Blog Posts Page 2

Lori Bartell loves hiking, biking, cross country skiing and kayaking. When foot pain slowed her down, a succesful bunion correction surgery got her back in action!

Podiatrists often provide relief and help slow the progression of the bunion with conservative care.

With summer at full strength, many people are working and playing in the heat and sun. When it’s hot, it’s important to drink water.

On average, men are not as healthy as women. Compared to women, we are more likely to drink alcohol, use tobacco products and skip routine check-ups.

As a volunteer driver who brings older adults to medical appointments, Rick Herrig never expected to become a patient. At age 72, the Mountain Lake man routinely drives people to Mankato Clinic Dermatology at River’s Edge Campus in Saint Peter.

I recommend anyone who has skin to get a full-body skin exam! If you are 50 years old and have not had a skin exam, we encourage you to schedule one right away.

Did you know that sunburns are the leading cause of skin cancers, including melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer? All sun exposure, no matter your skin color, raises the risk for skin cancer.

Sheet pan chicken fajitas are a great solution for busy families looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. This one-pan wonder is loaded with lean chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and simple seasonings, making it both nutritious and flavorful.

As spring break and proms approach, many young women turn to tanning beds to achieve a bronzed look. However, tanning beds carry risks of premature aging and skin cancer.

Regular check-ups, also called well-child visits, play an important role in your child’s health.

In our house, breakfast is by far our favorite meal, so why not enjoy it more often? We call it Brinner or breakfast for dinner!

While the gut microbiome is an amazing field of research that’s getting a lot of buzz, the lessons we are learning bring us back to the basics of eating whole foods, lean protein and fresh fruits and veggies for good health. 

Many parents know all too well that ear infections are common in young children. Ear infections occur when fluid builds up and beomes infected in the middle part of the ear behind the ear drum. They often happen after a cold or virus.

During the winter months, ear infections in children are common. They often occur after a cold or virus. Fluid can build up in the middle part of the ear behind the ear drum, become infected and decrease hearing.   

Up to 3.5 billion people, almost half of the world’s population, lack access to health services reports the World Health Organization.  In response to this great need, Mankato Clinic physicians, practitioners and nurses go on medical mission trips to care for people. They travel to Africa, Central America, Mexico and other locations.   

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This is regardless of a person’s skin color, age, or gender. When caught early most skin cancers are highly treatable. 

Did you know that the CDC estimates that 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes? If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, making lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by half.

Meal and snack times do not have to be a battle or a compromise of nutrition. Showing kids how to create a balanced plate is a great way to help foster lifelong habits.

Children grow and develop exponentially in the first years of life. That’s why it’s so important to attend regular well-child exams. In the early years, we see them a lot – 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 months, 2 years, 2.5 years and 3 years old.

Ashley Ryan, jons her son Evander for therapy at Mankato Clinic Pediatric Therapy Services. Ashley and Luke Ryan with their four boys. Ashley and Luke Ryan are raising four boys. Their youngest son, Evander, is so unique that he is the only reported person in the United States that has CAMRQ2. There are only three…

I love baking in the fall. The smell of fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom are so nostalgic, and pumpkin is a must! I love a heartier muffin for snack time.

In the fall and winter, viruses tend to spread as we head indoors and schools are back in session. Follow these tips to help your family stay well.

Early detection matters, as 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Regular screening mammograms are the most effective test to detect cancer early when it is more treatable. Your primary care provider can help you stay on track with annual screening exams.

Our feet carry us through this world, so it’s important to take care of them. One common foot condition, more prevalent among women, are bunions.

Summers are made for splashing! But it’s important for parents and caregivers to keep toddlers and children safe around the water. Sadly, drowning is a top cause of death for children. Together, we can prevent drowning.

Postpartum depression can make women feel sad, hopeless and anxious. Sometimes, women feel as if they cannot love or care for their baby. It’s important to reach out for help when these feelings are present.

Before Renita and Angel became teenage parents, they turned to the First Steps program to get ready for parenthood and become a family. Today, they are thriving as they are raising their daughter and navigating life on their own.

Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America for three years running. With more than 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S., injuries are also on the rise. Adults of all ages are enjoying this sport that blends tennis, ping pong and badminton.

