Spectrum Health Hosts January-February Web Chats

Consumers can have their Health questions answered through live Web chats with Spectrum Health medical specialists. Three chats are scheduled through February at www.spectrum-health.org/onlinechat.

Questions About Breastfeeding? Get Answers.
Mary Oleniczak, BSN, RN, LCCE, IBCLC
Wednesday, January 26 – 7 p.m.
Women thinking of breastfeeding or who are a breastfeeding moms, often have questions. This is an opportunity to have questions answered by Mary Oleniczak, a prenatal educator and certified lactation consultant. From the privacy of a personal computer, participants can learn more and get expert advice on breastfeeding. Oleniczak has been a childbirth educator for 34 years and a certified lactation consultant since 2007. She has taught breastfeeding classes and facilitated breastfeeding support groups offered by Spectrum Health for 12 years.

Health & Wellness of New Moms
Allison J. Fabian, DO
Wednesday, February 9 – Noon
It is a challenge to stay healthy and maintain the energy required to keep up with a new baby’s round-the-clock needs. Becoming a parent can be an exciting time but can also create anxiety over questions regarding mental and physical wellbeing. Answering questions about women’s health concerns is Spectrum Health Medical Group physician Allison J. Fabian, DO. She is a board certified family medicine physician with a special interest in women’s health.

Heart Failure: Treatment Options to Feel Your Best
Michael Dickinson, MD, Cardiovascular Disease
Thursday, February 17 – Noon
Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood through the body. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and ankles, weight gain, fatigue and more. Advanced heart failure specialist Michael Dickinson, MD, will discuss the latest improvements in heart failure care and answer questions. He is the medical director for the advanced heart failure, ventricular assist device and heart transplant program for the Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, nine hospitals and more than 170 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups with more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,700 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,350 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.