LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Chili Blast Charities Inc. are accepting applications for the placement of AEDs (cardiac defibrillators) in area non-profit organizations. The organization must be located in Tippecanoe or Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Warren or White counties and may be tax-based. Applications are due by Tuesday, Sept. 1, and are available at the Kathryn Weil Center or online at www.ste.org/aed by clicking on the “Duke Smyser Chili Blast Open” form.

2008 AED presentation to Carroll County Sherrif's Department.

Area 501(c)3 organizations also are encouraged to apply to receive an AED through the “Revive & Survive” program offered by St. Elizabeth Regional Health. For eligibility requirements and to complete an application form, please visit www.ste.org/kwce and click on “Revive & Survive.”

The third annual Duke Smyser Chili Blast Open is set for Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 at the Ravines Golf Course, 8525 Division Rd., West Lafayette, with registration starting at 12:30 p.m. and play beginning at 1 p.m. A chili dinner catered by The Pub will be served at 6 p.m. For more information or to register for the Open, please visit www.chiliblast.org or sign up at the Ravines pro shop.

Proceeds from the Chili Blast Open are donated to the Kathryn Weil Center for Education and used towards the purchase of AEDs to be placed with non-profit organizations in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education oversees the Revive & Survive program, as well as works with other groups who fall outside the Revive & Survive guidelines but are still in need AEDs.

The Chili Blast Open is named for Duke Smyser, who was a Lafayette banker for almost 30 years before succumbing to heart disease in 2006.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The second summer session for “Motion for Moms” will start at 5:00p on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education in Lafayette, Indiana.

Motion for Moms is a light exercise and fitness program for expecting moms, as well as for moms who have recently delivered.

Motion for Moms is a light exercise and fitness program for expecting moms, as well as for moms who have recently delivered and is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Physical Therapy Department.

Motion for Moms will include traditional strengthening, stretching, endurance activities including yoga and Pilates, as well as resistive exercises to prepare the new mom for her childbirth experience and for caring for her newborn. An educational component will be a part of each section. Topics that will be covered will include nutrition, pain management during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, relaxation techniques, posture, foot care and safety information.

This session of Motion for Moms is set for 5:00p to 6:00p on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and going through Sept. 10. Cost is $40 for the 12 sessions. Medical clearance from your doctor is required prior to participation. A release form can be obtained by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Classes will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, located at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the Home Hospital campus.

For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — St. Elizabeth Regional Health Diabetes Center recently was awarded the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program.

The ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.

The ADA awards recognition to programs that offer high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment. The St. Elizabeth Diabetes Center has been accredited since 1990.

The ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994 and 2000.

Programs apply for recognition voluntarily. Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

“The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” said Laurel Widmer, R.N., director of the St. Elizabeth Diabetes Center. “It assures the patient that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.”

Education recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 23.6 million people or 7.8% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.7 million people are not aware that they have this disease.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, the association has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.

For more information on the St. Elizabeth Diabetes Center and its services, call (765) 449-5180.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — St. Elizabeth Regional Health and Unity Healthcare will be hosting the 2nd Annual Ultimate Pink Party (formerly Celebration of Women) on October 9, 2009 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Lafayette, Indiana from 5:00-11:00pm.

The event will include a plated dinner, spa service, Vera Bradley gift, entertainment from Purduettes and Golden Steps, shopping, silent auction and access to the chocolate extravaganza at 10pm. Educational topics will provided by the Spirit of Women, and demonstrations will be provided by vendors throughout the evening.

This fund raiser benefits the YWCA Women’s Cancer Program. The YWCA Women’s Cancer Program strives to eliminate inequities in health care experienced by many women by removing barriers to access and promoting effective community-based outreach, education, and referrals to appropriate clinical services.

The Women’s Cancer Program provides low-cost or free screenings for breast and cervical cancers, including mammograms, breast ultrasounds, biopsies, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and colposcopies. The program serves women in Tippecanoe County and 22 other Indiana counties: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Fountain, Greene, Hamilton, Howard, Jasper, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Parke, Pulaski, Sullivan, Tipton, Vermilion, Vigo, Warren and White.

225 individuals consisting mostly of women from Tippecanoe and the surrounding counties are expected to attend. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by stopping by or calling the Kathryn Weil Center at 765.449.5133. Must be 18 to attend.

Vendors and Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizers are currently accepting applications for vendor sponsorships and selling tickets for the event. For more information about how to be a vendor sponsor visit www.ultimatepinkparty.com or call Michelle Kreinbrook at 765.446.5228 or email mkreinbrook@unityhc.com.

Sherry Franscoviak, RN, IBCLC, RLC

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sherry Franscoviak, R.N., IBCLC, RLC, the outpatient lactation coordinator at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health, recently received the “2009 Breastfeeding Award of Excellence: Rookie of the Year” award from the Indiana Breastfeeding Alliance for her work and outreach to families.

She was honored for her commitment to developing the outpatient lactation consultant program and expanding services for patients and the community. Franscoviak has worked for St. Elizabeth Regional Health for eight years.