Posted July 09, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., FAAFP, Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
If you take medication regularly, it’s important to store it safely—especially when traveling. Medicines can lose their strength if they are exposed to too much heat, cold, moisture or light. Improper storage can make them less effective, or even unsafe to use.
Here are some helpful tips to keep your medication safe while you're away from home:
1. Keep Medicines Away from Heat
High temperatures can change the way medicine works. If you leave medicine in a...
Posted June 05, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., FAAFP, Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
A stroke can change your life in an instant. It can affect movement, speech, emotional health and more, and in some cases, can cause long-term disability or death. It’s critical to recognize the signs and ACT FAST if you or someone else experiences one.
Also known as “brain attacks,” strokes occur when blood flow is cut off to an area of the brain either by a blockage or a burst artery. Without blood flow—and the oxygen and nutrients that blood...
Posted March 27, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
Many of us take our vision for granted. We use our eyes to see loved ones, read a great book, watch a movie, play games with kids or grandkids and just about every activity in between.
The tough truth of the matter, though, is that vision loss is highly prevalent, affecting millions of people around the globe. It is also increasingly common as we age.
Left untreated, eye conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration can...
Posted March 13, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
Sure, the weather outside might still be frightful, but sunnier, warmer days are closer than it might seem.
And there’s no better time than now to spring into action and start preparing your home for the new season ahead — when you’re still spending more time indoors. While spring cleaning may be on your mind, it’s important to include a few home maintenance and safety tasks to prepare for springtime.
Now is also a great time to take stock of...
Posted January 02, 2025 by H. Kelley Riley, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Officer
Getting sick is no fun. In the midst of cold and flu season—you might be curious if there are ways to strengthen your immune function. The answer is “Yes.” There are ways to keep your body’s natural defenses against illness and disease at their best—and doing so doesn’t even involve a “magic” supplement.
A healthy immune system works to protect you from illness, disease and also helps heal injuries.
Your skin...
Posted June 20, 2024 by Bassey Ijoma MSN, RN, BSN, Manager, Clinical Quality Improvement
It’s a fact of life: Everyone will get a dreaded headache at one time or another.
But, not all headaches are created equal: They can range in severity, frequency and cause. So, when you have pain and pressure in your head, how do you know whether it’s a headache or a migraine?
A migraine is much worse than a bad headache. It can cause severe, sometimes debilitating, throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head, and disrupt school or work. It also...
Posted May 09, 2024 by H. Kelley Riley, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Officer
In today’s world chock full of modern conveniences, physical activity may not play a big part in our daily lives. Think about it: We drive to our destinations, get our goods delivered by mail and many professions require prolonged sitting at a computer. Not to mention, our favorite pastimes (reading, watching movies and playing video or board games) involve long periods of sitting.
In fact, if you’re like most people, you spend more than half of your...
Posted December 28, 2023 by H. Kelley Riley, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Officer
Ohioans know better than most—Old Man Winter can sure pack a punch. While some years are certainly worse than others, wintertime brings about shorter and gray days, freezing temperatures, blustery winds and icy conditions.
As you dust off your hats, gloves, cozy sweaters and insulated boots this winter, it’s also important to take precautions to get your home ready for the season ahead. Plunging temps and freezing water can wreak havoc on your home—...
Posted November 22, 2023 by Bassey Ijoma, MSN, RN, BSN, Manager, Quality & Clinical Improvement
Informal caregivers are the backbone of long-term care provided in loved ones’ homes. Whether family members or friends, they play a vital role in providing assistance with a person’s social and health-care needs, such as managing a chronic condition or debilitating disability, bathing and dressing, preparing meals, grocery shopping, transportation and more.
But the truth is only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. As the saying goes: You...
Posted November 09, 2023 by Michael Tan, M.D., MACP, FIDSA, Assistant Medical Director
We’re all taught from a young age that brushing and flossing your pearly whites helps prevent cavities, bad breath, stained teeth, and gum disease. But, did you know that good dental hygiene habits have a positive impact on your overall health?
It’s true. The mouth harbors up to 700 species of bacteria, second only to the gut. So when it’s not cared for properly, the mouth can negatively affect other body systems.
Poor dental hygiene not only...
Posted October 12, 2023 by Kel Riley, CMO
Posted September 28, 2023 by Julie Sich, MS ATC, Director, Quality Improvement and Provider Engagement
Yoga is an ancient tradition that started as a spiritual practice, but has become increasingly popular today as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being.
