Quarterly Workshop Aimed at Helping Cancer Patients Take Charge of Wellness
Cancer comes with many challenges to navigate. To help people manage symptoms and provide support, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has been partnering with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids to host Cancer Rehabilitation Education and Wellness (CREW) workshops throughout the year. This month’s workshop, on Thursday, October 2, will focus on cancer-related fatigue. Anyone with a […]
Mary Free Bed Dietitian & GRCC Professor Competes on Food Network’s Chopped
Jenn Struik is a registered dietitian, personal chef and college professor. Now, she’s bringing her culinary skills to the national stage on the next episode of Food Network’s Chopped. Chopped is a reality-based cooking television game show series in which four chefs face off to create delicious dishes out of mystery ingredients. The competition tests […]
Stayin’ Alive: Pastor Uses CPR to Save Teen’s Life
Rafe Oard, 17, of Gladwin, Michigan, is an active teenager with a great sense of humor. You’re likely to find him outdoors, working on cars with his grandpa, or caring for his pheasants and quails. Last February, Rafe headed to the weekly open gymnasium hour at his church. He often joined members of the community […]
Breathing Easier: Mary Free Bed Respiratory Therapy Program Celebrates 5 Years
The Mary Free Bed respiratory therapy team is celebrating its fifth year at the hospital. The respiratory therapy team is comprised of of 20 respiratory therapists who average of 15 years of acute care experience – having served patients from coast to coast across the U.S. In 2017, Mary Free Bed launched its ventilator and […]
Try out a World of Flavors this National Nutrition Month
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Happy National Nutrition Month 2022! Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chooses a theme to spread the word about the benefits of living a healthy, nutritious and balanced life. The theme for 2022 is “Celebrate a World of Flavors.” Enjoying […]
Mom loses 115 pounds with help from Sports Performance, runs NYC Marathon
Liz Fanco wasn’t a runner for the first 38 years of her life, and she’s been considered obese or morbidly obese since high school. Inspired by her eight kids, Liz decided to try running with her family to support World Vision and raise funds to help people access clean water. For three years she tried […]
‘Alexa, open Mary Free Bed’: Five simple words provide access to rehabilitation expertise
Grand Rapids, Mich. – With the first-ever Alexa Skill developed by a rehabilitative health care organization, people across the country can get help from Mary Free Bed experts with a simple voice command. Would you like a list and description of outpatient services? Say “Services.” Concerned about an injury or pain in a specific area […]
Healthy holiday eating: Apple and Butternut Squash Soup
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Have you ever pulled out a recipe for a holiday but felt like you shouldn’t make it because it’s “not healthy?” Well, I’ve got some tips for enjoying your favorite holiday foods without the worry or guilt! Remember that our health is […]
Ms. Wheelchair America competition kicks off
Grand Rapids, MI – It’s back! Ms. Wheelchair America resumes this week after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. The competition celebrates the advocacy efforts, abilities and accomplishments of 30 women from across the country who use wheelchairs for mobility. The 50th annual event, which culminates Saturday, is presented by Mary Free Bed […]
Try these tips for meal planning on a budget
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. From panic-buying groceries amid pandemic fears to ordering takeout to support local restaurants, our budgets have felt the brunt. It’s time for a refresher on budget-friendly meal-planning success. If the following five tips feel like an overwhelming amount of “to-do’s,” then pick […]
Whip up some Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes and a little self-love for Valentine’s Day
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Along with a delicious and easy pancake recipe just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve also got some self-talk tips for showing the person in the mirror some love. Stop “shouldn’t-ing” or “shoulding” yourself: When we say things like “I shouldn’t eat […]
Practice gratitude for your body, and see what it can do!
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. At the beginning of each year, we focus on setting new goals or practicing new healthy behaviors. One thing we may not think a lot about is practicing gratitude. Research shows that those who practice gratitude are thriving psychologically, spiritually, physically and […]
Weight Management Program teaches Rachel lifelong lessons: ‘It’s a chance for real growth and change’
Rachel Webster joined the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program, because she wanted to improve her lifestyle and overcome fears about her weight. Since completing the 20-week Foundation program, Rachel said she’s learned some lifelong lessons and lost 25 pounds along the way. What are some of the most helpful things you learned? There’s no […]
Focus on building healthy lifestyle habits that last
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. The new year is approaching, and we’re all feeling excitement for a fresh start. It’s understandable to reflect on how we spent our time this year. Many of us were at home due to unexpected circumstances, and guess what? Home is where […]
Add these healthy recipes to your holiday feast
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. The holiday season is upon us, and that means celebratory meals filled with traditional dishes. It’s always fun to try something new, though! These three recipes have become favorites in my home, and if you need vegan- or diabetic-friendly ideas or gluten-free […]
Broaden your palette with Hispanic cuisine
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Do you ever get in a cooking rut and tire of making the same ol’ meals for dinner? You’re not alone! Instead of diving into the abyss of Pinterest for recipes, narrow your search by focusing on a different culture’s cuisine. Hispanic […]
Energize your morning with these grab-and-go ideas for a healthy breakfast
Breakfast is an important meal. It provides our body with the energy it needs to start the day off with a fueled-up tank. When you balance your energy intake throughout the day, including that morning fuel, you’re less likely to overeat later. When we eat little to nothing for breakfast and a light lunch, we […]
Simple meditation, yoga practice can provide calm, clarity, positive health benefits
From our experts: Dr. Colleen Sullivan is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Mary Free Bed. She’s also a registered yoga teacher. The pace of our lives was exponentially increasing. We were on auto pilot, moving full speed ahead from the moment we woke up to the time we tucked ourselves into bed. Finding […]
Taking care of ourselves means staying connected with those we love
From our experts: Maggie Travin is a psychologist at Mary Free Bed. In times of confusion, fear or panic, the most natural thing to do may be to lean in — both physically and figuratively — to those you love. There are few things more comforting than a warm embrace from a family member. However, […]
Give yourself a break: Keep meals simple during COVID-19 stay-at-home mandate
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. I’ve seen so many posts from social media “influencers” dishing out health and nutrition advice, and pushing us to “use our time at home wisely” during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a registered dietitian and health care professional, I’m qualified to provide advice […]
’Tis the season: Blueberry Cucumber Salsa a superfood summer treat
From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM, is a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It’s blueberry season! Now is the best time of year to get fresh, locally grown blueberries – a fruity superfood we love. Did you know: […]
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids breaks ground on the new Mary Free Bed YMCA
Grand Rapids, Mich. – The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids broke ground today on a new $30 million facility in Cascade Township which will be the first-of-its-kind Y in the nation to comprehensively implement universal design to serve individuals of all abilities. To commemorate its 125th anniversary, the Mary Free Bed Guild is investing in this […]