By MARY ANN LIENHART CROSS County Extension Director, Extension Educator-Health & Human Sciences, Purdue Extension Elkhart County May was National Osteoporosis Month followed by June as National Dairy Month and they could really be celebrated together. I am sure your mother told you to do many good things like, eat your vegetables and fruits, drink …read more.

By AMY JO STEINBRUECKER American Cancer Society Summer is upon us and the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend has been designated by the American Cancer Society and the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention as “Don’t Fry Day,” to encourage sun safety awareness. As you head outdoors this holiday weekend and throughout the summer, …read more.

By VINCE ROBINSON Communications Manager, American Red Cross Throughout the summer months, the American Red Cross will participate in the statewide Fallen Officer Blood Drive Campaign. This is the ninth year the Red Cross will host blood drives across Indiana to honor fallen officers and raise awareness of the need for blood. Janice Starnes, whose …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Happy National Women’s Health Week. Ladies, when is the last time you took a moment to reflect on your personal health? Many women are concerned about the health of their friends and families and think of their own health only in times of illness. Mother’s Day …read more.

By OTIS R. BOWEN CENTER STAFF May is Mental Health Month is observed nationwide by organizations dedicated to mental health-related issues. According to Mental Health America, the observance began in 1949. This year’s theme is “B4Stage4.” The theme is geared toward convincing people to address their mental health issues early, rather than at stage four …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Greetings to you from the beautiful city of Nashville, Ind. Extension educators from around the state meet here annually for our Indiana Extension Educators Association Spring Conference. Here we learn about extension updates, vote on changes in our organization and network with other educators and state …read more.

By TERRA MCCRORY Case Manager, Miller’s Merry Manor Five Warsaw High School students spent two hours of their time with residents from Miller’s Merry Manor on Friday afternoon. Some painted residents’ fingernails, while others landscaped in the courtyard and learned how to garden with Earl, one of the residents. Blitz is a community service group …read more.

  Parkview Hospital recently made a donation to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County. “We are thrilled to be the recipient of this donation from our new community partner, Parkview Hospital.” said Executive Director of the AWL, Darla McCammon. “When Parkview saw the list of the many health benefits our organization provides to our …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County It’s beginning to look a lot like spring. The beautiful color change and the blooming of new life help us remember Earth Day, which we celebrate on Wednesday, April 22. This year, Earth Day turns 45 years old. Earth Day is celebrated in more than 192 …read more.

By LEAH KELLY SCHROCK Health Education, Real Services, Inc. There is still space available for the last two sessions of a free lunch and learn to provide educational programs for caregivers of older adults. These sessions are sponsored by Real Services, Inc. and Alzheimer’s Services of Northern Indiana. This series provides valuable information for caregivers …read more.

By MARY ANN LIENHART CROSS County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Elkhart County For many of you, warmer weather means grilling. Nowadays, there are so many varieties of grills to choose from, including wood pellet, gas grills, and charcoal grills. We all have our favorite method of grilling, but no matter the preference, food safety is …read more.

By CHELSEA CHALK Assistant Professor of Communication and Institutional Advancement Associate, Ancilla College Marshall County Community Foundation awarded the Ancilla College Nursing department a $15,000 grant to use to purchase a Pyxis Medstation Training Unit. The PMTU assists faculty in teaching technology-based medication dispensing practices to nursing students. Ann Fitzgerald, director of nursing at Ancilla …read more.

By MARY ANN LIENHART CROSS Extension Director, Purdue Extension Elkhart County With spring we begin to think more about locally grown foods. The first food of spring that I see and enjoy is dandelion greens. The last few days I was out walking, enjoying the spring flowers, and picking up the trash from fall and …read more.

By KASEY KOHLMORGEN Director of Community Relations, Joe’s Kids Joe’s Kids will be holding the 2015 5K Splatter Dash on Saturday, May 2. The Joe’s Kids Splatter Dash is a powder paint run benefiting the children at Joe’s Kids, a clinic in Warsaw that provides physical, occupational and speech therapy to special kids with special …read more.

By KASEY KOHLMORGEN Director of Community Relations, Joe’s Kids The K21 Health Foundation recently awarded a grant to Joe’s Kids, a nonprofit pediatric rehabilitation clinic in Warsaw. This funding supports K21 Health’s mission to ensure health care services are provided to Kosciusko County citizens. A grant in the amount of $55,500 was awarded to Joe’s …read more.

By KELLY BRUBAKER Marketing Director, Millers Health Systems Millers Health Systems has announced several recent promotions. RN Jennifer Gappa, has been promoted to the position of senior vice president of human resources. Gappa is a certified HR Professional-PHR and S-CP and licensed as a health facilities administrator. She earned her RN from Purdue and bachelor’s …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Have you ever wondered about the difference between “reduced fat” and “low fat?” Or does “calorie free” on a label really mean no calories? The Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines on how these food label terms can be used. Here are explanations of the …read more.

