Visit IU Health West on Saturday, June 15, for Community Day, which will include free Car Seat Safety Checks, as well as a free and safe prescription and OTC medication drop off.

Car Seat Safety Checks

Parents can bring their children and have a certified child passenger safety technician provide a free car seat inspection with hands-on instruction on proper installation and use of the car safety seat. All are welcome.Parents must bring their child, current car seat and their vehicle.

Indiana University Health West Hospital is teaming up with Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health to offer this event. Details are as follows:

Car Seat Safety Check
Saturday, June 15
10 am - 2 pm (last car taken at 1:30 pm)
IU Health West Hospital, parking lot on Eastside of hospital

Prescription & OTC Medication Drop Off

This drop off serves as a way to safely dispose of various used medications. Suggested items include:

• Prescription Medications
• Over-the-Counter Medications

All prescription and over-the-counter medications may be turned in. NO hazardous materials, paint or electronics will be accepted (these are for Tox Away days only). This medication drop-off is offered in conjunction with the Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force and is free to the public. Details are as follows:

Prescription & OTC Medication Drop Off
Saturday, June 15
10 am - 1 pm
IU Health West Hospital, Main Entrance

Join us for a fascinating Week One at West seminar featuring Thomas A. Ambrose, II, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Indiana University Health West Hospital, practicing with IU Health Physicians - Orthopedics. Dr. Ambrose will discuss the basics of hip and knee injury, pain management and innovative joint solutions.

Hip & Knee Pain
Week One at West

Wednesday, July 10
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Terrace Classroom at IU Health West Hospital

Call 317.217.3627 to reserve your spot today for Week One at West. A light lunch will be catered by the hospital's Garden Café.

“The best step you can take for disease prevention is by changing your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables,” says Tayyebeh Loghmani, certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian at IU Health West Hospital. “Buy fresh. Buy local. Buy in-season. After all, our bodies are made to need the fruits and veggies that are in season.”

Study after study link regular family meals to a whole score of benefits. What you put on the table counts too. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories, and provide essential nutrients and dietary fiber. Only 19 percent of Hoosiers eat five fruit and veggie servings a day. A good rule of thumb is to eat the rainbow...the more colors in your diet the better.

At farmer's markets, shoppers can find a large variety of produce and other products that are locally grown, fresh and affordably priced. Additionally, many local markets have a number of vendors offering organic meats and artisan cheeses, as well as unique gift items. As an added benefit, most local markets have fun activities planned for the entire family throughout the season.

When visiting the markets, be sure to look for the IU Health West tent. We invite you to stop by for free sunscreen, as well as valuable health and wellness information.

Brownsburg Farmers Market

Brownsburg Town Hall Lawn (61 N. Green St.)
June 6 – September 5
Thursdays, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Plainfield Chamber Farmers Market

Plainfield Friends Meeting Lawn (105 S. East Street)
June – September
Wednesdays, 4 pm – 7 pm

Danville Chamber Farmers Market

Historic Courthouse Square, Downtown Danville
May 11 – September 21
Saturdays, 8 am – Noon

Pittsboro Farmers Market

Scamahorn Park, Pittsboro
July & August
Saturdays, 9 am – 11 am

Thanks to new breakthrough technologies and our highly trained physicians, Indiana Health West Hospital offers treatment options for shoulder injuries that are less invasive and provide a quicker recovery.

This June, orthopedic surgeon Brian Badman, MD, will present two seminars on common causes of shoulder pain and the exciting new treatment options—including minimally invasive surgical techniques and leading-edge therapy—available for shoulder problems.

Details (and registration information) for these seminars are as follows:

Relieve Shoulder Pain

Wednesday, June 12
9:30 am – 10:30 am
* No RSVP needed

Location:
IU Health West Hospital
Terrace Classroom
1111 N. Ronald Reagan Pkwy.
Avon, IN 46168
 

The Aging Athlete

Thursday, June 27
7 pm - 8 pm
* RSVP by phone at 317.217.3627

Location:
Plainfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
651 Vestal Road
Plainfield, IN 46168
 

Indiana University Health West Hospital, together with the United Way of Central Indiana, has teamed up with the Avon Community School Corporation to offer “Kindergarten Countdown” for its third year. This free, four-week summer camp program helps equip children with the basic skills they need to succeed in school.

“Kindergarten is a fundamental stepping stone on the path toward education and literacy,” says Matt Bailey, president and CEO of IU Health West Hospital. “We know that good education is critical to good health and quality of life, and that the stronger the start for our youngest Hoosiers the better.”

The Kindergarten Countdown program offers campers initial exposure to classroom etiquette, such as raising a hand to talk and standing in line. It also provides an introduction to phonetic awareness, letter and number recognition, shapes, colors as well as other important social and behavioral skills. Camps are held in kindergarten classrooms at Maple Elementary and taught by experienced kindergarten teachers.

“Kindergarten readiness is very important. Reading to your child, practicing writing their name with a good pencil grip and coloring are many fun things that you can do with your child to help prepare them for kindergarten success,” says Maple Elementary kindergarten teacher and camp teacher Janet Craig.

IU Health West recognizes the importance education plays in the future of its organization and the strength of the community. Studies show early intervention has the potential to affect standardized test scores and improve a student’s chance at earning a college education. That’s why IU Health West employees have pledged more than 80 volunteer hours as “classroom buddies” during the camp’s four weeks. Classroom buddies help the camp teacher with basic classroom activities, such as reading and early literacy activities, art projects that help to develop fine-motor skills, and spending individual time with children who may need more assistance acclimating to the classroom.

