partners in More: Top-notch maternity care • Our Level II nursery • Yoga for new moms • Help for hot flashes • New providers winter 009 HEALTH When the unexpected The story Will’s By Sally Thompson H partners inhealth Heidi O’Neill sailed through her pregnancy, keeping her busy schedule while she and her husband, Casey, prepared to welcome their first child. But Heidi developed high blood pressure and headaches in her last month of pregnancy—symptoms of a serious complication called pre-eclampsia.When the unexpected happened and Heidi’s birth became high-risk, the O’Neills were very grateful that the staff at St. Francis Regional Medical Center was prepared with a full range of services. An unforeseen risk Heidi assumed her baby’s birth would be as routine as most of her pregnancy. She and Casey attended childbirth preparation classes at St. Francis, along with the “All About Babies” class to boost their confidence in caring for a newborn. During her final month when problems arose, Heidi was monitored closely in clinic visits several times a week with Alina Pipes, MD, her family medicine physician at Allina Medical Clinic – Crossroads. Heidi had pre-eclampsia, a serious condition in which the mother’s high blood pressure can create complications for her and the baby. “This is a high-risk condition, and we treat it seriously,” Dr. Pipes explains. When Heidi’s headaches became severe and she had a low-grade fever, Dr. Pipes admitted her to the Family Birth Center at St. Francis. It was July 25, 2008—five days before Heidi’s due date. Averting a crisis Heidi received medications to induce labor and control her blood pressure. The blood pressure medication made her drowsy, she recalls. “As I was having contractions, I was sound asleep and snoring,” she says. “I didn’t get up and walk once.” Casey waited through two rounds of induction as Heidi’s labor progressed slowly. All day he watched the monitors nervously as Will’s heart rate sometimes fluctuated and Heidi’s blood pressure stayed high. “I was very scared, and I could tell the nurses didn’t like what they were seeing,” Casey recalls. “This is where I put my trust in the professionals at St. Francis.” Heidi remembers only bits and pieces of her labor, but says she was aware that “something definitely was going on. I could feel the intensity around me.” Dr. Pipes consulted with Evan Griffiths, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist on staff at St. Francis, about Heidi’s labor and the possibility of a cesarean section.They decided to induce Heidi one more time. This time, Heidi progressed quickly. Within a few hours, her cervix dilated from 6 centimeters to the 10 required for birth to begin. Nurses readied the equipment at the foot of Heidi’s bed. One helped Heidi, now alert, get in position to push. “It was three pushes, and here comes the baby!” Heidi says. “Dr. Pipes literally caught him,” Casey says. “It was very neat to watch.” Extra-special care Casey and Heidi were elated to welcome William James into the world. After Casey held Will and fed him, nurses took him to the Level II nursery, where sick babies receive additional care. Heidi was too weak to hold him. Then Casey rushed to a group of 10 relatives who had spent nearly 16 hours in the waiting room. Nurses had given them updates about Heidi’s progress throughout the day. Amid hugs and tears, Casey told family members the happy news of Will’s birth. He explained that Will needed the extra-special care offered in the Level II nursery. Will’s condition at birth was abnormal because of Heidi’s pre-eclampsia and the effects of her blood pressure medication. “When a baby is born to a mother with pre-eclampsia, the infant is sicker than other babies,” Dr. Pipes explains. “Will had poor muscle tone and was breathing poorly. The medication needed happens: of birth the right plAce “st. Francis is a great facility, and we highly recommend it,” Casey says. “We were glad to know that the staff was very experienced at taking care of babies with Will’s condition. They were also attentive to how we were feeling, and they comforted us. it was reassuring to learn that we hadn’t done anything wrong.” a nurse from the Breastfeeding support Center helped Heidi start breastfeeding. Heidi breastfed Will for the first time in the nursery, receiving guidance from the lactation consultant when Will fell asleep as he nursed. “i thought it was cute, but she showed me how to handle the situation,” Heidi says. as for Heidi’s preeclampsia condition, the O’Neills were relieved to learn that it is most common in fi rst pregnancies. Will needed one more day of care than Heidi, so she “roomed in” at the hospital. The next morning Casey arrived, and they were delighted to see Will, for the first time, in