OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

A new FDA-approved blood test offers a less invasive colorectal screening option, especially for those at average risk.

Dr. Harishankar Gopakumar from OSF Medical Group explains how this test could boost screening rates!

Curious about how this new test works and what it means for you? Read the full article: http://osf.care/y1rE50SX4GQ

New FDA-approved blood test could boost screening for deadly colorectal cancer Key Takeaways:A newly FDA-approved blood test gives another option for people who, for whatever reason, won’t get a colonoscopy or use the stool...

Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer.

Early detection has never been more important, which is why we’re offering no-cost lung cancer screenings on August 20, right here in Peoria. Just bring your insurance card!

Here’s everything you need to know:
http://osf.care/5mQ450SEoKx

Today's features Hannah McHenry, a physical therapist, in our inpatient rehab unit at Transitional Care Hospital. Hannah has worked at OSF HealthCare for the last six years. She says her favorite part of the job is watching her patients progress and return home.

Join us in recognizing Hannah for all her hard work and dedication to our patients! Learn more about Transitional Care Hospital: http://osf.care/95UH50SRt3y

Not having access to snacks all day can make returning to school difficult for kids. Sending them with this sweet and salty treat might just make it better.

Try it today!

Ham 'n Pineapple Quesadilla

In 2005, Rick Otey was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Initially, he considered using radioactive seed implants, a common treatment that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the prostate gland. But as an expecting grandfather, Rick faced a tough decision. The radiation from the implants could prevent him from holding his grandbabies for six months.

Instead, Rick chose Proton Beam Therapy—a less invasive treatment that uses high-powered energy to target cancer more precisely. For nine weeks, he traveled from Tremont to Bloomington, Indiana, for this life-saving therapy.

Five years ago, Rick began a tradition of walking 230 miles over 17 days to raise awareness about Proton Beam Therapy.

Yesterday, the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute honored Rick with a special bell ringing ceremony, a moment he never got to experience during his treatment. Today, Rick is a dedicated volunteer at the Cancer Institute, continuing to inspire others with his journey. 💙

25News WEEK: https://ow.ly/Ub2Y50SV432

If you're student athlete is in need of a sports physical, OSF HealthCare Pekin Center for Health is hosting a walk-in sports physical clinic tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ⛹️‍♀️

🏃‍♂️🏀 Ensure your child is game-ready with a walk-in sports physical clinic tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the OSF HealthCare Pekin Center for Health located at 3422a Court Street.

A sports physical is essential to confirm your child is healthy and prepared for their favorite activities, whether it’s baseball, football, soccer or track. Sports physicals are just $35 (cash only). A receipt will be provided for insurance purposes. Walk-ins only. We hope to see you there! 😊

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Mark Getz.

Dr. Getz dedicated more than 30 years to OSF HealthCare, where he made a significant impact in the field of rheumatology. His extraordinary career touched the lives of countless patients and families. To honor his legacy, we remember his contributions and the lasting impressions he made.

Read his obituary here: http://osf.care/m0SI50SSnHQ

August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month!

The dedicated Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network team and OSF HealthCare volunteers hosted a registration booth yesterday, spreading awareness and sharing free cookies and fun swag items.

Join us in celebrating and supporting this vital cause all month long. Learn more about National Minority Donor Awareness Month: http://osf.care/6Lj050STMEn

Ready to make a difference? Join the registry today: http://osf.care/QRwF50STMEm

"You broke my heart" is not just a figure of speech but a condition brought on by physical or emotional trauma that weakens the heart muscle. Loss of a loved one, financial distress and physical violence can all lead to broken-heart syndrome, which can be as deadly as a heart attack.
http://osf.care/G7kt50SRxxO

We are thrilled to announce that Charlene Aaron, PhD, RN, president of OSF HealthCare colleges of nursing, has been recognized as one of Fierce Healthcare’s 2024 Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare! 🏆

Join us in celebrating Dr. Aaron’s remarkable achievements and her dedication to preparing future nursing leaders to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare field. 🌟

Read more about Dr. Aaron’s incredible journey and the significant milestones achieved under her leadership here: http://osf.care/JI5Y50SSb4X

We kindly ask patients needing routine blood draws to consider using one of our outpatient lab testing sites to reduce congestion and wait times at the hospital.

