Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine-Detroit

10/23/2025

This year, Donna P***a marked 2 incredible milestones: earning her black belt in Taekwondo alongside her daughter – and receiving news that after 5 years, her breast cancer was in remission.

At 40, Donna had her first mammogram at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. It detected a small mass. “My initial thought was there's no way I have cancer,” Donna recalled. “I'm a nurse and if something was wrong with me, I would have known it and I would have felt it.” A biopsy showed invasive lobular breast cancer in her right breast.

Donna turned to her husband Dr. Robert P***a, a gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital and he shared what he tells his patients: “He said, if it were his family affected by cancer, he would recommend Henry Ford Health — and that’s where I ended up seeking care.”

Our breast cancer surgeon Dr. Jessica Bensenhaver performed a mastectomy, followed by breast reconstruction with Dr. Maristella Evangelista. “Donna’s case is unique as this was her first mammogram and the chance of her being diagnosed with breast cancer was less than 4 in 1,000,” explained Dr. Bensenhaver.

Recovery was challenging, but Donna stayed committed to physical therapy and healing. Her treatment plan also included hormone therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. While effective, the therapy brought intense side effects. “It is very difficult to render a 40-year-old woman into a post-menopausal woman,” explained her medical oncologist Dr. Randa Loutfi. “Yet, Donna was a true warrior, she accepted the challenges courageously and took them to an unprecedented higher level through her lifestyle changes including acupuncture, exercise and healthy diet.”

Donna describes the acupuncture treatment she received at the Henry Ford Center for Integrative Medicine as game changing. “It helped me so much in terms of easing so many side effects including joint pain, hot flashes and even migraines. I was also able to stay off arthritis medications.”

Along the way, Taekwondo became another source of strength. Now she’s training alongside her daughter for their second-degree black belts. “The journey was not something I expected but I’m so thankful for the great care from all the practitioners at Henry Ford who allowed me not only to survive but thrive.”

Her story: https://bit.ly/4nYDKVG

10/22/2025

"Their positive energy is healing a person in pain. They deserve recognition for earning patients' confidence of being safe and truly seen as an individual."

Our extraordinary DAISY Award honorees were recognized for their understanding care, remarkable empathy and dedication to providing exceptional patient and family centered care. Their resourcefulness, strong work ethic and commitment to both nursing and teaching make them truly irreplaceable.

Congratulations to Lorraine Biney, Kelly Slone, April McTaggart, Danielle Vanthomme, Grace Thomas, April Fuentes, Nichole Liedel, Jennifer Adair, Haley Rushing, Kristine Hus, Beatrice Kennedy, Tom Todaro, Lisa Minjoe, Cassandra Wheeler, Susan Pollard, Glory Vann, Tracy Robison, Corbin James, Savannah Morris, Kenyatta King, Genevieve Decker, Simone Hubard, Sarah Super, Abby Hoffman, Bishnu Bhattarai, Donna Slabach, Amanda James, Carissa Gidley, Bailey Dell, Eric Ravenscroft, Serena Young, Samantha Bibbee and Maggie Starr. 🌼

To join our amazing nursing team, visit https://bit.ly/3WtOMWZ.

10/22/2025

For those who have breast cancer, yoga has been found to improve sleep quality, minimize fatigue, depression and joint pain, increase flexibility and ease the overall discomfort and anxiety of going through this disease:

For women undergoing breast cancer treatment, yoga and other low-impact exercises have proven benefits for reducing stress and aiding recovery.

10/21/2025

Last year, our sports medicine physician Dr. Anthony Tam helped save the life of runner Patrick Vanderbush after he collapsed during the Detroit Free Press Marathon - on his 60th birthday.

Fast forward to this year: Patrick returned, not just to run, but to volunteer alongside Dr. Tam just steps from where his heart had stopped. This time, he crossed the finish line with his family and care team by his side. 🏃

“There are moments in life you just want to take a snapshot and just have forever and just want to hold memories,” Patrick reflected. “This was one of those moments — my marriage, the births of my kids and, you know, being resuscitated.”