his bassinette without any tubes or monitoring. They dressed him in clothes for a premature infant—gifts they were eager for him to wear. Will weighed 5 pounds, a few ounces less than his birth weight. “We put him into his car seat, and we were driving home. it was like, ‘He’s ours! This is real!’” Casey recalls. sAfe At hoMe at home, they enjoyed just being together, all under the same roof. a st. Francis nurse followed up by phone with Heidi a few days later. Heidi was glad to know she could call anytime with questions.The lactation consultant offered to visit Heidi and Will at home, if breastfeeding problems arose. The O’Neills agreed that the skills they learned in st. Francis’ “all about Babies” class came in handy during Will’s first weeks at home. “We learned how to problem-solve when the baby is crying. is it a wet diaper, is he hungry, and so on,” Casey says. “i definitely recommend it for the males, because we’re really nervous at first.” “We moms are just as nervous!” Heidi says, laughing. at Will’s six-week checkup, dr. Pipes said he was perfectly healthy—a great relief to Heidi and Casey. since then, they are getting used to the ups and downs in Will’s schedule, getting acquainted with him, and loving every minute of it. They’re amazed at how much he’s grown since the day he left st. Francis. “Our baby’s birth was a challenge, but it’s great to know that Will is a healthy baby,” Casey says. “all we ever wanted was a healthy baby.” partners inhealth to work its way out of his system. But once these babies recover, maintain weight and start growing, everything improves fast.” Will received one-on-one care in the level ii nursery as nurses inserted a feeding tube, along with lines for intravenous medications and monitoring (see article on page 4). Casey remembers his surprise at seeing his tiny son surrounded by so much technology. The O’Neills give dr. Pipes and the st. Francis staff high marks in helping them understand and adjust to a hospital experience that was far different from what they had expected. For example, Will needed to stay in the level ii nursery instead of Heidi’s room. Friends were unable to see him, and Heidi’s visitors were limited because of her weakened condition. “The first few days were sad for us,” Heidi recalls. “it was hard being separated from Will. He was born at 11 p.m. on a Friday. Because of my condition, i didn’t get to see him until 1 p.m. saturday. in childbirth classes you’re encouraged to plan for the kind of birth experience you want. We had to throw the plan out the window and put our trust in the staff.” 3 Level II nursery: Ready with special care for newborns By Sally Thompson Our sleep sack: Cozy and safe partners inhealth W When newborns need additional medical care at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, registered nurses in the Level II nursery are there 24/7. Healthy babies receive care in the newborn nursery. In the Level II nursery, “Our nurses have additional experience in caring for sick babies, and they never leave the baby’s side,” says Anne Friedges, RN, manager of the Family Birth Place and pediatrics.“We provide one-to-one care.” Nurses carefully monitor infants’ vital signs and give medications, food and fluids, always staying alert for problems. A new service at the Family Birth Center adds important depth to the staff ’s expertise. Neonatal nurse practitioners, who specialize in caring for newborns with medical problems, are on-site 24/7. “Neonatal nurse practitioners are part of the team that attends all critical events in our birth center,” Friedges explains.These specialists serve at St. Francis through a partnership that began in July with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, which operates two neonatal intensive care units. All staff members in the Level II nursery pay special attention to helping parents cope emotionally with having a baby who needs additional care. “We know that when babies are sick, parents need the education about their baby’s condition, along with additional encouragement,” Friedges says. “Our nurses get to know each family, so they can give individualized care. We encourage mothers to breastfeed, and we help parents to spend time and bond with their baby.” St. Francis newborns are sleeping as snug as a bug in a HALO® SleepSack™. The sleep sack, a wearable blanket, helps reduce SIDS by replacing all loose bedding in the crib that can cover baby’s face. “What a great invention,” says new dad Michael Morris, from Eden Prairie. “The baby stays swaddled and calms down right away as soon as you zip it up! Awesome!” All babies take home their very own sleep sack as a gift from St. Francis. To ensure the safest sleep for baby, remove all soft bedding and toys, including