Your pathway to a successful nursing specialty
Abstract
At Genesis, your long-term success is vital to us. Therefore, we created the Clinical Career Pathway to prepare you to succeed as a specialty nurse.
Why getting a colonoscopy is so important
Let’s talk about something that’s often avoided at the dinner table, which is colonoscopies. While the topic might not be glamorous, it’s one of the most important conversations you can have about your health. A colonoscopy isn’t just a medical procedure. It’s a life-saving tool that could mean the difference between catching colorectal cancer early or letting it go unnoticed.
The silent nature of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer often starts with small, painless growths called polyps in the colon or rectum. According to the Mayo Clinic, these polyps can remain symptomless for years, quietly developing into cancer. That’s the problem. By the time symptoms like blood in your stool or abdominal pain appear, the cancer may already be advanced. Colonoscopies allow doctors to detect and remove these polyps before they can turn dangerous.
Early detection saves lives
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when detected early. A colonoscopy can identify precancerous polyps and early-stage cancers, giving patients significantly better treatment outcomes. For those 45 and over, routine screenings are vital in staying ahead of this disease.
The procedure is easier than you think
Yes, the prep can be a bit inconvenient (hello, clear liquids and laxatives), but the procedure is quick and painless. Thanks to sedation, most patients don’t even remember it happening. Compare that minor discomfort to the peace of mind of knowing your health is in check, and it’s a small price to pay.
Take charge of your health
Your health is priceless, and a colonoscopy is a simple yet powerful way to protect it. Whether it’s your first screening or a follow-up, prioritizing this procedure could save your life. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your colonoscopy and take control of your well-being today.
For more information on colonoscopies and other screenings, visit genesishcs.org/screenings.
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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
While the topic of colonoscopies might not be glamorous, it’s one of the most important conversations you can have about your health.
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Genesis HealthCare System Receives Healthy Business Council of Ohio Award
Genesis HealthCare System received a Gold Award from the Healthy Business Council of Ohio (HBCO) in 2024. HBCO has recognized Genesis for the last 10 years for its healthy work environment. HBCO annually reviews Ohio employers demonstrating their commitment to employees’ well-being by providing comprehensive health promotion and wellness programs. This program is called Healthy Worksite Recognition. In 2024, HBCO recognized 84 Ohio employers for healthy worksite practices.
“We are honored to receive the Gold Award from the Healthy Business Council of Ohio,” said Heather Shuster, Population Health & Wellness Manager at Genesis HealthCare System. “At Genesis, we want to continue implementing new opportunities and creating a healthier environment for our employees. In 2024, we offered employees the opportunity to participate in our annual wellness initiatives, free virtual sessions on Talkspace for mental and emotional health, nutrition counseling, wellness/health services and occupational well-being and safety.”
Genesis HealthCare System has routinely implemented employees’ suggestions for a healthier workplace environment and provided programs that benefit employees’ physical and mental health. Genesis HealthCare System is developing new opportunities to keep employees healthy.
For more information about the Healthy Worksite Recognition Awards, visit healthactioncouncil.org.
Genesis HealthCare System received a Gold Award from the Healthy Business Council of Ohio (HBCO) in 2024.
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Better Begins Here in Coshocton County
Abstract
Genesis HealthCare System is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the Coshocton community. We continue to expand our services so you can receive the healthcare you need closer to where you live, work and play.
Eat your way to a healthy, happy heart
Your heart is the ultimate workhorse, pumping blood and keeping you alive. But did you know you can nourish your heart with the right foods? Eating the right foods can boost heart health, reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. All while making your taste buds happy.
1. Berries: tiny but mighty
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are packed with antioxidants and fiber. They help reduce inflammation and protect your heart. Add them to smoothies or enjoy them as a snack.
2. Oats: the heart-healthy classic
Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. Start your day with a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts for an extra heart-boosting kick.
3. Fatty fish: Omega-3 rich
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, salmon, mackerel and sardines are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Grill or bake these fish for a delicious, heart-healthy meal.
4. Nuts: crunchy heart helpers
Almonds, walnuts and pistachios are packed with healthy fats that support heart health. A handful of nuts makes a great snack that helps lower bad cholesterol.
5. Leafy greens: supercharged veggies
Kale, spinach and Swiss chard are loaded with nutrients that help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Add them to salads, soups or smoothies for a heart-healthy boost.
Eating these heart-friendly foods is a delicious and easy way to keep your heart strong. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is essential to maintain proportion sizes with these healthy foods. So go ahead and responsibly, eat your way to a happy, healthy heart.
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Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Eating the right foods can boost heart health, reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. All while making your taste buds happy.
