Benefits of the Flu Shot from a Primary Care Physician
Benefits of the Flu Shot from a Primary Care Physician
The flu season is typically October through May. The flu shot is recommended annually for anyone 6 months of age and older.
If you haven’t had a flu shot this season, here’s why you should get one:
- Benefits for you:
- Reduces your risks of catching the influenza virus.
- If you do still catch the influenza virus, it decreases the severity of symptoms.
- Reduces serious complications of the flu such as the risk of pneumonia and hospitalization.
- Protects friends and family members with chronic diseases.
- Benefits for the community:
- Protects vulnerable people who can develop severe complications.
- Community immunity means the virus is less likely to spread to those who cannot be immunized such as babies younger than 6 months old.
- Reduced stress on the healthcare system.
- Less missed days from work and school.
Ask your provider for one at your next appointment or get one this season at your local pharmacy.
Michelle DiCostanzo, MD
Harrison Crawford Healthcare – 812-738-3086
Click here for more information
Tips for the common cold from a primary care physician.
With the change in weather approaching, it is becoming more common to catch a cold. The common cold is a viral illness and can be prevented by following the below recommendations:
- Wash your hands frequently: Use soap and water for at least 15-30 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available.
- Avoid touching your face: Viruses can enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or the crook of your arm to prevent the spread of germs.
- Minimize contact with sick individuals: Stay away from people who have colds to reduce your risk of exposure.
Lifestyle Choices to Boost Immunity
- Get enough sleep: Aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night.
- Eat a healthy diet: Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support a strong immune system.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help your immune system produce virus-fighting cells.
- Manage stress: Reducing stress can also help strengthen your body’s ability to fight off illness.
Click here for some additional information regarding the common cold.
Harrison Crawford Healthcare
1263 Hospital Drive NW, Suite 280
Corydon
812-738-3086
Harrison County Hospital & our Physician Practices are in-network with Cigna
We know that navigating insurance can be confusing, and we’re here to help make it easier. Harrison County Hospital is proud to be in-network with Cigna insurance, and we want to assure our community that you can continue to see our providers and specialists for your care.
Your health is our top priority, and we’re committed to providing the care you need, right here at HCH.
Marc’s life-changing screening.
One simple screening ended up life-changing for Marc.
Marc, a member of the Plant Services team at Harrison County Hospital, considers himself an active guy. He’s an avid hiker and mushroom hunter, always on the go. During his hikes, while going uphill, Marc started to notice a tight squeeze in his chest.
He went to the doctor, and all of his testing came back okay. However, Marc still had a gut feeling. During one of his work rounds at Harrison County Hospital Marc ended up talking to Jamie, a CT Tech in the Diagnostic Imaging department, about what he was experiencing. It was Jamie who told him about the Cardiac Wellness Screening at HCH, which is a cardiac CT scan of the heart that looks at how much calcium is in your coronary arteries. Levels of calcium can signal the presence of coronary artery disease before symptoms occur. You’ll receive a score, or number, that shows the amount of calcium. The more calcium in the arteries, the greater your risk for heart attack or stroke.
Marc got signed up to have the screening at HCH. A score of 100 is mild, a score of 400 and above is extensive. Within a day of having his screening, Marc received his results, and his score was over 1000. The next week Marc underwent a heart cath, and he learned from the cardiologist that he would need a three or four-way heart bypass. The day after his heart cath, Marc had open heart surgery, and ended up with a four-way bypass.
Marc is back to work now and going to Cardiac Rehab at Harrison County Hospital. He credits the Cardiac Wellness Screening, a test that only cost Marc $99 out of pocket, with saving his life. “The only test that picked up my blockage was the CT,” said Marc. When asked if he was told what his outcome might have been without finding his blockage, Marc said, “If undetected, in the next five years I would have had a massive heart attack.”
The Cardiac Wellness Screening is a quick and easy test performed at Harrison County Hospital. Anyone can schedule a screening by calling 812-738-7864, and the cost is $99.
Enhanced Rheumatology Care
Introducing Enhanced Rheumatology Care!
