Author:

Zinta Aistars

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.

Posts from Zinta Aistars

Patient Story

Bringing back the bounce

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.

Patient Story

When it rains, it pours

Miguel Munoz thought he just had the flu and back pain. He soon found himself in a fight for his life.

Patient Story

Good beans

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.

Patient Story

‘I have my life back’

Kathy Hoseth battled inexplicable chest pains much of her life—until she finally found the cardiothoracic surgeon who could remedy her condition.

Patient Story

‘I’m so grateful’

It felt like the flu, but turned into something much more serious. A new mother gets fast care—for her and for her baby.

Patient Story

A journey re-imagined

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.

Patient Story

A new kind of beat

Joint pain and weight problems kept Kim Metzger sedentary for years. She found a new groove with cardio-drumming—and later, bariatric surgery.

Patient Story

‘Life can be so much better’

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.

Patient Story

Forging a future

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.

Patient Story

A quest for quality

After years of urinary incontinence, Tammy Anderson finally found relief.

Patient Story

The best little man

This 11-year-old gained great wisdom from the seat of a wheelchair. His indomitable spirit and quick smile lift up all those he encounters.

Patient Story

The fight of her life

After successfully battling breast cancer and living with lymphedema, Pam Goodfellow now works to strengthen others engaged in the battle.