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	A doctor and a nurse, all in one package As the health care system gets more complex, a new kind of hybrid practitioner is beginning to work at your local clinic. Star Tribune; April 26, 2008

	The Next Step Cheri Friedrich [HealthEast Maplewood Clinic] always knew she wanted to be a nurse who cared for kids. So after completing a four-year degree in nursing, she earned a master's degree and became a pediatric nurse practitioner. Star Tribune; April 23, 2008
	Food shelf planned for Oakdale Reacting to home foreclosures, sky-high gas prices and other signs of economic distress, several Woodbury residents [including a St. John's employee] are rallying to open a new community food shelf that would include other kinds of help like ride shares and child care. Star Tribune; April 22, 2008

	The Arts of Healing Naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective traditional therapies with current advances in modern medicine. The combination of naturpathy, ayurveda and modern medicine can very effectively support healing and benefit patients. Star Tribune; April 8, 2008
	Focusing On Hospital Patients Dr. Nathan Frink [St. Joseph's Hospital] likes the challenge of working with complex patients, and he finds satisfaction in seeing them get better during their hospital stay. Frink is a hospitalist, a new breed of physician whose practice focuses on providing care for hospitalized patients. Star Tribune; March 31, 2008

	From the depths of father's grief, a transcendent piece of music Stanley Woolner is a St. Paul physician whose hands have helped heal many. But to heal himself after his daughter, Katherine, was murdered, his hands didn't turn to medicine. But to music. Star Tribune; March 5, 2008
	Guidance Counselors HealthEast’s Nancy Welty describes her job helping cancer patients navigate the health care system as a blend of social work and nursing. Minnesota Medicine; February 2008

	Developing Your Leadership Potential CEO of Bethesda Hospital Cathy Barr, once a nurse who enjoyed clinical work, was drawn to leadership and administration. She explains that good leadership is grounded in mutual respect and trust, and that the healthcare industry offers many opportunities for those looking to utilize and develop their leadership skills. Star Tribune; February 11, 2008
	Interns Learn By Doing Internships can provide useful on-the-job experience for students looking to get a head start in the healthcare industry. The Summer Healthcare Intern Program, supported by the Minnesota Department of Public Health, employs students for six to twelve weeks and offers them hands-on experience in areas like radiology, occupational therapy, social services, pharmacy, nursing and respiratory therapy. Star Tribune; February 4, 2008

	Minnesota hospitals cited for low death rates Eleven of 16 large hospitals in Minnesota rank in the top 20 percent nationally for low mortality and complication rates, according to a report to be released today by the HealthGrades rating company. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 31, 2008
	Will Woodbury hospital help or hurt mental health reform? A proposed psychiatric hospital in Woodbury has accelerated a long-running debate in mental health care: Does Minnesota need more inpatient beds, or can it replace them with cheaper community treatments that keep people safe and stable at home? St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 26, 2008

	Backers of psychiatric facility make their case Representatives of east-metro hospitals stated their objections Tuesday night to a proposal by a Fargo, N.D., firm to build a psychiatric hospital in Woodbury. Administrators from HealthEast Care System and Regions and Fairview hospitals detailed a number of concerns at the Minnesota Department of Health public hearing in Woodbury, which drew about 100 people. Star Tribune; January 23, 2008
	All In A Day's Work: Ultrasound Technologist Regi Brantner, an ultrasound technologist for 10 years at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, talks about her job. Star Tribune; January 23, 2008

	All In A Day's Work: Medical technologist Judy Gust, a medical technologist in the laboratory at St. Joseph’s Hospital, talks about her job. Star Tribune; January 16, 2008
	Company news HealthEast Care System, St. Paul, named Nadine Paitich its new home care executive for its HealthEast Home Care business. Star Tribune; January 9, 2008

	Woodbury hospital's addition is opened early, already full The eight new patient beds in a Woodwinds Hospital expansion in Woodbury were filled Wednesday because of a spate of seasonal illnesses and delayed surgeries. Star Tribune; January 9, 2008
	The return of the 'garage gang' St. Paul Pioneer Press Sunday front-page Business reports that the founder of the pacemaker, Earl Bakken, gives credit to the success of the pacemaker to a Bethesda heart patient in 1959. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 5, 2008

	Woodbury survey finds good growth climate Health and medical services continue to grow in Woodbury and the city's retail climate remains strong, a city business survey shows. Star Tribune; January 4, 2008
	Ramsey County deputy's last words to dying wife: Goodbye Ramsey County sheriff's deputy Joseph Lopez got to say goodbye. Lopez's wife of more than 20 years, Margaret Lopez, died after a wrong-way driver hit his squad car in Arden Hills early New Year's Day. Margaret Lopez, a registered nurse and mother of three, had been riding along with her husband, as she frequently did. Maggie Lopez worked at Bethesda Hospital for 15 years. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 3, 2008

