Mercy Foundation is pleased to announce its date and location for the 2012 Charity Ball event to benefit the House of Mercy Homeless Center.

The event will be held Saturday, May 19, at the Janesville Country Club, 2615 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville. The prestigious, black-tie invited evening will begin at 5 pm with a social hour, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, followed by a gourmet dinner, music and a live and silent auction.

The House of Mercy is a 25-bed homeless center that provides homeless families with short-term emergency shelter and access to housing, job placement and child care resources. Almost every day, the Center’s 25 -bed capacity is filled–but with the generous support of our community, the doors to the House of Mercy will continue to remain open, helping those in need. Approximately $150,000 is needed to keep the House of Mercy operational each year. The donations received from the community and business members alike, help the House of Mercy Homeless Center address the root causes of homelessness in our area.

If you are interested in volunteering at the House of Mercy, please call Shirley Van Horn, House of Mercy manager, at (608) 754-0045.

For more information regarding the 2012 Charity Ball event, please contact Kristin Larson, Mercy Foundation Coordinator, at (608) 741-2422 or email klarson@mhsjvl.org.

The National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) recently announced Mercy Health System as one of the NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies for Executive Women. The list recognizes organizations whose policies and practices encourage women’s advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment.

The new report, conducted by the Working Mother Research Institute, finds that women hold 27 percent of all board of director seats at the NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies, compared with 16 percent across the Fortune 500.

“We are very honored to be listed among the top companies for executive women,” says Javon R. Bea, president and CEO of Mercy Health System. “We have an outstanding leadership team and I’m proud they do whatever it takes to continuously improve the care patients receive.”

The NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies lead corporate America in recruiting, retaining and advancing women. Some other findings from this year’s research include:

• Women represent 74 percent of employees of these companies on average
• All NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies offer management or leadership training to women
• One hundred percent of the NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies have programs to identify and resolve wage-gap grievances

“It is an honor to have received this recognition and is a tribute to the outstanding team throughout all levels of our organization that have a true passion for what they do,” said Barb Bortner, vice president of marketing and public relations for Mercy Health System. “Our executive team members continue to advance themselves so that together we can provide the best treatments available to our neighbors and friends–they truly care about our community’s health and well-being.”

For more information about Mercy, visit MercyHealthSystem.org.

Eating healthy can be a problem for some people. Our fast-paced world doesn’t always allow for people to sit down and enjoy a nice, balanced meal. While it may be easier to grab a burger and go, taking an extra couple of minutes to eat an apple or a banana makes all the difference.

A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to lifelong good health. People simply don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables to be living a healthy, well-balanced life. The average person is supposed to eat (depending on their age, height and weight) anywhere from one-half to two cups of fruit and veggies a day.

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that can help protect you from chronic diseases. When compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts are likely to have reduced risks for strokes, some heart diseases, and certain cancers.

To get a healthy variety in your vegetables and fruits, think color. While it may sound a bit unrealistic, eating different-colored fruits and veggies will offer your body a wide range of nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium and vitamins A and C. Some examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, yellow corn, plums, watermelon, blueberries and white onions.

Another important part of a healthy diet is finding ways to factor fruit and vegetables into your regular day. Why not throw a chopped-up banana into your breakfast cereal or maybe eat an apple instead of gulping down a coffee or energy drink?

Getting kids to eat their vegetables can also be an issue, but it’s an important one. Try a large series of different fruits and vegetables with your kids and find out which ones they do and don’t like.

You can make fruits and veggies fun, too. Try putting peanut butter and raisins on celery to make “ants on a log.” Spread nut butter on apple slices. You can even find inventive ways to hide vegetables in your kid’s food, such as putting finely chopped broccoli or cauliflower into meats, mashed potatoes or other dishes.

So, the next time you reach for a Twinkie or a greasy burger, remember that you could just as easily replace those with some grapes, a carrot or an apple. All you have to do it motivate yourself to change your habits.

These tips come from the comprehensive government website, fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov. With summer and farmers markets just around the corner, now is the perfect time to visit the website to learn more about common and exotic produce, its benefits, recipes, meal suggestions and much more.

For more information, visit MercyHealthSystem.org.

