If you have varicose veins, you have a health problem called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Millions suffer with CVI, some without the visible signs of bulging varicose veins. With or without these telltale veins, CVI can cause aching, throbbing and swelling of the legs. CVI can become worse, causing permanent skin changes and leg ulcers that are not always recognized as related to vein disease. Leg ulcers don’t often resolve without treating the underlying cause, CVI.
For years, surgical vein stripping was the treatment of choice. Vein stripping has been largely replaced in the last 16 years by a minimally invasive procedure using either radiofrequency or laser energy. But, like anything else, even good solutions to problems aren’t perfect for everyone.
Today, Tracy Brito, MD, RVT, ABVLM, vein specialist at the InnovaMed Vein Clinic at Mercyhealth Perryville, located at 3401 N. Perryville Rd. in Rockford, now offers the FDA-approved VenaSeal Closure System to treat select patients. Dr. Brito uses VenaSeal, a medical-grade, well-tested glue, to close the affected veins. Venaseal patients can immediately resume their usual activity and compression stockings are rarely needed.
With the addition of VenaSeal, Dr. Brito now has several procedures, all less expensive and with better outcomes than vein stripping surgery, to treat patients with CVI, its serious complications, and varicose veins.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brito, call Mercyhealth Perryville at (815) 971-2840.
Rockford Health System welcomes Evelyn Oteng, MD, to Rockford Memorial Hospital where she specializes in pain management. Dr. Oteng earned her medical degree at University of Ghana Medical School in Accra. She completed an internship in obstetrics and gynecology at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana before completing a residency in anesthesiology at University of Louisville. Dr. Oteng completed a fellowship in pain management at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore and is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management.
MercyRockford Health System recently received an award at the Amboy Fire Protection District’s appreciation awards celebration for its MD-1 program and Casualty Care in the Classroom initiative in the Winnebago County community. The MD-1 program is recognized specifically for EMS training and exceptional response service.
We are pleased to announce that Char DeMolli, Patient Service Representative for Pediatric Surgery, has been named the Rockford Health System 2015 Employee of the Year. Char was selected from 12 outstanding candidates who earned Employee of the Month awards throughout the year.
Kim Mooney, R.N., Perryville Convenient Care, has been named RHS December 2015 Employee of the Month. Kim’s nomination notes her compassion, positive attitude, knowledge and willingness to help everyone. Most importantly she leaves her patients feeling cared for and valued. They often say how wonderful she is. Kim is currently going back to school to become a nurse practitioner.
Rockford Health System offers the Safe Sitter program, a nationwide program designed to train young people age 11 to 13 how to be safe baby sitters. The program teaches proper childcare skills and how to handle major and minor medical emergencies. It’s not too late to sign up for the last session of 2015.
MercyRockford Health System is proud to partner with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to present River Lights, which illuminates the downtown banks along the Rock River between the State and Jefferson Street bridges. We hope River Lights will bring wonder and joy to families from throughout Rockford, neighboring communities and the region. The lights are designed to be enjoyed both up close and from a distance. The light shows and performances are free to the public. Lights are illuminated from 4:30 – 11 p.m.
Start the holiday season off right this year! After waiting in long lines on Black Friday, shopping locally on Small Business Saturday, and scouring the Internet for the best deals on Cyber Monday, consider making a charitable gift to the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation on 
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