Health

Poor Health Can Make Cold Temperatures More Intense

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Temperatures across the northern tier of the United States are bitterly cold, but low body fat levels and thyroid dysfunction may make it feel worse, says Jagdish Khubchandani, associate professor of community health at Ball State University. He noted that people without proper levels of body fat, which serves to insulate the body, may feel colder, he said. “People who eat too little over a long period of time or those who are young and old…

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IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Impacted by Damaged Fiber Optic Line

Editor’s Note: 2:24pm— The hospital has indicated all of their systems are back up and running. The hospital still recommends that patients call their provider today before heading out for a scheduled appointment or procedure.   Muncie, IN –Extreme cold temperatures overnight have resulted in an external public fiber optic line freezing and breaking. The power company and its maintenance vendor are working diligently to repair the line and restore full power today. As a result, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has…


Donna Corder Lost 185 Pounds And Gained Her Life Back

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN – December 15, 2016, was the beginning of a journey. A journey that, yet unfinished, would amount to losing nearly 200 pounds, walking easier, breathing easier, and looking toward a future filled with confidence and adventure. Donna Corder’s first visit to the IU Health Ball Memorial Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss Center last year was for a weight loss seminar. She had reached a point in her 400-pound life when she knew she needed to…


IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital’s Mandy Puckett Now Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management

By: Courtney Thomas—  Muncie, IN– Mandy L. Puckett, M.A., R.D., C.D., Manager of Clinical Nutrition & Weight Management at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss Center, recently achieved board certification as a Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (designated as CSOWM), from the Commission on dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In order to become board certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy…


New “Equipment” Will Keep Kids Entertained at IU Health Ball Memorial’s ER Dept

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN—In the very near future, if you visit the Emergency Department at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, you will likely see a Starlight Fun Center entertaining a child who is waiting to be seen or waiting with a family member. What is a Starlight Fun Center? It’s portable gaming system on a rolling tower with a large display and control pad that provides entertainment and distraction for children who visit the Emergency Department. “The gaming…


Jay County Leaders Sign Agreement to Join IU Health

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Portland, IN – Jay County Hospital will officially join IU Health on March 1, becoming IU Health Jay Hospital. The announcement followed a vote of approval from the Jay County Council and Commissioners and the signing of the definitive agreement between Jay County Hospital and IU Health. The two parties signed a letter of intent in August agreeing to enter exclusive negotiations. Over the past four months, officials from IU Health and Jay County Hospital discussed the ideal…


Bethel Pointe Health & Rehab Earns 2017 Bronze National Quality Award 

By: McKensie Monroe, Admissions Coordinator— Muncie, In– Bethel Pointe Health & Rehab has been recognized as a 2017 Bronze – Achievement in Quality Award recipient by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which was established in 1996 and spotlights providers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality of care for residents and patients in long term…


Ready for Black Friday? Comfy Shoes Make All The Difference For Shoppers

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Lacing up a comfortable pair of athletic shoes before hitting the shopping mall this holiday season is highly recommended by Ball State’s Henry Wang, an exercise science professor who studies biomechanics in the university’s College of Health. He points out that athletic shoes designed for walking or running offer several benefits,including improving comfort, providing cushioning, enhancing support and promoting range of motion. “There are several studies that show the average person will spend two to three…


Six Basic Tips to Frying a Turkey The Safest Way Possible

By: Author Paul Kenny,  former VP of Ingredients at Kraft Foods and supper club enthusiast— Get a turkey that fits in your fryer A turkey in the 12 to 15 pound range will work well. Most turkey fryers will fit a turkey of less than 15 pounds. Larger turkeys increase the chances of oil overflow. The smaller turkey also cooks quicker and more evenly. If you are having a larger crowd, you may need to fry more than one turkey. The good…


IU Health Ball Memorial Family Medicine Residency Center Receives “CenteringPregnancy” Site Approval

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN—The IU Health Ball Memorial Family Medicine Residency Center (FMRC) has received approval as an accredited site for CenteringPregnancy.  The FMRC is now one of 11 sites approved in Indiana and the only site approved in East Central Indiana. The year-long approval process evaluated patient outcomes, adherence to quality standards and support from IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital administration. CenteringPregnancy is an innovative model of prenatal care that facilitates interactive learning and community building in a…