Practicing gratitude is a small, but mighty, health habit. According to UCLA Health, research shows that giving thanks and being grateful daily can help people sleep better, reduce depression symptoms, lessen anxiety, relieve stress and support heart health. In fact, gratitude can help lower blood pressure and calm us.  

A primary care provider, also known as a PCP, is your go-to for all your medical care – annual check-ups, preventive care, health conditions, and illnesses that pop up. As a primary care provider in Family Medicine, my goal is to help people reach their full potential in health and wellness – physically, mentally and…

Being physically active helps us feel good, sleep better, lifts our mood, reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure. Long-term, physical activity can boost brain, heart and bone health. When we head outdoors to work out, studies show that physical activity outdoors lowers the body’s blood pressure and heart rate.  

February is American Heart Month. This is a good time to understand your risk for heart disease and take  steps toward better heart health.

Roughly half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease: High blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking.

With two young children, our family likes to go outside and play in the snow. We usually build snow forts because my husband is an expert! While sledding is fun too, our kiddos aren’t quite ready for Mankato’s bigger hills yet.

Winter weather is here. When it gets brutally cold, it’s important to take precautions against frostbite. When wind chills dip to -15 F or lower, you can get frostbite in 30 minutes or less. Follow these tips from the CDC to stay safe.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting all year for this. Sweaters, movies, hot cocoa, and best of all, endless bowls of chili! It warms my heart (and stomach) just thinking about it. This meal can be prepared in the slow-cooker or on the stove. Regardless, the end result will be a nutritious,…

As the holidays approach each year, a number of common themes surface in therapy. Some people look forward to spending time with loved ones or decking out their house in seasonal décor. But for many, holidays are associated with feeling overwhelmed, tense, or sad.

One of the best ways to promote good health this winter is to get seasonal vaccines to help protect you and your family from flu and COVID. Not only do these vaccines help keep you healthy, but they help protect others who are at high risk for severe illness from these viruses.

The best toys inspire children to create, imagine and solve problems! It’s also important to make sure the toys are safe. Blocks, dolls, action figures, toy cars and trucks, Thomas the Train, Fisher-Price Little People, puzzles, games and books are all great choices. At my house, we love Melissa & Doug and Hape toys.  

The holidays can be a difficult time for couples who are having trouble conceiving a baby. Get-togethers filled with little ones, seeing pregnant friends and family members, even commercials and holiday specials can make couples feel sad or disheartened.

Did you know that diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States? Diabetes impacts the body’s ability to make insulin or use it as well as it should. The result is too much blood sugar remains in the blood. High blood sugar can damage many parts of the body including the feet.

Did you know that mammograms have helped reduce breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by nearly 40% since 1990? There are differing guidelines and recommendations on when to begin getting mammograms and how often. Mankato Clinic follows the guidelines of the American College of Radiology.

In 2022, Jill Willette, an IT manager at Mankato Clinic, joined Enara Health. In one year, she lost 53 pounds with a combination of medication, diet and exercise. And she’s keeping it off thanks to Enara Health, a personalized weight loss and management program at Mankato Clinic. “This is a total lifestyle change,” Jill says. …

Evidence shows that social media use is linked to an increase in depression and anxiety in adolescents and teenagers.

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. Carmen shares her story on hope and treatment.

“My diabetes is more like a flowing river instead of a mountain range now,” Carmen says.

May is Osteoporosis & Prevention Awareness Month.

As we age, bone density screening tests are important to do because osteoporosis and low bone density increases the risk of fractures and breaks with falls.   

By: Elizabeth @wordsholdhope Elizabeth bravely writes about her mental health journey to help others in their journey.             Let’s be honest, no one ever recovered from mental illness without honesty. If you’ve experienced mental illness, you know it can back you into a corner of shame and disgust. It can make you shut down and lose…

Often overlooked, sleep is key to our health and well-being. Sleep Medicine experts recommend that adults get an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Here’s your sleep hygiene guide!

One of my go-to meal prep breakfast options is overnight oats. Loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats that will keep your energy stable and satisfaction levels high!