	Finding Strength in Numbers Mary Gruber is a woman's best friend. For hundreds of women in the St. Paul community, Mary has given them a powerful weapon to help fight their No. 1 enemy — heart disease. The weapon? She empowers them with knowledge. As the cardiovascular education and research coordinator for HealthEast’s Heart Care program, Mary has seen more than 8,000 people in the past four years at free heart screenings. Minnesota Monthly; January 2008
	All In A Day's Work: Occupational Therapist Jeannie Lauren, an occupational therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, describes her work and explains why she likes it. Star Tribune; December 26, 2007

	Health care consumers get place on Web to offer opinions - good and bad Want to know the best or worst doctors in town? Ask spunk1939, or JavaNut, or boxingnun. Those are monikers for patients who expressed their unvarnished opinions on thehealthcarescoop.com, a new Web site created by an affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. St. Paul Pioneer Press; December 17, 2007
	Healthy Transitions During today's short hospital stays, there's little time to educate patients before they're discharged. They may be unfamiliar about symptoms to watch for, confused about their medications and without home health services. Star Tribune; December 17, 2007

	Keeping pace with history - Letters to the editor St. Paul has its own part in "Pumping up the pacemaker" (Dec. 8). In April 1959, a Bethesda Hospital patient became the first person in the history of medicine to be permanently "hooked up" to the First Bipolar Pacemaker for Stokes-Adams Disease. Pacemakers added 7½ years to his life, and after an active life, he died at age 79 in 1966. St. Paul Pioneer Press; December 11, 2007
	Health Turning Point Tony Kasella of Woodbury wanted to lose weight, and he figured he could do it on his own. When that didn't work, Kasella, a 41-year-old husband and father, turned to a weight-management program at Woodwinds Hospital. Over time, the weight began to drop off. That inspired his wife, Connie, to join the program. St. Paul Pioneer Press; December 10, 2007

	All In A Day's Work: Speech Therapist Michele McNearney, Director of Speech Therapy for HealthEast Care System, talks about her job. Star Tribune Online; November 28, 2007
	Home Infusion Therapy: A Rewarding Specialty Autonomy. Flexibility. Variety. Satisfaction. Laurie Peterson ticks off the advantages of home infusion nursing. Best of all, says Peterson, who supervises infusion therapy at HealthEast Care System, "You meet a lot of interesting people." Star Tribune; November 27, 2007

	Staying in the Loop HealthEast Maplewood Clinic physician, Sally Colwell and her family take a dream trip cruising around the Great Loop: an 8,749-mile cruise down the continuous waterway that encircles the eastern portion of North America, which includes the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, the various inland rivers. St. Paul Pioneer Press; November 26, 2007
	A son at rest, a mother at peace This Pioneer Press front page story features Dottie Kline, a woman who overcame devastating illnesses and the unexpected loss of a child. It details her lengthy and expansive grieving process and explains the efforts of her therapist and St. Joseph's Hospital to help her survive these challenges. An unbelievable coincidence allowed Dottie to move on with her life and work toward a place of great possibility. St. Paul Pioneer Press; November 26, 2007

	Diapers? We don't need no stinkin' diapers! Seven-month-old Simone Schifsky sat grinning on her potty, dimpled thighs pressed against the red plastic seat and pink ruffled pants at her ankles. Then she peed. Simone can't walk. But she pees and poops in a potty a half-dozen times a day. St. Paul Pioneer Press; November 25, 2007
	Stroke survivor from EP honored Daniel Jensen has more reason than most this Thanksgiving season to be thankful. Last summer, the Eden Prairie resident nearly died from a massive stroke in his brain. Three weeks ago, he returned to work and most people who don't know his story have no clue as to his near-death experience. MN Sun Newspapers; November 21, 2007

	Close brush with death teaches lesson in living A few days before the Interstate-35W bridge collapsed, 54-year-old Barbara Ladd McNamara of White Bear Lake was having dinner when her brain exploded. Her memories are sketchy, but she recalls her 17-year-old son, Danny, screaming, "Call 911! Call 911!," and her husband, Dan, telling the emergency medical technicians, "Thank you for getting here so fast." St. Paul Pioneer Press; November 16, 2007
	HealthEast veteran to take reins at Bethesda Hospital in 2008 Cathy Barr will soon step into a new role as the CEO of Bethesda Hospital. Barr, vice president for community based services for HealthEast Home Care, will take over for Dr. Frank Indihar in February 2008. Indihar, 65, has been CEO of the St. Paul hospital for five years and is retiring. Twin Cities Business Journal; November 9, 2007

	UCare announces 2006 Pay for Performance awards UCare's Pay for Performance program paid $1.25 million to clinics and care systems across Minnesota that posted improvements in key quality-of-health measurements achieved in 2006. Business North.com; November 5, 2007
	HealthEast wins an Emmy for St. John's web cast HealthEast won an Emmy from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy in Minneapolis and was nominated for another Emmy. HealthEast won for a web cast on a minimally-invasive back surgery performed at St. John's in June 2006 and carried live on the Internet. KXnet.com; October 20, 2007

