Current News
Current News from Methodist Hospital for Surgery

Ready, Set, Go: Sports Season & Adolescent Injury
The warming days of spring are right around the corner, which means parents and kids are gearing up for sports season. Whether it’s organized school or community sports or just playtime in the front yard with friends, kids are exceedingly active—and far more prone to injury—when weather gives them the freedom to be outdoors.
That means parents need to be ready for the risks of sports and outdoors activities.
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Simple ENT Surgery Can Make a Big Difference
Many people are skeptical that a simple ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery can dramatically improve their quality of life. But the truth is ENT surgeries aim to do just that. With allergy season right around the corner, more and more people are aware of just how aggravating their chronic sinus and allergy problems are, but did you know there reasons beyond allergies to consider visiting an ENT? You might be surprised to learn just how many conditions these specialists can correct with simple surgery.
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Methodist Hospital for Surgery Partners with Texas Surgeon for Operation Walk USA
On Monday, December 2, Christmas came early for Shelia K., of Bella Vista, AR, and Susan S., of Waxahachie, TX, when they received the unique gift of surgery, courtesy of Methodist Hospital for Surgery, orthopedic surgeon specialist, Dr. Kurt Rathjen, and charitable surgical program, Operation Walk USA.
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MHFS Offers a Pre-Operative Joint Wellness Class
While surgery can be a stressful and sometimes frightening event, Methodist Hospital for Surgery (MHFS) is working to take the uncertainty out of joint replacement surgery by offering a pre-operative class to its patients. This unique class, offered since June 2012, has served more than 400 patients and their families.
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Importance of Handwashing Highlighted this Month
This year, National Handwashing Awareness Week is observed December 1-7, 2013. Campaigns associated with this annual event highlight the importance of proper handwashing in preventing the spread of communicable diseases, including the flu, common cold, pink eye, pneumonia and strep throat, to name a few.
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The Great American Smokeout is in November
The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout each year on the third Thursday of November and encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better, and helps the heart and lungs. Studies show that quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.
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Joint Wellness Program at Methodist Hospital for Surgery
In order to better serve its patients, Methodist Hospital for Surgery has created a joint wellness program to teach patients and their families about what to expect before, during and after a surgical procedure. The program was launched earlier in the summer with the intention of reducing potential fear and anxiety for each person coming to the hospital, regardless of if they are a patient or a caregiver.
Central to the program is a joint class, which is taught by Candace Callegan, who brings over 25 years of nursing experience to the job of joint coordinator. In the class, Callegan walks patients and caregivers through the joint replacement process, including helping with the coordination of their pre-op testing and ensuring they have medical clearance prior to their procedure.
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September is Healthy Aging Month
Healthy Aging Month takes place each September and is an annual observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The main objective of Healthy Aging Month is to provide inspiration, encouragement and practical ideas for adults, ages 50-plus, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial well-being.
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September is Pain Awareness Month
Each September, the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) observes Pain Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness about the 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain. The ACPA is committed to raising awareness through mass media, public forums and other sources so that chronic pain may be readily recognized, better understood without the traditional stigma attached, and more fittingly treated and managed.
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July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
While many Americans believe arthritis is a condition that only affects older people, the reality is that nearly 300,000 children in America also receive a diagnosis of arthritis. To bring awareness to this condition, the Arthritis Foundation designated July as Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. With proper diagnosis and early treatment, serious and permanent damage to a child’s joints can be prevented, and they can go on to live an active, healthy life.
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June Is Men’s Health Month
Each year in June, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten awareness of preventable problems and encourage early detection and disease treatment among men and boys. The centerpiece of Men’s Health Month is National Men’s Health week, a special awareness period passed by Congress and signed into law on May 31, 1994.
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May is National Arthritis Month
Each May, the Arthritis Foundation sponsors a nationwide team event called the Arthritis Walk that raises funds to fight arthritis. The event typically takes place during the month of May in conjunction with National Arthritis Month and helps raise awareness for the approximately 50 million Americans who suffer from the pain, cost, and disability of arthritis. During May, the Arthritis Foundation calls on the nation to take action against arthritis, America’s leading cause of disability.
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