Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is hosting a free Womens Health Month event at its facility. Women from young adult to senior age will have an opportunity to hear expert insight on a range of health topics at the symposium.
This event is about empowering women with knowledge, resources and practical steps they can take to improve their health, Marc Augsburger, president and CEO of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, said. Were proud to bring together our clinical experts to support women in our community.
The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Conference Room D within the hospital, 11101 N. Sherman Road, Edgerton.
Dawn Main, medical imaging director with Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, is among the speakers presenting at the event. She will share expert insight on bone density, mammographies and the importance of early detection.
If youre sedentary, youre at a higher risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia, vs. if youre an active younger or older adult, Main said. It doesnt matter if you were a high school jock. If you become the couch potato, your bone models itself after that.
Routine mammographies, Main added, can help mitigate breast cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer death among women.
When diagnosed early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99%, Main said. Early detection is the best prevention.
Angie Hagen and Kelsey Olson, who work in Edgerton Hospital and Health Services physical therapy department, will be speaking on balance, strength and functional wellness at the event.
There are differences in the recommendations for men and women, Olson said. Women have higher rates of osteoporosis, so well be talking about prevention and the role exercise can have.
Hagen, a registered occupational therapist and clinical laboratory technician, will weigh in on such topics as incontinence, and how it can be addressed.
That is also a big issue for women, especially over the age of 60, Hagen said. It is not necessarily a normal part of aging. Were going to touch on the different types of incontinence and what types of exercises you can do.
Olson is in the process of attaining her certification in womens pelvic health and will be speaking to the topic, among others, at the event. Olsons forthcoming credential will enhance the level of services offered at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services.
Well be able to treat patients who are prenatal, postpartum and anyone who suffers from incontinence and pelvic pain, Olson said. That will be coming in June.
Mental health, an all-important health topic that affects women and men alike, has been an ever increasing topic as timely access to services remains a challenge.
Alicia Wolf, a mental health therapist with Edgerton Hospital and Health Services Senior Life Solutions program, will be speaking on such issues as invisible labor, a term that correlates to unpaid work.
Women are more likely to do a lot of things to keep a family up and running whether that means time management, managing responsibilities with kids, caregiving for an older family member or, perhaps, managing appointments, Wolf said.
The consistent juggling act, Wolf added, can result in increased stress and exhaustion, which makes the importance of boundaries, self care and other related healthy activities important.
She also will touch on the importance of seeking out a mental health professional if day-to-day challenges become overwhelming.
Once it starts to impact your functioning, thats when it might be time to talk to a mental health professional, Wolf said.
Other presenters at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services Womens Health Month event include Dr. Binita Chandran, a family medicine physician, who will touch on such issues as womens unique health needs and dietary considerations for optimal health.
Cora Kienbaum, a radiologic technologist, will present at the event alongside Main and will provide details on the types of diagnostic imaging services available locally, among other related topics.
Additionally, Kelsey Grove, director of cardiopulmonary, RT and sleep at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, will speak about exercise and womens health. She will share insight on such issues as cardiovascular health and the benefits of regular physical activity.
For additional details on the event, or to register, call 608-884-3441 or visit . Lunch and gift bags will be provided.
