Vitals & Voices

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we explore a topic that can make a big difference in your health journey—preventive care. Barb Foss, Nurse Practitioner, joins us to explain why the start of a new year is the perfect time to prioritize annual visits, screenings, and lab work. Barb shares practical insights on what preventive care really means, how it helps catch issues early, and why age-ba...

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we dive into a topic that resonates with nearly everyone at the start of a new year—setting health goals that actually stick. Julie Levy, M.Ed., RD, LMNT, BC-ADM, CDCES, joins us to share practical strategies for building sustainable habits instead of chasing quick fixes. From SMART goals to aerobic activity guidelines and the seven self-care behaviors, Juli...

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we explore a topic that impacts millions of Americans every year—physical therapy. Leeann Smith, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lexington Regional Health Center, explains what physical therapy is, why it’s so important, and how it helps people recover, manage pain, and improve mobility. She also shares insights into the different specialties within PT and e...

In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we explore a topic that affects many families—feeding challenges in children. Justine Bauer, Occupational Therapist at Lexington Regional Health Center, explains what occupational therapy is, how pediatric feeding therapy works, and why early intervention can make a big difference. She also shares practical tips for parents and signs that it’s time to seek pro...

In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we dive into early speech and language development—what parents need to know and why early intervention matters. Aurora Grabenstein, Speech Language Pathologist at Lexington Regional Health Center, clears up common misconceptions about speech therapy, explains critical pre-verbal skills, and shares when parents should take action instead of “wait and see.” Wha...

In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we tackle a topic that’s on the minds of many families in our community—especially following the recent Tyson closure announcement: health insurance coverage after job loss. What happens when you lose your job? Should you apply for Medicaid right away? What if you get denied? And what exactly is the health insurance marketplace everyone talks about? To help us...

In this episode, we sit down with Marni Baker, Welcome Center Coordinator for Lexington Public Schools, and Beth Roberts, Executive Director of the Lexington Community Foundation, to talk about how our community is responding to the Tyson plant closure announcement. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What employees should do if they know they’re impacted Workforce and unemployment resources for fa...

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable yet serious health conditions affecting adults today. In this episode of Vitals & Voices , we sit down with Roger Wells, a seasoned Physician Assistant specializing in primary care, prevention, and chronic disease management. Roger shares essential insights on colon cancer—from risk factors and screening tools to prevention strategies and treatment o...

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Nicole Chrisinger, one of our dedicated social workers, to explore what it truly means to “be well.” Wellness goes beyond physical health—it’s about planning ahead and being prepared before a crisis occurs. Nicole shares practical steps you can take today to feel secure about your future needs and highlights key community resources that can...

The holiday season is often portrayed as joyful and magical—but for many, it brings stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we’re joined by Ann Young, a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, to explore why the holidays can feel overwhelming and share practical strategies for coping with social overload, financial strain, grief, and those heavy end-of-year ref...

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Leigh-Anne Lehmann, Physician Assistant at Family Medicine Specialists, to talk about her journey as a new provider in Lexington and her passion for patient care. We also tackle a timely topic: viral vs. bacterial sinus infections and colds—what’s the difference, when to seek care, and why antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Plus, Leigh-An...

As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to talk about why scheduling healthcare appointments before December 31st can make a big difference. In this episode, we explore how insurance benefits work, highlight the specialists available at Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC), and share tips for staying on top of preventive care.   The Importance of Year-End Appointments Why now is the time...

Medicare Open Enrollment is here! From October 15th through December 7th, millions of Americans have the chance to review and update their Medicare coverage. But what does that really mean for you? In this episode, Chief Financial Officer Wade Eschenbrenner and Chief Compliance Officer/Director of Finance Tara Naprstek break down the essentials so you can make informed decisions.   What Medicare O...

Welcome to the First Episode of the LRHC Vitals & Voices Podcast! Hosted by Brenna Bartruff, Chief Communications Officer, and Gena Carpenter, Director of Radiology, this episode dives into all things Pinktober—a beloved community event raising awareness for Breast Cancer. 💗 In This Episode: - The history of Pinktober (formerly “Drink for Pink”) - What to expect at this event - Insider tips f...