Zinta Aistars is a bilingual writer in English and Latvian. She has three books published in the Latvian language and is currently at work on a fourth, this time in English. Zinta is a regularly contributing writer for many local and regional publications. She is the host and producer of the weekly radio show, Art Beat, at WMUK 102.1 FM, the NPR affiliate station in Southwest Michigan. Zinta is a former employee of Spectrum Health, working in marketing and communications as a writer and editor, and she is pleased to continue writing health care stories since becoming a full-time freelance writer.
Vietnam veteran Patrick Wilson, a former smoker, underwent surgery for lung cancer—only to learn he had an enlarged aorta, too.
Chris Groenheide knew she couldn't dismiss an irregular cycle as the beginning stage of menopause. A series of tests led to a troubling diagnosis: cancer.
The result of Phill Carr's bariatric surgery has been so dramatic, old friends greet him with one question: "Who are you again?"
Ever since her teenage years, Samantha Searl had accepted knee pain as part of life. Not until age 48 did she discover she didn't have to live that way.
Miguel Munoz thought he just had the flu and back pain. He soon found himself in a fight for his life.
For an excellent one-pot chili, begin by tossing together Spectrum Health Culinary Medicine and the Children’s Healing Center. It’s all deliciousness from there on out.
Kathy Hoseth battled inexplicable chest pains much of her life—until she finally found the cardiothoracic surgeon who could remedy her condition.
It felt like the flu, but turned into something much more serious. A new mother gets fast care—for her and for her baby.
Jacquie Karr-Zlotnicki's health journey has seen its share of ups and downs. She weathered it all through a renewed focus on all aspects of self—mind, spirit and body.
Joint pain and weight problems kept Kim Metzger sedentary for years. She found a new groove with cardio-drumming—and later, bariatric surgery.
When Elvira Brico found herself sitting on a bench as her elderly mother marched on, she knew it had come time for joint replacement surgery.
Bariatric surgery gave a Michigan couple the edge they needed to shed pounds. But the real progress came when they confronted their lifelong emotional burdens.
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