Black History Month honors the contributions, sacrifices, struggles, triumphs and heritage of African Americans who have helped shape our nation. Why February? February was chosen because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born in February. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves and Douglass, a former slave, was a leader in the abolitionist…

“It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about becoming more healthy and active. I feel so much healthier. I have so much energy. The weight loss is a bonus,” Suzi Quick says.  An accountant at the Mankato Clinic, Suzi joined Enara Health, a new program at Mankato Clinic last March. Enara brings together a medical…

As a physical therapist, I tell my patients that motion is lotion or movement is medicine. Our bodies are made for movement and movement makes them feel better. To become more active daily, follow the mantra: “Move more, sit less.” Next, make a realistic plan to make exercise part of your weekly routine. A mix…

Concussions have made headlines this season. As a physician specializing in sports medicine, I treat many high school and college athletes, youth athletes and weekend warriors, recovering from concussions.

September 30, 2022  By: Julia Omtvedt, Au.D, CCC-A Julia Omtvedt, Au.D, CCC-A, is an audiologist at Mankato Clinic Hearing Care Center.  Avoiding noise exposure is the best way to protect our hearing, but that’s not always realistic.   Farmers are at a particularly increased risk for hearing loss due to exposure to loud equipment and machinery…

Breast cancer is among the most common cancers in women. However, early detection makes a difference. When found early, breast cancer is easiest to treat. So put these 5 things on your healthy woman checklist!

September 13, 2022 by Katie Swanson, PT, DPT Did you know September is falls prevention awareness month? According to the CDC, 1 in 4 Americans aged 65+ fall each year.  A fall is not only landing on the ground after losing balance, but also falling into a wall, a piece of furniture, or to a lower surface…

As a mom of three, I have learned to appreciate meals that can be ready in under 15 minutes and prepared with just one hand! This taco recipe is versatile, delicious and nutritious. Here’s why my family loves it: Chicken. Air fryer chicken thighs are extra juicy, plus I love the ease and promptness of the…

Cajun Shrimp & Veggies Cajun Shrimp and Vegetables is so incredibly easy but packed with tons of flavor and nutrition! Sheet pan meals are my go-to for quick and tasty meals without all the fuss. This one’s a favorite at our house. Bonus: It’s versatile so you can change it up with any of the…

July 19, 2022 Bukata Hayes trusts Dr. Caroline Baerg, his primary care physician at the Mankato Clinic Main Street location.  Bukata Hayes takes on racial and health equity Bukata Hayes of Mankato knows the score. As a Black man, he has a lower life expectancy than white men. African Americans are at a higher risk…

The secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be. Author Unknown I love this quote because it reminds us to be present in the moment, without judgement of the experience. When we are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, mindfulness helps us pause and connect…

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention More than 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure! Limiting sun exposure is one of the best ways to help prevent skin cancer. Remember, there’s no such thing as a healthy tan. Tanning is how the body protects itself from the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays.  Throw…

Shiitakes are a woodland mushroom often used in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. They’re delicious and popular: an estimated 10,000 tons are consumed per year. But did you know that eating an undercooked shiitake can cause dermatitis?

Dr. Peller Strongly encourages men to come in for routine check-ups to prevent basic health problems and to help men stay healthy.

Mowing the lawn and the smell of fresh-cut grass are signs of summer. They are also very common allergy triggers.

This is one of my favorite weekday go-to meals. This balanced recipe is easy to make, full of flavor and jam-packed with nutrients. It is also great reheated for leftovers. This Chicken and Vegetable Pad Thai is a simple, yet healthier version of a classic take-out favorite. It can also easily be made vegan by…

As a physical therapist, my older adult patients consistently tell me that they can’t do a specific activity or exercise because they are “too old.” Our society tends to equate old age with being slow, fragile, and weak. This mindset needs to change in order for older adults to live the fulfilling life they want.…

As a physical therapist, my older adult patients consistently tell me that they can’t do a specific activity or exercise because they are “too old.” Our society tends to equate old age with being slow, fragile, and weak. This mindset needs to change in order for older adults to live the fulfilling life they want.…

Click here to read Thrives Magazine  Mankato Clinic has partnered with Luxe Quarterlies to bring you Thrives Magazine, a local health and wellness magazine. Each issue includes health and wellness columns, healthy lifestyles, Thrivers, and good things happening in our community. In this issue, you’ll meet the Root family, get cooking in Erin’s Kitchen and find hope…

Stephanie Blume and her son Andy read “Dragons Love Tacos” together. Stephanie’s Storytimes: Stephanie has a playlist of storytime videos. Each viceo includes an activity to go along with the book. For “Dragons Love Tacos,” Stephanie shows families how to make simple sock puppets.  What happens when you plan a taco party for dragons? Find out when…