Monica Freeman, AuD

What factors keep patients with hearing loss from obtaining hearing aids? The reasons may include cost, cosmetics, difficulty handling a hearing aid, and hearing about or having negative experiences. All of these reasons are valid, but let’s take a closer look behind the scenes and put things in perspective.

What makes hearing aids so expensive? The saying, “you get what you pay for” holds true for the most part with regards to hearing aids as well. Most health insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aids. What you are paying for is both the product and your professional’s time. The cost usually includes the hearing aid selection process, which in itself includes a discussion about your listening needs and challenges. The cost also includes the product itself, and the fitting of it, as well as follow-up visits. That is a lot of time spent with the professional fitting the aids, and time is a valued product with a price tag.

Hearing aids come in various sizes and colors. Physical and mental ability should be considered when choosing hearing aid size and user controls. With today’s technology, the hearing aids can accommodate different listening environments automatically. So, a volume control wheel is not necessary.

However, even with the best technology, it is important to maintain realistic expectations. While hearing aids make sounds easier to hear, they will not restore normal hearing. Hearing aids re-introduce you to a world of sound, and it takes time to become accustomed to the new sounds. Some people adjust quickly, others take longer. Your hearing professional will discuss communication strategies, and hearing assistive technologies to alleviate difficulties in these situations.

Hearing about or having a negative hearing aid experience is, of course, unfortunate. The training and experience of the professional fitting you can affect your experience, including how effectively you and they communicate. There are good and not so good audiologists and hearing aids dispensers, just as there are good and not so good doctors, engineers, musicians … you get the picture.

An audiologist and hearing aid dispenser are the professionals who fit hearing aids. The minimum degree for an audiologist is a master’s degree and/or a doctorate. A hearing aid dispenser has a minimum of a high school degree. Both professionals are licensed by their state to dispense hearing aids. The professional you work with is as much or more important than the product, since there is much instruction, and customization that entail a fitting. Ask your health care provider as well as friends for recommendations and find a professional you are comfortable with.

Hearing loss treated with hearing aids has been shown to decrease fatigue, irritability, and risk to personal safety, and withdrawal from social situations. Further, in many research studies, hearing aid use has been shown to increase the wearer’s quality of life. It is not easy to put a price tag on quality of life, but keep in mind that we humans are social in nature and usually use verbal communication to stay connected to each other.

As a review, ask yourself the following questions:

• What sounds am I missing? (speech, environmental sounds)
• How is my hearing loss affecting my quality of life?
• What are my options of amplification? (hearing aids, assistive listening devices)
• What are my expectations of hearing aids? (realistic)
• What am I willing to spend?
• What do I get for the money? (hearing aid selection, product, fitting, follow-up, warranty, counseling)
• Who do I get for the money? (audiologist, hearing aid specialist)
• Do I feel comfortable with and trust the professional I will be working with?

Are hearing aids worth it? Your local audiologist can help you make an educated decision.

Monica Freeman, AuD, is a doctor of audiology at Mercy Clinic East, 3524 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville, WI, and Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center, Hwys. 50 and 67, Lake Geneva, WI. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call Mercy Clinic East at (608) 756-7100 or Mercy Walworth at (262) 245-0535.

Since February marks American Heart Month, we’ve organized several free or low-cost screenings and educational learning events for you and your family to take advantage of.

Take care of your heart with a special Valentine’s Day gift by scheduling your full cholesterol screening on February 14. The screenings are from 8 am-noon and are only $10.

This full lipid (cholesterol) screening measures your four blood cholesterol levels: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

Call today for your appointment at (608) 897-8664.

For a listing of our other free or low-cost community heart screenings and talks, visit heart.mercyhealthsystem.org.

Mercy Health System is pleased to announce a new service to reduce long waits for emergency care and urgent care called InQuicker. Beginning February 6, patients with minor emergencies and/or urgent care needs can wait at home instead of the hospital by registering online.

