Stepping Stones to Better Health

At some time in our lives, most of us have been confronted with health information that we could not interpret or understand. Where do people turn when they need reliable assistance to help them learn more about health, wellness, and medical topics? That is where Small Stones Health Resource Center, located at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, can help.

"Perhaps you or a loved one has been given a diagnosis that you don't understand and you need more information. Maybe you are having some tests, or you just want to learn more about how to take better care of your health. Part of the mission of Small Stones is to provide a reliable environment in which people can seek credible health resources," according to Kathleen Steele, RN, BSN, one of the Nurse Educators at Small Stones. Mary Freisleben, RN, BSN, shares responsibilities with Steele, offering answers, guidance and support to those who come to the center.

The name "Small Stones" is derived from a Chinese proverb, "Those who remove mountains begin by carrying away small stones." "We think it's appropriate because if you start with small pieces of information, you will begin to get a better idea of the big picture. By advancing one step at a time, you can meet a challenge," Steele said.

Range of Resources
Developed by Froedtert & The Medical College to serve the needs of patients and their families, Small Stones offers health-conscious consumers access to a broad range of resources in one place. Some of the services include:

• Registered nurses who are available to answer health and wellness questions and direct you to additional resources to meet your needs.
• Assistance in finding a Medical College of Wisconsin physician to address your health issues.
• A health resources center offering a consumer library and bookstore, health-related products and Internet access to online sources of health information.
• Health screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, and other diseases.
• Educational workshops and special events covering a broad range of health and wellness topics.

Small Stones nurse educators maintain a close relationship with many of the clinics and physicians at Froedtert & The Medical College. "Before Small Stones was opened, we asked for input from the different departments in the hospital and Medical College about what kind of resources to offer. We continue to maintain those partnerships and that gives us access to many different sources on behalf of our customers," Steele said. "We often are able to e-mail questions to our physicians."

Classes and Events
Small Stones is more than a resource library, however. Throughout the year, health education classes and special events are offered on a wide array of topics, from the very serious to some fun and interesting subjects. Some classes offered include the following (check with Small Stones online or phone 414-805-6520 for a current schedule):

• Surgical Options for Weight Loss - featuring physicians from Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Bariatric Surgery Team.
• Breast Reconstruction following mastectomy.
• Freedom from Smoking - providing education and support to quit smoking and the tools to break through common obstacles.
• 55 Alive - AARP Driver's Safety Program - a refresher course designed for motorists age 50 and older.
• Aromatherapy - providing information on therapeutic aromatherapy.

"All of the classes we offer are well attended. We have a capacity to seat 70 and we often have a waiting list, so it is good to register early," Steele said. Some of the most popular include Advance Directives, Stroke Screening, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Vagus Nerve Stimulation classes. From time to time, Small Stones also features book signings.

Many Things to Many People
Men and women come to Small Stones for many reasons and use its resources in countless ways. "Very often, we have people come in who have just been given a diagnosis or have received lab results and they have a lot of questions. Our health resources include a library filled with credible medical information. We also have computers available for use and we will assist people in using them," Steele said. They often can address people's needs on a walk-in basis, but for more in-depth questions, an appointment is a good idea.

Free screenings can help patients become aware of possible health and wellness issues. "We offer blood pressure, body fat, stroke risk assessment, and cholesterol screenings. We do not offer diagnoses, but we will refer patients to Medical College and Froedtert physicians," Steele said. "Maybe you don't have a doctor. Whether you're looking for a family doctor or a specialist, we can help."

On the other hand, Small Stones can be a place to take time out of your hectic schedule to unwind. "Some people come in and just sit and read our materials; we have subscriptions to a lot of health newsletters and magazines," Steele said. "This is meant to be a resource for the community - men and women. Many people tell us it's a relaxing and comfortable place to be and we're happy about that."

Membership is Beneficial
Small Stones offers a membership program with special benefits to help client meet their health and wellness goals. "Currently, we have about 3,000 members. Membership is just $20 a year and offers some great benefits," Steele said. Member benefits include:

• Members-only events
• Free fasting lipid panel (blood test)
• Free relaxation CD
• Discounts on books and merchandise in the Small Stones store
• Unlimited access to the lending library
• Special savings from local businesses, such as a one-month free membership to the Wisconsin Athletic Club
• Free personal health journal

Small Stones resources are available to anyone seeking information, whether they are a member or not; however only members may check books and materials out of the library. Small Stones is located on the northwest corner of 87th Street and Watertown Plank Road. For more information on hours and programs, or to register for classes or workshops, call 414-805-6520 or 414-805-3666.

JoAnn Petaschnick
HealthLink Contributing Writer

MCW Health News presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.