By MARY ANN LIENHART CROSS County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Elkhart County Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. It is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms of the disease that people may experience to …read more.

Every day a new diet fad is introduced in America, the standard American diet contains things banned in other countries, and the diagnosis of American’s with chronic illness sky rockets every year. AlignLife Chiropractic & Natural Health Centers believe that by educating not only their patients but also their communities they can reduce the future …read more.

By KIM EASTON Communications Manager, Indiana Historical Society As the 25th anniversary of Ryan White’s death approaches, the Indiana Historical Society will honor his legacy with the release of a new IHS Press book, “The Quiet Hero: A Life of Ryan White” and a book launch event featuring his mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, and good friend …read more.

By SHEILA CANAVAN United State Environmental Protection Agency The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking nominations from individuals who represent small businesses, small governments and small not-for-profit organizations to provide input to a federal panel that will explore risk reduction in the use of trichloroethylene. This panel will focus on the agency’s development of a …read more.

By LINDSAY JANCEK Communications Director, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski Rep. Jackie Walorski has voted for legislation that would permanently repeal the current formula that pays doctors who treat Medicare patients which has long been broken, and replaces it with a formula that returns stability to Medicare physician payments. The bill, H.R. 2, will resolve a long-running …read more.

By SUMMER ZIMMER Director of Communications and Social Responsibility, Kosciusko Community YMCA The Kosciusko Community YMCA will be offering spring classes starting Monday, April 13. Youth classes will include swim lessons and gymnastics classes for all ages. Group exercise classes will be offered at both the Parkview Warsaw YMCA and the North Webster branch, classes …read more.

By KARA BROOKS Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence Governor Mike Pence has declared a public health emergency in Scott County due to an outbreak of HIV that has reached epidemic proportions. The declaration was issued in Executive Order 15-05, which orders the state to coordinate a multi-agency response, and provides additional resources and tools …read more.

By STARLEE COLEMAN The Goldwater Institute Gov. Mike Pence signed into law a bill to give terminally ill patients access to medicines that have passed phase one of the FDA approval process but are not yet on pharmacy shelves. The bill passed both the state House and Senate with unanimous, bipartisan votes. HB 1065, The …read more.

By MARY ANN LIENHART CROSS County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Elkhart County When I teach nutrition I often encourage people to eat a rainbow of colors and to eat more foods of color. You know that vegetables and fruits are where you are going to find the colors. The colors make for flavor, texture, and …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County National Pecan Day is Wednesday, March 25. My favorite ways to eat pecans are in a pie or in a chocolate turtle dessert, but I appreciate pecans with just about any dish. You could add pecans to oatmeal or yogurt, substitute pecans for croutons in salads …read more.

By MARLIES SELENT-WEST Chautauqua-Wawasee Spots are filling up and time is running out to register for the showing of “Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement” coming Thursday, April 23 to Chautauqua-Wawasee at the Oakwood Resort Hilltop Conference Center, Syracuse. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with the director and experts followed by the screening at 7:17 …read more.

By ALYSSA LOWE Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce The last day to register for the Biggest Loser Community Challenge is Monday, March 23. The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and The Biggest Loser are teaming up to get Kosciusko moving. Sign up a team of four today to join us for an eight-week wellness challenge designed …read more.

By MARLIES SELENT-WEST Chautauqua-Wawasee Chautauqua-Wawasee would like to invite you to an award-winning, limited opportunity event. “The Promise and Peril of Human Enhancement: Will Technology Put an End to Disability?” will come to the Oakwood Resort Hilltop Center from 7:15 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23. This special event will include a screening of …read more.

By STARLEE COLEMAN The Goldwater Institute A law to give terminally ill patients access to medicines that have passed phase one of the FDA approval process but are not yet on pharmacy shelves has passed both the state House and Senate with unanimous, bipartisan votes, and is on its way to Governor Mike Pence. Governor …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County A friend of mine who lives alone, recently asked me about healthy cooking for herself. She said, “It hardly seems worth it when it’s just me.” The Mayo Clinic offers many ideas for healthy cooking for one or two. Instead of settling for leftovers or frozen …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Don’t forget to wear your green for St. Patrick’s Day next week. With all the green clothes and decorations, remember to eat your greens too. Try planning green foods on your menu for the whole week. Green fruits and vegetables contain many health-promoting phytochemicals. They can …read more.

