to discuss with family members waiting with them. And in some cases, it can give patients something else to focus on if they are feeling nervous.”

So far, OMC has purchased more than 70 pieces of art. And thanks to an outpouring of positive feedback from patients, the program will continue to grow. There are plans to display even more artwork in the coming months, including ceramics, stained glass, and sculptures.

“OMC has served southeastern Minnesota for more than 60 years, and we feel a special connection with its communities and its artists,” Till-Tarara says.

H ospitals and health clinics are not necessarily known for their remarkable artwork. You’re

more likely to spot paintings with neutral tones and posters in pastel hues. But thanks to an ongoing partnership with Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists (SEMVA), an art gallery featuring the work of and run by local artists, that’s not the case at Olmsted Medical Center (OMC).

Currently, OMC is busy redecorating its lobbies, hallways, and waiting rooms with art from regional artists. Primarily photographs and paintings, the art is created by members of the communities OMC serves. It even features local scenes such as Silver Lake and wildlife native to our region.

“By purchasing art through SEMVA, we invest our money in the local economy and display art that has meaning to patients,” says Lois Till-Tarara, vice president of Regional and Primary Care Services at OMC.

The artwork is one aspect of a greater initiative to improve patients’ experiences and create an environment conducive to health and healing. In fact, studies show that looking at art reduces stress. With less stress, patients are able to recover more easily.

“The updated artwork serves many different purposes,” says Andrea Costopoulos, board president of SEMVA. “It allows patients to look at something pleasing and interesting while waiting for appointments. It gives them something

Olmsted Medical Center Partners with Local Artists to Brighten Up Its Spaces

HealthNotesA Health and Wellness Publication from Olmsted Medical Center • www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org

Prevent Perfectionism | Our New Online Health Library! | Bike Your Way to Better HealthINSIDE: SPRING 2010

See More of our Art!You can view some of the artwork currently hanging in our spaces by visiting Olmsted Medical Center’s Facebook profile!

The Cul-de-Sac (see sidebar)

New Art Brings Smiles to Children’s FacesResearch shows that art can have a healing effect on even the youngest patients. Children may benefit on both psychological and physiological levels if surrounded by art.

So as we have redecorated at Olmsted Medical Center, we have paid special attention to the areas our little visitors frequent.

“When redecorating, we selected child-friendly artwork for the pediatric departments as well as waiting rooms where you often see children,” says Andrea Costopoulos, board president of SEMVA.

Paintings include The Cul-de-Sac, which depicts red houses, green grass, and a purple and white sky. There is also a series of torn-paper animal paintings, such as a purple pig with a garland of pink flowers and a sitting white cat with bright green eyes.

2 SPRING 2010 Healthnotes

N obody’s perfect. But being too hard on yourself for not achieving a goal invites failure

and can take a toll on both mental and physical health.

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do well, those who set unrealistic objectives often are extremely self-critical and feel nothing they do is ever good enough. Even more damaging: believing others expect you to be perfect.

Are you a perfectionist? Here are some signs:◾ You constantly doubt your ability

to accomplish tasks.◾ You experience severe distress over

mistakes or when things do not turn out the way you planned.

◾ You are unable to accept failure or forgive yourself when you make a mistake.

Super StressPlacing impossibly high expectations on your own performance—or that of others—increases stress. In fact, perfectionists may actually get more stressed than nonperfectionists when faced with the same problem, according to research. According to a study in Psychosomatic Medicine, men who

scored high on a perfectionism survey produced more stress hormones than less perfectionist individuals when performing certain tasks. Perfectionists in the study were also more exhausted, anxious, and neurotic.

Other research links perfectionism to depression and chronic fatigue. Dial It DownWhen perfectionism keeps you from feeling satisfied with your work or causes friction in relationships, it’s a problem. Keep it in check with these tips:◾ Look at what’s really important

and set priorities.◾ Set realistic, attainable goals.◾ Lower expectations and accept

mistakes as a way to learn.

Can You Avoid the Pitfalls of Perfectionism?

◾ Ask for help when needed.◾ Be grateful for your strengths and

remember that everyone makes mistakes.

◾ Be aware when you start comparing yourself with others and realize that this isn’t helpful.

◾ Say no to impractical or draining projects.

Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” It is a thinning of bone tissue that affects women and men as they age. It can also affect young people, particularly when they take certain medications, like steroids.

Some people are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Risk factors include being female and having a family history of osteoporosis, a history of smoking or alcohol abuse, or a condition like rheumatoid arthritis and hyperthyroidism.

Osteoporosis is preventable. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking, alcohol, and excessive caffeine can help.

Advanced Bone Health Services at OMC

You can also be treated for osteoporosis—your healthcare provider can recommend medications and vitamin/mineral supplements based on your needs.

One advanced method of detecting osteoporosis is a DEXA scan. This specialized test measures bone mineral density in body sites including the spine, hip, and wrist. It helps determine a person’s chance of having a fracture in the future. Osteoporosis consultations and DEXA scans are available through Olmsted Medical Center’s Endocrinology department—call 507.292.7185 to learn more.

HeAltH InforMAtIon lIbrAry lAuncHeS!Find out more about this and more than 4,000 other health topics at OMC’s new, FREE health information library. Visit www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org to get started today.

www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org 3

T he benefits of weight-loss surgery go beyond what the eye can see. If you are obese,

surgery to lose weight may be safer than carrying around those extra pounds. If you’re dealing with diabetes as well, weight-loss surgery can send the disease into long-term remission.

