Health briefs: Life Line screenings set

        Residents living in and around the Oak Harbor area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with Life Line screenings planned for Wednesday, July 12   at St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa St.
        Screenings can check for:
        • The level of plaque buildup in arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.
        • HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels.
        • Diabetes risk.
        • Kidney and thyroid function, and more.
        Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with clients to create a package that is right for them based on age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit lifelinescreening.com for more details. Pre-registration is required. Free parking is available at the church.
        Genoa screenings planned
        Life Line will also offer their various screenings Thursday, Aug. 10 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 Main St. Call the above number or visit the website to schedule.
 
        Magruder Hospital’Monthly lab screeningss next monthly community lab screening will be held Thursday, July 13 between 8 and 11:30 a.m. at the Magruder Community Clinic, 730 Jefferson St., Port Clinton.
        The main lab test includes a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and lipid profile, which includes liver and kidney function, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, HDL/LDL, triglycerides and a complete blood count (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood) for $50.
        Add-on testing is also available, including:
        • Lipid profile: $20.
        • Hemoglobin A1C: $20.
        • PSA (prostate specific antigen): $30.
        • TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone): $25.
        • Vitamin D: $35.
        Community lab screenings are offered on the second Thursday each month. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 419-301-4304. Participants are asked to fast for 12 hours prior to their appointment time but can have water.  No insurance is accepted – payment may be made by cash, check or credit card (no American Express).
 
Mobile mammogram stops
        Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit has visits scheduled throughout the region.
        Customized for patient convenience, the mammography unit delivers mammograms to women age 40 and older. It is equipped with the newest 3D technology and offers patients the option of self-compression, meaning the patient will have the ability to control the compression once they are in position.
        Upcoming stops include:
        • July 12: Old West End Community Health Center, 2244 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo.
        • July 14: Mercy Health - Jefferson Avenue Family Medicine, 2200 Jefferson Ave., Toledo.
        • July 17, Aug. 3: Mercy Health – Perrysburg Primary Care & Walk-in, 1103 Village Square, Perrysburg.
        • July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16: Mercy Health - Point Shoreland Family Medicine, 2755 Shoreland Ave., Toledo.
        • July 21: Mercy Health - Waterville Primary Care, 1222 Pray Boulevard.
        • July 24, Aug. 7: Progressive Wellness Medical Office Building, 7640 West Sylvania Ave., Sylvania.
        • July 25: Halim Clinic/Spring Valley OBGYN & Midwives, 6855 Spring Valley Dr., Holland.
        • July 26, Aug. 17: Mercy Health - Starbright Primary Care, 28555 Starbright Boulevard, Perrysburg.
         While mammogram screenings may be covered by insurance, for best coverage, patients should verify if Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital is an in-network provider with their insurance carriers. Financial need-based assistance programs are available for those who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles. Call 419-696-5839 for more information.
        Screenings at the Mercy Health Mobile Mammography unit are by appointment only. Call 833-MAMM-VAN to schedule your screening on the mobile unit.
        To view the full list of dates and locations, visit mercy.com/toledomobilemamm.
 
