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Articles by Froedtert South
No need to fear surgery for nagging or sudden back and leg pain
Brian Portilia and Dr. Syed Mehdi, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon “This all began on a Saturday last fall,” recalled Brian Portilia, a Kenosha native and longtime owner and operator of Super Sports Footwear. “I did some work in my shop and then had my grandson over to eat pizza and watch football. But when I tried to get out of bed Sunday morning to go fishing with him, I fell flat on my face. I first thought I’d had a stroke, even though I could move my hands and speak.
Sustainable weight management with proven results
“I've struggled with my weight my entire life,” said Kathleen Korp of Pleasant Prairie. “I was 7 years old when I realized I was the biggest kid in my class. When my mom bought me T-shirts, they were an adult medium size, while all the other kids wore a children’s large.” “I did my first weight loss program when I was in fifth grade,” Korp recalled. “I tried again in eighth grade, in junior high and high school, in my 20s, and again when I was almost 40.
Delivering dramatic relief from nagging back pain
Dr. Syed Mehdi, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Froedtert South As physicians, we often see our patients from behind. This is primarily because back pain is one of the leading reasons individuals seek medical attention. The simple truth is that if you have a back, sooner or later it’s going to hurt. Often, this pain is caused by slipped or herniated discs, a condition in which one or more of the soft pads that cushion between the vertebrae bones in our spines push out and press on nerves.
Close-to-home care that helps people feel better physically and emotionally
Dr. Brian Hill, plastic and hand surgeon at Froedtert South’s Prairie Ridge Clinic Key concepts: Cosmetic surgery can improve physical and mental health Leading-edge procedures often result in little or no downtime for patients Many patients experience increased self-confidence “Just walking was difficult,” recalls Missy Rostkowski of Kenosha.
Leading-Edge Treatment for A-fib is Just Minutes Away
Key Concepts As we age many of us will experience a-fib — an irregular heartbeat that can cause strokes. A-fib patients often must take blood thinners for the rest of their lives — forcing them to live with unpleasant side effects. A device called Watchman protects a-fib patients from strokes, while eliminating the need to take blood thinners.
Advanced hybrid treatment for stubborn irregular heartbeats
“It was an experience that dramatically improved my life,” said Mike Prescott of Kenosha, who retired a couple of years ago after a career in the auto industry and now works in the Kidney Center at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. Since 2020, Prescott has experienced atrial fibrillation — commonly known as a-fib — a condition that causes irregular heartbeats that may result in symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, a racing heartbeat and anxiety.
Foot and ankle pain? Leading-edge relief is close to home
Leg, ankle and foot problems affect many people. Pain caused by these problems can severely impact patients’ quality of life. Froedtert South podiatrists are applying leading-edge treatments to help patients eliminate the pain and maintain their quality of life. “I was disabled for almost 11 years with my ankle,” said Susan Aulozzi of Kenosha. “I worked as a teller at a credit union until I couldn’t walk very well, so they made me a greeter.
A growing health problem for men and the leading-edge care close to home
"I'm still alive," says Darrell Borger - a lifelong resident of Somers, father of two, grandfather of four, and retired City of Kenosha employee. Darrell is one of millions of men in the U.S. who, as they age into their fifties and beyond, develop an enlarged prostate - a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. In many men, this leads to benign prostatic hyperplasia - also known as BPH - which can cause them to urinate more frequently, especially at night.
Same commitment to leading-edge cancer care
A few weeks ago, cancer care made some major advances right here in Kenosha County, close to home. In August, a significantly larger and totally renovated Cancer Center opened its doors at Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie Hospital.
Early detection saves lives in breast cancer screening
Think about this: Ninety-nine of every one-hundred women diagnosed with breast cancer in its earliest stages will live at least five years. The key to their survival is this simple: early detection. "I can't say enough about the importance of early detection," says Dr. Michael Babbitt, M.D., a radiologist who is certified under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and has training and experience in breast imaging.
When a heart stops beating our life saving care kicks in
For the many firefighters and other first responders in our Kenosha County communities, saving lives is part of their job description. Sometimes, that means saving the life of one of their own. Ken Foszcz is accustomed to a life that is always in motion. "I was very, very, very active. I used to cut trees down and chop them up for firewood," Ken recalls.
Dr. Amin Rmeileh joins Froedtert South
If you suffer a heart attack, or experience other cardiac issues, the chances are good that you will be examined by an interventional cardiologist, a specialist who diagnoses and treats heart and blood vessel conditions using small, minimally invasive tubes called catheters. Meet Dr. Amin Rmeileh, D.O., one of the newest interventional cardiologists at Froedtert South. What made you want to become a physician? Both my parents are OB/GYNs in an area with a lot of under-served people.
SPONSORED STORY: Getting to the heart of women’s health
Just about a year ago, one of the Certified Nursing Assistants on our staff at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital suffered a heart attack while she was at work. She recognized her symptoms, but was reluctant to admit to herself that she might be having a heart attack.
SPONSORED STORY: Dr. Zacharias -- Helping people say “I can” again
It’s a fact of life: active people eventually get injured. Your child might get hurt playing a sport. You could be laid up by a work injury. An older relative might struggle with knee or hip pain. Whatever the cause, when an injury occurs, you want to go to someone who can make it better as quickly as possible. We know just that someone. Meet Anthony Zacharias, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon – Sports Medicine at Froedtert South. Where did you grow up? In Green Bay.
