News Archive

From struggle to celebration: Beacon helps a mother triumph over spasticity to dance at son’s wedding

Just about any mother would dream of dancing with her son on his wedding day. But for years, Jill Kovatch had difficulty with her balance and energy while walking, let alone dancing. So while she was incredibly excited about her eldest son’s upcoming wedding, she expected that her health issues would...

When dry air gets the best of you: Staying hydrated for health in the winter months

In the summertime when we’re playing sports or mowing the lawn, we know to drink plenty of water. But did you know that it’s not uncommon to get dehydrated during colder times of year as well? “In the summer months, we often know we are getting dehydrated because we have the...

How donating blood helps saves lives

First-year Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program physician Urban Cornett, MD, sees the immediate effects of blood donation in his work throughout the hospital. “Many patients that I work with are bleeding or have a low red blood count,” Dr. Cornett said. “I also see the symptoms of this, including fatigue...

Don’t throw in the towel! Six tips for sticking to your exercise program

The new year brings a rush of enthusiasm and new goals. Getting started is relatively easy, but keeping up that momentum is a lot more challenging. Case in point: Everyone seems to know that the gym is crowded in January, but the crowd begins to thin out as early as...

Did you slip on the ice? Beacon clinicians explain when to seek care for ice-related falls, how to stay safe

The best way to protect yourself and stay out of the emergency room or urgent care center from a painful fall on the ice? Take it slow if you are walking outside, our Beacon clinicians recommend, and assume there could be ice beneath your feet. But even then, accidents happen. Our Beacon...

Physical therapy patient finds relief after learning the brain’s role in chronic pain

Twelve years ago, Elizabeth Gangloff had surgery to remove part of her colon, and she had endured pain every day after that. But just weeks ago, she began to see relief for the first time, thanks to an innovative approach that addresses biological, psychological and social or “biopsychosocial” factors that...

Christmas Miracle: I-94 crash victim shares special message with community upon discharge from Memorial Hospital

People around the world have been following the inspiring story of Matt Reum, the Mishawaka man who survived six days trapped in his wrecked truck Christmas week beneath an I-94 bridge in Portage, Ind. Following his harrowing rescue, Matt was flown to Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where he has...

Beacon trauma surgeon receives Martin Luther King, Jr. Day recognition

Beacon Health System Chief of Trauma Services Dr. Scott Thomas was presented today with a Drum Major for Community Service Award during the 38th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Recognition Breakfast at Century Center in South Bend. “This is a great honor today,” Dr. Thomas said upon receiving the...

Memorial Hospital awarded Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Recertification from The Joint Commission

  Memorial Hospital of South Bend has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Certification. Memorial Hospital first earned the certification in July 2019. Endovascular thrombectomy, or EVT, is a minimally invasive treatment that improves functional status in patients who have...