Five Mercy emergency departments and urgent cares now provide this service:

Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center

1000 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville

Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center Emergency North

3400 Deerfield Dr., Janesville

Mercy Clinic North Urgent Care

2400 Deerfield Dr., Janesville

Mercy Clinic East Urgent Care

3524 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville

Mercy Mall Urgent Care

1010 N. Washington St., Janesville

How InQuicker works:

• Log on to MercyInQuicker.org
• Select a projected treatment time
• Fill out a simple form
• Wait at home until it’s time to go

“Nationally, 9 out of 10 InQuicker users are seen within 15 minutes of their projected treatment times,” said Glenn Milos, regional medical director of emergency services at Mercy Health System. “InQuicker empowers patients by allowing them to have a degree of assurance for when they will be seen by a health care professional and avoiding a long wait in the waiting room.”

InQuicker is not intended for people with a life- or limb-threatening medical condition. These patients are prompted to dial 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

Connect with us at MercyPulse.org

More than 60 percent of Americans don’t get regular exercise. Besides the long-term benefits of exercise, such as, controlling weight and reducing risks of certain diseases; exercise helps people to think and move better, manage stress and improve their mood in addition to boosting energy. Here are 14 ways to make regular exercise work for you:

1) Know that one of the biggest challenges for people is to be physically active.

2) Use the buddy system – find a partner to exercise with and hold each other accountable.

3) Make exercise fun! If you don’t like the gym, walk outside, play a sport, or find a group fitness class.

4) Schedule exercise just like you would any other appointment.

5) Start small – Try walking or running for 15 minutes and add 1 minute each time. Set a goal of 45-60 minutes.

6) Measure your fitness – track the number of push-ups, squats, or speed you can run.

7) Exercise can energize – the next time you think you are too tired to exercise, give it a try anyway.  Chances are you will feel much better when you are finished.

Always start your exercise with a warm-up. You should do slow, aerobic activity (i.e. walking) for 5 minutes. Don’t be afraid to mix up your exercise routine. Try a new piece of equipment, try a new group fitness class or incorporate strength training.

9) Log your exercise every day. This will help keep you accountable and make you feel great when you can see your progress.

10) Prepare for your workout the night before by packing a gym bag, picking out workout clothes or setting out shoes.

11) Set weekly or monthly goals. For example, set a goal to do 180 minutes of exercise this week (3 hours total). It doesn’t matter when or how you fit the minutes in, as long as you get 180!

12) Reward yourself! If you have met weekly or monthly goals, get a massage or buy new workout clothes.

13) Rent an exercise DVD from the library.

14) Drink plenty of water throughout the day and during your workout session. This will help keep you hydrated and give you energy.

Easy access to community events online!

For a listing of our free community heart screenings and heart talks, please visit Mercyhealthsystem.org/heart.

Your environment, lifestyle and eating habits all contribute to your overall health. Making good food choices every day will add up over time to keep your body well nourished and at healthy weight. Here is a heart healthy recipe for you to share with the entire family:

Fish with Honey–Dijon Glaze

Serves 4: 3 ounces of fish per serving

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

4 halibut, salmon or swordfish fillets (about 4 ounces each), rinsed and patted dry

2 teaspoons canola or corn oil

In a shallow dish, stir together the honey, mustard, thyme and cayenne. Dip one piece of fish in the mixture, turning to coat. Transfer to a large plate. Repeat with the remaining fish.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until it flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Nutrients per serving:

Calories 166, total fat 4.5 g, saturated fat .5 g, trans fat 0.0 g, cholesterol 56 mg, sodium 231 mg, carbohydrates 10 g, protein 22 g

Courtesy of the American Heart Association, Recipes for the Heart

For more information on eating well, visit heart.org/nutrition.

Do you wear progressive lenses? Now’s the time to improve your view with Mercy Vision Centers’ new Autograph lens and frame discount from now until February 29, 2012.

Progressive lenses are often prescribed for people who are having trouble reading fine print with regular glasses, progressive lenses offer a younger-looking appearance and other advantages over the lined bifocal lenses.

From now until February 29, buy a complete pair of glasses with Autograph II no-line progressive lenses and get a FREE pair of Autograph II OfficeTM computer lenses.

PLUS, buy any frame and save 25% on your second frame.

Autograph lenses can be fitted to your current frames, but only new frames are warranted. Lens and frame offers end Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon or insurance.

What are Autograph II progressive lenses:

Autograph II general purpose lenses virtually eliminate un- wanted astigmatism, plus you’ll adapt to them quickly.

Autograph II OfficeTM lenses are ideal for computer users and hobbyists who do prolonged near and intermediate viewing in small environments.