bumpers, from the crib. Laying babies on their back is best for sleep— tummy time is just for play. The American Academy of Pediatrics, leading SIDS organizations and health professionals suggest the use of wearable blankets to provide a safe sleep environment for infants. A prescription for yoga By Susan Colvin Pregnancy is a wonderful time to begin a yoga practice. New and experienced students alike will appreciate how “Prenatal Yoga” connects mom to baby and prepares the body and heart for childbirth. Moms are guided through meditation, breathing and movement that provides relaxation while strengthening muscles that support baby’s growth during pregnancy and labor. Moms reconnect with their body’s innate wisdom about birth while connecting with other moms in a safe and open community that encourages discussion of concerns, joys, discomforts, and the wonders their bodies and baby are experiencing. After giving birth, it is time to nurture both baby and mom. The “Yoga Bonding” sequence lets baby in on the yoga action, physically, mentally and spiritually. Through loving touch, sight and sound, caregivers build a strong bond of trust and security: the foundation of self-confidence for baby. The class also offers a chance for moms to connect with each other and to be a part of a warm, supportive community. Moms are welcome to feed baby any time during class. In fact, this class helps baby work up an appetite, make impressive diapers, and sleep, sleep, sleep! “Yoga Bonding” is great for moms who are feeling fine at six weeks postpartum, but those who had a cesarean section should wait eight to 10 weeks—check with your doctor or midwife. Babies can begin “Yoga Bonding” at any time, and tend to enjoy the class until they are crawling. MORE >> To register for either class, call Allina at 800-877-7878 or go to www.allina.com and look for classes held in Shakopee. Yoga for moms and babies Innovative prenatal care The Park Nicollet Nurse Midwives now offer the CenteringPregnancy program. This program alters routine prenatal care by bringing women out of exam rooms and into groups for their care, at no more cost to the patient. Women have their initial visit at the clinic and then are invited to join 8 to 12 other women with similar due dates to meet regularly throughout pregnancy and early postpartum. A personal touch CenteringPregnancy provides an opportunity for women to have more personal contact with a nurse midwife and time for comprehensive education. Women discuss nutrition, breastfeeding, relaxation, labor expectations, well-baby care and preparing for baby at home. Guest speakers share expertise on topics like lactation and yoga while videos cover relaxation techniques and the baby’s journey through the birth canal. Women still have individual time with the nurse midwife to listen to baby’s heart and assess the growth while discussing any private concerns. CenteringPregnancy instructor Cari Stemig believes this is a more com- prehensive way to deliver prenatal care. “It allows me to get to know each woman and her partner on a deeper level, because I spend much time with them,” she says. “I appreciate the opportunity to provide the education and support that can sometimes be missed during traditional care. I feel that group members themselves can also offer so much more to each other than I, as an individual, can offer.” Certified nurse midwives are registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing, and they offer a unique care approach. The midwives at St. Francis are dedicated to providing a full range of care, from gynecological care to hospital births. partners inhealth “When I first joined ‘Prenatal Yoga,’ I hoped it would be a calming experience for my unborn twins and I. Not only was it calming, it was invigorating to meet other expectant moms. I did use some of the poses during my labor. After my girls were born I started ‘Yoga Bonding.’ Within three weeks of starting that class, my girls were sleeping longer at night. It is so great to have a community resource that encourages health and bonding throughout pregnancy and beyond.” —Molly Dose, Shakopee St. Francis NEWS Littlest Vikings fan: Lucky number six! Sunday, Sept. 21, was a good day for Vikings fans—it marked the first win of the season. But for the Nord family, of Jordan, it was a great day. Not only did they welcome their sixth daughter to the world, but they also won Vikings season tickets. This season kicked off a new partnership between the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and St. Francis Regional Medical Center. Little Jadalynn was the first baby born at St. Francis’ Family Birth Place after the first Vikings home win, so she gets credit for getting her parents the tickets. Another baby was