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Do you have a family history of heart disease?
If you have a family health history of heart disease, you are more likely to develop heart disease. Different types of heart disease and related conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can run in families. Therefore, discussing your family's history with your healthcare provider is important.
According to Sai Krishna C. Korada, M.D., Fellowship-trained in Cardiology and Board-Certified in Internal Medicine at Genesis HealthCare System, you should share information with your provider to create a good picture of your family's heart health information like:
- What you know about your parents, sisters, brothers, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles’ health.
- Family history on your mother's and father's sides of the family.
- Which relatives have had heart disease, related conditions or procedures and the age at which they were diagnosed or treated.
- List the age and cause of death for relatives who have died.
- Regularly update your family health history and alert your doctor to any new diagnosis, condition or procedure.
- If your father, mother, brother or sister had a heart attack before age 50, your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke might be increased.
“Knowing your family’s history is essential for heart disease screening, as conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure and even congenital heart defects often run in families,” said Dr. Korada. “This knowledge helps your cardiologist determine your risk of cardiovascular disease, allowing for more personalized and effective prevention strategies.”
Sai Krishna C. Korada, M.D.
Fellowship-trained in Cardiology and Board-Certified in Internal Medicine
There are simple ways to reduce your heart disease or stroke risk. According to Dr. Korada, you can:
- Control high blood pressure
- Reduce blood sugar levels
- Control blood cholesterol
- Not smoke
- Keep active
- Eat healthy
- Lose weight
- Keep a healthy mind
By talking to your healthcare provider about your family history and keeping your health in mind, you are taking the first step in preventing or managing your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
By talking to your healthcare provider about your family history and keeping your health in mind, you are taking the first step in preventing or managing your risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Better balance, better you
Struggling to stay steady? Whether it’s catching your balance on a rocky trail or mastering yoga poses without toppling, balance is a skill worth mastering. According to Harvard Health, good balance requires the coordination of several body parts, including the central nervous system, inner ear, eyes, muscles, bones and joints. There is more to than staying upright. It’s about building strength, coordination and confidence. Let’s dive into simple, effective ways to improve your balance and have a blast while doing it.
1. Embrace the power of play
Remember hopscotch? It’s for adults, too. Jumping, skipping and even hula hooping can strengthen your muscles and improve coordination. Who said fitness can’t be nostalgic?
2. Bring balance into your chores
Turn everyday tasks into balance workouts. Fold laundry while standing on one leg or squat to unload the dishwasher. You’ll tone muscles and improve balance without adding extra time to your day.
3. Try functional fitness
Functional movements like lunges, step-ups and single-leg deadlifts mimic real-life activities improving balance while boosting strength. Make it fun by timing yourself or adding light weights.
4. Turn technology into your trainer
Apps and YouTube channels offer quick, engaging balance routines. You can even gamify your workouts with virtual reality fitness games that challenge your stability in exciting, immersive ways.
5. Set a micro-challenge
Commit to small daily challenges like balancing on one foot while waiting for your coffee or brushing your teeth. These quick bursts of effort build your skills over time.
6. Bring in nature’s challenge
Head outdoors and walk along uneven terrain like sandy beaches or forest trails. Nature’s unpredictability is the perfect training ground for better balance.
Balance isn’t just a physical skill. It’s a life enhancer. According to Harvard Health, improved balance can help you with conditions like arthritis, stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. With these hacks, you’ll feel more stable, agile and ready to take on the world (or at least a tricky flight of stairs). Go ahead and give it a try. Your newfound steadiness awaits.
Ready to get healthy?
Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Struggling to stay steady? Whether it’s catching your balance on a rocky trail or mastering yoga poses without toppling, balance is a skill worth mastering.
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Pacemaker Implants: What you need to know
Pacemakers are implantable devices that treat slow heart rates. They can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals by preventing symptoms from slow heart rate conditions, such as sick sinus syndrome, or atrioventricular (AV) block.
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin near your collarbone to help regulate your heartbeat. A standard pacemaker consists of a pulse generator and wires (leads) secured in the heart. The pulse generator contains a battery and a tiny computer that sends electrical signals (heartbeat commands) to your heart when your heart rate is too slow.
Why might you need a pacemaker?
Your doctor may recommend a pacemaker if you have a heart condition that causes your heart to beat too slowly.
According to current guidelines, a pacemaker is offered if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness or passing out due to a heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute while awake, which is not due to a reversible cause. While asleep, heart rates less than 50 beats per minute can be normal.
