Skip to main content

Care Connections Blog

Thank you for visiting our blog page. Here you'll find an array of wellness insights and patient stories that we are excited to share.

Finding the Right Healthcare Team

Finding the Right Healthcare Team

Compassionate providers and staff make patients feel welcome and heard
Kimala McClain, 42, had not been to see a physician in more than 12 years. A combination of fear, stress and apprehension kept her away.
“Everything about the doctor’s office terrified me,” McClain says. “Throughout my life, anything wrong with me was always down to my weight. Yes, I am a bigger girl, but they even tried to tell me that even my migraines would stop if I lost weight. When the new family practice opened just a block away, I thought I should at least try.” With her husband’s encouragement, she made an appointment with Mindy Thompson, a certified nurse practitioner at Mary Rutan Family Care in Waynesfield.
Surgery Treats Painful Symptoms of Endometriosis

Surgery Treats Painful Symptoms of Endometriosis

A profound sense of relief and hope for the future.

Megan Packard, a 26-year-old Urbana resident, was symptom-diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 2018.
“I was consistently in pain, in and out of my menstrual cycle,” she explains. “It was eight years of testing different methods of birth control (sometimes being on two different types at one time) to get some relief, but nothing worked. In the end, I had tried three different types of birth control—including pills, the Depo shot and an IUD.”
Types of Fractures and How Mary Rutan Health’s Team Treats Them

Types of Fractures and How Mary Rutan Health’s Team Treats Them

Fractures are a common injury, often resulting from accidents, sports activities, or even falls. At Mary Rutan Health, our orthopedics team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of fractures. Understanding the types of fractures and how they are treated can help patients feel more confident in their recovery journey.

Why Regular Check-ups Are Essential for a Healthy Pregnancy

Why Regular Check-ups Are Essential for a Healthy Pregnancy

Mary Rutan OB/GYN is known for expert obstetric care, but we do much more than deliver babies. Our team of five board-certified OB/GYN providers offers a comprehensive range of compassionate OB/GYN services through every stage of a woman's life. These visits ensure that both mother and baby are healthy and provide a space for guidance, education, and addressing any concerns along the way.

Why Post-Operative Appointments Are Essential for Recovery

Why Post-Operative Appointments Are Essential for Recovery

After surgery, it's natural to feel relieved once the procedure is over. However, your journey to full recovery doesn't end when you leave the hospital. Post-operative appointments are crucial to ensuring your health and well-being after surgery, playing a pivotal role in your overall recovery process. Here's why these follow-up visits are essential and should never be skipped.

Understanding the Impact of Stress on Heart Health

Understanding the Impact of Stress on Heart Health

Whether it be work pressure, family burdens, or financial hurdles, stress is something everyone goes through. While it's expected to feel stressed occasionally, chronic or long-lasting stress may notably affect overall health, especially heart health.

Stroke: Act F.A.S.T.

Stroke: Act F.A.S.T.

The key to reducing impairment from a stroke is to identify the symptoms early and take rapid action. The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember the most common signs of a stroke and what to do if they appear.

F- Face Drooping

A- Arm Weakness

S- Speech Difficulty

T- Time to Call 911

Stomach Pain and When to Go to the ER

Stomach Pain and When to Go to the ER

Abdominal pain is a common issue that affects everyone at some point. For the most part, these can resolve on their own, but if the pain is chronic or unbearable, then it could be severe. Knowing when to seek emergency care can make all the difference in preventing complications or addressing life-threatening conditions.

Women and Heart Attacks: What We Should Know

Women and Heart Attacks: What We Should Know

If you weren't already aware, heart attacks can look different in women than men. They might not always have chest pain. It's important to recognize the signs and understand the risk factors because women can have non-traditional symptoms.

Mary Rutan Health's Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department: A Commitment to Excellence

Mary Rutan Health's Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department: A Commitment to Excellence

Mary Rutan Health has consistently been at the forefront of providing top-tier medical care, mainly through its Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department. The department is home to a team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons, each specializing in a unique area, such as hand, spine, trauma, joint replacement and general orthopedic surgeries​.