But is losing weight worth the risks associated with surgery? A study by the National Institutes of Health found that 10 to 15 years after having weight-loss surgery, obese patients were less likely to develop—and more likely to recover from—diabetes and other heart disease risk factors. These patients also showed a marked reduction in death, compared

Could Weight-Loss Surgery Save Your Life?

OMC Expands Breast-Imaging ServicesBreast health—for both men and women—is an important focus for Olmsted Medical Center’s new breast-imaging area at the Rochester Southeast clinic.

Visitors and patients shouldn’t expect a traditional environment here: The spalike environment was designed specifically to increase patient comfort and reduce anxiety. In addition to the area’s soft lighting, calming colors, and advanced diagnostic imaging technology, two new radiologists are available to consult with patients.

For more information on breast health or to schedule a mammography, talk with your primary healthcare provider.

with obese patients who didn’t have the procedure.

Weight-loss surgery appears to improve the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. It may even reverse Type 2 diabetes. By helping you lose weight, it may also lower your risk for serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Weight-loss surgery is typically recommended for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. If you have a serious health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, you may want to look into surgery if your BMI is between 35 and 39.9. You can calculate your BMI by clicking on “Calculators” at www.omcweightloss.com.

Every weight-loss procedure requires you to commit to a lifetime of healthy eating and regular exercise. Ask your primary healthcare provider for information on your weight-loss options. If you’re ready to learn about the adjustable gastric band, a surgical solution now available at OMC, call our Center for Weight Loss and Wellness at 507.292.7155.

You’re Invited to Croquet Field Day! On June 13, OMC Regional Foundation will host a new event for those who want to have a great time supporting a great cause—no skill or experience required!

Join us for Croquet Field Day to support women’s health services at OMC. The nine-wicket tournament is USCA-sanctioned and will be held at Rochester Golf and Country Club following an elegant buffet brunch in the clubhouse.

For more information, please contact Michelle Maeder-Hickey at 507. 292.7202 or foundation@olmmed.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Online event registration will be available in March at www.omcregionalfoundation.org.

www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org

OMC Regional Foundation210 Ninth Street SERochester, MN 55904

Postmaster: Please deliver between March 22 and 26.

739M

Roy A. Yawn, MDPresident

Tim W. WeirChief Executive Officer

HealthNotes is published four times a year by Olmsted Medical Center and OMC Regional Foundation. HealthNotes is a service to educate people about subjects pertinent to their health, not a substitute for consultation with a healthcare provider. Please call OMC Regional Foundation at 507.292.7202 or e-mail foundation@olmmed.org with any questions or comments. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list that receives HealthNotes, please write to OMC Regional Foundation, 210 Ninth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

HealthNotes

Printed on Recyclable Paper

A nother afternoon stuck in traffic or one more morning paying to fill up the tank and feed the meter,

and you’re ready to call it quits. Instead, become a person who bikes to work.

These trailblazers show fewer risk factors for heart disease, such as healthier triglyceride and blood pressure levels, and are more fit than other commuters.

Bicycle commuting requires more attention to equipment and safety. Here are tips and techniques to follow: ◾ Mind your head. Helmets are proven

to be 85% to 88% effective in preventing or lessening brain injuries. They should be snug but comfortable and meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. Look for a CPSC label inside the helmet.

◾ Ride the right way. With one foot on the pedal, adjust the bike seat to ensure that your knee remains slightly bent when you extend your leg. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure, inspect the brakes regularly, and be sure quick-release wheels are secured.

◾ Go with the glow. If riding in low light, use a solid white front light and a blinking rear light. Maximize your visibility with neon, fluorescent, or reflective clothing. Use glasses to protect your eyes, and wear padded gloves and bike shorts.

Calling All Commuters: Bike Your Way to Better Health

nonprofit orgU.S. POSTAGe

pAiDOMC ReGIONAL FOUNdATION

Recipe:

David E. Westgard, MDChief Medical Officer

Stacey M. Vanden Heuvel Vice President, Marketing & Philanthropy

Ingredients (Crab Cakes)1 lb. crabmeat2 egg whites¹⁄³ cup finely chopped red bell pepper¹⁄³ cup finely chopped green onion (scallions)¹⁄³ cup finely chopped red bell pepper¹⁄³ cup chopped fresh parsley 3 tbsp. trans-fat-free bread crumbs Directions (Crab Cakes)1. Shred crabmeat. Mix with all other ingredients. Form into eight patties. Refrigerate for an hour. 2. Spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray or an olive oil mister. Heat to medium-high and carefully place crab cakes in pan. Cook for five minutes undisturbed so that crust forms. Turn carefully and cook for another five minutes. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.3. Serve with a swirl of avocado sauce.

Ingredients (Avocado Sauce)½ cup mashed avocado ½ cup reduced-fat sour cream1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions (Avocado Sauce)Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

‘ENLIGHtENED’ CRAB CAkES WItH AvOCADO SAuCE

◾ Cycle smart. The same rules for cars apply to bikes. Stay on streets—in bike lanes where provided—and always cycle with traffic, not against it. Use your arms as turn signals. Yield to pedestrians and never ride while wearing headphones.

If you’re in a bicycle accident, get medical attention even if your injuries don’t feel severe. Contact your primary healthcare provider or visit OMC’s urgent care or emergency room.

Yield: Serves four (two crab cakes each).Each serving provides about:CaloriesProteinFatCholesterolCarbohydrateFiberSodium

23627 g10 g114 mg10 g3 g461 mg