To help streamline visits and ensure a smooth experience, appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just give us a call at (309) 683-4939 or toll-free at (888) 627-5673 to schedule your testing!

Find a location near you:

System Laboratory - Collection Centers For convenience and easy access, patients are asked to schedule their testing Mon-Fri 7am-6pm by calling (309) 683-4939 or toll-free at (888)...

"I know as a mother, I feel very blessed to have had both Dr. Jose Ramirez-Gomez and Dr. Andrew Michalowitz as my son's orthopedic surgery team. Dr. Ramirez-Gomez spent as much time as I needed, answering every single silly question I asked. He came up to see me in my son's inpatient room after the surgery even though he had other surgeries to perform. He came back that evening to check on my son and came back again the next morning. I am so impressed, I could just cry. Thank you." - OSF Grateful Patient

Meet our team: http://osf.care/6Fbo50SRBio

Save the date!

On Tuesday, August 20, between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. we’re offering no-cost, walk-in cancer screenings at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. Just bring your insurance card!

We’ll be screening for the following cancers:

➡️ Skin
➡️ Oral
➡️ Breast
➡️ Lung
➡️ Colon

Learn more about this event:

Sign up for OSF HealthCare Cancer Screening Event August 20 2024, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.. Cost: $0

Join us in celebrating Mary Gschwend, a clinical laboratory scientist in the Chemistry department, who will retire this month after a remarkable 47-year career at OSF HealthCare.

Mary started as a phlebotomist right after high school and worked full-time while advancing to become a clinical laboratory scientist. Her energy and commitment to our Mission have been an inspiration to all.

In retirement, Mary looks forward to spending time with her family and grandchildren and singing in the OSF Alumni Choir.

Her colleagues in the lab will host a retirement reception for her later this week. We wish Mary all the best in her retirement! 🎉

An early congratulations to Bob Anderson, our central region chief executive officer, who has announced he will retire on January 3.

Bob's journey with OSF HealthCare began in 1980 as a Clinical Laboratory Science student. He advanced through leadership roles, including director of lab services, chief operating officer, president of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and finally, chief executive officer of the central region since 2022.

Bob has been instrumental in the design and construction of key projects such as the OSF system lab building, OSF Center for Health – Knoxville Ave., the behavioral health ambulatory building, the Learning Academy, and the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, which opened in early 2024.

Thank you, Bob, for your outstanding leadership and dedication to OSF HealthCare over the years! 🎉🎉

Read more: http://osf.care/lckc50SQklq

Watch the story: http://osf.care/mISy50SQkqA

When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.

Join us on August 20, between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for a no-cost skin cancer screening at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute.

No appointment is necessary. Just bring your insurance card!

For more information, please visit:
http://osf.care/Q5kp50SEnQi

Got a rash? Get treatment in a flash.
OSF OnCall Urgent Care: in person or virtual, we’re always there!
Walk in for care from 8 to 8 every day.
Feel better today!
http://osf.care/wQA250SNaTy

Last night, we were proud to be part of a major milestone for innovation and entrepreneurship in our community with the official ribbon cutting of Distillery Labs' new innovation hub! 🏢✨

Located in the heart of downtown Peoria, Distillery Labs is poised to become a pivotal resource for startup founders and small businesses in the Greater Peoria area. This dynamic space will offer co-working areas, mentorship programs, networking events and access to crucial business tools, all designed to help entrepreneurs learn, connect and thrive.

Distillery Labs, launched in 2019 with a $10 million grant from the Illinois Innovation Network. It is the first of several hubs planned to open across Illinois, including locations in Chicago and Champaign-Urbana. Learn more: https://ow.ly/M25650SOxCR

🎉 We are so grateful to share that the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute has received a generous $2 million gift from Polly Barton, a lifelong Peoria resident.

