Letters

Tributes to Spelman Medical Foundation

At a Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital wellness event earlier this year, I had my blood pressure checked along with other health screenings. As the nurse practitioner informed me that night, my blood pressure was "alarmingly high." Thanks to her powerful warning, referral to a new cardiologist and a kind follow-up call, my blood pressure is under control for the first time in many years, probably adding years to my life. I have taken responsibility for my health in other ways -- watching what I eat and exercising regularly. Thanks for focusing on women’s health issues; the many events you have offered are educational, motivational, and fun.

Jane Campbell, Parkville

My mother taught me that it is all about doing for others. When I heard Dr. Pamela Peeke at a Spelman Wellness program in the spring, she got through to me that it could also be about doing for ME. I’ve always thought that it was too late to change my life. At another Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital and Spelman wellness program that got me walking for eight-weeks at the park in Parkville, I heard Katherine Switzer, the first official woman to run the Boston Marathon and she drove home the idea that it is never to late to exercise. Now I have bought a bike that I enjoy riding and I have enrolled in regular yoga classes. No more excuses for me. I feel I have permission to care about myself. I have enjoyed these programs and they have made a positive impact on my decisions at home and at work. Keep doing what you are doing, IT’S WORKING!

Carmen Sherman, Kansas City

Since participating this summer in the Women’s eight-week walking program at English Landing with my daughter, she and I now walk several miles at least twice a week. This has improved not only our health but also our relationship.

Peggy Bouge, Agency

My younger sister is gravely ill from late stages of breast cancer and I have spent many hours with her in acute care at KU Medical Center. Her physician recommended she exercise even though her mobility was very limited in the hospital. He gave her a stretchy band to use but no exercise instructions. At a wellness event I had attended at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital, I was given a similar exercise band and a series of well-illustrated instructions for the use of the simple equipment. With the materials provided by the wellness program, my sister and I were able to pass many hours in the hospital, using the stretch band correctly and improving her strength.

Lori Richardson, Parkville

As a realtor, I spend many hours in the car driving clients around the Northland area. Sometimes I can hardly stand up when I get out of the car because of backaches. Through Spelman Medical Foundation outreach, I have discovered that Yoga is a great aid for my aching back and that it helps me balance my life. I have five friends that want to join the Yoga class at Saint Luke’s Northland but the class is full. I hope this program is able to grow next year -- so many women are interested in this type of program, but just don’t know about it. Please call me if I can help you expand the wellness programs. Sandi Schmude, Gladstone

My wife, Shirley Elam was an honored oncology nurse at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital. Ironically, it was cancer that took her life at the young age of 57. When she died earlier this year, the outpouring of affection from Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital staff and volunteers that came to my family and me was most gratifying. Since her death, I have set up an endowment fund to pay for an annual honor for clinical staff in her name. The Spelman Medical Foundation has handled the details of this in such a kind way, that this experience has helped our family deal with our painful loss. Shirley would be pleased to see that other outstanding medical practitioners are honored each year in her name. Wayne Elam, Savannah

This year our family is celebrating the birth of Haylie Hensley, delivered with much joy at the Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital’s Maternity Unit. We know the staff of that program was almost as thrilled as we were because just over a year before, they helped us cope with the loss of our second daughter, Makenzie, who was delivered, full term but tragically, still born. Happily, our newest family member, Haylie, is a beautiful and healthy baby. In the year after Makenzie’s death, we worked with the Spelman Foundation to set up a fund to make sure that all parents like us who suffer such a terrible loss, have the same loving and professional help we received from the maternity staff. We are proud that this fund has raised almost $10,000. This charitable work helped our family find meaning in our loss by creating a way to help others. Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital maternity nurses are remarkable people and we are proud to support them through a fund at the Spelman Foundation.

Stephanie and Jimmy Hensley, Camden Point

Kemp Minor Woods III was a remarkable Northland leader who believed in investing in young people. He wanted to leave a legacy to the Northland youth. As his attorney, I was pleased to help him make provisions in his will that eventually led to a $150,000 endowment at Spelman Medical Foundation for health care scholarships to young people in the Northland. This year the first scholarships were awarded to Sara Clouse and Amanda Popisil. I am pleased that the Spelman Foundation will be a continuing steward of Kemp’s wishes for youth.

Michael McGinness, Platte City