Spectrum Health Lakeland: Upcoming Wellness Events

Bones in Balance Classes Helps Individuals with Osteoporosis

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, and nurse educator.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from April 2 to 25 and be held at 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150

Learn to Live Well with Heart Failure

(ST. JOSEPH) – Spectrum Health Lakeland will offer “Living Well with Heart Failure,” a free class for community members about congestive heart failure (CHF), a chronic condition characterized by the heart’s inability to meet the blood flow needs of the body. The program will take place on Tuesday, April 2, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

Participants will learn to identify common causes and symptoms of heart failure, as well as new daily routines that can dramatically improve one’s quality of life. Preregistration for the class is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Bariatric Surgeons to Discuss Weight Loss Options

(ST. JOSEPH) – The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, April 3 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 41 N. St. Joseph Avenue in Niles. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 17 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Michael Schuhknecht, DO, and Seth Miller, MD, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan through bariatric surgery, diet and nutrition counseling, and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40% overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as 5-15% of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit www.lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events  or call (269) 927-5361

Free Pre-Diabetes Class in Watervliet

(ST. JOSEPH) – Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, April 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868

Community CPR Class Offered at Lakeland

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend a free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 in the Community Room at Orchards Mall, located at 1800 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrests are more common than most people realize. Nearly 383,000 cardiac arrests occur annually outside the hospital setting, and four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home. According to the American Heart Association, effective CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

This course is for anyone 16 years of age or older with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements. Participants will earn a two-year certification for HeartSaver® CPR AED from the American Heart Association. Preregistration is required, call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544

Sleep Specialist to Discuss New Treatment for Sleep Apnea

(SOUTH HAVEN) – Community members are invited to join board-certified sleep specialist, Dennis Thompson, MD, for a free educational seminar titled, “Get the Restful Night’s Sleep You’ve Been Missing.” The seminar will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at Baymont Inn and Suites, located at 1555 Phoenix Street in South Haven. During the seminar, Dr. Thompson will discuss new approaches to treating obstructive sleep apnea, including a breakthrough technology called upper airway stimulation.

“If you find yourself waking in the morning feeling fatigued or going through your day restless and irritable, you may suffer from sleep apnea — a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep,” said Dr. Thompson. “This is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that if left untreated can result in other health complications such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.”

Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call (269) 927-5361 or visit www.lakelandent.com/sleepseminar

About Spectrum Health Lakeland
Spectrum Health Lakeland is a non-profit, community-owned health system serving southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. We offer a full continuum of care and wellness services including three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, and 41 physician practices. Lakeland is a division of Spectrum Health with 30,000 compassionate professionals, 4,100 medical staff experts, 3,200 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Lakeland was named a 100 Top Hospital® by IBM Watson HealthTM in 2019.