Posts By Author: Kelly Friar (Orze)

With homework and extracurriculars piling up, physical activity can fall by the wayside. But even small changes can make a big difference. Keeping a log of how your family spends time for one week can help you identify routines and areas where physical activity can be added. You can start small by adding two 30- minute slots per week where the family can be active together. This does not mean the whole family needs to train as athletes....

As backpacks are packed and buses begin to roll, the back-to-school season brings more than just sharpened pencils and new schedules. It is also a prime opportunity for families to reset and refocus on healthy habits. Eating right, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time are a few ways that parents can encourage healthy habits and set their children up for success in school....

September is Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis is the #1 cause of death in hospitals and the #1 cost of hospitalization in the U.S., consuming more than $53 billion in in-hospital costs each year. Woodlawn Health has worked hard to develop evidence-based protocols to recognize and treat sepsis quickly....

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the critical role vaccines play in safeguarding our health and the well-being of our communities. Whether you are a parent, healthcare provider, educator, or simply a concerned citizen, this month is a reminder that staying up to date on vaccinations is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone....

Bladder control problems are conditions in which a person has difficulty with holding and releasing urine. The most common type of bladder control problems is urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is defined as accidental loss or leaking of urine. There are many different types of urinary incontinence. Two common types include stress incontinence in which leakage occurs with coughing, sneezing, or other physical activity and urge incontinence in which a strong urge occurs and urine leaks before getting to the toilet....

As the director of the OB unit at your local rural community hospital, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some of life’s most beautiful moments—newborns taking their first breath, families coming together in joy, and mothers beginning the incredible journey of feeding their babies. With around 170 deliveries a year, we may be a small unit, but our commitment to supporting our families is anything but small. One of the most important parts of newborn care we talk about with...

Woodlawn is under construction. I know you cannot see the cranes or dump trucks pulling into the parking lot, but we are currently undergoing digital redesign as part of our transition to new MyChart and Epic systems. We are excited about all the features that will become available to our community and staff. The new portal will allow you to view lab results and chat with your doctor or nurse practitioner. Here at Woodlawn, our community and earning the right...

My mother gave me a paperback copy of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula as a high schooler. Initially skeptical, but it quickly became one of my favorite novels. The Gothic horror novel was published in 1897 and follows the adventures of vampire hunters traveling across Europe to destroy Count Dracula. One plotline in the story is about Lucy Westenra, who falls victim to Count Dracula. Lucy is given several transfusions of blood to save her life....

Just like skin is the body’s largest organ and protector, your heart is the powerhouse, pumping blood and oxygen to fuel your body. Taking care of it is essential for a long and healthy life. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but it’s also one of the most preventable. Small, proactive steps can make a significant difference in keeping your heart healthy....

Woodlawn Health is rolling out a new electronic medical record (EMR) system aimed at improving communication, streamlining care coordination, and empowering patients to take a more active role in their healthcare. Central to this transition is the introduction of the MyChart patient portal, which will serve as the primary digital interface between patients and their care teams....