Offer good at Mercy Vision Centers in Janesville and Lake Geneva. For more information, call (608) 741-6794.

Mercy Health System invites you to its Family Health Festival from 10 am to 2 pm January 21 at the newly renovated and expanded Mercy Clinic East, 3524 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville. The day’s activities include:

Exclusive behind-the-scene tours at the new facility to see all of the services available such as a new physical and sports medicine therapy gym with a SwimEx pool, renovated consultation and procedure rooms, spacious lobby, pharmacy, vision center, radiology, pediatrics, family medicine, dermatology, orthopedic surgery and ENT services.

Along the tour, meet our medical professionals and ask questions.

Come see the artwork of local students from Mercy’s Healthy Lives. Healthy Family. contest last year. Over 250 tiles of their artwork are now displayed in the newly renovated pediatric area of Mercy Clinic East.

All kids can meet and get a photo taken with StreetSmart, Mercy’s safety superhero, win prizes on the Wheel of Health, build a spinal column and much more!

Also, visit information booths including specialty services, MercyCare Health Plans and Mercy Options Autism program.

Free screenings for adults include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, BMI measurements and 10-minute skin cancer checks screenings. Appointments are required and only available 11 am to 1 pm for the skin cancer screenings, and can be made by calling (608) 756-6100. Kids’ screenings include growth measurements and general fitness testing.

For more information about Mercy’s public open house event, visit MercyHealthSystem.org or find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/mercyhealthsystem and click on “events.”

Mercy Health System partners with the Janesville Police Department offers a monthly self-defense program, called S.A.F.E., for women. The next session is Tuesday, January 24, from 5-7 pm, at the Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center, 1000 Mineral Point Ave. in Janesville. This two-hour class taught by Janesville police officers educates women on how to protect themselves from crime and introduces physical training methods.

“The class taught me the fundamentals of how to protect myself in any given situation,” says last year’s participant. “You will learn how to successfully fight their way out of a dangerous situation and more importantly, the parts of your body that make the best weapons.”

Cost of the class is $5. For more information or to register, please call Mercy HealthLine at (608) 756-6100 or (888) 39-MERCY.

Mercy Foundation and Applebee’s® at 3024 Milton Ave. in Janesville invite you to its Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast to support Mercy Hospice Care, January 14, from 8-10 am. Breakfast tickets are $5 each and include pancakes, bacon and a beverage.

“Each year, it seems the need for financial support get greater,” said Nancy Bracken, director of Mercy Hospice Care and Mercy Home Health Care. “It’s through the generosity of our community that we are able to provide support for our patients and their families at a very vulnerable time in their lives.”

Proceeds will benefit hospice patients at Mercy Hospice Care in Janesville.

For more information about the event or services provided at Mercy Hospice Care, please call (608) 756-3559.

Mercy Health System invites the community to an open house for its new Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center Emergency North and Mercy Clinic North from 11 am-2 pm, January 7 at 3400 Deerfield Drive in Janesville, behind Home Depot.

Guests will learn about the continuum of health care services available at the new location while enjoying free activities for all ages. Activities include: tours of the new emergency department and clinic, snacks, free children’s activity area, giveaways and drawings.

Services starting January 9 are 24/7 emergency care, urgent care and radiology. Services starting January 16 are gynecology, pediatrics and family medicine.

For more information about the new Mercy North Campus or its community open house, visit our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/mercyhealthsystem and click on “events.”

You inspire all of us at Mercy Health System to give everything we can to make sure you and your family get the very best care. We wish you a very happy, healthy and joyous New Year!

Many Mercy Health System clinics and locations will be closed or have limited hours around the holidays, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Please call your clinic directly to obtain hours or call Mercy HealthLine at (888) 39-MERCY.