close, but was born before the game was over. David and Sheri Nord brought home the newest Viking fan to join her five sisters, who range in age from two to 10 years old. “Taking a baby home is already a gift, but getting season tickets, too, is a pleasant surprise,” Sheri Nord says. “This is just so great,” chimed in beaming dad David. Jadalynn weighed 8 pounds and 14 ounces and was delivered by William Maus, MD, Allina Medical Clinic – Crossroads. Every baby born at St. Francis during the season went home with their own Vikings’ onesie.The partnership between St. Francis and the Vikings also includes a monthly winner of “The Littlest Vikings Fan.” Photos are submitted to theVikings website, www.vikings.com, and, at the end of each month, winners are chosen by a panel of Minnesota Vikings players. The winning entries received four VIP tickets to the Dec. 28 game against the New York Giants, a VIP photo with Vikings Alumni prior to the game, one Vikings jersey with custom name and number, a framed copy of the official Vikings press release and a football autographed by a Vikings player. partners inhealth InstyMeds: No more waiting until morning Think back to the last time you needed a prescription filled after a latenight emergency room visit, only to have to wait until the pharmacy opened the next morning. Well, the nights of anxiously and sometimes painfully waiting to get a prescription filled may be over. St. Francis Regional Medical Center is partnering with InstyMeds, an electronic retail pharmacy where patients can purchase basic, acute-care drugs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The instant medication machine looks similar to a vending machine and is located in the emergency department lobby. The process is similar to having a prescription filled at a retail pharmacy— patients need to bring their prescription benefits card, as well as a credit card, debit card or cash for the co-payment. “This will be a great service to our patients that present after hours and need their prescriptions filled before the next morning,” says Emergency Medical Director Matt Risken, MD. “Currently our only option is the 24-hour pharmacy that is over seven miles away, and often in the opposite direction of our patients that live west of the hospital.” Patients who choose InstyMeds will be given a unique code number to enter into the dispenser through a touch screen. After verifying insurance and payment information, the machine will fill the prescription—checking, double-checking and then triple-checking for accuracy— and dispense the medications. The medications are labeled with instructions. If help is needed, patients can use a customer support phone— which provides language interpreters— mounted right on the dispenser. The entire process takes only a few minutes and patients are charged a standard retail price without any additional fees or charges. Savage resident Terry Bebeau uses InstyMeds in the St. Francis emergency department waiting area. C r e at i n g a h e a lt h y e n v i r o n m e n t Kids and weight How we’re helping St. Francis has been looking for ways to work in the community with respect to childhood obesity prevention. One way we do this is by providing free breastfeeding support groups open to women who delivered at any hospital, not only St. Francis. Breastfeeding has been shown to help prevent obesity later in life. In addition, St. Francis employees were involved in helping to draft wellness policies for some of our local school districts. Allina was a proud sponsor of the Power of the Pyramid play, which was offered to all schools in our service area free of charge. Building on the success of the Power of the Pyramid, St. Francis is now pleased to share information about a new after-school program called Power by the Hour, a nutrition education and physical fitness program for elementary students. Making fitness fun Power by the Hour was originally developed to be used in an after-school setting, but school systems throughout the metro area have been adapting the program to meet their own needs. This summer, Power by the Hour was enthusiastically implemented by the Prior Lake Kids’ Company, with 50 sixth- and seventhgrade students serving as mentors for 74 kindergarten students.Teachers were impressed with students’ prior knowledge of some topics, and students enjoyed the lessons and program incentives like water bottles and pedometers. Some Power by the Hour topics: n Making healthy school lunch choices. n Healthy snack options. n Physical activity is fun. n Healthier fast food choices. n The pedometer fitness challenge. n Reading and understanding food nutrition labels. n The benefits of decreasing screen time. n Looking critically at marketing messages. The