Blanchard Valley Health System

By Jay Alammar, MD
Surgical Associates of Northwest Ohio
Did you know that 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Many more also meet the criteria of the diagnosis but have not been formally diagnosed.

IBS is a chronic condition characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel habits, mainly diarrhea, constipation or alternating episodes of both. Other symptoms may include bloating, feelings of fullness, urgency to use the restroom, and feelings of incomplete evacuation of stool. The symptoms are often relieved by having a bowel movement and made worse by eating.

New colon cancer screening

By Jay Alammar, MD
Surgical Associates of Northwest Ohio
Colorectal cancer is a common disease, and colon cancer screening continues to be of utmost importance. Preventing cancer or detecting and removing it early when it is still localized greatly impacts colon cancer related mortality.

She's now accepting patients at Blanchard Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bluffton

Note: Laura Selvidio's parents, David Earl and Kathy (Binkley) Earl, are both Ada High School graduates. Her grandmother, Donna Binkley, lives in Ada.

“I enjoy bringing life into the world. It’s amazing,” Laura Selvidio, nurse midwife, says about her profession.

Earlier this month she became the second nurse midwife to join the staff of Blanchard Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bluffton.

Selvidio, a certified nurse midwife (CNM), practiced in Georgia and Alaska since 2015 prior to coming to Bluffton. She joins another nurse midwife, Missy Moore, on the staff. Selvidio is in the Bluffton office four days each week.

Blanchard Valley Medical Practices welcomes Joshua Ebel, MD to the team at Blanchard Valley Urology Associates. Dr. Ebel offers a variety of both surgical and non-surgical treatments for disorders of the male and female urinary tract.

Dr. Ebel completed undergraduate studies at Miami University (Oxford, OH) before pursuing his medical degree, surgical internship, and urology residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital (Columbus, OH).

Chef Tim Cooper, executive chef at Birchaven Village, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, will be the featured presenter at the 2019 Salsa! Salsa! event. 

The community event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 4 -6 p.m. at the Hancock Farmers’ Market, 200 West Main Cross Street (Findlay).

Chef Cooper will be presenting a live demonstration of salsa preparations and other preparations. Each attendee will receive a complimentary recipe card from his personal cookbook and tasty samples.

“I enjoy the excitement of cooking for people and adding vibrant, new flavors to menus,” Chef Cooper shared, “There’s nothing that’s off limits.”

Although children may appear to be less affected by the death of a loved one, there are many questions, fears and worries as they attempt to make sense of the loss and deal with the changes.

Grief Trails is a program that allows children, ages 6-12 years old, to learn about the importance of communicating their emotions and needs to others while working hands-on with gentle horses. The children come together with their peers in an encouraging environment and participate in activities that will help them express their feelings, learn effective communication tools and have fun at the same time.

Pages