Read Patrick's incredible story: https://bit.ly/49dFXIC

10/21/2025

Our neurosciences team recently performed our first-ever HIFU (short for high intensity focused ultrasound) procedure to treat tremor!

This non-surgical procedure is a new, effective way to treat tremor in those who have Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

It focuses ultrasound beams on a specific area of the brain where abnormal activity can cause tremor. The ultrasound beams help to shut down that abnormal activity – or calm it down significantly – to reduce symptoms like trembling and shaking. A specially outfitted MRI machine, which includes a helmet-like device, helps deliver the ultrasound waves.

HIFU can be an option for those whose symptoms haven’t responded to medication, or for those who are not candidates for deep brain stimulation, a 2-part surgical procedure used to treat tremors.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4729QKG

10/20/2025

One of the best ways to improve your fitness game? Incorporate childhood pastimes - like hopping, skipping and jumping - into your workout. Called plyometrics, these activities build power, strength and performance:

A great way to enhance fitness performance is by adding childhood pastimes like hopping and skipping to your workouts, a method known as plyometrics.

10/20/2025

For nearly 30 years, Amanda lived with chronic pain in multiple joints, leaving her unable to sleep and, at times, work as a cardiac intensive care unit nurse. Her pain reached a tipping point in 2023 - with Amanda even considering amputation – following unsuccessful surgeries and treatments that included steroid shots. But her hope was renewed when she was introduced to sports acupuncture.

“Chronic pain really takes a toll on a person, especially their mental well-being,” she said. “I would try to imagine what life would be like in 10, 20, 30, or 40 more years of chronic ankle and shoulder pain. And I just couldn’t. I didn’t want to know.”

Amanda’s pain levels progressed to the point of meeting with an orthopedic surgeon to request amputation. Instead, our sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patricia Kolowich referred her to our physical therapist Derek Chan and our sports acupuncturist Dr. Tom Betts.

After starting sports acupuncture in June 2023, Amanda began to feel significant relief in her shoulder, which allowed her to engage in physical therapy and regain strength. Her shoulder pain improved so much that she asked if acupuncture could help her chronic ankle pain.

By October 2023, Amanda had her first sports acupuncture treatment for her ankle and felt a dramatic improvement. The pain, tightness, and limp she had struggled with for years diminished, and she could walk and work without excessive pain or swelling. With regular treatments twice a week, Amanda’s life improved significantly. She can now work 12-hour shifts as a nurse without the debilitating pain she once experienced and is filled with hope for a pain-free future.

“I can picture a life without chronic pain. I don’t dread what the future may look like. I can picture growing older peacefully and loving life, and that is priceless."

Read Amanda's story: https://bit.ly/3KJCIP5

10/19/2025

Feel stressed? Your chiropractor may be able to help by realigning your spine to release tension. Learn more:

You may think a visit to the chiropractor is helpful only if you throw out your back. But the adjustments can also alleviate physical tension caused by stress.

10/18/2025

From face painting to train rides, there was so much joy and laughter at Henry Ford Hospital’s annual NICU reunion. The kids had tons of fun – and our team members loved seeing their former patients and NICU graduates grown up and thriving!

10/18/2025

Kosher dietary laws detail which foods are permitted and forbidden, along with how foods must be produced, processed and prepared. Learn more about kosher eating and how to know which foods are certified kosher:

Learn the tenets of kosher eating and how to ensure your groceries are up to code.

10/17/2025

Flu season is back! 🤧 Think you don’t need a flu shot? Think again! Our family medicine physician Dr. Twitty sets the record straight on common myths about the flu and flu shots.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3KtGrQA

10/17/2025

Worried about stomach issues ruining your race? With a little careful planning, you can keep your stomach healthy while you run:

If you've ever dealt with stomach upset - or worse - during a run or race, you're not alone. Runner's stomach is real, but there are ways to help prevent it.