power of teamwork Power by the Hour acknowledges the vital link between home and school through parent surveys and take-home work sheets. “Allina is very excited to be working with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health on program measurement, so we ask the schools that participate to help us collect data in order to make the program outcomes stronger,” says Susan Nygaard, manager of community programs at Allina Hospitals and Clinics. Parents have been very pleased with the program because it gives them tips, tools and common language to promote healthy choices at home, when dining out and at school. MORE >> St. Francis looks forward to sharing Power by the Hour throughout Scott and Eastern Carver County. If you would like Power by the Hour to be offered to your group or school, please contact Tamara Severtson at 952-403-2551 or Susan Nygaard at 612-262-4946. partners inhealth A At St. Francis Regional Medical Center, we know that prevention and wellness are keys to staying healthy. For example, we’ve recently taken steps to make our environment healthier for our own employees by creating an outdoor walking trail around our campus.And this January, St. Francis will join all other Allina hospitals and clinics in implementing a new food policy regulating what’s served in our cafeterias and vending machines and at meetings and special events. The health of our employees and our community is important to us. Some of the most vulnerable members of our community are children. As a society we know that childhood obesity is climbing at an alarming rate. A problem for many Get help for heavy bleeding M MOsT GiRls leaRNiNG about menstruation are taught that a normal period occurs about every 28 days and lasts four to five days. But for millions of women, the reality of menstruation is very different. For these women, periods may last longer than seven days and may be accompanied by hemorrhaging (profuse bleeding and clotting) and severe cramping. This kind of bleeding is called menorrhagia. it is never normal, but it is usually treatable. partners inhealth whAt cAuses it? “abnormal uterine bleeding certainly affects quality of life and takes an emotional toll,” says diana Gillman, Md, allina Medical Clinic – shakopee. “However, even more serious is that it can also lead to iron deficiency anemia, in which the blood becomes low on healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues. “any woman with abnormal uterine bleeding should be evaluated. Causes can include uterine polyps and fibroids, hormonal changes or, in rare cases, precancerous or cancerous cells. any vaginal bleeding after menopause should always be evaluated promptly.” 8 treAtMents vAry abnormal uterine bleeding affects as many as 25 percent of women in the united states. While a traditional hysterectomy is one treatment option, there are more conservative approaches that can provide significant long-term relief.These options include hormone treatments, treatment of fibroids or polyps, and laparoscopic hysterectomy. endometrial ablation, which includes a process called cryoablation, is also becoming more common. Cryoablation uses subzero temperatures to reduce or eliminate excessive menstrual periods. The cold destroys the uterine lining, which is responsible for menstrual bleeding. dr. Gillman explains that, un- like a hysterectomy, which can include removal of the ovaries, cryoablation allows a woman to keep her uterus and natural hormones. This option, perDiana gillman, MD formed in the clinic, involves inserting a slim probe through the cervix and into the uterus.The probe then freezes tissue around its tip while ultrasound is used to observe the process. Concerned? See the back page for “Treatments for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.” More >> whAt is right for you? Cryoablation, hormone treatment, and traditional or laparoscopic hysterectomy options can all help control the discomfort and inconvenience associated with menorrhagia. your physician will know which treatment is most appropriate. Diana Gillman, MD, is accepting patients at the Allina Medical Clinic – Shakopee. Call 9-03-33 for an appointment. (Dr. Gillman is fluent in American Sign Language.) Extinguishing W While hot flashes are sometimes a popular comic theme in entertainment, they are anything but funny to the women who experience them. Symptoms can range from feeling mildly warm to feeling intense heat throughout the face and upper body. Some women may appear flushed, with red, blotchy skin on their face, neck and chest. Hot flashes may be accompanied by a rapid heartbeat or excessive perspiration. The transition into menopause that women experience is a natural occurrence that takes place over a number of years. According