Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) was identified as a recipient of the 2011 HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™, indicating that its patient safety ratings are in the top 5% of U.S. hospitals. In a new study released today by HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted source of health care provider information, Fremont Area Medical Center is one of only 268 hospitals in the

Colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon or rectum – is a disease that affects both men and women and is preventable nearly 90 percent of the time. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and in an effort to increase awareness regarding the importance of early detection and prevention of the disease, Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC), with assistance from the American Cancer Society and Three Rivers District Health Department, is providing free colon cancer screening kits during the month of March.

Screening for colorectal cancer allows for the early detection of cancer when it is highly curable,

Preventing suicide is everyone’s responsibility — parents, friends, co-workers, educators, healthcare providers, counselors, clergy or law enforcement. In a suicide crisis, the difference between recognizing and acting, can mean the difference between life and death.

Fremont Area Medical Center will host a Suicide Intervention Training in-service on Thursday, March 10, from 5 – 7 p.m. at FAMC’s Health Park Plaza, located at 450 East 23^rd Street. The free program, sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Youth Suicide Coalition and FAMC, is for anyone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide, child or adult. No registration necessary, and refreshments will be served.

Join Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) for COLONpalooza as they kick-off Colon Cancer Awareness activities for March! COLONpalooza is Thursday, February 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Mall, located at 860 East 23^rd Street in Fremont. Event organizers hope to promote awareness of this form of cancer that is preventable nearly 90% of the time.

Get an autograph from our special guest, Nebraska football legend Jerry Tagge, who led the Huskers to two national titles and was the Orange Bowl’s Most Valuable Player in 1971 and 1972. Jerry, who has been an outspoken advocate for colon cancer screening and a representative of the Nebraska “Stay in the Game” colon cancer awareness program, will speak briefly at 5:00 and sign autographs until 7:00.

Get important information for your health and spin our prize wheel to win a prize. Pick-up a free colon cancer take-home screening kit (also available at any Fremont pharmacy during the month of March).

For more information about FAMC’s COLONpalooza or the colon cancer screening, call (402) 727-3439. For more information about colorectal and other forms of cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Varicose veins are a common problem, affecting an estimated 40% of women and 25% of men. Dr. Jeffrey Himmelberg, Interventional Radiologist on the Medical Staff at Fremont Area Medical Center, will provide free varicose vein screenings on Monday, February 14, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., at FAMC’s Imaging Center.

For some people, varicose veins – the gnarled, enlarged veins most commonly found in legs and feet – are just a cosmetic concern. But for other people, they can cause aching pain and discomfort that can sometimes lead to more serious problems or signal a disorder of the circulatory system.

During the screening, Dr. Himmelberg will

Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) will celebrate Heart Month with a free Heart Health Expo on Tuesday, February 8, from 4–8 p.m., on the third floor of FAMC’s Health Park Plaza, located at 450 East 23^rd Street in Fremont. The event is free, and the first 200 attendees will receive complimentary gift bags.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer among men and women in America. The key to staying healthy is to know your risks and manage your health wisely.

The Heart Health Expo will feature a wide array of health stations where attendees can learn more about the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Look for booths on heart failure, stroke. exercise, medications, CPR, diabetes, and more!

Live cooking demonstrations

Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC), an area leader in diabetes education and awareness, announces an February 3 class aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. FAMC’s Prediabetes Class, “Erase the Risk: A Guide for Better Health”, is for anyone with elevated blood glucose, a family history of diabetes, identifiable risk factors for diabetes, or a diagnosis of prediabetes.

Approximately 54 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes – a condition in which blood sugars are elevated above normal, but are not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes – and many are not aware of it. Recent research shows that some long-term damage, especially to the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes. If treated early, type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed.

Fremont Area Medical Center offers a Grief Support Group for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This group is free and open to anyone who would appreciate the supportive environment of being with others who are also dealing with major losses in their lives – whether that is a spouse, parent, child, or friend.

The Grief Support Group is facilitated by Scott Jensen, FAMC Chaplain, and meets for three consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., on the third floor of FAMC’s Health Park Plaza. Meetings are scheduled for February 1, 8, and 15. The group is recommended for anyone 18 and older. There is no cost to attend.

The Grief Support Group is a free service offered by Fremont Area Medical Center to help meet a full range of patient and family needs. For more information and to register, contact Scott Jensen at (402) 727-3663, or visit www.famc.org.

Intense addiction to nicotine can make quitting very difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Fremont Area Medical Center’s Tobacco Cessation classes are taught by a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. The program follows the American Lung Association’s guidelines and provides confidential, expert instruction to help make quitting easier. The class meets for four sessions, February 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at FAMC’s Health Park Plaza, located at 450 East 23^rd Street.

Cost for the program is $100 per participant. Costs for tobacco cessation programs are now covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Discount coupons for nicotine replacement items and all learning materials are provided.

For more information on FAMC’s Tobacco Cessation Program or to register, call (402) 727-3882.

John Pflug, MD

Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) is pleased to welcome board-certified ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist John Pflug, MD, to the Fremont medical community and the FAMC Medical Staff.

Dr. Pflug, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He completed a surgery internship at the University of Kansas and a residency in otolaryngology at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Pflug is board certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Otolaryngology (oh-toe-lair-in-GAWL-oh-gee) is a specialty dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of diverse problems including ear and hearing disorders, balance disorders, nasal-sinus disorders, voice and throat disorders, snoring and breathing disorders, head and neck cancers, and facial plastic and reconstructive issues.

“We are excited to have both Tim Kuo, MD, and now Dr. Pflug, providing ENT services in Fremont and meeting the growing needs of our community,” says Brett Richmond, FAMC’s Vice President of Professional Services.

Dr. Pflug, who is a member of the Omaha Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, will see patients on Tuesday mornings in the Outpatient Clinic area at Fremont Area Medical Center. Appointments can be made by calling (402) 727-3882.

(submitted)