1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title?5 1/2 years as a Radiologic Technologist 2. Proudest moment here at OISI or favorite part of your job?I feel incredibly blessed to work at OISI. I enjoy coming to work every day and working with such amazing people. 3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.I’m in the Army National Guard and I love to skydive. 4. Favorite thing to do in Southern IL?Brunch dates and hiking. 5. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would love to learn how to scuba dive.   6. If you won the lottery, what is the fi ..read more

1. Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees If lying flat on your back feels uncomfortable, try shifting over to your side: Allow your right or left shoulder to make contact with the mattress, along with the rest of that side of your body. Place a pillow between your knees. If there’s a gap between your waist and the mattress, consider using a small pillow there for added support. Whether you use one pillow or opt for two, you should resist the urge to always sleep on the same side. Doing so many cause issues like muscle imbalance and even scoliosis. How does this position ..read more

Lisa Furtak 1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title?I have worked for OISI for 24 years. I work in the Xray Department and the Healthy Bone Clinic doing Bone Density. 2. Favorite part of your job at OISI?My favorite part of my job is that the people at OISI are my second family. Some of my closest friends are part of OISI. 3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.I was a very quiet and shy child. No one will believe this about me, but my Mom will agree! 4. Favorite thing to do in Southern IL?Spending time with family, and friends at our local wineries ..read more

Taylor with her fiance’ Jordan 1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title? I started July 3, 2017, so I have been with the Orthopaedic Institute for 3 & 1/2 years and I currently work with Financial Counseling. 2. Favorite part of your job? One of my favorite things about working at OISI would have to be that I get to work in the same facility as my parents!  I love being able to help patients out with their needs and give them comfort and the best answer and help possible with what materials I’ve been given.  My parents have been employees here at the O ..read more

1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title?23 years. I started in January 1998 on a Health Care Management internship.  I have held various positions during my time at OI, working for the past 7 years as Director of Health Information Technology. 2. Proudest moment here at OISI or favorite part of your job?OISI has gone through many changes over the years, but the foundation that was created many years ago still lingers today and makes it a workplace to be proud of. We have a great team. 3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.I am a hippie at heart ..read more

The benefits of exercise are well established. However, during the cooler months, many people with arthritis feel their symptoms worsen. This, combined with the cold weather can result in people foregoing their regular exercise routines. A study, conducted by Joe Feinglass, a research professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine1, examined the effect of weather on physical activity in people with arthritis. Participants in the study wore a device called an accelerometer which enabled physical activity levels to be tracked. The results demonstrated significant se ..read more

Increased pain and stiffness during damp and cold weather conditions is a common complaint for patients known to have arthritis Different theories have been proposed and experiments performed to find an explanation for the worsening of joint symptoms in cold weather, but the mechanism behind this effect remains largely unknown Studies have found that joints react to temperature changes by becoming stiffer in cold temperatures, and less stiff at higher temperatures These changes have been found to be more pronounced in the elderly population with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis  O ..read more

`                1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title? I have been with OISI for 4 years, it will be 5 in February.  I am a medical assistant, and I run one of the spine clinics here.  2. Proudest moment here at OISI? The proudest is when my patients feel better and they do not have to come back to see us anymore.  Or when they have been through it all and we can finally help them, and they are so thankful. 3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I went to cul ..read more

This week’s OISI Staff Spotlight features Morgan Popek, Registration Staff / Patient Intake, at The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois. 1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title? I’ve been with OISI for about a year and a half and I am the Registration Staff / Patient Intake. 2. Proudest moment here at OISI or favorite part of your job?My favorite part of my job is seeing lots of different kinds of people every day. 3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.Something surprising about me is I have never broken any bones. 4. Favorite thing to do in S ..read more

This week’s OISI Staff Spotlight features Deidra Nugent, Medical Assistant at The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois. 1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title? I’ve been here for 19 years and I am a Medical Assistant. 2. Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is working with great co-workers and physicians. Also working with my husband (John, PA for Dr. Wood)  and daughter (Taylor in Surgery Center) is a plus, too! 3. What gets you out of bed in the morning? My alarm; otherwise I would just stay there in bed. 4. People would be surprised if ..read more