How does a top-ranked heart hospital give you the winning edge?  Learn more when you watch Health Talk on KVLY-TV 11. Our guest is Dr. Thomas Haldis, MeritCare heart surgeon. For the 10th time in 11 years, MeritCare Heart Center has been named a 100 Top Hospital for Cardiovascular Care by Thomson Reuters and Modern Healthcare Magazine. What does it mean for you? Your loved ones? Your community?

Join news anchor and host Robin Huebner for an inside look at what it takes to rank in the 100 Top Heart Hospitals year after year.  

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Watch Health Talk with Dr. Shelby Terstriep, embrace medical director and MeritCare oncologist, discussing MeritCare's new cancer survivorship program.

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Get the facts on what a potential merger could mean for patient care in our region. Sanford-MeritCare leaders Dr. Bruce Pitts and Becky Nelson will be our special guests on Health Talk. Make plans now to watch Health Talk on KVLY-TV 11, Tuesday, Sept 8 at 6:30 p.m. If you have questions, e-mail them in advance to healthtalk@meritcare.com. View Episode  

Join us Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, on KVLY-TV 11 for an in-depth discussion with Dr. Sam-Agudu, pediatric infectious disease specialist, to learn the signs and symptoms of the common diseases and infections that all parents need to be aware of as the summer comes to an end. As a pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dr. Sam-Agudu diagnoses and treats a wide range of illnesses cause by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other infectious agents.

The discussion will focus on a variety of topics, including the H1N1 (swine flu), West Nile and tic-borne diseases. Dr. Sam-Agudu will also discuss treatment options for those common diseases and will give recommendations for what parents can do at home and when they should seek treatment. View Episode

You don't have to look far to see the problem. In North Dakota alone, 18 to 20 percent of the adult population is severely obese (BMI greater than 40). Many have tried for years to lose weight, but with no lasting success; they feel defeated and hopeless. Could weight loss surgery be the answer? Could it work for you?

Watch Health Talk on KVLY-TV 11 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. You'll get an accurate picture of today's weight-loss (bariatric) surgery from Dr. Luis Garcia, board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of the MeritCare Weight-Loss Surgery Program. He'll explain the different surgical options, outline how people qualify and reveal the keys to long-term success. He'll also answer your questions live, on the air.  View Episode

Tune into this episode for an engaging, half-hour discussion with MeritCare medical geneticist Dr. Pamela McGrann. She'll introduce you to the fascinating world of medical genetics and what it means to you and your family.
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The recent outbreak of the H1N1 flu (swine flu) has become a global health crisis. As the numbers of confirmed cases of this type of flu continues to rise, how concerned should people in our region be? What are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from getting this virus? And how are local health officials preparing to keep the people of our region safe if the H1N1 flu comes to the area? MeritCare infectious disease expert Dr. Paul Carson will be the guest on the next Health Talk to answer these questions and more. View Episode

Are you feeling more stressed than usual? You're not alone. As the region continues to fight the historic flood, the stress of the situation is impacting many in our communities. Tune into the next Health Talk to learn healthy coping strategies from MeritCare psychologist Dr. Jon Ulven. He will also help viewers understand that reactions to a crisis are often normal and natural and when to seek professional assistance. Dr. Bruce Pitts, executive vice president, clinical services, will also talk on the show about MeritCare's response to the flood and plan for keeping patients safe as the river continues to rise. View Episode

Over 50 percent the population over age 50 has osteoporosis and many don't even know it. The 44 million Americans with osteoporosis have low bone mass, decreased bone strength and increased risk of fractures. The costs associate with this condition can be steep including chronic pain, deformity, depression, disability and even death. Consider this: 50 percent of hip fracture patients will never walk again without assistance and 25 percent will require long-term care while hip or spinal fractures increase mortality by over 20 percent.  View Episode

Over 50 percent the population over age 50 has osteoporosis and many don't even know it. The 44 million Americans with osteoporosis have low bone mass, decreased bone strength and increased risk of fractures. The costs associate with this condition can be steep including chronic pain, deformity, depression, disability and even death. Consider this: 50 percent of hip fracture patients will never walk again without assistance and 25 percent will require long-term care while hip or spinal fractures increase mortality by over 20 percent.  View Episode

Miracles happen every day at MeritCare Children's Hospital. The only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children in the region, MeritCare Children's Hospital specializes in meeting the unique needs of this special population. The children's hospital offers the highest level of pediatric care for children of all ages, from premature newborns to adolescents and it is where you will find the region's only pediatric specialists in many areas such as oncology, cardiology and neurology. This allows families to receive the best care available right here in Fargo rather than having to travel to Minneapolis or Rochester. From the whimsical decor to care from child-life specialists who help put patients at ease, the hospital is committed to helping children get back to the business of being kids.  View Episode