	A good age The St. Paul Pioneer Press features a member of the HealthEast Passport program which offers adults "50 and better" ideas on how to live life fully and to demonstrate how individuals in the second season of their lives can continue to grow and stay engaged. St. Paul Pioneer Press; October 16, 2007
	Computers that talk to docs transform medicine At some clinics, costly electronic record systems can give advice and challenge physicians' decisions. This Sunday front page article quotes Brian Patty, MD, Emergency Room Physician & electronic records specialist at HealthEast. Star Tribune; October 13, 2007

	Psychiatric hospital planned for Woodbury would ease local bed shortage for mental health services An 80-bed psychiatric hospital is being planned in Woodbury - near Woodwinds Health Campus - to address Minnesota's crisis-level shortage of mental health services. St. Paul Pioneer Press; October 11, 2007
	Medical cooling measure saves life The common practice of applying ice to reduce swelling can do more than prevent bumps and bruises - it may save your life after a heart attack or stroke. The procedure, known as therapeutic hypothermia, was experimental for Everett's injury, but Twin Cities hospitals are increasingly using it to treat severe heart attacks and strokes. St. Paul Pioneer Press; September 22, 2007

	Career Change Was A Healthy Option Todd Peterson was 35 and had just lost a good job as a machinist because the company he worked for went out of business. For the last nine years, Peterson has been a float nurse in the HealthEast Care System, filling in wherever he's needed at St. John's, St. Joseph's or Bethesda Hospital. Star Tribune; September 17, 2007
	Career Change Was A Healthy Option Todd Peterson was 35 and had just lost a good job as a machinist because the company he worked for went out of business. For the last nine years, Peterson has been a float nurse in the HealthEast Care System, filling in wherever he's needed at St. John's, St. Joseph's or Bethesda Hospital. Star Tribune; September 17, 2007

	Planning pays off for St. Joseph's in wake of bridge collapse When Minneapolis' Interstate 35 West bridge collapsed over the Mississippi Aug. 1, St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., was among the responders activating a well-rehearsed regional emergency response plan. The facility found that drills and advanced planning sharpened its response, said Katherine Grimm, system director of emergency preparedness for St. Joseph's parent company, HealthEast Care System. "Our communications tools between EMS and the hospitals were effective." Catholic Health World; September 1, 2007
	Angeion's Big Chamber St. Paul Pioneer Press Sunday Business edition reports HealthEast hospitals are among the first to use a cutting-edge product called the Elite Piethysmograph, also known as the "Body-Box." It analyzes how patients inhale and exhale and generates data about lung function. The article quotes Sue Fangel, Clinical Director of Respiratory Therapy at St. John's Hospital. St. Paul Pioneer Press; August 31, 2007

	Four new members join Catholic Spirit board of directors Ginny Sullivan, vice president for human resources, for the HealthEast Care System has been appointed by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn to join the board of directors of The Catholic Spirit Publishing Company. The Catholic Spirit; August 16, 2007
	A new Da Vinci code A robotic surgical device previously used mainly for prostate procedures is breaking new ground, as doctors find new uses for the $1.2 million machine. Star Tribune; August 12, 2007

	Expansion plans in the works Woodwinds Health Campus will be expanding its facilities starting this month to the tune of a $3.8 million project. Woodbury Bulletin; August 8, 2007
	Dialing Up With the national RN vacancy rate hovering at 8.5 percent, employers are looking for new and different ways of connecting with potential candidates. One innovative technique that has been used locally is the recruitment telethon. RNs can call in on a specified day and discuss career opportunities with representatives from human resources and the nursing staff. Star Tribune; August 3, 2007

	Details of state agencies’ response to bridge collapse HealthEast hospitals were among 10 Twin Cities hospitals that treated victims from the 35W bridge collapse. Minnesota Public Radio; August 3, 2007
	University alumna lends hand at HCMC Shireen McConnell (a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital) said she couldn't sleep last night when she returned home from work at the Hennepin County Medical Center, where the first victims of the I-35W bridge collapse tragedy were sent. The Minnesota Daily; August 2, 2007

	Diabetes, denial, heavy drinking - something had to change St. Paul native Rick Sorensen was diagnosed with diabetes in 1972, when he was 17. He figured he wouldn't live long, so he decided to live recklessly, partying hard through his teens, 20s and 30s. He didn't manage his diabetes well. He didn't take his insulin shots on time. He ate foods that sent his blood sugar levels all over the map. He drank. And drank. St. Paul Pioneer Press; July 30, 2007
	Run for a Reason Running is good for the body; running for a cause is good for the soul. Those participating in the Boston Scientific Heart of Summer 5K and 10K Race Aug. 18 will get the best of both worlds. The goal of the race—open to runners of all speeds, shapes, and ages—is to educate the public about the role of health and fitness in the prevention of heart disease and to increase awareness about womens’ unique heart disease risks. Minnesota Monthly; August 2007