While there are many different yoga styles, most sessions focus on breathing exercises, meditation and physical postures. That’s why yoga is a great way to tune into your body and inner-self, while building strength, flexibility and balance.
Research continues to discover additional benefits of yoga beyond the...
Posted September 14, 2023 by Jen Yates, MS, Manager, Health & Wellness
With the busyness of everyday life, it can be easy to forget to schedule preventative care visits. In fact, many people wait until they’re sick to see a doctor.
But, regular appointments and building a strong relationship with a primary care provider (PCP), is an important way to be proactive in your health. Think of your PCP as your partner in becoming your healthiest self. Research shows people who have a PCP have better health outcomes and longer life spans.
Like a...
Posted August 17, 2023 by James Grow, Jr., M.D.
Life’s hustle and bustle can make it easy to forget to prioritize self-care. But, it’s important to take charge of your health. Regular preventive care and making healthy choices help achieve optimal health, improved quality of life and reduced risk for chronic disease.
If there is a potential health issue, preventive care increases the likelihood of early detection and in many cases, allows for early intervention and treatment for improved outcomes.
SummaCare...
Posted July 20, 2023 by James Grow, Jr., M.D.
Unfortunately for many, cataracts are a common part of aging. The National Eye Institute estimates more than half of Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Most commonly, cataracts are caused by normal changes in the eye as you age. After about age 40, proteins in your eyes start to break down and clump together, which creates the cloudy area, or cataract, on your lens. Most cases...
Posted July 06, 2023 by Michael Tan, MD, FACP, FIDSA
Did you know skin cancer is the most common form of cancer? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in this country than all other cancers combined!
Unlike most other cancers, skin cancers are most often visible to the patient and the examiner. If diagnosed early, skin cancer is easy to treat and almost always curable. But when allowed to progress, skin cancer can result in disfigurement and even death.
The key to...
Posted May 25, 2023 by Jen Yates, MS, Manager, Health & Wellness
Physical activity is vital for a healthy body and mind. But as we age, activity helps prevent falls and other injuries while helping to keep seniors more independent.
The benefits of regular physical activity are abundant and include
Posted May 11, 2023 by Michael Tan, Medical Director, Health Services Management
After a cold winter season, warmer spring temperatures and sunshine are a breath of fresh air. It’s a season of fresh starts and of course, catching up on some much-needed spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be reserved only for your home—your health can benefit too. This season of renewal is a great time to pause and rethink your diet, physical activity, sleep habits and more.
SummaCare offers seven tips for spring cleaning your health. After...
Posted March 30, 2023 by James F. Grow, Jr., M.D. Medical Director
Hydration is key for healthy bodies. Even though it is composed mostly of water, the human body needs water to continue functioning properly—especially your kidneys.
The kidney’s primary function is to filter out waste from the blood and excrete it in urine. Kidneys also perform the following vital functions:
Posted February 23, 2023 by Bassey Ijoma, RN Mgr, Quality Improvement, Quality Mgmt – Commercial
Depending on your ethnic background, you may be at higher risk for certain diseases and chronic health conditions. While some of that risk is associated with genetics and lifestyle or cultural habits, another part of that risk is due to what’s called health disparities.
Health disparities highlight differences in social, economic, educational and health care opportunities among certain ethnic groups. These differences are caused by several factors, including:
Posted January 26, 2023 by James F. Grow, Jr., M.D.
You should dispose of expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Medicine is expensive. It can be frustrating to frequently replace expired, yet unused medicine. However, there’s a good reason the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) began requiring expiration dates on medicine in 1979. This critical data states whether the product is safe to use and will work as intended.
Using expired medical products is risky and possibly harmful to your health. Once an...
Posted October 27, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, Summa
Colorectal cancer screening should be an important part of your routine health care. Screening can detect cancer and even prevent it by identifying precancerous polyps, which can be removed.
Unfortunately, too many people wait until they experience symptoms before scheduling a screening. By then, the cancer may be more difficult to treat and cure.
Colorectal cancer, like many cancers, can be found early before it has a chance to grow and spread. Studies prove catching it...
Posted September 29, 2022 by Henry W. Mahncke, Ph.D., CEO of Posit Science.
Brain health is important for everyone because our brain is at the center of everything we think, say and do. That’s why keeping our brain in optimal health is key to living a full, engaging and independent life.
As we age — even past mid-20s! — our brain starts to develop a kind of static that can make it difficult to focus and remember things. Fortunately, scientists now know what we can do to harness our brain’s unique power to adapt and change...
