Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is hosting a free Women鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his event is about empowering women with knowledge, resources and practical steps they can take to improve their health,鈥 Marc Augsburger, president and CEO of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to bring together our clinical experts to support women in our community.鈥
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.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e sedentary, you鈥檙e at a higher risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia, vs. if you鈥檙e an active younger or older adult,鈥 Main said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter if you were a high school jock. If you become the couch potato, your bone models itself after that.鈥
Routine mammographies, Main added, can help mitigate breast cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer death among women.
鈥淲hen diagnosed early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99%,鈥 Main said. 鈥淓arly detection is the best prevention.鈥
Angie Hagen and Kelsey Olson, who work in Edgerton Hospital and Health Services鈥 physical therapy department, will be speaking on balance, strength and functional wellness at the event.
鈥淭here are differences in the recommendations for men and women,鈥 Olson said. 鈥淲omen have higher rates of osteoporosis, so we鈥檒l be talking about prevention and the role exercise can have.鈥
Hagen, a registered occupational therapist and clinical laboratory technician, will weigh in on such topics as incontinence, and how it can be addressed.
鈥淭hat is also a big issue for women, especially over the age of 60,鈥 Hagen said. 鈥淚t is not necessarily a normal part of aging. We鈥檙e going to touch on the different types of incontinence and what types of exercises you can do.鈥
Olson is in the process of attaining her certification in women鈥檚 pelvic health and will be speaking to the topic, among others, at the event. Olson鈥檚 forthcoming credential will enhance the level of services offered at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be able to treat patients who are prenatal, postpartum and anyone who suffers from incontinence and pelvic pain,鈥 Olson said. 鈥淭hat will be coming in June.鈥
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鈥 Senior Life Solutions program, will be speaking on such issues as 鈥渋nvisible labor,鈥 a term that correlates to unpaid work.
鈥淲omen are more likely to do a lot of things to keep a family up and running 鈥 whether that means time management, managing responsibilities with kids, caregiving for an older family member or, perhaps, managing appointments,鈥 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.
鈥淥nce it starts to impact your functioning, that鈥檚 when it might be time to talk to a mental health professional,鈥 Wolf said.
Other presenters at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services鈥 Women鈥檚 Health Month event include Dr. Binita Chandran, a family medicine physician, who will touch on such issues as women鈥檚 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 women鈥檚 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.