March 31, 2022 (MANKATO) — Mankato Clinic is the top-performing medical group among 10 high-performing medical groups in the Minnesota Health Care Quality Report: Results for Care Delivered in 2020. Medical group performance is based on care measures that include preventive care and care for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and depression. For care delivered in…

Keegan, Alicia, Stephane and Sawyer became a family under the care of Mankato Clinic Fertility Services and Dr. Scott Barnacle, OB-GYN. Chicken nuggets and honey for Keegan, table food in tiny pieces for Sawyer, naptimes, pacifiers, car seats, a mini-van, diaper bag, colorful toys, sippy cups, sticky high chairs, sticky hands, hectic suppers with two working…

What is self-care? Self-care is what we do to promote health, well-being and prevent disease. Self-care also helps us cope with life’s everyday stressors. Examples of self-care are eating a healthy meal, going for a walk, drinking water, practicing good sleep hygiene, prayer, even taking a shower.Here are some ways to take care of yourself.…

Snuggling up with your children to read a couple books before bedtime is a wonderful way to end the day and bond as you turn pages and enter silly worlds where pigeons want to drive the bus; trains, cars and animals talk; and mermaids are real!Children’s books make reading fun, but they also prepare babies…

What is mindful eating? Mindful eating is the practice of bringing awareness and a state of full attention to your experiences, cravings, and physical cues when eating, without judgment. The practice of mindful eating involves: Eating slowly and without distractionListening to physical hunger and fullness cuesDifferentiating between physical hunger and non-hunger triggers for eating (social…

Acne can be tough on teens and impact their confidence. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, research shows that acne can cause adolescents and teenagers to suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-image, decreased quality of life and a feeling of being all alone.  Some teens may stop doing things they love or participating…

March 8, 2014 Lisa Davidson, MDNeurology, Sleep CenterView Profile Almost everyone has had a headache at one time or another. Headache is one of the most common health ailments with over 45 million Americans currently suffering from chronic headache. Headache accounts for more than three million visits to the emergency room and 80 million doctors’…

March 22, 2014 Mark Taylor, MDObstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), Primary CareView Profile Ovarian cancer has long been known as a silent killer because there are few symptoms that present themselves until the disease has reached an advanced stage when it is least curable. And, unlike breast cancer which uses mammograms, and cervical cancer which uses…

November 23, 2014 Alyssa Stitt, MDFamily Medicine, Primary CareView Profile One of the best gifts expectant parents can give their baby is the gift of a healthy pregnancy. Expectant mothers who regularly receive prenatal care have healthier babies and are less likely to experience serious pregnancy-related complications. Early, regular prenatal care is the single most…

January 29, 2015 Kathy Kurth, APRN, CNPInternal MedicineView Profile It’s a fact of life. Everyone breathes a little harder and heavier as they age, but in people with emphysema, the progression occurs much faster. In the United States, nearly four million people have emphysema and more than 100,000 people die from the disease each year.…

March 5, 2015 Spending two hours with a Mankato Clinic certified car seat safety technician could save your child’s life.  Knowing that three out of four child seats aren’t properly installed, the technician will be sharing her knowledge on Minnesota laws that require children under eight to be in a child safety seat. Thanks to…

March 13, 2015 Mankato Clinic Psychiatrist and CMO Dr. Julie Gerndt shared her wisdom and views on the mental health field during the March 6 edition of First Fridays at First Church. The monthly speaker series at First Presbyterian Church is a free event that presents compelling speakers who consider key issues from an ethical…

May 6, 2015 To thank organizations that are helping support its mission, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has approved $23,200 in grants to 10 deserving organizations within the area. Receiving grants for quarter two are: YWCA Mankato ($3,500), Feeding Our Communities Partners ($4,500), St. Peter Are Food Shelf ($3,500), Leisure Education for Exceptional People ($1,000), Minnesota…

June 15, 2015 Mankato Clinic has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. The Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune on Sunday, June 14. The report can also be found at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2015.  Produced by the same team that compiles the 24-year-old Star Tribune 100…

August 10, 2015 The Minnesota Health Action Group (The Action Group) announced today that Mankato Clinic is among 437 Minnesota and border state clinics that were recently recognized for delivering optimal care and achieving optimal care measures or improving specific patient outcomes as part of the 2015 Minnesota Bridges to Excellence program and the Minnesota Quality Incentive Payment System,…