to L aura Mueller, MD, obstetriciangynecologist, Park Nicollet Clinic, Shakopee, this passage of time is often Laura Mueller, MD marked by sudden body temperature changes, commonly known as hot flashes. “Hot flashes affect 80 percent of women as they approach and transition through menopause,” Dr. Mueller says. “I tell patients that it is due in part to the thermostat in their brain becoming hypersensitive to small temperature fluctuations.” Episodes often begin during perimenopause and peak during the first couple of years after menstruation has stopped. Sudden heat, real problems “Hot flashes can be so bad for some women that they begin to sweat, even immediately after a shower,” Dr. Mueller says. While most hot flashes subside as quickly as they begin, some can last for several minutes. Nighttime hot flashes, generally called night sweats, may wake women from a deep sleep. The good news for women is that there are options for managing the symptoms.“Hot flashes are unpredictable, and everyone experiences them differently,” Dr. Mueller says. “Some women don’t need to do anything, except dress in light layers to help stay cool. It may also help to avoid common triggers, such as spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.” To help stabilize hormone fluctuations, doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, relaxation therapy (e.g., yoga), meditation and deep breathing, and quitting smoking. Finding relief If hot flashes are moderate to severe, treatment may be needed. “There are several ways to treat hot flashes, including nonhormonal, hormonal and natural methods,” says Dr. Mueller, who prefers to begin with nonhormonal treatments. Currently, several nonhormonal, U.S. Food and Drug Administrationapproved medications exist for treating other conditions that have also been found to help reduce hot flashes. “Neurontin is an antiseizure drug that, in very low doses, works on the brain to calm down that fluctuating ‘thermostat’,” Dr. Mueller explains. “Low doses of some antidepressants also may relieve hot flashes, especially in the early stages.” If hot flashes continue to be troublesome after lifestyle changes and nonhormonal therapy, women may choose hormone therapy such as estrogen, progesterone or a combination of the two. Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but treatment depends on each woman’s circumstances, including age, reproductive health history and overall health. Dr. Mueller advises women to work closely with their doctors to weigh the benefits and risks of hormone treatments. Natural dietary supplements, such as isoflavones, also may help curb hot flashes. Isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds found in soy, red clover and other plants. As with all supplements, women will want to take them with caution and tell their doctors about all natural remedies they are using. “Soy products and other isoflavones are weak estrogens and have the same risks and benefits as estrogen therapy, which women need to discuss with their doctors,” Dr. Mueller says. And treatments are always evolving and changing. For example, Vitamin E and black cohosh were once used to treat hot flashes, but have been found to provide little benefit and are no longer recommended. MORE >> To learn more about treating hot flashes, call Park Nicollet Clinic at 952-993-3123 or visit www.parknicollet.com. partners inhealth hot flashes New providers AT ST. FRANCIS 1 Todd 2 3 roger 3 Daniel 4 Donaldson Anderson, MD partners inhealth Kessler, PsyD, LP 10 Aronson, MD Kingsley, MD radha Kumar, 6 Lorre Ochs, 5 MD MD 1 2 3 4 5 6 Todd Anderson, MD Otolaryngology Park Nicollet Clinic, Shakopee Appointment phone: 9-993-30 roger Aronson, MD Pediatrics Park Nicollet Clinic, Shakopee Appointment phone: 9-993-770 Daniel Kessler, PsyD, LP Mental health Allina Medical Clinic – Shakopee Appointment phone: 9-03-33 Donaldson Kingsley, MD Pediatrics Park Nicollet Clinic, Shakopee Appointment phone: 9-993-770 radha Kumar, MD Family medicine Allina Medical Clinic – Crossroads Dean Lakes Appointment phone: 9-9-700 Lorre Ochs, MD Hematology and oncology Park Nicollet Clinic, Shakopee Appointment Phone: 9-993-38 How to reach us MORE >> Visit our website, www.stfrancisshakopee.com or www.allina.com, or e-mail us at [email protected]. PARTNERS IN HEALTH is published as a community service for friends and patrons of: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee, MN 55379-3380. St. Francis Regional Medical Center is jointly owned by Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics, Park Nicollet Health Services, and Allina Hospitals & Clinics. Lee Shimek, Board Chair Michael Baumgartner, President Jeffrey Hill, MD, Chief of Staff Lori Manske, Editor Karen Cook, Assistant Editor