A pacemaker can help ensure that your heart beats normally, improving your quality of life and reducing your risk of serious complications. In people whose heart rates are too slow, it can help improve energy levels and exercise tolerance.
How should you prepare?
1. Medical evaluation:
Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam.
Diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), echocardiogram or Holter monitor, may be conducted to assess your heart rhythm.
Discuss any medications you are taking. You may need to adjust them before the procedure.
2. Fasting:
Your doctor will provide specific instructions on fasting. Typically, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the procedure.
3. Arrangements for after the procedure:
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive.
Plan for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure to help with daily activities as needed.
What happens during the procedure?
The pacemaker procedure is done in the hospital and requires local anesthesia. Sedation medication is also used to maintain patient comfort. Implantation involves making a small incision near your collarbone and inserting the leads into a vein that leads to your heart. The leads are then guided to the correct position in your heart, and the pulse generator is placed under the skin near the incision. The incision is closed with absorbable sutures. A standard pacemaker implant procedure will take about one hour to complete.
What is recovery like?
Most people who receive pacemakers choose to go home about four hours after the procedure is completed. Your doctor will provide instructions on caring for the incision and what activities to avoid while you recover. Most people can resume normal activities (including lifting, pushing, and pulling) after four weeks.
Are there risks?
While pacemaker implantation is generally safe, there are risks and potential complications. These include possible infection, bleeding, bruising, allergic reactions, pain and swelling. However, following your doctor’s instructions will usually enable you to avoid these potential side effects.
What is life like with a pacemaker?
A pacemaker can be life-changing for individuals with symptoms due to a slow heart rate. Most patients will experience improvement in physical activity and a reduction in symptom burden.
Make an appointment
By understanding what a pacemaker is, how it works, how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during and after it, you can make an informed decision about whether a pacemaker is right for you. If you have any questions, discuss them with your heart doctor.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
By understanding what a pacemaker is, how it works, how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during and after it, you can make an informed decision about whether a pacemaker is right for you.
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Stress and your heart
The heart-stress connection
We’ve all had those days. Deadlines piling up, traffic jams stretching endlessly and your coffee deciding today’s the day it’ll spill all over your shirt. Stress is an unavoidable guest in life, but did you know it’s not just your mood that takes a hit? Your heart feels it, too.
When stress strikes, your body’s “fight or flight” response kicks in. According to Harvard Health, this triggers a surge of adrenaline, raising your heart rate and blood pressure. While helpful in short bursts, chronic stress can strain your heart over time, increasing the risk of hypertension, irregular heartbeats and heart disease.
The domino effect of stress
Stress doesn’t just affect your heart directly. It sneaks in through the backdoor, too. An example is reaching for comfort in unhealthy habits like junk food, smoking or skipping your evening walk after a bad day at work. These coping mechanisms can pile on cardiovascular risks, creating a dangerous cycle.
Stress less, protect more
The good news? You can fight back. Simple stress-management techniques can protect your heart and improve your overall well-being. As the Mayo Clinic states, try deep breathing exercises, mindfulness or yoga to calm your system. Even a good laugh can do wonders. It’s like a mini workout for your heart.
Make time for loved ones, get consistent sleep and incorporate regular physical activity. Each small step toward reducing stress builds a stronger, healthier heart.
Take heart
Stress is inevitable, but how you handle it makes the difference. So, when life gets chaotic, pause, breathe and think of your heart. A calmer mind leads to a healthier heart and a better day.
Ready to get healthy?
Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Stress is an unavoidable guest in life, but did you know it’s not just your mood that takes a hit? Your heart feels it, too.
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Helping Genesis Hospice Care Patients - Numerous Volunteer Opportunities Available
Compassionate volunteers are needed at Genesis Hospice Care to help support patients nearing the end of life and their families. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities, including in patients’ homes, in Morrison House, which is Genesis’ inpatient facility, and in nursing facilities.
“We are grateful for caring people in our community who give of their time to help our patients and their families,” said Pebbles Kieber, Director of Cancer, Palliative Medicine and Hospice Services at Genesis HealthCare System.
Volunteers are needed for companionship with patients, assisting with mealtimes, pet or music therapy, deliveries to homes for birthdays and anniversaries, beautician and barber services, fundraising, and greeting, wayfinding and keeping the family kitchen stocked at Morrison House, among others.
Training is provided, and shifts are flexible to meet volunteers’ needs. To learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer and making a difference for patients near the end of life, call Genesis Hospice Care at 740-454-5364, or visit genesishcs.org/hospice, click on “Volunteer.”
Compassionate volunteers are needed at Genesis Hospice Care to help support patients nearing the end of life and their families.
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