Honoring Unsung Hospital Heroes
Babies are born, diseases are diagnosed and treated, surgeries are performed, lives are saved. That is the extraordinarily rewarding work we are privileged to do at Froedtert South. Our dedicated doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals are front and center in that mission every day. But standing right behind them - sometimes unseen and sometimes under-appreciated - are countless other people from our community who make their work possible.
Breakthrough respiratory care close to home
I’m always happy to tell patients that I grew up in Racine, and my mom and dad still live there, so I am from the Kenosha County area. In middle school I became interested in science, and my interest grew through high school and college. I received my undergraduate degree from UW Madison, and my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine located on the Caribbean island of Dominica, where many American students study medicine.
Breakthrough respiratory care close to home
I'm always happy to tell patients that I grew up in Racine, and my mom and dad still live there, so I am from the Kenosha County area. In middle school I became interested in science, and my interest grew through high school and college. I received my undergraduate degree from UW Madison, and my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine located on the Caribbean island of Dominica, where many American students study medicine.
New Technology Dramatically Improves Heart Condition Survival Rates
TRIVIA: WANT TO PLAY ALONG? Guess what the phrase "Hybrid-OR" stands for? A) An off-road vehicle powered by gas & electric C) A hospital operating room that combines modern imagining technology with minimally invasive surgical practices to help doctors save lives. The correct answer is "C." The "Hybrid OR," referred to as "Hybrid-CVOR," is revolutionizing surgery.
Breakthrough rehab for neurological injuries and diseases
"Physically, I am having difficulties with balance and falling, and a lot of pain in my legs," said Tom Conforti, of Kenosha, a husband and father of four who had a successful career in the insurance industry. "Mentally, I sometimes struggle to remember things or find the words to express myself." "I had a very, very good life," recalled Rick Madeja, of Pleasant Prairie.
Froedtert South racing to save lives with ever faster stroke care
"I would hate for anybody to have to go through what I did," is how Sandra Aragona, of Kenosha, summed up her feelings about her health. Until recently that is. "I had been having issues for a couple years," said Sandra - a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of nine. "My balance was way off and I had headaches. My hands were shaking so bad that sometimes I couldn't use my telephone or tablet. At times, I struggled to find words, and my speech was slow and slurred," Sandra recalled.
Get Going Again with speedy recovery from knee pain
Getting back to active living After a lifetime of struggling with his bad knees, Bob Schmidt, of Kenosha, had enough. Hiking, golf, playing in a band, and even everyday activities were nearly impossible. "My left knee started hurting again last year when I twisted it," Bob said. "I did physical therapy and had cortisone shots just to get me through the summer." But for Bob - a husband, father, and grandfather - "just getting through" wasn't how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
Surviving Cancer with breakthrough care close to home
Cancer care in the Kenosha area is about to take a big leap forward. Actually, two big leaps. Later this year, our radiation oncology specialist at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital will begin using expanded, state-of-the-art technology to treat cancers faster and more effectively than ever.
Save a limb, save a life
"I like to stay pretty active," said Gene Davis of Trevor, Wisconsin. Gene runs his own painting, drywalling, and property maintenance business, likes to bowl twice a week, and enjoys hunting and fishing when he can. Earlier this year, though, Gene's life changed dramatically. "It started with pain in my left calf," Gene recalled. "Then my foot was getting numb at night. It worsened until I couldn't walk more than 30 feet, or do much at all," Gene said.
Saving the life of a lifesaver with comprehensive cardiac care close to home
Jim Ludvigsen of Kenosha is a husband, the father of three, and, for the past 18 years, a fireman with the Kenosha Fire Department. One day while he was on duty at the fire station, something unexpected happened to Jim. "For some reason, my heart started racing," he recalled. "My heart went into a-fib out of the blue." A-fib is short for atrial fibrillation - a very common cardiac condition in which stray electrical signals in the heart cause it to beat erratically.
Remarkable care for a remarkable caregiver
At Froedtert South, saving lives is what we do. It is our job, our calling, our purpose. It is also such an extraordinary privilege, especially when the life we save is one of our own. Amanda Lomonaco is a certified nursing assistant who has worked at Froedtert South for 25 years. She recently received a Shining Star award for the outstanding care she gives to her patients.
Rise of the Robots for breakthrough surgical care
At Froedtert South we are revolutionizing how surgeries are performed. Our exceptionally skilled and highly trained surgeons in a wide range of specialties - general surgery, cardiothoracic, women's health, and urology - are all leading the way in the use of advanced surgical robots. Recently we asked five of our surgeons to reflect on how robotic assisted surgery is helping them deliver the excellent results patients expect, with less pain and faster recoveries.
Serious cardiac care for irregular heartbeats
"I had some fainting spells a few years ago," recalled Jim Ripley of Kenosha, a music professor, orchestra conductor, and band director at Carthage College. "To get up to the area behind the organ in the Siebert Chapel, I have to climb three flights of stairs," Jim said. "Every time I did that, I could really feel discomfort in my chest.
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