JANUARY 2025
January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month
Throughout the Mount Carmel system, healthy moms and babies are a priority. One area of concern for new parents may be birth defects.
“Some birth defects are spontaneous,” says Kristen Terranova, DO, a Mount Carmel Medical Group OB/GYN. “However, there are some things women can do to reduce the risk of certain birth defects.”
Dr. Terranova advises, “Talk with your physician about any concerns; avoid medications that are not approved for pregnant women; make sure you are vaccinated against rubella (measles); make sure you are getting adequate folic acid; and, if you are diabetic, it’s important to control glucose levels.”
For anyone who is considering pregnancy or who is pregnant, early and consistent prenatal care can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. “Give your healthcare team the time to take the best care of you. See them before you conceive to allow screenings for conditions like diabetes and hypertension,” says Dr. Terranova. “Your physician may ask you about your sleep, exercise, stress and diet. Generally, it’s a good idea to take prenatal vitamins for three months prior to getting pregnant, too.”
“Being the healthiest version of yourself before you get pregnant is ideal,” says Dr. Terranova. “Of course, if you don’t see your physician prior to pregnancy, make an appointment as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.
“Care for each woman is different. I’ve wanted to be an OB/GYN since elementary school and can’t imagine doing anything else,” she adds.
Foundation board welcomes new members
We are delighted to announce the addition of four remarkable individuals to the Mount Carmel Foundation Board. Their diverse expertise and dedication to our mission will play a vital role in guiding our work,” said Foundation President Deanna Stewart.
- Siobhan Boyd-Nelson, JD – With deep experience in fundraising, marketing, and nonprofit leadership through her work with Equality Ohio and Stonewall Columbus, Siobhan brings invaluable insight and energy to our efforts.
- Andrew Hunkins – A LEED Accredited Professional with CK Construction, whose 20+ years of executive and volunteer leadership in central Ohio reflect his commitment to building stronger communities.
- Philip Sineneng, JD – An accomplished investment management attorney at Thompson Hine LLP and the firmwide Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Philip’s dedication to equity and legal expertise will help us advance our vision.
- K. Shelette Stewart, PhD – A Harvard University graduate, Fulbright specialist, international speaker, and Founder/Principal of Stewart Consulting LLC. Dr. Stewart's strategic leadership and global perspective will greatly enrich our work.
Street Medicine helps address cold weather challenges
Recent severe cold temperatures present risks of frostbite and other cold-related conditions to the unhoused individuals in our communities. “Long-term unhoused people, who do not want to use area shelters, are somewhat better equipped to deal with frigid conditions,” says Kristina Kowatsch-Beyer MPH, BSN, RN, Manager, Street Medicine. “Individuals who are newly unhoused can be ill-prepared for being outdoors in the cold.”
Mount Carmel’s Street Medicine program provides no cost urgent medical care to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Services are offered through mobile clinics and on the streets. Half of the individuals served are living in homelessness and need basic supplies to support survival and comfort.
“Our Street Medicine teams do all they can to get blankets, warm gloves, coats and other supplies that our patients may need. We are especially in need of heavy blankets and men’s coats. Handwarmers are in great demand, too,” says Kowatsch-Beyer.
“One of the best ways to help us get much-needed supplies is by supporting the Mount Carmel Foundation and designating your gift to Community Health and Well-being, or even specifically to Street Medicine,” she adds. “We are grateful for the generous Mount Carmel Foundation donors who support our Street Medicine Mobile Medical Coach and clinics throughout the community.”
Individuals and organizations also can contribute needed items to Street Medicine by visiting and making a purchase from the program’s Amazon wish list.
Providing food assistance for a healthier community
Food Farmacy Rx is a collaborative program of Mount Carmel and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. It is supported by a grant from the Mount Carmel Foundation and provides access to healthy food to patients and their entire households each week.
“Food insecurity has been identified as a barrier to good health,” says Stacey Conrad, MPH, Manager, Healthy Living and CTAP, Community Health & Well-Being. “Our aim with this program is to get healthy food – especially fruits and vegetables – to patients who may not otherwise be able to get it.”
“Research shows there is some benefit to actually “prescribing” food pantry access to patients,” she adds. “What makes this program unique is the frequency with which patients can get food from the participating food banks in Franklin and surrounding counties. Generally, individuals can get food once per month at pantries. Our program allows them to get food weekly for themselves and their household.”
Kristene Suelter, MSW, LISW-S, works with patients, most of whom are pregnant women, at the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Primary & Specialty Care Clinics at Mount Carmel Grove City. “On their first visit, we ask just a couple of screening questions to gauge their food insecurity. If they sometimes, or even often, run out of food at home before they have money to buy more, we connect them to the Food Farmacy Rx for access to healthy food at no cost to them.”
To date, the program has helped more than 200 patients and their families. Currently, the program is available to patients of select Mount Carmel Medical Group practices, inpatient case management and nutrition, the GME (which includes the OB clinics) at Mount Carmel Grove City, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Family Medicine practice and Mount Carmel Cancer Services.
Stacey Conrad, who manages the von Zychlin Healthy Living Center, is responsible for the administration of the Food Farmacy Rx program at Mount Carmel.
Mount Carmel in the Community
Learn more about important health topics at these Mount Carmel events:
- Join Mount Carmel as we dive into the myths vs. the facts about advanced care planning through a community conversation. Bring your questions and hear from a medical professional to help navigate what it means to need hospice and palliative care. The conversation will take place on Thursday, February 13, from 9 – 10:30 a.m. in conference room 1-1201 at Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital, 5300 N. Meadows Dr, Grove City, OH 43123. The event is FREE, but registration is required. Please click here to register.
- On Tuesday, February 4, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Mount Carmel Grove City, you can learn how to better manage your cancer risk through lifestyle changes. Healthy Living for Cancer Prevention will feature a discussion with a Mount Carmel Cancer Services dietician, a cooking demonstration and tasting. Visit www.mountcarmelhealth.com/hlc and select “Register for a Class” to attend this free event.