Posted August 25, 2022 by Tiffanie Mrakovich, Pharm.D.
When you’re prescribed medication, missing a dose or two seems like no big deal, right? Wrong. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medication non-adherence leads to up to 50 percent of chronic disease treatment failure and 125,000 deaths each year in this country.
There are many reasons patients don’t stick to their medication routine. Misunderstanding the directions, forgetfulness, uncomfortable side effects, high prescription costs...
Posted May 19, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, Summa.
If you’re battling diabetes, a retinal eye exam is imperative to your vision health. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Posted May 05, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
While we can’t turn back the clock, we can be proactive and slow down aging. By making preventive health screenings and treatment a priority, you are taking the necessary steps toward living a longer, healthier life.
Posted March 31, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
It’s estimated that six in ten adults have a chronic condition in this country, and four in ten have two or more, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sadly, chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, are the leading causes of death and disability.
Posted February 24, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
The COVID-19 vaccine is a proven way to protect individuals from severe illness, hospitalization and even death from the virus in most cases.
However, recent studies have shown that immunity from the initial COVID-19 vaccine series begins to wane over time, especially in people aged 65 and older. The COVID-19 booster vaccine is an additional dose of the vaccine to help people maintain their level of immunity.
That’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the...
Posted January 14, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Yearly wellness exams are an especially important tool to be proactive about your health. During these visits, you can discuss preventive care with your primary care provider, ask questions about current medications, address your health concerns and more.
Posted December 23, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
The coldest months of the year are upon us and going outdoors is the best way to enjoy the season and beat cabin fever. Getting a breath of fresh air is a proven way to relieve stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, wintertime fun can come with a host of hazards. From skiing and hiking beautiful snowy landscapes to exercising outdoors and snow shoveling, there are plenty of preparations you should take when enjoying these activities to keep you safe and warm.
So before...
Posted December 09, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Posted September 24, 2021 by 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Losing your balance is no laughing matter. It’s one thing to be clumsy and trip over the rug from time to time, but falling is one of the most dangerous medical issues facing older people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults over age 65 takes a serious fall each year.
Posted September 09, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Strength training is a safe and effective way to keep muscles and bones strong.
As we age, hormonal changes lead to a decline in muscle mass. We also tend to lose more bone mass than our bodies form — and the rate at which we lose bone mass speeds up once we hit middle age.
But, you don’t have to be a weightlifter or pro athlete to see real results.
Posted August 27, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Losing weight is never easy. This is especially true after the age of 50, when you become more susceptible to gaining weight and storing excess body fat. This is attributed to loss of muscle mass and metabolic changes, coupled with the tendency to make poor dietary choices and live a sedentary lifestyle.
Posted August 12, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
The big 5-0 celebration is over. The cake has been eaten, the gifts put away and the thank-you notes sent. Now what? It’s time to take a proactive role in your health, if you haven’t already.
Posted July 22, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Posted June 24, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Posted May 20, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office
Posted February 04, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Officer
Regular appointments and building a strong relationship with your primary care provider are important steps toward a healthy — and perhaps, longer — life. Think of your primary care provider, or PCP, as your partner in becoming your healthiest self.
Good communication is one way to build a strong relationship with your PCP. Coming prepared with a list of your top questions and concerns is important to ensure you make the most of your next checkup.
SummaCare...
Posted January 21, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Officer
It’s estimated about 54 million Americans are living with osteoporosis and low bone mass, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. More alarming, studies suggest about one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
As we age, we tend to lose more bone mass than our bodies form — and the rate at which we lose bone mass speeds up once we hit middle age. With osteoporosis, your bones become porous, weak and...
Posted December 15, 2020 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Officer
It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re just getting around to putting up the holiday lights. In a matter of seconds, your foot slips off the ladder, you try to grab ahold of the roof but miss and fall fast to the ground with a thud.
At first glance, you seem OK, but when you try to get up your arm is throbbing. There is a chance it could be broken, and you want to get it evaluated.
When situations like this arise, we’re often faced with the uncertainty of where to...
Posted August 17, 2020 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Network Development and Contracting
Life is busy, and it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves first. There’s just not enough time in the day.
But even in these uncertain times of COVID-19, it’s important to take charge of your health. Preventive health screenings should be a priority to ensure optimal health, in addition to a healthy diet, exercise and plenty of rest.
Regular health exams and tests can detect problems even before you experience any symptoms. In addition, detecting...
Posted August 04, 2020 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Network Development and Contracting