	Woodbury / City plans 'medical zone' near hospital Is Woodbury becoming a mini-Mayo? City officials are planning an unusual "medical building zone" to ensure that only buildings related to medicine will be built around Woodwinds Hospital. St. Paul Pioneer Press; July 29, 2007
	Partnership close for senior ‘passport center’ Since 2005, Woodbury officials and community leaders have been working to incorporate healthy aging services into its parks and recreation programs. Those initiatives may finally be bearing fruit, as Woodbury city officials and HealthEast representatives are working on the development of a drop-in senior center that would be located in the Valley Crossing Mall. Woodbury Bulletin; July 25, 2007

	Rare Brain Surgery Saves Father, Husband A Minnesota father and husband, was near death, while his wife prepared to ship off to Iraq. Forty-year-old Jim Lawliss passed out while jogging and then again on his couch. At first doctors thought he had heatstroke, then a blood clot until he ended up at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. That's where doctors discovered the real problem and took quick action. WCCO-TV; July 11, 2007
	RED Brings Us Together Minnesota Monthly interviews Dr. Priscilla Hedberg, medical director of HealthEast's Women's HeartAdvantage program, on what is new in the field of cardiology and what we can all do to work toward better health. Minnesota Monthly; June 2007

	Integrative Medicine Is Becoming The Norm "Alternative" or "complementary medicine." These are the words commonly used to describe acupuncture, chiropractic and other practices that are not currently part of conventional medicine. Valerie Lincoln, however, prefers to use the phrase "integrative medicine." Star Tribune; July 1, 2007
	Nurse Celebrates 75 Years of Service in Same Hospital Eleanor Jahnke, RN, has seen a lot of changes in her 75 years as a nurse at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. NurseZone.com; June 2007

	Survivor helps others beat cancer Kelly Moore fought and won the battle of her life when she beat breast cancer in 2002. Now, she works to help others win that same battle. Through Treasured Chests, a fundraising nonprofit she started, Moore uses culture, music, art and food as her choice of weapons against breast cancer. As a result, the Lino Lakes resident recently gave St. John's Hospital a $20,000 check from her second annual event, held in February. Quad Community Press; June 26, 2007
	Helping Patients Eat Right Clinical dietitians make a difference by creating a nutrition program for patients. Their work can impact healing and help shorten a patient's hospital stay. Star Tribune; June 25, 2007

	Two east-side hospitals expand HealthEast Care System is spending nearly $6 million to add capacity to two of its hospitals in the east metro, bracing for more demand as population continues to spread past St. Paul. Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal; June 22, 2007
	Pumping back the pain Most child-bearing women will tell you giving birth is no picnic. And the recovery time, especially when a caesarian section is performed, is no walk in the park sometimes either. At Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, however, female doctors have been participating in a recovery option which makes the stroll into motherhood a little bit easier — temporarily at least. Woodbury Bulletin; June 20, 2007

	Establishing Toddler Routines Keelee Rakowski has a schedule you could set your watch by. If it's 7 a.m., the 22-month-old is eating breakfast. Then she plays with her older brother, Aidan, until 8:45 and heads to the park with her mom. Snacktime comes at 10:30. The rest of the morning has its order too: playtime, followed by drawing, lunch, books, and naptime. "To me, not keeping her on a schedule would be like trying to run a business without a business plan," says Keelee's mom, Mary Jo, who lives in Denver. Parents Magazine; June 2007
	Track Record Grows For Breast Cancer Therapy The medical world is getting more excited about a novel way of blasting breast cancer. Five-year follow up results are now available for a procedure called MammoSite, from Cytyc Corporation. The results show, after five years, none of the first 43 women treated had their cancer come back . WCCO-TV; June 12, 2007

	Local Hospital Offers New Technology for Breast Cancer Detection, Treatment When you make your living screening others for breast cancer, a new detection device can be exciting. Mammographer Rita Schomaker calls the new Breast Gamma Camera at the HealthEast Breast Care Center at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, "a fantastic tool." KARE-11; June 11, 2007
	The Must-Haves of an Effective Vehicle-Safety Program EMS magazine interviews Dave McGowan, program development manager for HealthEast Transportation, who talks about how ambulance training and monitoring guidelines ensure patient/driver safety. EMSReponder.com; June 2007

	After stroke, he's recovering quality of life Last September, Dan Jensen of Eden Prairie was jogging with his father-in-law while training for a marathon. Not far from home, Jensen, 40, started to drift from the sidewalk to the grass. When he tried to center himself on the sidewalk, he couldn't. He slowed down and began to walk. All of a sudden, everything started to spin. He told his father-in-law to keep running; he would sit a bit and then walk home. But he got worse. St. Paul Pioneer Press; June 4, 2007
	Hospitals will Reveal Infection Rates Minnesota hospitals soon will report publicly on patient infections that directly result from surgeries or other hospital care. St.Paul Pioneer Press; June 4, 2007

