Health & Lifestyle

Story by Tamaria L. Kulemeka

The opioid and heroin epidemic is crippling communities across the nation, leaving health officials and providers, coroners, law enforcement and churches scrambling to respond to and combat this widespread crisis.

Bonnie Franckowiak, professor and coordinator of the Master of Science Nursing Program at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., says, “The use of opioids in this country is staggering. It’s huge, and it’s growing all the time; we don’t seem to have a handle on it at all,” she says. “In 2012, 259 million prescriptions were written for opioids, which is enough to give every American adult their own pill box.”

Story by Elizabeth Long

Breast imaging technology has become more refined, allowing many breast abnormalities and cancers to be detected before they can be felt with a physical exam. While early detection allows for treatment to begin sooner and for patients to have better outcomes, it also presents a greater challenge in precisely locating and removing smaller or deeper masses.

A new approach

Previously, wire localization has been the only method to pinpoint certain breast lesions.

Story by Kettering Adventist Health Care

To stem the spread of the opioid epidemic, Kettering Health Care has created an innovative tool for healthcare providers and pharmacists. This tool has the potential to help clinicians provide opioid-free health care.

Story by Elizabeth Long

Kettering Adventist Healthcare is the first in Dayton to offer a more accurate, less painful breast surgery procedure. The procedure, called radioactive seed localization, is a new approach to pinpointing breast lesions.

Breast imaging technology has become more refined, allowing many breast abnormalities and cancers to be detected before they can be felt with a physical exam. While early detection allows for treatment to begin sooner and the patients to have better outcomes, it also presents a greater challenge in precisely locating and removing smaller or deeper lesions.

Story by Valerie Morikone

The Parkersburg (W.Va.) Pathfinder Club recently conducted a children’s health expo for 250 students, grades K-5 at the Franklin Elementary Center in Parkersburg. Using colorful banners, the Pathfinders manned eight stations across the school’s gymnasium, offering games, quizzes and activities.