By KIM NANCE Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, Inc. Larry and Coraethel McConnell met 10 years ago and were married soon after. Their blended family includes five children and 13 grandchildren. Their love story was sparked by a passion for playing dulcimers. Larry’s first dulcimer was made from a kit given to him by his …read more.

By ALYSSA LOWE Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce The Biggest Loser Community Challenge is coming to town! The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and The Biggest Loser are teaming up to get Kosciusko moving. Sign up your team of four today to join us for an eight week wellness challenge designed for everyone! Participants receive guidance …read more.

Cryotherapy is fast becoming a popular way to treat pain from pulled muscles, sore joints and other numerous injuries. Dr. Charbel Harb of CryotherapyIndy is the first to offer the recovery process in the Hoosier state. “It doesn’t feel as cold as an ice bath by any means. It’s way more comfortable,” said Dr. Harb. …read more.

By ALYSSA LOWE Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce The Biggest Loser Community Challenge is coming to town! The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and The Biggest Loser are teaming up to get Kosciusko moving. Sign up your team of four today to join us for an eight week wellness challenge designed for everyone! Participants receive guidance …read more.

By KELSEY MYERS Business Development Specialist, Kosciusko Community Services Kosciusko Community Hospital offers assistance to accommodate residents yet to enroll for health insurance through HIP 2.0. HIP 2.0 is a health care coverage program for Indiana’s low-income adults and would replace traditional Medicaid for all non-disabled adults. HIP 2.0 adds choices for Hoosiers while providing …read more.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #49 John C. Peterson Post of Warsaw will host a free health fair from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at the legion, located at 301 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw. This event is open to the public. From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. the American Red Cross will …read more.

By MALLORY QUIGLEY Communications Director, Susan B. Anthony List This morning Dr. David Prentice, vice president and research director of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, will testify before the Indiana Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services in support of SB 334 – legislation to prohibit prenatal discrimination by banning abortions based on sex selection or …read more.

By KELSEY MYERS Business Development Specialist, Lutheran Health Network, KCH Community members are welcome to attend a free lecture lead by Dr. Mark Meier, Lutheran Health Network Cardiologist, who will talk about how to recognize and reduce your risk for heart disease. The community lecture will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at …read more.

By JO NAHOD-CARLIN Director of Marketing, MHS Ambertter from MHS is partnering with the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition for several healthcare enrollment and education events. These events will focus on educating attendees about the Affordable Care Act and enrolling individuals in the MHS line of products branded as Ambetter from MHS. These events are …read more.

By TAMMY COTTON Kosciusko Cares Kosciusko Cares, a Bowen Center sponsored prevention initiative, welcomes the public to participate in an eight hour training on mental health first aid, appropriate for anyone in the public. Specialty groups are welcome, including teachers, youth workers, clergy, civic groups, healthcare workers, corporate groups, or human resource professionals. At this …read more.

By MICHELLE KEARNS Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, Inc., a local managed-care organization, announced that it has named Mike D. Cahill as President and Chief Executive Officer. Cahill joins PHP from AWS Foundation, where he served as CEO and, prior to that, he was CEO of Tower Financial. …read more.

By SUMMER ZIMMER Director of Communications and Social Responsibility, Kosciusko Community YMCA From 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, Parkview Health will be conducting A1C blood sugar testing at the Parkview Center for Healthy Living in the Parkview Warsaw YMCA at no cost. Contact (260) 672-6500 to register. The A1C test is a …read more.

Representative Jackie Walorski, Senator Dan Coats, and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long have all issued statements following the approval of Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 proposal by the Obama Administration. Walorski says, “Today is a win for low-income Hoosiers across Indiana. HIP 2.0 will offer incentives to thousands of Hoosiers and …read more.

By KIM NANCE Business Development Manager, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Inc. was recently awarded a grant from the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up Fund, a component fund of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. The grant will help patients with health and wellness supplies. Reimbursement reductions in Medicare, Medicaid and …read more.

By EMILY SHIPLEY Heartline Pregnancy Center The 2015 Board of Directors for Heartline Pregnancy Center, Inc. invites the public to an open house from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the K21 Health Services Pavilion at 1515 Provident Dr., Warsaw. Tours of the center’s facilities and ICU Mobile Unit will be given, …read more.

By KELSEY MYERS Business Development Specialist, Kosciusko Community Hospital Guest speaker Dr. Laverne Miller will talk about how to achieve your weight loss goals at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Kosciusko Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center. Miller is the medical director of Lutheran Health Network’s weight management program and has over 36 …read more.

KCH Health and Wellness Center staff arrived to work at around 4:50 a.m. this morning only to find that the business had been burglarized. Warsaw Police quickly responded to the center, located at 1500 Provident Dr. on the Kosciusko County Hospital campus. Pry marks were located on an exterior door where the suspect or suspects …read more.