A CONVERSATION WITH BETTSEY BARHORST

Guest:  Bettsey Barhorst, retiring President of Madison College

After nine years serving as President of Madison College, Bettsey Barhorst is retiring but continuing as President Emeritus through the fall semester.  On this program Bettsey discusses the significant accomplishments that occurred under her leadership, the challenges she confronted and the role of Madison College in the future of education.  She also discusses her philosophy of education and the importance of broadening educational opportunities for all people for economic and personal growth.

ORAL HEALTH: A WINDOW TO OVERALL HEALTH

Guest: Russell Grimm, D.D.S., Associated Dentists, Madison, Wisconsin

Dental disease is the most common infectious disease in the world. It is also transmissible from one person to another. The good news is that dental disease can be prevented or controlled in just about every person.

On this program, Dr. Russell Grimm describes the two main kids of dental disease: tooth decay and periodontal or gum disease which are caused by two different groups of bacteria. He covers the steps necessary to maintain good oral health in children - a more vulnerable period to develop dental disease, the power of fluoride, the effects of medication, the impact of our immune system, and the role of dental health in our overall physical condition.  Plus, advanced procedures and new technologies are helping make healthy mouths and beautiful smiles more easily achievable.

Associated Dentists has served the Madison-area community for over 50 years and will be moving their offices to new facilities on the corner of Whitney Way and University Avenue in Madison this September.

LIVE UNTIL YOU DIE: QUALITY CARE THROUGH THE END OF LIFE

Guest: Lynne Myers, President and CEO, Agrace HospiceCare 

On this program, Lynne Myers discusses Agrace HospiceCare's growing dedication to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to people and their families at any stage of serious illness. She describes the difference between palliative care and hospice care and how people can maintain control of their quality of life, the care they wish to receive, their pain and symptom management and the opportunity to move into hospice care if and when their illness warrants it.

Lynne also highlights the role of Hospice within the Affordable Care Act and the importance of having Advance Directives in place to make sure your wishes are honored.

Agrace HospiceCare is celebrating it's 35th anniversary this year as a community nonprofit hospice facility and recently expanded services into Sauk, Columbia and Iowa counties to meet the needs of the underserved.

AT THE HEART OF YOUR HEALTH

GUEST:  Annie Kelly, MD, Director of Outpatient Services, Dept. of Cardiology, UW Health

On this program, Dr. Annie Kelly introduces us to the new same day access to cardiology clinic at UW Health and the advanced hypertension clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic that brings multiple subspecialists - cardiology, nephrology, endocrine, and vascular surgery - to the patient.

Heart disease is still the number one killer of women and men, but the delivery of care is changing to be more patient-centered and encouraging more patient involvement.  Many heart conditions can be managed successfully by following a Mediterranean-style diet, exercising at least 150 minutes a week and reducing stress through such methods as mindfulness meditation.  These lifestyle behaviors may reduce the need for many medications.

Dr. Kelly recommends the smartphone app, myfitnesspal.com, to help patients to keep track of what they are eating and learn how to mindfully eat.

MEET THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

GUEST:   Deborah Gilpin, Executive Director, Madison Children's Museum

After 30 years as a museum executive in Boston and Phoenix, Deborah Gilpin has returned home to Wisconsin.  The new Executive Director of the Madison Children's Museum was born and raised in McFarland and graduated from UW-Madison.  While in Phoenix, she helped create and launch the children's museum.  Parents Magazine named it one of America's top ten children's museums (an honor also held by the Madison Children's Museum.  She also served on the Phoenix Mayor's Creative Sector Task Force.

On this program, Deborah shares the important role the Madison Children's Museum plays in the development of young people's curiosity, creativity and joy of learning.   She also describes the latest exhibits - the Urb Garden and the Oscillaser which shows off wave patterns produced by sound frequencies and volumes. Visitors are invited to try it out!

Founded in 1980, the Madison Children's Museum is celebrating its third birthday this August in their Hamilton Street home.  Adults are invited to enjoy the Madison Children's Museum on Saturday evening, August 24, at their annual Wonder Ball: Connecting the Dots.

Find details on www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org, or call 608-256-6445.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS

GUEST:  Neil Binkley, MD, UW Health Osteoporosis Clinic

Osteoporosis is a disease which refers to bones that have become weaker and can lead to fractures, particularly in later years.  On this program, Dr. Neil Binkley, a founder of the UW Osteoporosis Clinical Center and the Osteoporosis Clinical Research Program highlights what we know about osteoporosis, and what we can do to prevent and treat it.  Did you know that approximately 70% of a person's peak bone mass is due to inheritance?

Osteoporosis prevention begins in our youth which makes this an important program for all ages.

More information about osteoporosis can be found at www.iof.org, or www.nof.org.

A BRIGHTSTAR IN THE FULL CARE SPECTRUM

GUESTS:  Jeff Tews and Susan Rather, co-owners BrightStar Care

On this program, Jeff Tews and Susan Rather share their firsthand knowledge of the challenges and frustrations people face when quality, compassionate care is needed.

BrightStar Care provides customized care up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From childcare, adult homecare, elder care and situations that fall between the cracks, BrightStar's team is poised to step in and improve the health and make life easier and more fulfilling for the clients and their caregivers.

"Rigorous screening and matching our experienced caregivers with individuals and families based on the skills needed and personality traits necessary for a good relationship are at the core of what we do," says Susan.

To contact BrightStar Care, Madison, call 608-441-8620; Baraboo, 608-355-5015; South Central Wisconsin-Janesville, 608-314-8501, or go to www.brightstarcare.com or caretogether.com.

LEAD PAINT AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS

GUEST:  Dick Lee, president ABC Construction, Monona, Wisconsin

Dick Lee, president of ABC Construction and certified in lead paint removal, talks about how lead paint and other toxins in homes built before 1978 may be affecting the health of your family - especially young children.  Plus...get some ideas on how to update and freshen your home with the newest, easy care materials.

WHAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MEANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

GUEST:  Eric Ness, Wisconsin Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

What does the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mean for small businesses?  Currently, small businesses pay on average 18% more than big businesses for health insurance.  The ACA is structured to help small businesses by lowering premium cost growth and increasing access to quality, affordable health insurance.  The Small Business Administration is working to inform businesses on the actual guidelines for businesses under the ACA and to answer the increasing questions from businesses as October 1st approaches - the date when individuals and businesses will first have the opportunity to enroll in the new health insurance competitive marketplaces called Exchanges.

On this program, Eric Ness explains that small businesses - firms that have fewer than 50 employees which is nearly 96% of all U.S. businesses - are not required to provide health insurance to their employees.  The ACA offers the opportunity for more firms to be able to do so because of wider choices in the SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) Marketplaces.

For more details on the updated ACA guidelines, the benefits and rules for businesses, and the SHOP Marketplaces, go to any of the following websites:  www.healthcare.gov;  www.sba.gov/healthcare;  www.irs.gov;  www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform. 

LIVING BEYOND ADDICTIONS

GUEST:  Teri Woods, Ph. D., Clinical Psychologist, The Psychology Center of Madison

Managing addictions is more than simply abstaining from whatever substance creates the problem in the first place says clinical psychologist Dr. Teri Woods, who is now in private practice at The Psychology Center in Madison.  Remaining "powerless" over an addiction does not address the underlying reason or allow a person to move beyond the addiction and thrive.  "I like challenges," says Dr. Woods, and working with people striving to overcome addictions and moving them into "Next" - living the best life ever beyond the addiction has been one of her most rewarding.

On this program, hear Dr. Teri Woods speak to the well-researched methods of overcoming addictions and the importance of mental health treatment as a critical component to overall health care.