obtained at the front
desk. Information will be available by Monday, Sept. 10.
Aerobics
The
new fall schedule for aerobics is ready. As we prepare to move
back indoors and spend less time outside, aerobics may be just the
workout you are looking for. Schedules and information are
available at the front desk. We offer a wide variety of
workout routines as well as several time slots.
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Honors
& Awards
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Announcements
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Free
annual colorectal cancer screening
[SEPT.
5, 2001] Through
mid-September, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is providing free
colorectal cancer screening kits and lab testing to assist you in
identifying indicators of possible cancer in the colon or rectum.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most curable of all cancers when
it is detected early and treated promptly. Because colorectal
cancer develops over a period of time, it is possible to detect it
by testing stool samples long before physical symptoms appear.
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The
majority of people who develop colorectal cancer are over age 50.
Over 75 percent of all cases can be cured, and patients can resume
normal lives. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly stool
blood tests after the age of 50.
The
simple at-home test kit provided by ALMH will help the laboratory
check stool samples for hidden blood, which can be a sign of
cancer or other internal disorders. The kit lists dietary
suggestions of what to eat and what to avoid two days prior to the
test. Following these few suggestions can reduce the chances of a
"false positive" test result and increase probability of
a more accurate test. The kit also provides all materials and
directions needed for collecting stool samples and preparing
slides for testing, and includes a pre-addressed envelope to mail
the sample and information back to the ALMH lab.
The
lab will notify you of your results within two weeks after
receiving the test. It is important to remember that the screening
does not provide a complete cancer detection examination.
Regardless of test results, you should see your physician whenever
you experience changes in your bowel habits.
To
take advantage of this opportunity, all tests must be received at
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital no later than Sept. 14.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Test
kits are available at local physician offices, pharmacies and the
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory. In rural locations
it is also available on the Rural Health Partnership's mobile
health unit. You may pick up your free kit at the following
locations:
In
Lincoln
•
Abe Lincoln Pharmacy
•
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory
•
Family Medical Center
•
Graue Pharmacy
•
The Christian Village
•
Oasis senior center
•
Lincoln Health Care Specialists (Drs. Carroll, Harmon, Sagins,
Hardiek, Green-Morrow and Sielaff)
In
Atlanta, Beason, Broadwell, Chestnut, Elkhart, Emden, Greenview,
Hartsburg, Latham, Middletown, Mount Pulaski, New Holland and San
Jose, kits are available
on the Rural Health Partnership's mobile health unit.
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Mobile
health unit schedule
The
Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile
health unit. Effective Feb. 1, 2001, the unit will run as follows:
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Morning:
9-11 a.m. |
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Afternoon:
1-3:30 p.m. |
Monday |
1st and 3rd |
Hartsburg |
1st and 3rd |
Emden |
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2nd and 4th |
San Jose |
2nd and 4th |
Greenview |
Tuesday |
Weekly |
Chestnut |
Weekly |
Mount Pulaski |
Wednesday |
Weekly |
New Holland |
Weekly |
Middletown |
Thursday |
1st, 2nd,
3rd |
Elkhart |
Weekly |
Atlanta |
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4th |
Friendship
Manor-Lincoln |
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Friday |
1st, 2nd,
4th |
Latham |
1st |
Beason |
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2nd and 4th |
Broadwell |
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3rd |
Maintenance/ special
events |
3rd |
Maintenance/
special events
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The
mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates/holidays
during 2001: Feb. 19 (President’s Day), April 13 (Good
Friday), May 28 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 3
(Labor Day), Oct. 8 (Columbus Day), Nov. 12 (Veterans Day), Nov. 22-23
(Thanksgiving break), and Dec. 24 - Jan. 1, 2002 (Christmas break).
For more
information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact
Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.
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This
family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy
Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy
Families Task Force.
Resources
for Logan County families
Agency |
Phone number |
Address |
911 |
911 (Emergencies)
732-3911 (Office -- non-emergency)
|
911 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital |
732-2161
|
315 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Aging (Department of) |
785-3356 |
421 E. Capitol, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
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American Cancer Society |
546-7586 (24 hour) |
1305 Wabash, Ste. J
Springfield, IL 62704
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American Red Cross |
732-2134
1-800-412-0100
|
125 S. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Catholic Social
Services |
732-3771 |
310 S. Logan
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Chamber of Commerce |
735-2385 |
303 S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Community Action (CIEDC) |
732-2159
|
1800 Fifth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Community Child Care
Connection |
525-2805
1-800-676-2805
|
1004 N. Milton Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-443
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Crisis Pregnancy Center |
735-4838 |
513 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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DCFS (Department of
Children & Family Services) |
735-4402
1-800-252-2873
(crisis hotline)
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1100 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Heartland Community
College GED Program |
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Hospice Care of
Illinois |
1-800-342-4862
(24 hour)
732-2161, Ext. 444
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720 N. Bond
Springfield, IL 62702
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Housing Authority |
732-7776
732-6312 (24 hour)
|
1028 N. College St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Illinois Breast &
Cervical Cancer Program |
735-2317
1-800-269-4019
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LCHD - 109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Illinois Department of
Public Health |
782-4977
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535 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761
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Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office) |
735-5441 |
120
S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm
Bureau Building
Lincoln,
IL 62656
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Legal Assistance
Foundation |
(217) 753-3300
1-800-252-8629
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730 E. Vine St., Ste.
214
Springfield, IL 62703
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Library - Atlanta |
(217) 648-2112 |
100 Race St.
Atlanta, IL 61723 |
Library - Elkhart |
(217) 947-2313 |
121 E. Bohan
Elkhart, IL 62634 |
Library - Lincoln |
732-8878 |
725 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656 |
Library - Mount Pulaski |
792-5919
|
320 N. Washington
Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
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Lincoln Area YMCA
|
735-3915 |
319 W. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln/Logan Food
Pantry |
732-2204
|
P.O. Box 773
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln Parents’
Center |
735-4192 |
100 S. Maple
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln Park District |
732-8770 |
1400 Primm Rd.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan County Department
of Human Services (Public Aid) |
735-2306 |
1550 Fourth St., P.O.
Box 310
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan County Health
Department |
735-2317 |
109 Third St., P.O. Box
508
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan Mason Mental
Health |
735-2272
1-888-832-3600
(crisis line)
|
304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan-Mason
Rehabilitation Center |
735-1413 |
760 S. Postville Dr.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Oasis (Senior Citizens
of Logan County) |
732-6132 |
501 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Project READ
|
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Salvation Army |
732-7890
|
1501 N. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Senior Services of
Central Illinois |
732-6213
1-800-252-8966
(crisis line)
|
109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Sojourn Shelter &
Service Inc. |
732-8988
(217) 726-5200 (24-hour hotline)
|
1800 Westchester Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
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U. of I. Division of
Specialized Care for Children |
524-2000
1-800-946-8468 |
421 S. Grand Ave. West,
2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62704
|
U. of I. Extension
Service |
732-8289 |
122 S. McLean St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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