	Man With Brain Aneurysm Saved With Risky Surgery An Eden Prairie, Minn. man is lucky to be alive after suffering a rare brain aneurysm. It was the quick thinking and willingness to try something new by doctors at HealthEast Neurovascular Institute that gave Dan Jensen a new lease on life. WCCO-TV; May 31, 2007
	Breast Cancer Survivor Gives Back To Hospital A young woman who survived breast cancer has decided to give back to the hospital that helped her get better. Kelly Moore gave HealthEast Breast Care Center a check for $20,000. WCCO-TV; May 29, 2007

	Paramedics Provide Emergency Care As a paramedic, Jeff Groess delivered babies, tended heart attack sufferers and climbed into wrecked cars to care for accident victims. One New Year's Eve, he helped resuscitate two little girls rescued from a fire in North St. Paul. Star Tribune; May 27, 2007
	Cardiac-stent use slips further in April Numbers released Thursday suggest that use of cardiac stents - a medical device for which sales already were depressed by safety questions - fell even further last month following a major study in March that questioned the effectiveness of the devices, a major line of which is made in the Twin Cities. St. Paul Pioneer Press; May 18, 2007

	MN Nurses approve labor contracts According to a press release, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) said it struck agreements with the Twin Cities hospitals that include a three year wage increase of 11 percent and solid maintenance of MNA's health insurance plans. Minneapols St. Paul Business Journal; May 18, 2007
	New Device May Give Stroke Victims Increased Odds Nearly 700,000 times a year strokes force Americans to race the clock. When it happened to a Twin Cities man visiting Brainerd recently an experimental device may have made all the difference. WCCO-TV; May 4, 2007

	Metabolism, Portion Sizes Both Affect Body Weight As I celebrate my 39th birthday today, I am trying to figure out why it is so much harder to lose weight as I get older. Maintaining the same weight is also more of a challenge. What is going on? I was relieved to find out there really is something going on inside my body and not just a wild suspicion in my head. WCCO-TV; May 1, 2007
	30 Surgeries After Accident, Man Heading Home Soon Brad Elmore has been in the hospital for four months and has had nearly 30 surgeries after flipping his snowmobile in January. Despite the suffering, Elmore is sharing a positive outlook on life and spending everyday since the accident struggling to get better. WCCO-TV; May 1, 2007

	All the Trimmings The Crowne Plaza in St. Paul was brimming with the well-heeled, but the real attractions at the HealthEast Festival of Trees were the more than fifty beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, which were also part of a silent auction. Mpls/St. Paul Magazine; May 2007
	Cancer Center Controversy A bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature would delay construction of new radiation-therapy facilities for cancer patients - but is specifically intended to target, and possibly prevent, the opening of a planned facility in Woodbury. St. Paul Pioneer Press; April 26, 2007

	'Good Morning' segment was well-timed wake-up call Pam Pariana of North St. Paul endures knee pain, but doctors have been putting off knee-replacement surgery because she's only 52. On March 6, Pariana was getting ready for work as executive secretary for the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district. As usual, the television was tuned to "Good Morning, America." St. Paul Pioneer Press; April 9, 2007
	When drug firms pay doctors, what do they get? Dr. Conrad Butwinick remembers a time when he couldn't do much but watch rheumatoid arthritis slowly cripple his patients, but that was before the discovery of drugs that eased their pain and sustained their mobility. It's a revelation that Butwinick has been happy to share, in part with financial help from the pharmaceutical industry. St. Paul Pioneer Press; April 8, 2007

	Histology Offers Many Opportunities Shortages for histotechnicians and histotechnologists means lots of open positions for these hands-on, detail-oriented jobs. Good communication skills - both written and oral - are a must. Star Tribune; April 2, 2007
	Who Let the Dogs In? On a snowy February evening, 16 people and nearly as many dogs have gathered at the Twin Cities Obedience Training Club in Minneapolis to find out if they have what it takes to comfort people being treated for cancer or motivate those who are relearning how to walk or talk. Minnesota Medicine; April 2007

	Heart stent not needed? Try telling the patient Many cardiologists dismissed research released Monday showing stents don't prolong life or prevent heart attacks for patients with mild pain and few symptoms. It was old news, they said, because patients with stable heart disease already know stents relieve only symptoms. That same morning, Bob Jacobs had a clogged artery propped open by a stent during a procedure at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. St. Paul Pioneer Press; March 29, 2007
	MRIs Urged For Women At Risk For Breast Cancer Women with an unusually high risk of developing breast cancer should get annual MRIs as well as mammograms, the American Cancer Society advises in new guidelines. WCCO-TV; March 28, 2007

