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My Heart Will Go On: Heart health

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

Celine Dion released the single My Heart Will Go On as part of the Titanic movie sound track in November of 1997.  The song hit the top of the charts in 25 countries and was the best-selling single in 1998.  The song dominated the 1999 Grammy Awards and won an Academy Award.  

Celine is known for her powerful voice with strong technical skills.  She recently has suspended all shows due to her developing a rare disease known as stiff-person syndrome.  It was announced in January of 2024 that Amazon MGM Studios will be releasing a documentary about this topic titled I Am: Celine Dion. 

Weekend Doctor: About multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System

A multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) is a living organism, bacteria, or fungi that has evolved and mutated to protect itself from medications that were once used to treat the infection they cause. MDROs can affect any person but are especially concerning for individuals in hospitals, long-term care facilities, group living facilities, those who are immunosuppressed or those who have chronic conditions. 

Healthcare providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerned about the spread of drug-resistant organisms. They estimate more than 2.8 million resistant infections occur in the U.S. According to a collaborative study with the CDC, the estimated cost to treat infections caused by only six MDROs is more than $4.6 billion annually.​ 

Good Vibrations: Bone Health

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

The Beach Boys released their hit Good Vibrations on October 10, 1966. The lyrics were written by Mike Love and the music was composed by Brian Wilson. The development of this song was groundbreaking. Segments of the song were recorded over 9 months in 4 different studios. The term pocket symphony was given to this style of recording. 

How would good vibrations improve one’s health?

In January 2024, the FDA cleared a new vibration belt for women who have lost some of their bone density. The belt is strategically placed on the hips and spine and provides a mechanical stimulation to the bones. 

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measure of minerals in our bones and gives an indication of bone thickness or density. The measurement is evaluating mineral composition of the bone, but calcium and phosphorus are the 2 common minerals found in the bone.

Weekend Doctor Column: Increased SIDS concerns

By Susan Grace, MD
Pediatric Hospitalist, Pediatric Hospitalists of Northwest Ohio

There has been a recent increase in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in our region. SIDS is the leading cause of death for children under the age of one. These losses are heartbreaking for the families and for communities. While not every infant death has a preventable cause, the majority of them are associated with risk factors, including unsafe sleep. As parents, there are things that can be done to decrease the risk of SIDS.  

An infant should always sleep alone, on their back, in a crib. It can be so tempting to snuggle our infants in bed while we sleep or to fall asleep on the couch with the infant on our chest. This is a recipe for disaster. As a pediatrician for over ten years, I have seen these scenarios turn into infant deaths many times. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing but never bed-sharing. The crib should be free of any pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, or loose bedding. These items may make the crib appear more appealing, but they are unnecessary for the baby and can be a means of suffocation.

Be Our Guest: Errors with spoons and medications

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

Be Our Guest was a song from the 1991 Disney film Beauty and the Beast. The song was performed by Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury) and Lemière (Jerry Orbach). During the song’s animation, we see spoons dancing and diving into a punch bowl. In the movie, the Beast struggles to eat with a spoon and Belle puts down her spoon and drinks out of the bowl. 

Why talk about spoons? Many medications for infants and children come in liquid dosage forms requiring measuring. Spoons are used to give medications to children. 

Weekend Doctor: Wellness exams for children

By Danielle Wicker, LPN
Pediatric Supervisor, Caughman Health Center

For parents in today’s world, there are numerous daily tasks to juggle, from going to work to preparing meals and driving kids to and from practices. Sometimes, if we do not have any concerns as parents about our child’s development, we may not realize the importance of making time for their well-child exams. 

While it may feel like there are not enough hours in a day, it is important to keep well-child exams as recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics developed a well-child exam schedule, which allows patients to be seen at strategic ages to ensure growth and development milestones are on track. 

A suggested schedule of well-child visits, beginning from a child’s birth, typically includes the following ages: 

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