It’s hard for 37-year-old Malia Smith to imagine how she will feel after undergoing a kidney transplant. Having battled Lupus for more than half her life, health struggles are part of Malia’s normal routine. At age 12, Malia was treated…
There’s life before your heart attack, and then there’s life after. Those first days and weeks as you start “life after” can be difficult physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s one reason the earlier you start going to cardiac rehab, the…
Ringing in the New Year often means responsibly enjoying a few adult beverages. Expecting mothers don’t have to feel left out—it just takes a little creativity to incorporate some healthy, alcohol-free options into your party planning. “It can be tough…
Tony Shuff is a busy man, and his Oct. 5 heart attack was not on the fall “to-do” list. His warning signs? • Tired and easily winded • Shortness of breath • Minimal feelings of discomfort around the heart The…
Pete Rafferty, 72, knew from early childhood that he wanted to serve his country. A Springfield native who attended Feishan’s High School, he achieved that dream quickly upon graduation when he enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1963. He was…
You could say Brad Knapp had it all: a beautiful family with the recent addition of a sweet baby girl, a successful career as a chemical engineer at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), and a healthy workout regimen including hitting the…
The mosquito-transmitted Zika virus has influenced travel plans and led to worldwide recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization that include guidelines for people who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. Rajesh…
Jacksonville’s Beard family understands they have a choice when it comes to healthcare. Over and over again, they choose Passavant Area Hospital—seven times for orthopedic care alone in the past several years. Erica Beard is an old soul when it…
Leroy Jordan is a man who appreciates structure. He rises at 6 a.m. each morning and almost always eats the same cereal for breakfast. After taking medication to manage his diabetes, he settles into his recliner to read the morning…
Not many people look back on knee replacement surgery with fond memories, but Angie Griffin is unique. On April 8, 2013, she turned 60 and was gifted with a new knee joint at Taylorville Memorial Hospital (TMH). Before she was…