	Family Of Ham Lake Bus Crash Victim Is Hopeful Tammy Weber was sitting in her SUV at a red light when a school bus, just blocks from an elementary school, went out of control and slammed into her vehicle. She had to be extricated and went to the hospital in critical condition. WCCO-TV; March 21, 2007
	Emotions put to the test Genetic evaluations are powerful predictors of hereditary surprises, unleashing responses ranging from fear to jealousy to relief. St. Paul Pioneer Press; March 19, 2007

	Study shows psychiatric beds wasted at hospitals Twin Cities hospitals could treat 2,733 more patients every year, without adding a bed, if they weren't the dumping grounds for mentally ill patients with nowhere else to go. St. Paul Pioneer Press; March 15, 2007
	New Breast Cancer Exam Sees What Mammograms Miss Twin Cities doctors are using a new way to spot breast cancer with a test that could see the disease that mammograms might miss. Minnesota women have one of the highest rates for getting their mammograms but the test can still miss one in five cancer cases. WCCO-TV; February 27, 2007

	Project Waistline: Choosing The Right Foods The right foods give your body the right fuel. The wrong foods ... well, you can probably look at your tummy and see what they do. Dietitian Brenda Navin guided me through the aisles of Kowalski's grocery store in Woodbury, Minn. She teaches classes at Woodwinds hospital. WCCO-TV; February 22, 2007
	New Artificial Knee May Last Longer Younger people who get knee replacement surgery will probably need a second one during their lifetime because, eventually, an artificial knee wears out. Now surgeons in the Twin Cities are using a new kind of replacement that could last longer. WCCO-TV; February 20, 2007

	Nurse Celebrates 75 Years On The Job Imagine working at the same place for more than 75 years. Eleanor Jahnke, a former nurse and volunteer at Bethesda Hospital is celebrating her diamond anniversary. WCCO-TV; February 13, 2007
	A Breath Of Fresh Air Scott Sapp was looking for a career in healthcare that was interesting and well paid - and that would give him mobility and the possibility to use his skills in a wide variety of settings. Respiratory care seemed like a good bet. Thirty years later, he has no regrets. Star Tribune; February 11, 2007

	Two babies born in dramatic fashion It was the kind-of scene emergency medical technicians train for. Only this time, one deadly ending was threatening someone else's beginning. One woman stuck in traffic was about to give birth. KARE-11; February 11, 2007
	A cancer quandary Some doctors believe a blood test to screen for prostate cancer saves lives. Others say it has done more harm than good by resulting in unnecessary procedures. St. Paul Pioneer Press; February 5, 2007

	Two Years Or Less There are "hot jobs" that require two years of college or less but continued education is encouraged to advance in most healthcare careers. Star Tribune; January 28, 2007
	Pharmaceuticals: No more free lunch The days of the free lunch are dying, at least for many doctors. Just ask Keely Perry, owner of a St. Paul catering firm that used to do a brisk business catering lunches for doctors, with drug salespeople footing the bill. These days, business is way down - half of what it used to be. Star Tribune; January 28, 2007

	Moment of change: 1 man's recovery from meth addiction Corey Nellis wasn't sure how to respond last October when a man he had once arrested called and asked to meet him... But when he saw Ron Kompelien's vehicle, he remembered. Nellis had used Ron's arrest as an example when he talked to local organizations about drugs. He had arrested Ron almost two years earlier for having meth and meth pipes. St. Cloud Times; January 28, 2007
	Tracking mistakes, saving lives Minnesota hospitals say the number of preventable errors in surgery and medical care keeps rising, but hospital and state officials say the trend reflects increased vigilance, not a decline in patient care. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 17, 2007

	Medica hopes to limit costly imaging scans A new insurance restriction on diagnostic imaging scans, such as CTs and MRIs, is drawing heat from radiologists and other doctors who order these expensive tests. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 16, 2007
	Pounding off the pounds It's January and a new year. For many people that means there's a new set of resolutions to consider. Woodbury Bulletin; January 10, 2007

	Fact-finding first-hand To get some ideas on what issues will face the health care industry in the near future, U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) recently paid a visit to Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury. Woodbury Bulletin; January 10, 2007
	Baby is first born this year in Twin Cities At 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve, nurses at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul told Jenia Hutchinson that she could either push hard for a 2006 tax deduction or relax and have a New Year's baby. St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 2, 2007

	The 2007 that might be It might sound OK when you are covered with confetti at a party, but the cold light of New Year's Day brings up a tough question: Will the new year really be happy? St. Paul Pioneer Press; January 1, 2007
	First baby of New Year born at St. Joseph's A St. Paul woman is the proud mother of the first baby born in the Twin Cities this year. KARE-11; January 1, 2007