Contributors: Molly Johnson, Tamara Severtson, Gina Swanson. Cover photo by Alli Jagoda Photography. Information in PARTNERS IN HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Copyright © 2008 Coffey Communications, Inc. HSM22950h Find your health partner At St. Francis we value the contributions of our physician and clinic partners, not only as providers of quality health care, but as community and organizational leaders. Recognizing the need for strong medical services in this rapidly growing area, they have committed to meeting that growth with added resources and services. For more information about our physicians or clinics, call the ‘Ask St. Francis’ information line at 952-403-2000. Allina Medical Clinic Shakopee. . . . . . . . . 952-403-3535 n Family medicine n Internal medicine n Nephrology n Obstetrics/gynecology n Podiatric medicine and surgery Allina Medical Clinic – Crossroads Shakopee. . . . . . . . . 952-496-6700 Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . 952-448-2050 Prior Lake . . . . . . . . 952-447-1700 n Family medicine Jonathan Clinic Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . 952-448-3500 n Family medicine Kidney Specialists of Minnesota. . . . . . . . . 612-823-8001 Metropolitan Pediatric Specialists, PA Shakopee. . . . . . . . . 952-445-6700 Minneapolis Heart Institute. . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2099 Orthopedic Surgical Consultants, PA Shakopee. . . . . . . . . 952-403-3399 Park Nicollet Clinic Shakopee and Prior Lake . . . . . . . . 952-993-7750 Allergy. . . . . . . . . . . 952-993-3090 Cardiology surgery. . . 952-993-3246 Certified nurse midwives . . . . . . . . . 952-993-3282 Endocrinology. . . . . . 952-993-3708 Family medicine. . . . 952-993-7750 Obstetrics/gynecology952-993-3282 Ophthalmology. . . . . 952-993-3150 Orthopedic surgery . . 952-993-3230 Otolaryngology . . . . . 952-993-3250 Pediatrics. . . . . . . . . 952-993-7750 Physical medicine. . . 952-993-3800 Podiatry. . . . . . . . . . 952-993-3670 Pulmonology. . . . . . . 952-993-3242 Urology . . . . . . . . . . 952-993-3190 Vascular surgery. . . . 952-993-3180 St. Francis Specialty Care Clinic Shakopee and Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2600 Advanced Dermatology 952-915-6000 Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates 651-312-1700 Metro Urology 952-403-2600 Minneapolis Children’s Heart Clinic 612-813-8800 Minneapolis Clinic of Children’s Neurology 952-403-2600 Minneapolis Otolaryngology 952-920-4595 MN Gastroenterology, PA 612-870-5412 Orthopaedic Consultants, PA 952-808-3000 Silverman Orthopaedics, PC 952-920-4333 St. Francis Breast Clinic 952-403-2700 St. Francis Sleep Diagnostics Center 952-403-2800 Surgical Specialties, Ltd. 952-224-9350 Surgical Specialties of Minnesota 952-403-2600 Twin Cities Spine Center 952-403-2199 Urologic Physicians 952-920-7660 St. Francis Emergency Department. . . . . . . . 952-403-2200 n Suburban Emergency Associates St. Francis Cancer Center . . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2031 Radiation Oncology 952-403-2031 Valley Family Practice Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . 952-448-3303 n Family medicine In-hospital physicians n Anesthesiology n Pathology n Radiology partners inhealth General Information . . . . . . 952-403-3000 ‘Ask St. Francis’. . . . . . . . . 952-403-2000 St. Francis Urgent Care, Shakopee. . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2111 Monday through Friday, 6 to 10 p.m. Weekends, 1 to 10 p.m. Diagnostic Services . . . . . . 952-403-2151 Family Birth Place . . . . . . . 952-403-2062 Cardiac Rehabilitation. . . . . 952-403-2080 Capable Kids Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. . . . . . 952-403-3980 St. Francis Cancer Center. . . 952-403-2031 St. Francis Foundation. . . . . 952-403-2070 St. Francis Pediatrics . . . . . 952-403-3360 St. Francis Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Shakopee. . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2001 Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-448-5077 St. Francis Specialty Care Clinic and Breast Clinic Shakopee. . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2600 St. Francis Specialty Care Clinic Chaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-403-2600 TTY. . . . 