St. John's Medical Center Wellness Programs

DIABETES SELF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION – (307)739-7620

Our approach to diabetes self-management and nutritional counseling is simple. We are dedicated to working with patients and families to prevent and manage diabetes through lifestyle coaching. We will work to promote self-management skills to improve quality of life in each patient, and we provide counseling to ensure patients are comfortable and confident in managing their diabetes. Our education is individualized, patient centered, goal-oriented, and focuses on behavioral changes. We give our patients the time and energy needed to understand and take control of their diabetes.

Managing diabetes can be complex, and many people find it challenging to handle without guidance. St. John’s diabetes education program can provide you with the tools and self confidence to control your diabetes so it doesn’t control you.

Diabetes Symptoms:
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away:
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
For more information about diabetes self management please call 307-739-7620.

Educators: Catherine Cullinane RN, CDE; Susanne Schenk RN; Catherine Holland RD.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT – (307)739-7361

St John’s Medical Center is pleased to provide the LIFESTEPS Weight Management Program.

LIFESTEPS is a comprehensive weight management program that stresses the importance of diet, physical activity, and behavior modification techniques for weight loss. LIFESTEPS combines nutrition, physical activity and group support to assist participants in their weight loss goals. The 16 week program is taught in small group settings, facilitated by a registered dietitian, and integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies to help individuals make lifelong changes in eating and physical activity.

Program participants will work to develop skills in:

• Self monitoring - using food and activity records to observe specific behaviors
• Goal Setting - analyzing current behaviors and make changes
• Behavioral Strategies - identifying and changing negative attitudes, beliefs and expectations about eating, activity and weight management
• Relapse Prevention Training - managing high risk situations that may trigger negative behavior patterns.

Through LIFESTEPS participants develop and utilize strategies for successful long-term behavior change in their lives.

CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM – (307)739-7628

A consistent program of heart-healthy exercise and lifestyle modification is the key to successful cardiac rehabilitation. St. John’s Medical Center cardiac rehabilitation provides progressive phases of exercise under medical supervision and education for cardiac patients.

Our program is designed to provide a safe and monitored exercise environment to enhance the recovery process. Patients exercise with ECG monitoring as prescribed by their physician and as their condition warrants. Exercise programs are specifically designed to meet the individual patient’s needs and goals. The cardiac rehabilitation staff is Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) certified and the clinic is fully equipped to handle emergency situations. Individualized education to modify risk factors is provided by health educators, nurses, physical therapists and other health care providers.

Who should participate in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program?

Patients with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (“heart attack”), cardiac surgical procedures or stable angina may benefit from participation in cardiac rehabilitation. A physician referral is necessary, so please discuss the program, with your doctor.

How does the program work?

Our cardiac rehabilitation program consists of three important elements.

• Cardiovascular exercise
• Resistance and flexibility training
• Group and/or individual education

Exercise is generally scheduled for three sessions per week for up to twelve weeks. Each session includes continuous 3-lead ECG monitoring during exercise as appropriate.

Cardiovascular exercise may include treadmill walking, bicycling and upper body cycling. Resistance training with free weights and weight machines increases functional capacity. Flexibility training is incorporated to improve posture and function.

Education provided is based on cardiac diagnosis, individual needs and personal risk factors.

Education may include:

• Heart anatomy and physiology
• Heart disease
• Nutrition
• Treatment options
• Emotional effects of heart disease
• Cardiac medications
• Effect of exercise on strengthening your heart
• Risk factor modification tailored to patient’s specific needs and questions
• Stress management

We also encourage our cardiac rehabilitation graduates to visit anytime to share their experience with our current patients.

How do I get into the Cardiac Rehabilitations Program?

Please visit with your doctor to see if you are a candidate for cardiac rehabilitation. Many insurance companies will cover this very important part of your recovery. You will need a doctor’s prescription for cardiac rehabilitation. Call 307-739-7628 for more information or to set up an appointment.

PULMONARY HEALTH PROGRAM- (307)739-7628

A consistent program of appropriate exercise and lifestyle modifications is the key to pulmonary health. The pulmonary health program provides progressive phases of exercise under medical supervision and education for pulmonary patients.

Our program is designed to provide a safe and supervised exercise environment to enhance function. Patients exercise as prescribed by their physician and as their condition warrants. Exercise programs are specifically designed to meet the individual patient’s needs and goals. The pulmonary health staff is Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support certified and the clinic is fully equipped to handle emergency situations. Individualized education is provided by respiratory therapists, nurses, physical therapists and other health care providers.

