Emergency care professionals strive to provide seamless care, from the field to the hospital emergency department. Their commitment to ensuring that patients receive the best emergency medical care possible is essential to advancing the health, safety and well-being of our communities.

Thank you to our pre-hospital partners for the excellent patient care and community service you provide each and every day. It is a pleasure and an honor to work alongside each one of you.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Each year more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the US and many could have been prevented. Also, most of the skin damage we associate with aging, such as wrinkles, sagging, leathering, and discoloration is actually caused by ultraviolet rays. To enjoy what the sun has to offer without risking your health, follow these simple rules:

1. Seek the shade, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
2. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
3. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher every day.
4. Apply sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
5. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming, exercising or excessive sweating.
6. Keep newborns out of the sun, and use sunscreens on babies over the age of six months.
7. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
8. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
9. See your dermatologist every year for a professional skin exam.

To schedule an annual skin exam or if you are concerned about a spot or sore on your body call the Meriter Dermatology Clinic at 608.417.8550 or request an appointment online at meriter.com/dermatology.

Makes: 4 servings

Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 (4-6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees (the salmon could also be grilled).

In a small bowl, mix together the panko, parsley, lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.  Drizzle with the olive oil and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.  Set aside.

Place the salmon filets, skin side down, on a board.  Generously brush the top of the fillets with mustard.  Press the panko mixture thickly on top of the mustard on each salmon fillet.  The mustard will help the panko adhere.

Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or large heavy, ovenproof pan.  When the oil is very hot, add the salmon fillets, skin side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes, without turning, to brown the skin.

Transfer the pan to the hot oven (or grill) for 5-7 minutes until the salmon is almost cooked and the panko is browned.  Remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.  Serve the salmon hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

This is a great salmon recipe that can be cooked in the oven or on the grill!  It pairs nicely with spring asparagus!

 “Supply costs represent the second highest expense for hospitals, next to labor; and hospitals are squeezed to find new ways to manage that cost while upholding clinical quality,” said Byron Jobe, VHA executive vice president, service and delivery.

 Meriter Hospital was one of 11 VHA member hospitals this year to receive a Leadership Award for Supply Chain Management Excellence.  Winners were announced this week during VHA’s national meeting, the 2013 Navigating to Excellence Forum.

 VHA is a national network of more than 1,350 not-for-profit hospital systems and 72,000 non-acute facilities that work together to achieve new levels of clinical performance and operational efficiency.

Meriter is pleased to announce that we now offer screening mammography services at Meriter Monona. Mammograms are key to the early detection of cancer.

As Mother’s Day approaches, Meriter suggests that you not only tell your Mom how much you appreciate her, in addition remind her how important it is that she takes care of her health. Let your Mom know that she is a vital member of your family.

Contact your primary care provider if you detect a change during your monthly self-checks. It is important to schedule your mammography when recommended by your primary care provider, call Meriter Monona Mammography Services at 608.417.6288.

From the Arthritis Foundation, there is proof that osteoarthritis and exercise go together. Take steps to live the best that you can with osteoarthritis. Arm yourself against joint damage with the facts about exercise—and keep moving!

Research now clearly shows that prolonged rest and inactivity actually make OA worse by contributing to joint stiffness and muscle weakness, whereas regular physical activity and exercise ease OA symptoms and keep joints mobile.

In fact, the therapeutic value of exercise, particularly for knee OA, is so convincing that all recent professional guidelines for the treatment of OA cite exercise as a cornerstone of therapy. The message in these guidelines is clear and consistent: when done safely and tailored to a person’s capabilities and needs, physical activity that promotes cardiovascular fitness and strengthens muscles helps—not hurts—joints affected by OA.

Meriter offers both non-surgical and surgical treatments for osteoarthritis. Click here to learn more.

• A total of 731 volunteers provided over 69,809 hours of service to Meriter in 2012.
• One of our many knitters made over 558 newborn caps last year for our Birthing Center.
• Last year, one of our volunteers spent 1,115 hours volunteering.
• One of our friendly volunteers, at the hospital lobby Information Desk, has provided over 4,290 hours of service since 1998. 
• Our youngest volunteer is 14 years old, and our eldest volunteer just turned 95 years old. 

If you are interested in volunteering at Meriter, our Volunteer Services staff can work with you to select a volunteer placement that meets your interests and availability.  Learn more about volunteering at Meriter!

Saturday, May 18, 2013; registration begins at 8:00 am.
Cost is $25 per person.

Register now.

Has the cold spring given you the blues? Have you been dreaming about this year’s golf season?

If you want to improve your golf game and your health, join Zac Lefel, physical therapist, and the PGA Pros from Vitense Golfland for this interactive seminar, Training and Injury Prevention for Golfers. We will discuss the fundamentals of a basic golf swing, as well as tips and strategies on how to improve your strength and flexibility allowing for a smooth, efficient golf swing. You will also get a chance to put this into practice on the range under the guidance of a PGA professional from the George Vitense Golf Academy.

• Learn the basics of golf swing and how to accommodate for injuries or restrictions that limit your game.
• Experience hands-on strength and training flexibility  training with a Meriter physical therpist.
• Receive small-group instruction from Joel Weitz, Vitense Golfland PGA Professional

Enjoy FREE snacks and great prizes!

Schedule:
8:00 – Registration
8:15 – Intro to Golf Swing Fundamentals with Joel Weitz, PGA Professional
8:30 – Golfing without Pain with Joel Weitz, PGA Professional, and Zac Lefel, Physical Therpist
9:15 – Break
9:30 – Lab Sessions (30-minute rotations)
            I.    Warm-up & Flexibility
            II.  Core Strength & Balance
            III. Small Group Golf Instruction with Joel Weitz, PGA Professional
11:00 – Wrap-up and Prizes

He will discuss topics concerning the recognition and treatment of stroke that include: 

• What is Stroke?
• Who is Stroke Prone?
• What Are Some of the Symptoms of Stroke?
• What Can We Do to Prevent Strokes?

The presentation is at Meriter Monona, 6408 Copps Avenue, Monona on Thursday, May 16 at 6:00pm. It is a FREE session but registration is required.

Click here to register now.

Makes: 4-6 servings
Total prep time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons, plus ¼ cup good olive oil
• 1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced ¼ inch thick
• 2 carrots, scrubbed and ½ inch-diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or tub margarine
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauté pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
Meanwhile, place the lentils and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender.  Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter/margarine.
Meanwhile, whisk together the ¼ cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. 

This great recipe can be served warm or even cold as a side dish or on a salad.  It is a great accompaniment to salmon.