It’s no secret…women are different.
Throughout your journey as a woman, you have special health needs. Lakeland is committed to offering exemplary care in each stage of life. Whether you are preparing for a birth, managing menopause symptoms, or diagnosing any number of disorders we are ready for you.
As a wife, partner, daughter, friend, mother, you make decisions every day about the care and well-being of those around you. By choosing women’s health at Spectrum Health Lakeland, you can be confident that you’ve made the right decision for you, so you can be at your best—for yourself and those who depend on you.
It’s your journey. And we’ll be right beside you with the skills and expertise you need to ensure you get the most advanced and thorough care possible.
We help with a variety of services and can provide care for:
Breast Care
Cancer
Depression
Gynecology
Heart and vascular care
Incontinence, bladder, and pelvic health
Miscarriage support
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy care
Routine well-woman exams, PAP smear and cervical cancer screenings
Weight management
We all have a story to share.
We provide personalized health care to ensure you have the best possible experience while in our care. Each individual treatment and care plan at Lakeland is just as unique as your are. We are your partners in your health care journey.
Women throughout Southwest Michigan and beyond share their health care experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland in the stories below.
Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form.
Apr 12, 2017 Reporting from Niles, MI
The Beat Goes On - Rosalie Johnson
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/Detail/the-beat-goes-on/?utm_source=The_Beat_Goes_On_&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Apr 12, 2017
Apr 12, 2017
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
New Ablation Procedure Helps Patients with Heart Rhythm Problems
Rosalie Johnson will always remember that October day when she had trouble breathing.
“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” the Watervliet resident said.
Knowing that something
The Beat Goes On - Rosalie Johnson
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
The Beat Goes On - Rosalie Johnson
Apr, 2017
Physicians: Dilip Arora, MD; Dave Chalupa, PA; Mark Smalley, DO
New Ablation Procedure Helps Patients with Heart Rhythm Problems
Rosalie Johnson will always remember that October day when she had trouble breathing.
“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” the Watervliet resident said.
Knowing that something wasn’t right, Rosalie flagged down her husband, Don, who was cutting grass outside, and told him she needed to go to the hospital. Don drove Rosalie to the Emergency Department at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph for treatment. Rosalie was evaluated by two cardiology providers, Dilip Arora, MD, FACC, and Dave Chalupa, PA, who then referred her to their colleague, a cardiac electrophysiologist specializing in treating rhythm problems of the heart.
“Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical functioning of the heart and the disorders that can happen when something goes wrong with it,” said Rosalie's physician. “Patients may experience symptoms such as the feeling that their heart is racing, palpitations, their heart may beat too fast or too slow, and sometimes they can feel lightheaded or pass out from these conditions.”
The doctor also explained to Rosalie that she had a heart arrhythmia—a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat—and talked with her about treatment options. Rosalie was intrigued to learn about catheter ablation, a procedure in which a catheter is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. Energy is sent through the catheter to destroy small areas of heart tissue responsible for an arrhythmia.
“He explained everything about the procedure,” Rosalie said. “Catheter ablation was something new to me, but I thought it sounded really neat.”
Rosalie was relaxed but awake for the procedure, which took about 90 minutes. When the ablation was over, Rosalie recovered in the Heart Center, where she was closely monitored. After returning home, she soon resumed her usual activities, including walking outdoors and keeping up with her grandchildren.
When Rosalie initially presented, her heart function was found to be reduced, and she was developing congestive heart failure. After ablation, her heart function completely normalized and she was back to living her normal life.
Today, Rosalie continues to take medications to help control her heartbeat and checks in regularly with her cardiologist and her longtime family physician, Mark Smalley, DO. She is thrilled that she was able to have such an advanced procedure at Lakeland, and doesn’t hesitate to share her story with friends and family.
“Lakeland has done wonders for me,” Rosalie said. “I feel like a new person. It is so wonderful to have the technology we have today.”