Making Heart Disease History
Elizabeth Ullery
In October, the first graduates of the Ornish Reversal Program at Beacon celebrated their successes, all sharing their stories about how they’ve begun to “undo” their heart disease and change their lives for the better.
Before beginning the nine-week program in August, participant Elizabeth Ullery, 59, said she had suffered her fourth and fifth heart attacks in May. With a family history of heart disease, coupled with obesity and a two-pack-a-day smoking habit, Elizabeth’s health had declined since 2003, the year she had her first heart attack. She felt the Ornish Reversal Program would give her the tools she needed to make the necessary lifestyle changes stick.
Over the course of 18 four-hour sessions led by a dedicated Beacon team, Elizabeth’s group, or cohort, exercised together, prepared healthy meals, practiced stress management techniques (yoga and meditation) and participated in group discussions. Elizabeth lost 32 pounds and gained more energy. Perhaps more importantly, though, is her newfound outlook on life.
“I will always and forever know that this program saved my life,” she says. “I kind of feel like I was reborn in 2015, because now I can really look forward to the future.”
For more information about Dr. Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease at Beacon, call 574.296.6496 (Elkhart General) or 574.647.7620 (Memorial Hospital).
BEACON TEAM MEMBERS:
Dr. Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart DiseaseTM team members at Beacon Health System:
Laura Beneke, BSN, Nurse Case Manager, Memorial Hospital
Cathy Bringedahl, MS, RCIS, Executive Director, Cardiovascular Services, Memorial Hospital
Andrew Fiedler, MD, MDiv, FACC, Ornish Program Director, Beacon Medical Group Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists South Bend
Carolyn Friesen, BSN, Nurse Case Manager, Elkhart General Hospital
Jessica Gingerich, RN, MSN, NP, Director of Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab, Cardiac Diagnostics, Heart Failure and Valve Clinics, Elkhart General Hospital
Luisito Gonzales, MD, Ornish Program Director, Beacon Medical Group Elkhart Cardiology
Celeste Hale, RN, Memorial Hospital
JoAnn Hughes, RN, Elkhart General Hospital
Marcia Koelndorfer, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, Stress Management Specialist, Elkhart General Hospital
Skyler Mitchell, BS, Exercise Physiologist, Elkhart General Hospital
Kevin Moore, MSW, LCSW, Group Support Specialist, Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital
Corey O’Neal, BS, Exercise Physiologist, Memorial Hospital
Peggy Prieshoff, RN, RYT, Stress Management Specialist, Elkhart General Hospital
Karen K. Sommers, MS, Ornish Program Coordinator, Beacon Health System
Jo Ulrich, RYT, Stress Management Specialist, Memorial Hospital
Erica Weinandy, RD, Registered Dietitian, Elkhart General Hospital