Who should participate in the pulmonary health program?

Patients with a diagnosis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other disease of the lungs may benefit from participation in our pulmonary health program. A physician referral is necessary, so please discuss the program with your doctor.

How does the program work?
Our pulmonary health program consists of three important elements.

• Cardiovascular exercise
• Resistance and flexibility training
• Group and/or individual education

Exercise is generally scheduled for two sessions per week for up to twelve weeks. Each session includes pulse oximetry, blood pressure and perceived exertion monitoring during exercise as appropriate.

Cardiovascular exercise may include treadmill walking, bicycling and upper body cycling. Resistance training with free weights and weight machines increases functional capacity. Flexibility training is incorporated to improve posture and function. Education provided is based on diagnosis, individual needs and personal risk factors. Education may include:

• Lung anatomy and physiology
• Lung disease
• Nutrition
• Energy Conservation
• Use of mucous clearing devices
• Medications
• Home Exercise program
• Infection control
• Stress Management

We also encourage our pulmonary health program graduates to visit anytime to share their experiences with our current patients.

How do I get into the pulmonary health program?

Please visit with your doctor to see if you are a candidate for pulmonary health. Many insurance companies will cover the costs of this program. You will need a doctor’s prescription to participate in our pulmonary health program. Call 307-739-7628 for more information, or to set up an appointment.

CHI CENTER – (307)739-7244

The Community Health Information (CHI) Center is an innovative partnership between the Teton Wellness Institute (a 501c3 organization) and St. John’s Medical Center.

Located in the lobby of St. John’s Medical Center, the goal of the CHI Center is to empower individuals to achieve optimal health in their lives. The CHI Center facilitates this by providing free access to a wealth of evidence-based information about health topics. Our resources include subscriptions to databases such as WebMD, Medline and Natural Standard as well as a lending library of health related books, CDs and DVDs. Information specialists are on hand to provide guidance on how to navigate through these resources, and to make appropriate referrals to medical and integrative health services in the community. In addition, much of SJMC’s community education on preventative health is coordinated through the CHI Center including the Lite Lunch series (link to http://www.jhchicenter.org/events) and the annual Community Health Fair.

COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR – FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY – (307)739-7244

The Saint John’s Medical Center Health Fair, currently in its sixth year, has become a fixture on the Teton County community calendar. Every spring, between 1200 and 1700 community members of all ages crowd the Snow King Ice arena to learn about health related issues and take advantage of free vision, hearing, skin cancer, body fat and blood pressure screenings. On average, close to 80 booths, arranged in educational pods (Healthy Families, Healthy Lifestyles, Kids/Teens, Healthy Aging, Cooking Demonstrations, Volunteer services, Men's and Women's Health) line the inside of the arena. Each booth is staffed by health practitioners from the region who offer information about preventative health issues and the services they provide. Outside the arena, Teton County Fire and EMS provides ambulance and fire truck tours and Teton County Public Health invites community members into their screening mobile to answer public health questions.

Since its inception, a cornerstone of the Health Fair has been the discounted blood screenings offered to the public in conjunction with the Health Fair. Commonly referred to as the “Best deal in town!” community members can receive a basic blood chemistry profile for $35, with the option of a hemogram, diabetes or prostrate screen for a nominal additional charge. Since such a comprehensive blood test would customarily cost over $400, it is not surprising that close to 4000 community members (one third of the adults in the Teton County community) take advantage of this service on an annual basis. While originally, community members had to attend the Health Fair to pick up their blood draw results, since 2009, St. John’s has mailed these results to patients’ home addresses so that patients can learn their results sooner. Even with this new change, many blood draw patients still attend the Health Fair to discuss their results with local physicians, who volunteer at the Fair to provide blood lab interpretation.

Every year, St. John’s strives to improve the Health fair; recent additions to the fair include nutritious food sampling, massage, Qi gong, and even a “teddy bear clinic” for children. We also provide medical interpreters for Spanish speakers who accompany non-native English speakers around the fair and assist with interpretation.

ST. JOHN’S MEDICAL CENTER’S LITE LUNCHES – (307)739-7244

Twice a month, St. John’s Medical Center and the CHI Center host two free lunchtime talks about health related issues. In the past twelve months these “brown bag” talks have spanned such diverse subjects as “Food and Mood” and “Preventing and Treating Common Winter Injuries”. Lite Lunches are held in the Moose Wapiti classroom at St. John’s Medical Center from noon until 1pm; the schedule for upcoming lunches can be viewed here. (Link to http://www.jhchicenter.org/events).