January 18, 2016 Since 2008, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has provided more than $1,279,550 in grants and scholarships to worthwhile organizations, programs and projects within the areas they serve. The mission of the Mankato Clinic Foundation is to encourage and support the health and well-being of the community through health initiatives that promote and improve…

March 18, 2016 In conjunction with the Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato, the Mankato Clinic will be showing “Fully Charged,” Tuesday, March 22. This inspirational documentary brings to life the elements of Tom Rath’s New York Bestselling book “Eat Move Sleep” and shows the audience how to take advantage of his research to…

April 23, 2016 Helen Owens feels like she regained control of her life thanks in part to a medical device she had implanted in 2015 by Mankato Clinic Colon and Rectal Surgeon Dr. David Orcutt. For much of her teaching career, and spanning nearly 15 years, Owens experienced a loss of bowel control, which she…

May 31, 2016 The sun is shining and the weather is warmer, leaving many of us in southern Minnesota shedding some layers and baring our skin. This is the perfect time for you to review proper skin-care etiquette for the summer ahead. Melanoma is widely known as the most serious type of skin cancer and…

June 27, 2016 Mankato Clinic has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune for the second consecutive year. The Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune on Sunday, June 26. The report can also be found at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2016. Produced by the same team that compiles…

July 25, 2016 by Mankato Clinic To thank organizations that are helping support its mission, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has approved $13,465 in grants to seven deserving organizations within the area. Receiving grants for quarter three are: St. Peter North Intermediate ($3,465), Twin Valley Council Boy Scouts of America ($1,000), Greater Mankato Young Life ($1,000), Arts Center…

October 24, 2016 by Mankato Clinic To thank organizations that are helping support its mission, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has approved $31,700 in grants to 11 deserving organizations within the area. Receiving grants for quarter four are: Mankato Family YMCA ($5,000), Miracle League of North Mankato ($5,000), Minnesota Brain Injury Force Inc. ($1,000), Leisure Education for Exceptional…

December 30, 2016 Since 2008, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has provided more than $1,340,515 in grants and scholarships to worthwhile organizations, programs and projects within the areas they serve. The mission of the Mankato Clinic Foundation is to encourage and support the health and well-being of the community through health initiatives that promote and improve community…

January 17, 2017 by Mankato Clinic The March 1 deadline is only a little more than a month away for area high school seniors to get their applications in for the $2,000 J. Scott Sanders M.D. Memorial Scholarship.

March 20, 2017 by Mankato Clinic The Mankato Clinic is among the highest performing medical group in Minnesota for Teen Mental Health Screening and Immunizations for Adolescents. The number of Minnesota teens receiving a mental health screening increased between 2015 and 2016. Likewise, the number of Minnesota adolescents receiving recommended immunizations also increased from the previous year.…

June 5, 2017 Dr. Sanders’ wife, Barb, presents Benjamin Abbott with the 2017 J. Scott Sanders MD Memorial Scholarship award on May 12. Mankato West High School senior Benjamin Abbott was selected from 45 applicants as the 2017 J. Scott Sanders M.D. Memorial Scholarship winner. The Mankato Clinic Foundation awards the $2,000 scholarship annually in…

July 31, 2017 by Mankato Clinic To thank organizations that are helping support its mission, the Mankato Clinic Foundation has approved $15,004 in grants to eight deserving organizations within the area.  Receiving grants for quarter three are: Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless ($3,750), House of Hope ($1,500), The Miracle League of North Mankato ($2,880),…

August 18, 2017 The Mankato Clinic is happy to announce the arrival of three new providers who joined the healthcare clinic in August.  Abel Alfonso, DOEndocrinology Dr. Aflonso received his medical degree from Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI. He completed his internal medicine residency at Brooke Army Medical Center,…

September 13, 2017 Calling all parents! Do you find yourself dealing with a child that refuses to eat foods that they previously devoured, or are simply eating less of the food than before? Have you become a short-order cook in the kitchen? If this sounds like a daily routine for your family, join us on…

November 22, 2017 Mankato Clinic is pleased to announce it has been named a 2017 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing health care organizations that have consistently achieved the 95th percentile or above of performance inemployee engagement. The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally-recognized symbol of…