Spectrum Health Medical Group Presents Doctor Dialogue Series

Free Events Offer Information on Common Health Concerns

Spectrum Health Medical Group is making some of its medical expertise available to the community – for free.

A year-long series of physician presentations to the community kicks off next week. The “Doctor Dialogue” events will give guests the chance to learn more about their health concerns and ask questions of medical experts. The Dialogue events are free with registration recommended but not required. Light refreshments will be provided.

The series officially begins next week, focusing on a common health concern that can be a little embarrassing for women to discuss with their primary care physicians.

“Bladder Control and Confidence for Women” will take place on Wednesday, October 26, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Aquinas College’s Donnelly Center.

Christine Heisler, MD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group urogynecological surgeon, will address “Bladder Control Problems in Women: Defining the Problem and Providing Solutions.”

“Thousands of women have complex pelvic problems. This information could help them improve their lives,” said Heisler. “They need to know that help, hope and treatment are possible.”

Jennafer Vande Vegte, MSPT, BCIA-PMD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group physical therapist, will present on “Physical Therapy and Bladder Dysfunction: Using Conservative Treatment to Improve Function.” The discussion will review how diet, posture, proper movement, exercise and specific muscle training can help.

Registration for attending this event and more information about the Doctor Dialogue series is available at shmg.org/doctordialogue.

The Spectrum Health Medical Group currently employs more than 560 physicians and mid-level providers, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 180 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 625,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 17,800 employees. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2011 and 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.