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Spotlight on a healthy lifestyle Melanie Novitsky MERCY & UNITY HOSPITALS FOUNDATION 2005 ANNUAL REPORT On February 2, 2004, Melanie Novitsky embarked upon a healthcare journey that has been a life changing experience for her. Over several months, she had made a personal decision to regain her health and her life. It was on that day that Melanie had bariatric surgery, a procedure to help promote weight loss. At 5’5” tall, pre-operatively Melanie weighed 253 pounds and was a size 24. Today she weighs 133 pounds and is a size 6. Not only has her weight improved but also her health and life have too. Prior to the surgery, Melanie had shortness of breath with activity, asthma, high cholesterol, heartburn, back and ankle pain and migraines. Today Melanie is no longer short of Dr. Daniel Baker and Melanie on the day of surgery. breath, has no sleep disturbances, the heartburn has gone, migraines have resolved, back and ankle pain have gone and her asthma has improved. Melanie’s goal is to “encourage and provide support to others who have this surgery.” She says, “All is possible.” Nationally recognized as a “Bariatric Center of Excellence” by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, Unity Hospital’s Bariatric Center is dedicated to helping patients achieve significant weight loss. Since 1996, the Bariatric Center has performed over 3,800 surgeries. From its beginning, the Center has been a resource for community education, medical training, patient evaluations, pre-operative counseling and long-term care follow up. All of the medical staff of the Center are board certified by the American College of Surgery, and all are members of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. As stated by Janet Rudlong, Nursing Manager, “We focus on treating the whole person: body, mind and spirit.” Follow-up studies in the Unity program have shown that at one year after surgery, the average loss for the 848 patients in 2004 was 104.8 pounds. Through Images, a pre-and post-operative weight loss support group, encouragement and ongoing help is offered to patients and family members. The Center offers free introductory classes for anyone interested in learning more about weight loss surgery. The Center can be contacted through Medformation at 612.262.3333 or 1.800.877.7878. Anyone interested in donating for the support group or education programs should contact the Foundation at 763.236.8199. Melanie one year post surgery. 3
4 “I can help you with that.” Joel Guptill If a child’s initiative and persistence are any indication of future success, then Joel Guptill is destined to be a Twin Cities “mover and shaker.” Joel is an exuberant 10 year old boy from Blaine, MN where he is a fourth-grader at Madison Elementary School. He also happens to receive therapy at the Kenny Kids Rehabilitation Program, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Mercy Hospital. At the age of two, Joel was diagnosed with developmental apraxia, a neurological disorder that has affected his speech. He attends speech therapy weekly and usually spends about 10 minutes in the therapy gym area before heading on to school. It was while using the gym space that he saw a need. The rehabilitation program had moved from the hospital’s lower level to the first floor. This move helped with the program’s accessibility for children and parents, but it was now in a smaller space. Joel saw that they needed a new exercise floor mat and new air walk therapeutic swing to make the best use of the new space. So he came up with a fund raising idea and embarked on his own initiative, raising over $500 to purchase the equipment. Joel’s family is not surprised that he came up with the fund raising idea. His family says, “He’s always had a big heart.”… “he has so much …compassion for others.” While at therapy, Joel has been very attentive to the needs of others, sharing and taking turns in the gym area. Joel delivering donation to the Foundation Kenny Kids is the only program that addresses the multi-service rehabilitation needs of children within the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area and within the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. The program treats over 200 children each week with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speechlanguage therapy. Children from birth to age 18 are treated for a wide variety of conditions including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, autism, feeding and swallowing disorders, traumatic brain injury, nerve injuries and impairments, congenital anomalies, Joel and his family speech and language disorders, general developmental delays, and therapies after orthopedic corrective surgeries. Children within a 60 mile radius are served at this clinic. Families are assisted in securing adapted equipment, augmentative communication devices and mobility systems. Joel is a perfect example that everyone can make a difference. For Joel, “Making Lives Work Through Play” is a reality. Individuals interested in donating to the Kenny Kids programs should contact the Foundation at 763.236.8199.
Page 1 and 2: Mercy & Unity Hospitals Foundation
Page 3: 2 “Heart of the Community” Capi
Page 7 and 8: 6 Special Events 2005 Golf Classic
Page 9 and 10: 8 Auxiliary & Volunteer Services Gi
Page 11 and 12: 10 Planned Giving Investing in the
Page 13 and 14: 12 Donors Allan Lund M & I Bank Sue
Page 15 and 16: 14 Donors Gerald Bauer Lori Blauert
Page 17 and 18: 16 Donors Julie Serakos Serenity Po
Page 19 and 20: 18 Donors Sue Fischer Sarah & Ed Pe
Page 21 and 22: 20 Financial Reports ASSETS 2005 20
Page 23 and 24: 22 Upcoming Foundation Events 2006
Page 25 and 26: 24 Contributors Mercy & Unity Hospi

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