Holiday hours for Mercy Health System emergency rooms, urgent care clinics and immediate care centers are:

Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center, Emergency Department

1000 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville • (608) 756-6611

Open 24/7

Mercy Walworth Hospital, Emergency Department

Hwys. 50 and 67, Lake Geneva • (262) 245-2230

Open 24/7

Mercy Harvard Hospital, Emergency Department

901Grant St., Harvard • (815) 943-5431

Open 24/7

Mercy Health System Urgent Care and Immediate Care Centers

Mercy Clinic East Urgent Care • 3524 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville, (608) 756-8484

December 31: 9 am-12 pm

January 1: CLOSED

Mercy Beloit Urgent Care • 2825 Prairie Ave., (608) 363-5500

December 31: 8 am-1 pm

January 1: CLOSED

Mercy Clinic South • 849 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, (608) 755-7960

December 31: CLOSED

January 1 and 2: CLOSED

Mercy Mall Urgent Care • 1010 N. Washington St., Janesville, (608) 741-3800

December 31: 9 am-9 pm

January 1: 9 am-9 pm

Mercy Walworth Hospital Urgent Care • Hwys. 50 and 67, Lake Geneva, (262) 245-2230

December 31: 9 am-1 pm

January 1: CLOSED

Mercy Whitewater Urgent Care • 507 W. Main St., (262) 473-0401

December 31: 9 am-12 pm

January 1 and 2: CLOSED

Mercy McHenry Immediate Care •3922 Mercy Dr., (815) 578-2020

December 31: 8 am-4 pm

January 1: 8 am-4 pm

Mercy Woodstock Immediate Care • 2000 Lake Ave., (815) 337-1544

December 31: 8 am-4 pm

January 1:  8 am-4 pm

Visit us online at MercyHealthSystem.org

Since the need for food, clothing and other donations for local charities and organizations continues to increase, Mercy employees walked donated turkeys and non-perishable food items to benefit those in need. On December 15, employees walked nearly 1,500 pounds of food (on foot) from Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center on Mineral Point Avenue to the ECHO Food Pantry office on South High Street in Janesville.

Last year, Mercy collected 1,034 pounds of food for those in need. This year, we’ve nearly doubled that amount. Mercy’s November 19 Mercy Family Festival food drive collected over 1,200 pounds of food. Nearly 800 pounds of food were already delivered to ECHO and the Salvation Army.

Food was collected for ECHO and the Salvation Army of Janesville.

“In these tough economic times, it is especially important to consider those who have the greatest needs,” said Javon R. Bea, President and CEO of Mercy. “There are people who are hungry and cold every day in the Rock County area. We are so happy to help in any way we can.”

To watch the video by Local Vision TV of Mercy employee holiday caravan, click HERE.

The Mercy Hospice Care Jingle Mingle event, held Wednesday, December 7, at The Armory in Janesville, and related fundraising activities, exceeded lasts years amount, raising over $58,000 to benefit Mercy Hospice Care. The event hosted 277 Jingle Minglers who enjoyed great music, delicious food and drinks, raffle prizes and holiday cheer.

Jennifer Johns of Milton (pictured above) won the grand prize of $5,000 cash. Jennifer is generously donating a portion of the cash back to Mercy Foundation. Becky Patterson of Janesville won first prize a catered New Years Eve party for 10 donated by Best Events complete with limo transportation for her guests to get to the party and back home, Jenny Dorr of Columbus won second prize a Green Bay Packer package for four. Jill West of Afton won the third prize of $1,000 cash. Sherri Stumpf won the diamond pendant donated by the Diamond Center in Janesville.

Mercy Health System thanks all who support Mercy Hospice Care. The generosity shown by the members of this community is an indication of the strong commitment to help families in need.

Monies raised will go to the Mercy Hospice Care patients and their families who cannot afford to pay for hospice care at the end of life.

For photos of the event, CLICK HERE. To watch interviews of guests at the Jingle Mingle 2011, CLICK HERE.

For more information, please call Kristin Larson, Mercy Foundation coordinator, at (608) 741-2422.

Did you know Mercy’s Vision Centers have the latest technology in HD progressive lenses, visual fatigue lenses, non-glare lenses and the thinnest lenses available on the market?

From now until the end of December, the Mercy Health Mall Vision Centers in Janesville are offering 30% off a complete pair of frames.

Offer excludes Silhouette brand frames and expires on December 31, 2011. No other discounts or insurance apply.

Mercy Mall Vision Center • 1010 N. Washington St. • (608) 741-6794

Mercy East Vision Center • 3524 E. Milwaukee St. • (608) 756-7110

For more information, talk to our certified opticians at the location nearest you or visit MercyEye.com