800-682-8786 or 800-627-3529 11 how to finD us Valley Fair pAiD 1455 St. Francis Ave. Shakopee, MN 55379-3380 www.stfrancis-shakopee.com 9-03-3000 St. Cloud, MN Permit No. 2260 Savage Canterbury Park Jordan To Belle Plaine Mystic Lake Prior Lake calendar MArK YOUr for class cancellations, tune in to wcco tv channel or wcco radio 830, or go to www.wcco.com or www.830wccoradio.com. clAsses AnD events Call 800-877-7878 to register for prenatal classes, or go to www.allina.com and click on “Be Healthy.” Dates and times subject to change. new parent connection Meets the ﬁrst wednesday of every month This class is co-sponsored by ECFE and is designed for children up to 4 months of age. For information, call 9-9-033. A breastfeeding support group is now offered following the New Parent Connection class. For more information and to register, call 9-03-0. childbirth and parenting preparation choice of a four- or ﬁve-week series of one session each week or the weekend express, available friday evenings and saturdays Plan to attend classes during the last three months of pregnancy and complete about one month before due date. All About Babies Meets every month Designed for new parents to learn how to care for their new infant. refresher childbirth and parenting small talk and Baby sign language offered every other month One-night class for parents who have taken a childbirth preparation class within the last three years. new Brother/new sister Meets quarterly Designed for women who have had previous cesarean births and are considering a vaginal birth. Class should be taken in addition to refresher Childbirth and Parenting. Meets quarterly This is a sign language class for babies that hear. This class will help you and your baby/ toddler understand each other and decrease frustration. Meets every to weeks A one-night class to help children ages 2 to 8 prepare for the birth of a sibling. All participants should bring a doll or stuffed animal. Breastfeeding preparation Meets once a month One-night class offering helpful hints to prepare for breastfeeding. partners inhealth enue 379 ee.com Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage healthy pregnancy Meets every ﬁve weeks One-night class providing important information about the development of babies and how to make pregnancy easier and more fulfilling. 1 vaginal Birth After cesarean infant and child cpr Meets every four to six weeks This course does not qualify you for CPr certification. car seat safety Meets once a month This class helps the expectant or new parent learn about car-seat safety. U-Care members covered. Scholarships and seats available for those in need of assistance. infant Massage For infants 3 weeks to 1 year old. To register, call 9-9-033. prenatal yoga six weekly classes Exercise your mind and body during pregnancy to increase well-being and heal more readily after the baby is born. yoga Bonding six weekly classes Fitness, fun and togetherness for mom and baby. support groups low vision support group Meets the second thursday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. For information, call 9-03-00. heart support group emergency Medicine services education/cpr For information and to register, call 1--00. Meets the ﬁrst tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. For people who have been diagnosed with heart disease. For more information, call 9-03-080. Joint care grief support group Designed for people who are scheduled for total knee or hip replacement surgery. This is a FrEE class. To register, call 903-. to register for any of the following classes, call 952-403-2000. is your Bladder running your life? tuesday, Jan. 13, 7 to 8 p.m. st. francis Joy/Justice conference room Call to register, or visit www.shakopee.k12.mn.us. treatments for Abnormal uterine Bleeding thursday, feb. 1, 7 to 8 p.m. st. francis Joy/Justice conference room Call to register, or go to www.shakopee.k12.mn.us. sleep...from A to Zzzzs thursday, feb. 19, 7 to 8 p.m. st. francis Joy/Justice conference room women and heart Disease thursday, feb. , :30 to 8 p.m. st. francis Joy/Justice conference room Back talk thursday, March , :30 to 7:30 p.m. chaska community center, community room New treatments for back pain. insomnia Management thursday, March 1, 7 to 8 p.m. st. francis Joy/Justice conference room Meets every wednesday, 7 p.m. For more information, call 9-03-00. smoking cessation If you’re ready to stop smoking, call 888-3-plAn (7). women’s connection Meets the fourth Monday of every month (note: May and December meets the third Monday), 7 p.m. Support for women with cancer. For more information, call 9-03-700. The ACS’s Look Good...Feel Better representatives will be on hand at each meeting. Call 800-Acs (7)-3 to sign up. child loss support group Offers hope to those who have experienced the death of a child. Call 9-03-0 for more information. infant loss support group Meets the ﬁrst tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. For more information, call 9-03-00. Diabetes support group Meets the ﬁrst Monday of every month, 7 p.m. For more information, call 9-03-33. Breastfeeding support group Follows New Parent Connection. For more information and to register, call 9-03-0.