By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Knowledge can lead to many benefits, according to members of the Community Benefits Committee at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo.
Jan Sellman, left, and Linda Storm, representing the Women’s Health Committee at Hammond-Henry Hospital, invite area residents to the Thursday, Sept. 25, program of the Women’s Health Series, sponsored by Hammond-Henry Foundation Community Benefits Committee. The program, “Pre-Diabetes,” will be presented by Chad Martens, MD, of Hammond-Henry Hospital Geneseo Medical Group in the Geneseo Community Center, Activity Rom. Photo by Claudia Loucks
The Women’s Health Series is sponsored by the committee which is an extension of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation. Jan Sellman and Linda Storm serve as co-chairpersons of the committee.
The 2025-2026 program series begins its season on Thursday, Sept. 25, with a program, “Pre-Diabetes,” to be presented by Chad Martens, MD, of Hammond-Henry Hospital Geneseo Medical Group.
The monthly health series luncheon meetings are from 12 to 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, from September through May, with the exception of December, at the Geneseo Community Center Activity Room, 541 East North St., Geneseo. Cost is $12 per person, payable at the meeting.
Reservations are due by Thursday, Sept. 18, and may be made by calling the Hospital Foundation office, 309-944-9112, or by email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com. As a caterer is being used, walk-ins are not guaranteed a meal and reservations are required to secure a meal. Guests are welcome to arrive at the luncheon events any time after 11:15 a.m.
The series of programs began in 2003 in an effort to help educate the community, according to Katie Orwig, Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation manager. Program topics are selected by members of the Community Benefits Committee.
“At that time, the sessions were for both men and women, and men are still welcome, but it seems that we focus more on women’s topics because they are the primary caretakers of the family,” she said.
The women’s sessions led to establishing a men’s health series in 2013 where health topics for men are presented four times each year at 7 a.m. in the hospital conference room.
In addition to the programs being educational, Orwig said they are also a social time. “Beyond what they learn, they also view the time as a social outing and look forward to visiting with other people who attend,” she said.
“The programs are a means for us to let people know about services offered at Hammond-Henry,” Orwig said. “I have often heard remarks such as, ‘I had no idea that was offered at the hospital.’…I also think the people who attend the programs are in a more comfortable setting to ask questions of the presenters.”
“It is a fun way to learn,” she added.
Orwig said feedback is gathered at the programs, asking those in attendance to submit ideas. These ideas are reviewed by the committee and a list of topics is chosen for the upcoming year…”We have never run out of topics,” she said.
The 2025-2026 programs:
-Sept. 25 – Pre-Diabetes.
-Oct 23 – Swallowing/Speech Therapy.
-Nov 19– (THIRD WEDNESDAY) – Chiropractic Care/Dry Needling.
-Dec – No Program
-Jan 22, 2026 – Balance and Vertigo.
-Feb 26 – Incontinence.
-March 26 – Bemer.
-Apr 23 – Orthopedic Surgeon.
-May 28 – Infusion.