Blog Posts Page

  • Are You Ready for Pregnancy?

    September 10, 2018 by Katie Keepers, MD Every expectant woman has one wish above all others — a healthy baby. Healthy pregnancies and healthy babies actually begin before conception. Before trying to get pregnant, schedule a check-up to ensure you are in good health. Your provider will discuss your medical conditions, health history and immunizations as well…

  • When You’re Not Expecting to Be Expecting, There’s First Steps

    October 3, 2018 by Teresa Freitag A young woman who was working full time got pregnant. This wasn’t part of the plan. She was very concerned about the financial impact. Could she afford car seats, a stroller, diapers, baby gear and medical insurance for a child? She turned to First Steps, a community collaborative that connects new…

  • A Good Night’s Sleep Makes Life Better for Mike Smith

    October 9, 2018 Mike Smith hadn’t slept more than four to five hours a night for close to a decade. By day, he loaded up on Monster Energy drinks. Today he sleeps six to seven hours a night, sometimes eight, and drinks no caffeine. “Just getting sleep is all I need now,” Mike said. “You’d…

  • Survivor: Sue Olson Stays Positive and Grateful

    October 22, 2018 This article was originally published in Home Magazine Breast Cancer Fact Book, October 2018.  When Sue Olson of Mankato was diagnosed with breast cancer, she requested a week to get her garden in order before her mastectomy. As she worked in her garden, butterflies appeared and flew around her. Butterflies are not…

  • Mother’s Journey: When Your Daughter Must Fight Like a Girl

    November 5, 2018 Val Bembenek is manager of the Mankato Clinic Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. She is secretary of Angels of Breast Cancer founded by Mitzi Roberts of Dance Express. Her daughter Kelli danced at Dance Express from age 3 through her senior year. When my daughter Kelli told me she found a lump near…

  • A Parent’s Guide to Happy Holidays

    Holidays were pretty traditional for me growing up on the Oregon coast. On Christmas Eve, we got together with family and went to the candlelight church service. When we got home, we would take photos in front of the tree. That’s when I went into hiding because I hated having my picture taken!

  • Top 5 Ways to Get Active in Winter

    December 24, 2018 Start Walking. Walking a few times a week is a great place to begin. Malls and community centers are excellent indoor options. Walking can help you lower your risk for heart disease, gain muscle strength and balance, maintain bone health, increase energy and reduce the risk of falls. Play outside. Play in the snow,…

  • Help Your Children Discover the Power of Play

    January 3, 2019 by Ben Dexter, MD Did you know playing is your children’s job? Your child discovers the people and world around them by playing. As silly as it seems, babies learn from peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, tummy time and when you imitate their sounds. Then they move on to hide-and-seek, baby dolls, trucks, shape sorters, blocks, make…

  • Tuberculosis (TB) Facts

    January 30, 2019 Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There are two phases: latent infection and active disease. Active TB disease most often affects the lungs, but can involve any part of the body. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, TB is transmitted through the air; extended close contact with someone…

  • Dayne Herber’s Medication Routine Just Got Easier

    February 11, 2019 Dayne Herber of Good Thunder has diabetes and takes several medications to keep his blood sugar in check. With the help of a new service called Medication Therapy Management at Mankato Clinic, he simplified his life and improved his health.  Nathan Evers, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist at Mankato Clinic. A clinical…