	Tax Breaks Make For Increase In December Babies There is one day each year where more babies are born than at any other time of the year -- often called the national birthday. In years past, that day has fallen sometime in mid-Septmeber, but recently the trend has shifted to the last week in December. WCCO-TV; December 21, 2006
	Open-Heart Surgery Just Got A Little Easier Open-heart surgery is a life-saver for about 750,000 Americans each year. Since the 1960s, a machine has kept their blood flowing through the operation. Now the newest version is helping patients get better faster. WCCO-TV; December 14, 2006

	Volunteers Assemble Medical Kits For Iraqis Minnesota health care workers are doing what they can to help Iraqis hurt in the war. A group from HealthEast spent Tuesday evening putting together hundreds of first aid kits. WCCO-TV; December 13, 2006
	St. Joseph's joins health care collaborative St. Joseph's Hospital has been invited to join a health care collaborative focused on improving the accuracy of patient billing while maintaining levels of care. The Business Journal; December 11, 2006

	Mammographers Help Save Lives During the course of their life time, about 13% of women will develop invasive breast cancer. Early detection is life-saving. That's where Anita Eicher comes in. Star Tribune; December 3, 2006
	Regions eliminates weight-loss surgery Competition among those hospitals is intensifying as tighter insurance restrictions limit the number of patients eligible for bariatric surgery. St. Paul Pioneer Press; December 2, 2006

	Reformed Consent Last February, surgery patients at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul were handed a brand new informed consent form—one written without medical or legal jargon and with short sentences. Minnesota Medicine; December 2006
	A Family's Blessing: Thanksgiving In A Hospital For many people, Thanksgiving dinner means visiting the house of a relative and enjoying turkey and all the trimmings, but 54-year-old Gloria Durham couldn't be home this Thanksgiving because she's recovering from an illness at Bethesda Hospital. WCCO-TV; November 23, 2006

	Festival of Trees To Benefit the Capistrant Parkinson's Center at Bethesda Hospital Friday November 10th and Saturday November 11th mark the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for HealthEast Foundation. This year's recipient, Capistrant Parkinson's Center will benefit hundreds of parkinson's patients who are treated there. KARE 11; November 7, 2006
	Director's Cuts - Live from the OR, it's surgery on the Web. Dr. Daniel Hoeffel, who performed the Webcast procedure last May at HealthEast's Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, likens surgical Webcasting to a baseball game. "You have someone knowledgeable 'sitting in the booth,' so to speak, giving meaningful color commentary that enlightens the audience, and then you, of course, have the surgical team, the people on the field," he explains. Minnesota Medicine; November 2006

	Computerized Therapy Adds Bounce To Achy Joints Roughly a half-million total knee replacements will be performed this year. An aging population that wants to stay active -- and easier techniques -- have growing numbers of people crawling onto the operating table for pain relief. WCCO-TV; October 23, 2006
	Glacier Hills Gifted and Talented Specialist uses her Life’s Greatest Lesson to Inspire Students Beth Wakefield is as much a student as she is a teacher. Her curiosity, drive to explore new subject matter, and courage have opened her up to new learning experiences and enhanced her own students' education. Those same personality traits also helped her bring to light a brain condition that, left untreated, could have ended her life. This Week Online; Sept. 29, 2006

	Twin Cities Physician Receives Distinguished Service Award Twin Cities physician Frank J. Indihar, MD, MBA, was presented with the Minnesota Medical Association's Distinguished Service Award during the MMA's 153rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed on a colleague by the MMA. Minnesota Medical Association; Sept. 15, 2006
	St. Joseph's offers trials for new stroke treatment St. Joseph's Hospital said Tuesday that it has begun using a new, non-surgical treatment for stroke victims as part of a clinical trial. Business Journal; September 12, 2006

	Soldier in Iraq will get to see son's birth It's all a bit too familiar. The same doctor, same hospital. Only this time it is a little different. Someone is missing. Each time 30-year-old Nicole Flor has had a baby, her husband John has been there. When the twin girls were born 5 years ago, and for their baby sister two years later. KARE-11; July 25, 2006
	Clinics Halting Use Of Prescription Drug Samples The next time you go to the doctor you might notice a change, no more free prescription drug samples. More and more clinics and hospitals are banning the freebies for a variety of reasons. WCCO-TV; July 24, 2006

	Woman delivers baby in parking lot When they couldn't make it to the hospital in time, a woman gave birth in the parking lot at the HealthEast Macalester/Groveland Clinic. WCCO-TV; July 23, 2006
	Teacher with Brain Disorder Helps Save her Own Life It was the 4th of July in 2005 when Beth Wakefield, a teacher, experienced a headache like none she'd ever had before. An exam found one of Wakefield's carotid arteries (which normally supplies blood to the brain) completely blocked. In fact, it was completely dissected. Even so, Beth says, doctors told her, again, not to worry because she was stable. KARE-11; July 9, 2006