YMCA of Sandusky Co. announces HERO benefits
        In appreciation of their sacrifices for the community and the country, the YMCA of Sandusky County announced new HERO benefits available to first responders, military members, veterans, and their families.
        These benefits include discounted memberships, participation in the YMCA Armed Services/Department of Defense Title 10 Membership program, reserved parking spaces for veterans, Our Military Kids grant program, and leave passes for military members home for a short time.
        According to the US Census, 6.4% of the current US adult population, or 16.5 million Americans, are veterans. Just over 3,500 veterans live in Sandusky County.
        Additionally, the US Department of Commerce reports that 4.6 million Americans are currently working as first responders, and nearly 1.5 million are currently serving in our armed forces.
        “Take a look around our own community – chances are you or someone you know can benefit from our HERO programs and pricing. Veterans, first responders, members of our military and their families have made and continue to make great sacrifices to ensure our freedom and safety and these new benefits are a small way for us to say thank you,” said BJ Duckworth, YMCA senior director of operations.
        “Supporting those who keep us safe is a cause close to my heart, as my dad, David Post, proudly served our nation in Vietnam as a US Marine. In addition to these new HERO benefits, we have begun discussing what additional programs and services we could and should add. We look forward to collaborating with local veteran’s organizations to help fill need gaps and better serve all those who served and sacrificed for us,” said Jeremiah Wagner, YMCA of Sandusky County CEO.
        Organizations that would like to collaborate on programming or provide financial support for HERO benefits, may contact the YMCA of Sandusky County at 419-332-9622 or ymcafremont.org.
        Learn more about and sign up for HERO benefits at ymcafremont.org/military-membership.
 
Mercy Health welcomes neurosurgeons
        Mercy Health continues to welcome former McLaren St. Luke’s providers to its health care organization, most recently with the addition of two board-certified neurosurgeons, Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Dr. David Lewis.
        Formerly of McLaren St. Luke’s Brain and Spine, Dr. Hoeflinger, Dr. Lewis, and Jennifer Fender; PA, will continue to serve patients at the same location under a new name, Mercy Health – The Neuroscience Institute, St. Luke’s. With combined experience of more than 35 years in the community, Dr. Lewis and Dr. Hoeflinger specialize in minimally invasive surgery and advanced neuroradiology techniques.
        With a focus on general neurosurgery, Dr. Hoeflinger treats patients of all ages, specializing in disorders of the brain, spine and nerves. “The provider/patient partnership is the cornerstone and foundation to which a trusting relationship is developed regarding a patient’s care,” Dr. Hoeflinger said.
        The most common issues that patients seek out care from Dr. Lewis are disorders of the spine, which tend to cause pain, weakness, and/or numbness in the arms and legs. As a team, Dr. Lewis works with his patients to determine the best course of treatment. “I recognize that the best way to treat issues may not be via a surgical procedure. I will not recommend surgery unless I am confident it will help fix the problem,” he said.
        The team at Mercy Health — The Neuroscience Institute, St. Luke's specializes in the comprehensive treatment of disorders affecting the brain, nervous system, meninges, skull, pituitary gland, spinal cord, vertebral column, and cranial and spinal nerves. Dr. Hoeflinger treats a wide array of conditions including hemorrhages, hydrocephalus, head or spinal cord trauma, spinal disc herniation, infections, and tumors.
        Dr. Lewis earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He served his residency in Neurological Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.
        Dr. Hoeflinger earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Toledo and his medical degree from the University of Toledo Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in Research Training from Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Ann Arbor and a Neurological Surgery residency from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, NY.
        Mercy Health — The Neuroscience Institute, St. Luke's is located at 5757 Monclova Road, Suite 15, Maumee, OH 43537. Now scheduling new and established patients by calling 419-479-5590. For more information, visit mercy.com.
 
 
Bon Secours Mercy Health recognized
        Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) has been named one of the 2023 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount, part of EAB, a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. BSMH was lauded for its commitment to supporting and developing women leaders throughout its health system.
        This annual survey recognizes the top 80 companies that create and use best practices in hiring, retaining and promoting multicultural women in the United States. This is the third consecutive year that BSMH has appeared on the list.
        Mercy Health – Toledo is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health and serves 20 counties locally in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
        “This recognition celebrates our ministry’s commitment to growing and advancing the careers of multicultural women throughout our organization,” said Odesa Stapleton, chief diversity and inclusion officer for Bon Secours Mercy Health. “We are honored to be a best company for multicultural women and believe that our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion strengthens our health system to better connect with our patients, communities and each other.”
        The complete list of Best Companies for Multicultural Women can be found at seramount.com/best-companies/2023-best-companies-for-multicultural-women-winners.