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our team:
Rachel Wate, APRN, a dedicated Nurse Practitioner specializing in Rheumatology. With Rachel on board, we’re expanding our services to provide even more accessible and comprehensive care for patients living with arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and other rheumatic conditions. Rachel and her team will offer expert diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support to help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
Experience the difference in specialized care. Schedule your appointment with Rachel Wate, APRN today!
Call us at 812-734-3800.
Learn more at hchin.org/rheumatology
Photo: (left to right): Jennifer Rhodes, RN, Rachel Wate, APRN, Shae Simon
Harrison County Hospital Foundation Awards Scholarships
Harrison County Hospital Foundation Awards Scholarships
The Harrison County Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the Harrison County Hospital Foundation Scholarship. The Foundation was able to award $22,000 in scholarships this year. Twenty-two students in Harrison County Hospital’s service area were awarded scholarships to assist them as they pursue their chosen healthcare fields. In some cases, HCHF Scholarship recipients return to serve at HCH upon completion of their education.
The following students were awarded $1000 scholarships:
Gracelynn Anderson, Corydon, is a 2022 graduate of Corydon Central High School and is a current student at Hanover College.
Anniston Applegate, Corydon, is a 2025 graduate of Corydon Central High School.
Aliyah Banks, Ekron, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Macy Barr, Brandenburg, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Emma Bruce, Ekron, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Addison Byrum, New Salisbury, is a 2025 graduate of Lanesville Junior Senior High School.
Hannah Carter, Irvington, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Josey Corbin, Brandenburg, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Kasey Forrest, Corydon, is a 2025 graduate of Corydon Central High School.
Amia French, Guston, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Alyssa Garcia, Vine Grove, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Beckett Haynes, Guston, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Ryan Hogle, Marengo, is a 2025 graduate of Crawford County High School.
Cole Pesis, Battletown, KY, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Addison Poole, Brandenburg, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Emma Rowland, Corydon, is a 2025 graduate of Corydon Central High School.
Angela Satterfield, Corydon, is a 2025 graduate of North Harrison High School.
Reece Smith, Corydon, is a 2025 graduate of North Harrison High School.
Alyssa Spurlock, Georgetown, is a 2023 graduate of North Harrison High School and is a current student at Indiana University Southeast.
Kylie Spurlock, Georgetown, is a 2025 graduate of North Harrison High School.
Addison Thurman, Brandenburg, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School. Leila Wardrip, Brandenburg, is a 2025 graduate of Meade County High School.
Welcome, Jon M. Hall, MD!
Please join us in welcoming new family medicine physician Jon M. Hall, MD to the office of First Capital Medical Group!
Dr. Hall attended the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine and completed his residency at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville. He is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
In addition to providing general family medicine for patients of all ages, Dr. Hall’s advanced treatments include skin procedures (biopsies, wart removal, cyst removal and drainage, skin cancer detection), ingrown nails, joint injections, diabetes care, weight loss (non-surgical), hospice/palliative care, and mental health.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hall, call us at 812-738-4915.
First Capital Medical Group – 1263 Hospital Drive NW, Suite 250, Corydon
Welcome, Dr. Murphy!
We are delighted to welcome Dr. David C. Murphy to our team of dedicated women’s healthcare providers at Women’s Healthcare of Southern Indiana. Dr. Murphy is a board-certified gynecologist with many years of experience providing comprehensive and compassionate care to women of all ages.
Dr. Murphy’s advanced treatments include laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, endometrial ablations, LEEPs, sterilizations, and hysterectomies. Please note, while Dr. Murphy will be providing gynecologic care, he will not be seeing obstetric patients or delivering babies.
Dr. Murphy is now accepting new patients seeking comprehensive gynecological services. He will be seeing patients at both our Georgetown and Corydon locations.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Murphy, or Nurse Practitioners Kayla Stinson or Carrie Emerson, please contact us:
812-923-6200
Women’s Healthcare of Southern Indiana
Georgetown – 5300 State Road 64, Suite 103, Georgetown
Corydon – 1263 Hospital Drive NW, Suite 260, Corydon