Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

As a new parent, you want to do everything right for your baby — including helping them sleep safely. But with so many products online and trending on social media, it’s hard to know what’s truly safe. “Some products may look cozy or promise better sleep, but they may increase the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),” says Neonatal Intensive Care Educator Stefanie Clarke, BSN, CCRN. “Even popular or trendy items can be unsafe for sleep.” Let’s talk about what’s safe for your baby — and what’s not. What Safe Sleep Looks Like The American Academy of…

Larry began his cancer treatment in Cincinnati. But within a few weeks, he realized he needed a change. The long-time Anderson Township resident called the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth — Edgewood. He felt shocked when Dr. Doug Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, spent an hour talking to him. In this episode of Rounding with Patients, Larry shares why he decided to switch to St. Elizabeth, even though it was a 25-minute drive from home. Q: Why Did You Switch Your Cancer Care to St. Elizabeth? The first place I got care…

Holly Shares Why She Traveled from Anderson Township for Treatment Holly was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January 2022, and it completely rocked her world. Anxious to begin treatment as quickly as possible, she met with a care team at a hospital in Cincinnati. The first step was to have surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. After the surgery, Holly met with the care team to discuss the next steps. That’s when she realized she didn’t feel comfortable continuing with them. So, she called a high school friend for advice. That friend happened to be Doug…

There are times when it’s good to be first and times when, perhaps, you’d rather not be. Deep in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dustin Clark experienced both as the first ECMO patient treated at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. ECMO — extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — is a technology that helped some of the nation’s sickest COVID-19 patients survive respiratory failure. It uses a machine to oxygenate blood, remove carbon dioxide outside the body and then return it with the aid of a pump. By taking over the lungs’ workload, it provides the lungs time to rest and heal. Similar treatment…

What is Bladder Pain Syndrome? Bladder pain syndrome, otherwise known as Interstitial Cystitis (IC), is a chronic pain condition that affects approximately 3-8 million individuals in the United States alone. It is more common in women, though the rates are increasing in men. The American Urologic Association (AUA) defines IC as an unpleasant sensation that appears to be related to the bladder that lasts more than six weeks, with no infection or other identifiable causes. IC is not the same as having a urinary tract infection (UTI), and it cannot be treated with antibiotics, though symptoms may mimic UTIs. Primary…

In most cases, heart failure is a progressive condition that prevents the body’s vital organs from getting the blood and oxygen they need. But advanced medical devices and better medical care are helping people with heart failure live longer and better. At age 67, Michael Long has outlived most males on his father’s side of the family. Heart disease has taken too many relatives far too soon. Unfortunately, Michael has it, as well. While he hasn’t escaped the roots of his family tree, he is working to free himself from them. The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Advanced Heart Failure Management Center…

When you hear “you have cancer,” your world comes crashing down. It’s easy to feel like you’re all alone. But at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, you’ll have a group of experts at your side to lift you up and help you fight. Multidisciplinary cancer care is a fancy phrase that describes our team approach to helping people with cancer. It means we bring together multiple specialists who focus on you and your needs. “Our entire team — nurses, oncologists, specialists and support staff — works together with a shared commitment to provide outstanding care,” says Douglas Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director…

Cancer remains one of the most pressing health challenges in the United States, with an estimated 2,041,910 new cancer diagnoses in 2025. Even with significant advancements in treatment and care, the fight against cancer continues to demand innovation, collaboration and unwavering dedication from our healthcare professionals. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Understanding that the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region are not exempt from these stats, St. Elizabeth Healthcare hosted a roundtable this May featuring Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer of ACS, alongside experts from…

Someday, Veronica Williams and her husband Sean will have quite the story to tell their daughter Brooklynn about her birthday. That day, when Brooklynn entered the world, her mom came close to leaving it. It was March 9, 2022, weeks ahead of Brooklynn’s due date. For days, Veronica’s smartwatch had alerted her to an abnormally high heart rate. When she became short of breath, she assumed everything was pregnancy-related. “I reached out to my obstetrician’s office, and they suggested I go to the emergency room,” Veronica says. “So we went, thinking it would be just a brief visit. But they…

If you have asthma, you know you face unique challenges in winter. The good news is you can take steps to protect yourself and avoid triggers that worsen your symptoms. What is Cold-Induced Asthma? Winter air can be cold and dry. These weather conditions can cause swelling and extra mucus in the airways. For people who don’t have asthma, that’s no big deal. But for those with asthma, cold weather can worsen their asthma symptoms. The muscles inside their airways can also trigger airway spasms, causing more discomfort and airway irritation. Cold-Weather Asthma Symptoms Cold-induced asthma symptoms are no different…