UnityPoint Health

06/01/2026

Stacy and her daughter Allison have a literal lifelong connection to UnityPoint Health. Stacy was born in one of our hospitals, and she later gave birth to both of her daughters here.

When Allison was young, Stacy went back to school for her nursing degree and took a job as a nurse at our Madison hospital. Watching how hard her mom worked and how great she was at caring for people created an interest in nursing for Allison, too.

"She inspired me to care for our aging family members and ultimately sparked my love for taking care of people," Allison says.

Allison followed in her mom's footsteps and pursued a career in nursing. When she moved back to Madison last year, the choice was clear.

"My mom kept telling me, 'Come to Meriter, it has always felt like home,'" says Allison. "I honestly couldn't be happier about where I've landed."

Today, Stacy works in the AM Admit Unit and Allison cares for patients in our Device Clinic. Even though they're in different departments, they find time for shared commutes, lunch breaks and constant support for each other. For Stacy, watching her daughter grow into a strong critical care nurse has given her immense pride.

"She is one of the smartest nurses I know (and I don't say that because I am her mother)," Stacy says. https://uph.link/JoinOurTeam

Image description:
Stacy and Allison sit together on a window ledge in the hospital in scrubs

05/30/2026

If ADHD isn't majorly disrupting your life, there are alternatives to medication.

Medication is an effective treatment for attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but for mild symptoms, there’s other ways to support focus and staying on track. Read about five natural ADHD remedies to try, recommended by a psychiatrist.

05/29/2026

The baby blues vs postpartum depression and anxiety. Here's the difference. https://uph.link/r8y

Find vital information on postpartum depression at UnityPoint Health. Understand the symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options to support your mental health after childbirth. Access resources and expert guidance to help you and your family thrive during the postpartum journey.

05/29/2026

Contrary to popular belief, OCD isn't about the need for cleanliness and order. Get the facts. https://uph.link/1ex

When personality traits become inflexible and unhealthy, significantly disrupting a person's life, it's considered a personality disorder. These mental health conditions create challenges in relationships, at work and other important areas.

05/28/2026

While it's a symptom of some cancers, these common causes are much more likely. https://uph.link/ofd

Though uncomfortable, night sweats are typically a harmless side effect of several manageable conditions. A UnityPoint Health medical expert breaks down different causes — from hormonal shifts and lifestyle factors to red flags that signal serious illnesses.

05/27/2026

Barry Williams knew something was wrong when a 103-degree fever wouldn't break. What he didn't know was that a rare tick-borne illness — anaplasmosis— was likely causing a massive inflammatory response in his body.

Within days, the mystery infection escalated into a crisis. Barry woke up with crushing chest pain and was rushed to UnityPoint Health Cardiac Lab.

Doctors discovered a 100% blockage in his artery — a sudden jump from a minor narrowing just months prior.

"I could tell everyone was worried," Barry says.

"I'd had a heart attack before, and this one felt different, worse. But the whole cath lab team worked like clockwork."

Dr. Tauseef Khan placed a stent and stabilized him.

However, only 15 minutes before Barry's scheduled discharge the next day, heart monitors caught an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. With no time for anesthesia, Barry gave the OK for an emergency cardioversion to shock his heart back into rhythm.

Twenty minutes later, Barry's heart began to fall back into a regular rhythm, stabilizing fully over several hours.

"I'm convinced the team saved my life twice," Barry says.

He participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program as part of his recovery and is now back to enjoying retired life — gardening, traveling, attending church and cherishing time with his family. https://uph.link/HeartCare

Image descriptions:
1. Barry smiles for a photo by a tree outside.
2. Barry and wife, Philippa, hold hands as they take a walk on a nature trail.
3. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Tauseef Khan smiles for a photo in shirt and tie.

05/27/2026

You immediately recognize the feeling. but do you actually need antibiotics? Maybe not. Here's what to do. https://uph.link/sc0

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are one of the most common conditions providers treat. Learn the telltale symptoms of a UTI and when it's time to go to the doctor.

05/25/2026

It's a bad season for ticks. If one is carrying Lyme, here's how long it takes to transfer to you. https://uph.link/b55f55

Learn everything you need to know about Lyme disease transmission, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

05/22/2026

Pee-yew. These common cooking ingredients can make your p*e smelly. https://uph.link/3b17e0

Urine can take on all sorts of smells, which is logical because it's created from waste in our bodies. From food causes to underlying medical conditions, learn what causes foul-smelling urine.

05/21/2026

When the intense waves of fear hit during an anxiety attack, the physical symptoms in your body can feel scary. Here are 5 ways to calm yourself down in the moment. https://uph.link/5x8

Video description: UnityPoint Health expert Leslie, LCSW/LISW, shares ways to calm an anxiety attack in this short video.