	Local Hospital Shortens Emergency Room Visits Changes at the St. John's Hospital emergency room is making the experience faster and easier for patients to get help. WCCO-TV; July 3, 2006
	Generic Zocor May Force a Choice: Price or Health? Donald Zibell says he feels as if a bull's-eye has been painted over his heart. Zibell, 69, a retired lawyer from St. Paul, Minnesota, takes one of the most potent drugs available to lower his cholesterol, Pfizer Inc.'s Lipitor, costing $3.33 a pill... Bloomberg News; June 26, 2006

	Local Woman Lobbies for Cruise Defibrillators Gail Pattain was supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime, heading to Hawaii on a Norwegian cruise line ship to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary. Halfway through the trip, the registered nurse who works at Woodwinds watched as a 70 year old man collapsed. WCCO-TV; June 25, 2006
	Good Managers Are Key To Retention Employees who work for effective managers are more likely to settle in for the long term. Star Tribune; June 17, 2006

	Brain Bypass Surgery Helps Prevent Future Strokes We've all heard: eat right, exercise and head off a stroke. But what if that isn't enough? Be happy that one of the most respected brain surgeons in the country has set up shop in St. Paul. WCCO-TV; June 9, 2006
	Stroke Survivor Heading for San Diego Marathon The event that nearly killed 38-year-old Jeanne Wiestling did not make her body any stronger but it made her heart and her mind, nearly indestructible. KARE 11; May 25, 2006

	Successful Interviewing Congratulations! Your online application has been received by a local healthcare organization, and you've been asked to come in for an interview. You're excited, pleased and a bit nervous. Star Tribune; May 21, 2006
	Getting Better Treatment for Stroke In any kind of medical emergency, time is of the essence. But, in some cases, the best treatment isn't at the nearest hospital. When it comes to stroke, patients are more likely to get more effective treatment at a stroke center than a typical emergency room. KARE-11; May 20, 2006

	Doctor Has New Method To Break Up Kidney Stones Dr. Andrew Portis of HealthEast Kidney Stone Institute has a new method of helping people plagued by painful kidney stones. WCCO-TV; May 10, 2006
	The View From Within Jennifer Islam hated her desk job. When her mother suggested looking into sonography, she did - and discovered a satisfying career. Star Tribune; April 30, 2006

	Strangers Save Motorcycle Driver After Fiery Crash A Minnesota man survived a fiery crash on his motorcycle on Highway 52 in St. Paul Friday morning. The crash between the motorcycle, a truck, and a third vehicle occurred at around 10 a.m. at the Lafayette Bridge, about a half-mile south of where Hwy. 52 meets Interstate 94. WCCO-TV; April 28, 2006
	Online Birth Class Alternative For Busy Parents Expecting first-time parents are so busy these days, fewer than half take birthing classes before showing up at the delivery room. So it's no wonder the first online course in the nation is such a hit, only a year after launching. WCCO-TV; March 20, 2006

	Twin Cities Public Television: The New Medicine When Amy gave birth at Woodwinds, the aromatherapy and massage she received reduced the difficulty of labor and sped her recovery time. Watch Amy talk about her experience
	Lifeline: Resistant Staph Infections On The Rise The number of people contracting staph infections is growing in Minnesota and health department officials are worried about the surge because most of the cases are outside hospitals. Terry Knutson, 66, knows firsthand what it is like to cope with a staph infection. He contracted what is known as MRSA, or resistant staph infection, last summer. WCCO-TV; Feb. 28, 2006

	Rare Surgery Lengthens Woman's Leg After a lifetime of limping and constant pain, a woman underwent a rare surgery to have one of her legs lengthened. Almaz Meshesha, 35, calls the surgery a "miracle". She came to Minnesota for the surgery and is now starting a new life with a leg that is growing to match her other leg. WCCO-TV; Feb 24, 2006
	Local Heart Center Uses Healing Touch Therapy Three days after having a heart attack and open heart surgery, Barat Shah is on the mend and feeling pretty great. He believes healing touch therapy may have something to do with that. WCCO-TV; Feb. 8, 2006

	Healthcare Offers Varied, Plentiful Opportunities About 16 percent of all new wage and salary jobs created between 2002 and 2012 will be in health services. This industry booms with lots of jobs in professional and service occupations. Star Tribune, Feb. 5, 2006
	Get a Whole Life on FM 107 "Get a Whole Life"™ is the radio show dedicated to helping you enjoy a more balanced, sane and satisfying life. Our motto: "Live healthy. Live happy. Live whole." FM 107, Get a Whole Life

	Holistic Approach to Healing Babies HealthEast Hospitals are using holistic healing techniques on premature babies in what may be a first-of-its-kind program in the country. WCCO-TV; Jan. 12, 2006
	Helping Patients Enjoy Themselves Folk singer Bob Payton needed a day job to pay the bills. So he began working in a nursing home, helping with recreational activities. He loved the job so much that he eventually became a certified therapeutic recreational specialist. Star Tribune, Jan. 3, 2006