Campers also receive age-appropriate books to add to their home library. IU Health West caregivers have donated new or gently used children’s books to be used during the program.

The two-mile paved trail system on the IU Health West campus is just one of twenty trails that thousands of IU Health employees worked to improve. IU Health West Hospital’s caregivers worked throughout the day to clear clearing trails of debris and brush from tree canopy, cleaned and repainted benches along trails and ponds and installed exercise equipment for users of the trail. Plans in the near future include enhancing signage on the new workout circuit and adding resources to make trails more pet friendly.

“We have always viewed our walking trails as a community asset to support fitness; and we’ve been thrilled to see both our employees and our neighbors use them regularly. The addition of our new exercise circuit will enhance that experience,” says Cathy Stoll, director of marketing and community outreach at IU Health West Hospital. “Studies show an increase in muscle mass can contribute to a reduction of insulin resistance and prediabetes. Now folks will be able to build important muscle group—such as abs and arms—using this simple, easy-to-use outdoor equipment while getting in their walking or running cardiovascular workout.”

Last year, IU Health employees statewide helped build 25 panels for Habitat for Humanity during the 2012 Day of Service. This annual service project is put on by “Strength That Cares,” IU Health’s system-wide employee-volunteer program, which numbers more than 10,000 members.

The second annual Kindergarten, Here I Come! event was an amazing opportunity for kindergarten-age children and parents from all Avon elementary schools (or anyone with general questions about the kindergarten experience) to come together. Kids had the opportunity to do some fun crafts, enjoy story time with a librarian, sign up for library cards and even practice those skills they'll need to have in kindergarten, but that we so often take for granted...like opening cartons of milk or bags of apples, carrots and pretzels.

Parents (and their soon-to-be kindergarteners) even had the chance to sit down with two kindergarten teachers from Avon schools, ask them any questions they had on the brain and get some helpful tips to help them prepare for school.

A fun time was had by all--including volunteer caregivers from IU Health West Hospital. And, this was a great opportunity to buid excitement for IU Health West Hospital's Kindergarten Countdown camp, which kicks off in early June, and provides an opportunity for those children who will start kindergarten this fall, but may need a little extra support learning skills to prepare them for the classroom. Kindergarten Countdown is a partnership between IU Health West Hospital, Avon Community Schools and the United Way of Central Indiana.

• Step up to the “Asking Booth” - Ask a real kindergarten teacher anything you want about what it’s like to go to school and what you’ll do there.  Parents---find out what you need to bring to kindergarten registration in May and how to prepare your child. 
• Enjoy story time with books about everything from riding the school bus to going to school and meeting new friends. 
• Get a library card and check out your very own book!
• Make a bookmark!
• Practice big-kid cafeteria skills such as opening milk cartons and healthy snack packages solo!

No RSVP required – just drop in!

Avon families please note: this event does not include kindergarten assessment and registration. Assessment and registration will occur May 10 at your child’s school.

Kindergarten Here I Come! details:

Saturday, April 27
10 am - 1 pm
Avon-Washington Township Library
498 N. SR 267, Avon

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every three minutes.

"Stroke and cardiovascular disease can affect a person’s everyday life and even result in death, "says James Fesenmeier, MD, neurologist with IU Health Physicians at Indiana University Health West Hospital. "However, stroke is a highly preventable disease. Key prevention steps that everyone should consider include controlling high blood pressure, controlling high cholesterol, not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. Preventing diabetes or controlling diabetes as much as possible if it develops is also important. Beyond that, knowing the signs of a stroke can save lives and improve outcomes if someone you love does suffer from a stroke.”

The National Stroke Association estimates that 795,000 American’s will suffer a stroke this year, yet most people in the US cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors. Many strokes—some studies indicating up to 80 percent—can be prevented through risk factor management.

Recognizing the symptoms and acting FAST to get medical attention can save lives and limit disabilities:

Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms? Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Can the person repeat a simple phrase? Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!

In Hendricks County alone, there are nearly 80 reported cases of strokes each year. Even one case is too many of this preventable condition. To honor National Stroke Awareness month this May, IU Health West Hospital is offering two FREE opportunities to learn more about stroke risk factor management and how to recognize and respond to the warning signs by acting FAST.

Wednesday, May 1
Week One at West
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
IU Health West Hospital - Terrace Classroom
James Fesenmeier, MD, will speak. Call 217.3627 to reserve your spot

Get Strong
Thursday, May 30
7 pm - 8 pm
Plainfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
Call 217-3627 to reserve your spot for this educational program.

A new procedure, called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), involves inserting a needle through the abdomen and into the fibroid. Electrical current runs through and destroys it.

This is a technique that has been used for some time for individual tumors, such as in the liver. However, using UFE for fibroids was FDA approved just a few months ago.

On Thursday, April 25, IU Health West will host a free presentation on Uterine Fibroids from 7 pm to 8 pm at the Plainfield Recreation & Aquatics Center (651 Vestal Rd). The presentation will feature American Health Network OB/Gyn, Robert Grondahl, MD, and Robert King, MD, an interventional radiologist at IU Health West Hospital. The presentation will focus on uterine fibroid basics, causes and symptoms, as well the latest treatment options including Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).

This monthly health education seminar is free and open to the public. Those interested should call 317.217.3627 to make a reservation. Light refreshments will be provided by the IU Health West Garden Café.