A dedication ceremony was held last week, naming the area after Polly and her late husband, Glen, who died in 2016 from cancer. The area containing the proton beam will now be known as the Glen and Polly Barton Beam thanks to their remarkable support!

In addition to the Barton Beam announcement, we are also pleased to welcome Dr. Huan Giap as the new medical director of Proton Therapy at the OSF Cancer Institute.

Read more here: http://osf.care/6EQv50SOpX2

Your appointment reminders now come with an added bonus - the option to save time ahead of your visit! Use eCheck-in with or without an OSF MyChart account to speed up the check-in process, all from the comfort of home. Don't have an OSF MyChart account? See how its features can benefit you. http://osf.care/HZNX50SNbWO

In this week's , we highlight our OSF OnCall Urgent Care team in Peoria for helping a mother and her child during an unexpected weekend illness.

"We decided to drive an hour to Urgent Care on Saturday, as most options near our rural town were closed. Sarah Dynes, PA, was wonderful not only with my son but also with us. Within 48 hours of starting the antibiotics, my toddler was back to his normal self and even attending daycare. Thank you, Sarah, for your compassion and for advocating for my son, who couldn't necessarily advocate for himself. We greatly appreciated you during our time of need!" – OSF Grateful Patient

Early detection is one of the most powerful tools for beating cancer.

Join us on Tuesday, August 20, between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for a no-cost cancer screening at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. No appointment is necessary. Just bring your insurance card!

Learn more:
http://osf.care/svqn50SEnIf

In this week's , we spotlight Madison Silverthorn, an occupational therapist at Transitional Care Hospital.

Madison has been with OSF HealthCare for over a year, helping others regain independence in their daily living skills.

Join us in recognizing Madison for all her hard work and dedication to our patients! Learn more about Transitional Care Hospital: http://osf.care/qwQ650SMFmP

Need a doctor? Not sure where to go for care? Need to take care of a bill?

Your personal assistant, Clare, is right at your fingertips. Our chatbot can help you find what you need fast. Try it today. http://osf.care/BWaI50SCAEf

You may wonder why your care team asks you questions at (or before) your appointment that you didn’t expect, like, “Stress is when someone feels tense, nervous, anxious, or can’t sleep at night because their mind is troubled. How stressed are you?”

This is because we care about you, and we know that your overall health is about more than just your heart rate and blood pressure, it’s also about the external factors that influence it. By getting a better understanding of your life, we can help to address different things that may be impacting your well-being, like your stress levels and mental health.

Learn more: http://osf.care/2z6a50SLlqA

We were proud to be a part of the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation’s seventh annual Mission of Mercy event in June at the Peoria Civic Center!

More than 1,000 dedicated volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants from OSF’s dental residency program, provided critical dental services valued at over $1.6 million at no cost to patients.

More than 1,306 patients received treatment, with participants traveling from more than 55 counties and three states. The first day of the event featured a veteran-first initiative, where over 80 veterans received priority care as a gesture of gratitude for their service. 🦷

We had a great time at the Central Illinois Emergency Expo at the Shoppes of Grand Prairie last night! 📸 🚁

Our disaster preparedness team showcased our Mass Casualty Incident Trailer and Mobile Decontamination Trailer, complete with showers.

The highlight of the evening was our OSF Life Flight team, who flew in our helicopter, giving families an up-close look at this lifesaving resource. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more about our capabilities! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Discover the benefits of your favorite teas! From boosting immunity to aiding digestion, the healthiest teas have more to offer than you might think. Find out which teas to sip and why in our latest article. 🌿☕

Read more:

The Tea on the Healthiest Teas So, what’s the tea? You may have heard that tea is good for you, but when walking through the grocery aisle and being confronted by a barrage of...

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Miracle Treat Day is today! 🍨

For every Blizzard treat purchased at participating Dairy Queen locations, $1 or more will go to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals!