Grand Cities Woman Volume 4, Issue 4

COMPLIMENTARY Volume 4, Issue 4November 2015

Principal of the MatterAli Parkinson

girlonfireonline.com november 20152

Ali ParkinsonOn the CoverPhotographed by Autumn Graber

COMPLIMENTARY Volume 4, Issue 4November 2015


Distributed by Girl on Fire Publishing at thefollowing locations:

If you would like to provide Grand Cities Woman to your clients or customers, please contact us by phone at 701-261-2692 or by email at grandcities-

[email protected].

MAIN DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS:Hugo’s Supermarkets

SuperOneRiver Cinema

HOTELS:Holiday Inn Express

Lakeview Inn and SuitesDays Inn

Comfort InnRoad King Inn

Quality InnC’mon InnSettle Inn

Howard JohnsonRamada

America’s Best Value InnSuper 8

Econo LodgeCanad Inns

Sleep InnSpringhill Suites by Marriot

Country Inn & SuitesAmericInn

Knights Inn and SuitesStaybridgeRed Roof

Hampton InnMy PlaceSelect Inn

ExpresswayLaQuinta

RETAIL LOCATIONS:True Colors

Grand Cities MallMODE

Tim HortonsDakota Harvest

Living Sage

SERVICE PROVIDERS:Altru Waiting Areas

Grand Forks International AirportChoice Fitness

Snap FitnessCurves

University of North Dakota Student Union

Ashley Rae | WriterAshley Rae, owner of Brand Logic and founder of Her Brand Develop-ment Group (HBDG), is a dynamic combination of brand visionary, marketing strategist, and professional business consultant. Her experi-ence, along with her true desire to empower and mentor women to reach their full potential, has provided her with a unique ability to

help today’s independent business woman experience success profes-sionally and personally. For more information about Her Brand Develop-ment Group, go to www.hervoiceherbrand.com.

If you would like to become a writer for Grand Cities Woman, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area. We would appreciate sample writings or a rough draft of your first article to use for consider-ation.

Carma Hanson, MS, RN,Safe Kids Grand Forks/Altru Health System Coordinator | Writer

Safe Kids Grand Forks is an injury prevention coalition whose mission is to prevent unintentional injuries and death to children. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks. To learn more about our program or for other safety tips, go to our website at www.safekidsgf.com or “like” us on Facebook at Safe

Kids Grand Forks. You can also send an email to [email protected]. Safe Kids Grand Forks is keeping kids safe at home, at school, at play,

and on the way!

MariLou Harveland | Copy EditorMariLou is a freelance editor since 2001, when she began editing techni-

cal manuals, collaborating on a style guide for writers, and training new writers for Microsoft. During this time, she also earned a Master of Arts in English from NDSU, where she also taught College Composition I and II. In 2011, MariLou published her first novel, “The Seventh Soul,”

which won the 2012 Indie Reader Award in Paranormal Fiction at the International Book Expo in New York, NY. Currently, she’s working on her

second novel, which should be published in 2015. Though born and raised in North Dakota, MariLou now lives in Woodinville, WA with her husband Dan, a

spoiled Golden Retriever, two domineering cats, and a loquacious parakeet.

Kaelyn Teigen | Business DevelopmentKaelyn is a University of North Dakota student working toward a bachelor’s degree in business and serving as a UND Student Ambas-sador. She is a recipient of the 2014 Western State Bank, Dennis Flynn Memorial, and Morris & Christine Barks Family scholarships. Kaelyn is from Devils Lake and has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher

and elementary school teacher assistant. Kaelyn manages Grand City Woman’s digital marketing campaigns and assists in identifying potential

business opportunities.

Mary Glessner | Advertising SalesMary Glessner grew up in North Dakota and graduated from Mayville

State University. She has been with Girl on Fire Publishing since March of 2012 and employed with the North Dakota University System for twenty-four years. After relocating to Grand Forks and accepting a job at UND, she decided to start Cheerful Givers, ND because of her

passion for helping others. Mary is a board member and volunteer for the Sunshine Memorial

Foundation. She enjoys the community in which she lives and is cur-rently volunteering on the Sunshine Hospitality House Executive Committee

to bring the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home to fruition in Grand Forks.

Autumn Graber | PublisherAutumn graduated from Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM)

with a BS in Mass Communication emphasizing journalism. She was the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year, an award given by the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals and University of North Dakota Center for Innovation. Autumn is a 2009 graduate of The Chamber Leadership

Program. She was elected and served six years on the Board of Direc-tors for the American Advertising Federation of North Dakota (AAF-ND).

Autumn enjoyed a successful term as president of AAF-ND, helping them win the “Club of the Year” award for District 8 at the national convention in

2010, competing against all clubs from South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Autumn and her family relocated to Grand Forks shortly after launching Grand Cit-ies Woman in March of 2012. Autumn and her husband, Kelly, who is an agriculture equipment salesman for Butler Machinery, live in Grand Forks with their two young children, Aiden and Zachary.

It Takes a Team...

girlonfireonline.com november 2015 3

Congratulations to the Safe Kids Grand Forks

This contest was held in conjunction with the Safe Kids Grand Forks Tummy to Toddler Expoheld on October 18.

Cutest BabyContest

http://www.safekidsgf.com/


Publisher Girl on Fire PublishingManaging Editor/Ad Sales Autumn Graber

(701) 261-2692 [email protected] Sales Mary Glessner

(701) 330-3150 [email protected] Editor MariLou HarvelandDesign/Layout Autumn Graber

CFO Kelly GraberBusiness Development Kaelyn Teigen

Mail correspondence to:

Grand Cities WomanPO Box 5503

Grand Forks, ND 58206

Connect with [email protected]

www.girlonfireonline.comwww.facebook.com/grandcitieswoman

www.twitter.com/gcitieswomanMessages sent to us by email, Twitter, or Facebook might be used in

future issues of Grand Cities Woman.

Printed in North Dakota. © 2015 Girl on Fire Publish-ing LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publica-tion may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Grand Cities Woman Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Grand Cities Woman Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

This magazine is printed on an environmentally certified paper that contains a 10% post-consumer waste. FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) is an international, non-profit association that promotes well-managed forests by ensuring forestry practices that are environmentally responsible, socially equi-table, and economically viable.

If you would like to become a contributor to Grand Cities Woman, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.

PROUD MEMBER OF

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Event Calendar

Please call ahead to confirm events. Promote your February, March, and April community events by sending infor-mation to [email protected] or by calling Autumn at 701-261-2692 by January 15, 2016.

Listing events in our calendar is free for community event organizers and current advertisers.

Open All YearNelson County Barn Quilt TrailThe quilt trail is a series of 40+ barn quilts that are hung along a highway or country road. A barn quilt is an 8 X 8 or 4X 4 foot section of quality plywood painted with a quilt block pattern. These quilts are then hung on barns and other buildings for people to view. A map for this self-guided, 40-mile driving tour can be found and printed from www.michi-gannd.com.

November 17Skin Cancer Screening5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Altru Clinic in East Grand Forks Regular screenings for skin cancer are important to help understand your skin health and for early cancer detection. Dermatologists from Truyu perform these free screenings, assessing your skin and moles to determine if you are at risk.

November 19Survivors of Suicide Support Group7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Altru Psychiatry CenterOffered by Altru’s TEARS Suicide Prevention Project, this group aims to bring together those who have experienced suicide loss to under-stand they are not alone. Come share your stories, or simply listen to others. Many of the things you’re feeling are not unique, but are shared with others in your circumstances. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month. For more information, contact Mike Dewald at 701-780-3451 or Sandy Kovar at 701-780-2379, or send an email to [email protected].

November 19Altru’s Rehab Autism Diagnostic Clinic8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Altru Rehabilitation CenterOne in 88 children are diagnosed with autism. Early detection con-tributes to more effective treatment while decreasing the likelihood of developmental problems later in life. Altru will hold Rehab Autism Diagnostic Clinics throughout 2015 that are focused on early iden-tification and intervention of autism in children. Parents who have concerns regarding a child’s development have access to the autism screening clinic at no cost. For more information, call 701-780-2481.

November 19 and December 17Free Sleep Apnea Screening 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Altru Specialty Center 4500 S. Washington St. Altru’s Sleep Center will hold a free sleep apnea screening at Altru Specialty Center. No appointment is necessary. If you have questions, call 701-780-5484 or go to www.altru.org/sleepcenter.

November 21Northern Valley Youth Orchestras: Something Old, Something New!3:00 p.m.Grand Forks Central High School AuditoriumNVYO’s season opening concert features student musicians aged 9 to 21 who will perform a variety of symphony and string orchestra music. Chamber music ensembles will perform prior to the concert. Northern Valley Youth Orchestras provides exceptional training and performance opportunities for advancing young musicians. Mini-mum suggested donation of $5 at the door; 12 and under are free. For more information, go to www.novyo.org.

November 24Bringing Home Baby5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South WashingtonThis class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on train-ing on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. Registra-tion fee for this class is included with the prenatal class registration of $20.00. The fee is waived if this is the only class being taken. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

November 24Truyu Skin Institute: Botox and Dermal FillersKelly Carlson, FNP-C and Jennifer Laframboise, FNP-CAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

November 30Caring Through the Holidays7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Edgewood Corporate Plaza1st Floor Training Center322 Demers Ave.The holiday can be stressful for anyone, but especially so if a mem-ber of your family or someone you care for is living with dementia. This class focuses on holiday stress and challenges for families deal-ing with dementia. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Save the Date


November 30Northern Valley Youth Orchestras Crescendo Chamber Music Concert7:00 p.m.North Dakota Museum of ArtNVYO’s chamber music program, Crescendo, presents an evening of small ensemble music featuring student musicians aged 12 to 21. Northern Valley Youth Orchestras provides exceptional training and performance opportunities for advancing young musicians. For more information, go to www.novyo.org.

December 3Truyu Holiday Event5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Celebrate the season, enjoy a night out, and complete your holiday shopping with Truyu. For additional details on this event and more, find Truyu Aesthetic Center on Facebook.

December 5 and 6Grand Forks Holiday Home TourSaturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Advanced tickets for this historic event can be purchased for $20 at all Valley Dairy locations, Kittsona Lifestyle, and Curious loca-tions. Tickets can be purchased at the Myra Museum the day of the event for $25. This year marks the 50th anniversary for the Grand Forks Holiday Home Tour sponsored by the Grand Forks Republican Women. Get into the holiday spirit and gather your spouse, friends, and family and tour seven fabulous Grand Forks homes on Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Sunday, December 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All proceeds of this event go to The Grand Forks Republican Women and its initiatives and are allocated at the organization’s discretion.

December 5BLAST!: Babysitters’ Lessons and Safety TrainingAltru Health System9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.BLAST! is a babysitting class designed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to teach 11 to 14 year olds about the responsibilities of caring for children. Attendees receive a certificate of completion and a course manual. The cost for this class is $45, which includes lunch. Registration is required and can be completed at www.altru.org/calendar. For more information, call 701-780-5179. This event is sponsored by Altru Health System and Safe Kids Grand Forks.

December 6Candlelight Memorial Service7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Altru Hospital Main LobbySponsored by Wings of Hope Infant and Child Bereavement Program and Altru Alliance, this service is dedicated to all babies who have died before or shortly after birth or in early childhood. Ornaments will be placed on a tree in Altru Hospital’s lobby. For information, call Penny Millspaugh, Bereavement Coordinator, at 701-780-5257.

December 8Truyu Skin Institute: Laser Skin RejuvenationYvonne Gomez, MDAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

December 9Food Allergy Support Group6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Choice Health & FitnessFood allergies are on the rise. Since 1997, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of children with food allergies; now, 1 in 13 children deal with them. Food allergies can affect any age and cause serious life-threatening reactions. If you or a loved one live with food allergies, join Altru allergist Dr. Fatima Khan for a monthly Food Allergy Support Group. Connect with and learn from others who deal with food allergies. This group is free and open to families/individuals who have been diagnosed with life-threatening food al-lergies. For more information, call 701-780-6400.

December 10Car Seat Checkup4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South WashingtonStop by and make sure your children have a safe ride. For more information, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at 701-780-1489 or go to www.safekidsgf.com.

December 10Bringing Home Baby6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South WashingtonThis class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on train-ing on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. Registra-tion fee for this class is included with the prenatal class registration of $20.00. The fee is waived if this is the only class being taken. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

December 13Kallati Event at Riddle’s JewelryEnjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to build your diamond col-lection with a world leading jewelry manufacturer. There will be over 100 new styles available. Enjoy 50% off ticket prices and receive an additional 10% off if you make an appointment by calling Riddle’s Jewelry at 701-772-1861.

December 17Survivors of Suicide Support Group7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Altru Psychiatry CenterOffered by Altru’s TEARS Suicide Prevention Project, this group aims to bring together those who have experienced suicide loss to under-


stand they are not alone. Come share your stories, or simply listen to others. Many of the things you’re feeling are not unique, but are shared with others in your circumstances. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month. For more information, contact Mike Dewald at 701-780-3451 or Sandy Kovar at 701-780-2379, or send an email to [email protected].

December 19 Marketplace Health InsuranceOpen Enrollment 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Altru Hospital, lower level,Rooms C, D, F, & GAltru Health System’s HERO program will have certified application counselors on hand to help you through each step to find-ing health insurance on the marketplace that fits you and your family’s personal needs. Avoid the fine; enroll on time with the open enrollment events. Go to altru.org/financi-alassistance for more details or call 701-780-5060 for an individual appointment. Enrollees should bring financial information (tax return, pay stub, W-2) and identification card.

December 22Bringing Home Baby5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Rydell GM Auto Center,2700 South Washington

This class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on training on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. Registration fee for this class is included with the prenatal class registration of $20.00. The fee is waived if this is the only class being taken. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

December 22Truyu Skin Institute: CouplesMassage TechniquesEric Benson, Licensed Massage TherapistAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

January 12Truyu Skin Institute: Breast AugmentationJaron McMullin, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

January 26Truyu Skin Institute: Spider VeinsYvonne Gomez, MD andJennifer Laframboise, FNPAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

January 30Sunshine Fest9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Ralph Engelstad ArenaSunshine Memorial Foundation is prepar-ing to host our annual event, Sunshine Fest. Each year, this event helps to raise money for charitable causes and consists of a 5K outdoor fun run and an indoor 3K walk, a Health and Wellness Fair, music, fun activities and dozens of amazing prizes. Last year, with the help of our generous corporate sponsors and more than 1,000 participants, Sunshine Memorial Foundation was able to raise in excess of $75,000 for the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home project.

February 12Truyu Skin Institute: LiposuctionKevin Muiderman, MD,Board Certified Plastic SurgeonAll classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness. Please call 701-780-4279 to RSVP.

https://edgewoodseniorliving.com/


Hot Spots to ShopGIFT IDEAS FROM AREA MERCHANTS

Find these items and more through local retailers. When purchasing an item that you’ve seen in our shopping guide, make sure you tell them that you saw it in Grand Cities Woman.

Claims that products make in the Grand Cities Woman Shopping Guide are of product manufactures’ and not of Grand Cities Woman or Girl on Fire Publishing.

TruyuBIO•SERUM is super-charged with an unprec-edented amount of PSP® and pro-collagen Amino Acids to help provide re-sults in as little as 7-14 days. This exclusive combination of concentrated PSP® with targeted, nutrient rich ingredients work together to promote youthful, firm and supple-looking skin. Available at Truyu. See their ad on page 11.

Lifetime Vision CenterReaders that stick to back of your phone. Hot new item and great stocking stuffer. 1.5-2.50 strength. ByThin Optics $22 available at Lifetime Vision Cen-ter. See their ad on page 15.

Rilos and MiMiNorth Dakota Home Bag and Mint Arrow BagSee their website at www.rilos-mimi.myshopify.com.

Truyu at ChoiceNovaLash eyelash extensions are an “instant pretty” for any woman who desires longer, fuller lashes. These extensions are meticulously applied lash-by-lash, bonded with award-winning medical-grade adhesives, by certified professional NovaLash stylists. NovaLash eyelash extensions are available at Truyu at Choice Health & Fitnes. See their ad on page 11.

Riddle’s JewelrySince 1959, our family’s love for their customers has carried on through the generations as we have grown across the Midwest. Riddle’s Jewelry has the perfect gift for the loved ones on your shopping list. See their ad on page 19.

Lifetime Vision CenterFendi’s new eyewear col-lection captures aesthetic codes for the new season with lightness and geometric architectures. Edgy colors and refined shades, along with jewel-like details make for fashionable eyewear. Available at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 15.


TruyuBB Prime Time: Great looking skin starts with a great founda-tion! This multi-tasking BB primer-cream immediately diminishes the appearance of discoloration, uneven skin tone and imper-fections while providing Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection and defense against environmental stressors. Available at Truyu. See their ad on page 11.

Lifetime Vision CenterDon’t lose your sunglasses to the bottom of the lake! These lightweight cords and floats help your glasses float in water for an easy retrieval. Pick up your Croakies float kit today at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 15.

Lifetime Vision CenterVera Bradley Eyewear is now exclusively available at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 15.

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Rilos and MiMiHockey Snack and Travel BagSee their website at www.rilos-mimi.myshopify.com.

Truyu at ChoiceA multi-tasking genius that combines skincare benefits and naturally radiant coverage in one. This product is a must for your summer make-up routine, as it includes a broad spectrum SPF 30 to protect skin from UV damage and premature aging. Available at Truyu at Choice Health & Fitness. See their ad on page 11.

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“Embrace the gifts you were given. Your talents will provide the

direction and your faith will guide you through the

challenges. Patience and courage will be rewarded with the victory of ac-complishment. These gifts are to be opened and shared with many.”

—Missy Ohe.

Missy Ohe (pronounced “oh”), founder of The Ohepen Mind, has launched a new

set of training sessions called “Masterminds.” For the seven-week session held once a week

for one hour, business owners and managers can use this training opportunity to help fine-tune their ability to connect with employees and clients. “Often when managers and owners are put in a new role, they know how to perform the role, but they don’t know how to perform the human side of the role, but they want to help with soft skills—the connection side. They are also looking for tools to utilize for busi-ness growth. Mastermind groups help them to develop that personally and professionally,” said Missy.

Missy customizes her coaching, presentation, and training based on the group or one-on-one scenario. Topics include communication, leadership, and personal growth.

One training in particular involves fifteen strategic steps toward personal growth. Missy, a John C. Maxwell trainer, integrates her own developed materials with Maxwell’s to present

MastermindsBe Intentional and Get InvolvedWritten by Autumn Graber

PrenatalFitness Program

PostnatalFitness Program

Infant & ToddlerSwimming

Lessons

The “Best Choice”FOR MOM & BABY

choicehf.com | 701.746.27904401 S. 11th St. | Grand Forks, ND Pictured: Missy Ohe with participants of one of her Masterminds Group.

http://choicehf.com/


during these sessions. Another training involving communication teaches people how to connect and focus more on listening and being present in the current situa-tion. “It allows people to bring more value to conversations,” said Missy. “What I love doing with people is helping them to realize the significance of who they are and what their capabilities are.”

Grand Forks attorney, Gretchen M. Handy, has participated in several of Missy’s Master-mind Groups and feels Missy has been in-strumental in uniting her colleagues. “Missy Ohe is a fantastic motivational speaker,” said Handy. “Her ability to engage her audience, whether it be small or large, and to unite people is astounding. I have been involved in a Mastermind Group, facilitated by Missy, in which we read and discuss books authored by John Maxwell. Missy has been instrumental in uniting our group and initiating conversation that allows the members to assist one another in growing, both personally and on a professional level. I truly do not know if I can think of anyone who is more compassionate about what they do than Missy. She has amazing ideas, and her love of bringing people together and building on their strengths is apparent in everything she does.”

Missy’s current Mastermind Group focuses on intentional living and put-ting your dreams to the test. “It’s about being intentional about what you are doing and why you are doing it, really exceeding your own expecta-

tions about who you are and what you are capable of,” said Missy. In the group, Missy asks the participants to recognize what they do for other people and what they do for themselves. She asks them to think about the difference they are making. “When we are sitting down for supper, are we having a meaningful conversation with meaningful thoughts?” She wants people to focus on what kind of difference they are making in their community. “It’s all about being intentional and getting involved in the life you are leading and not just letting twenty years fly by.”

For more information on Missy Ohe and The Ohepen Mind, go to www.theohepenmind.com. You can contact Missy through her website to reg-ister yourself or your company for a Mastermind Group. [GCW]

Cheerful Givers

Bags distributedthrough the local

food pantries.

www.cheerfulgivers.org

Birthday bags forchildren less fortunate

[email protected]

Call701-795-4772

for presentationsor information on

making a donation.

http://www.altru.org/truyu/


Dryness. Itching. Irritation. Painful intercourse. Stress incontinence. Women may face some or all of these issues during and after meno-pause, following removal of the ovaries, or during and after treatment for cancer. Vaginal changes due to aging, declining hormone levels and some medical treatments can seriously disrupt a woman’s life, causing discomfort, lack of sexual pleasure, pain during sex, and urine leakage when sneezing, coughing or laughing.

“Women may think it’s just something they have to live with,” says Dr. Shannon Bradley, an OB/GYN at Mid Dakota Clinic. “As they begin to experience symptoms, they might think ‘that’s just the way it is’ and may be reluctant to talk about it, even to their doctor. But vaginal health is an important part of a woman’s overall health. When women stop produc-ing estrogen, the vaginal walls become thinner, drier and weaker. The

resulting symptoms can cause pain, avoidance of intimacy, and affect a woman’s self-esteem as well as her physical health. But it’s not some-thing you ‘just have to live with.’ The first step is talking to your doctor about your symptoms and your options for treatment.”

If you’re experiencing menopausal or postmenopausal symptoms, you’re not alone. There are approximately 64 million postmenopausal women in the U.S., and approximately 1.3 million women reach menopause every year. The mean age for menopause is 51. Up to 50 percent of

It’s Okay to Talk About It

...it’s not something you ‘just have to live with.’ The first step is talk-ing to your doctor...

http://middakotaclinic.com/


In my medical experience, this is quite an amazing opportunity for menopausalwomen.

• Vaginal dryness

• Itching and irritation

• Painful intercourse

• Stress incontinence

menopausal women suffer symptoms of dryness, itching, discomfort and/or stress incontinence.

In the past, the usual treatment has been a vaginal cream that contains estrogen. But estrogen cream has drawbacks: it’s expensive, messy, and must be applied frequently. It can cost as much as $350 every two to three months, and it’s not covered by insurance. It also carries a risk of side effects, and can’t be used by breast cancer survi-vors. With 250,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and a five-year survival rate of 90 percent, that means a substantial number of patients are left without options for their symptoms. Now Dr. Bradley is offering a new non-hormonal, non-surgical laser treatment that provides lasting benefits for menopausal women, including breast cancer survivors.

MonaLisa Touch™ is a new rejuvenation treatment that involves using a laser to deliver controlled pulses of energy to vaginal tissue, creating microscopic holes in the vaginal walls. This process stimu-lates the body to heal the holes by producing collagen, rehydrat-ing and restoring thickness and firmness to the vaginal tissue. It’s a simple in-office procedure that takes just five minutes. It’s virtually painless and requires no anesthesia. Patients report just a slight vibration or tugging sensation. Regular activities can be resumed

immediately, and sexual activity can be resumed in two to three days.

Dr. Bradley is the only OB/GYN in North Dakota or South Dakota offering this new treatment. “I’m so excited to offer my patients this option,” she says. “Recent studies

and our experience with the first patients have shown significant improvement in the vaginal tissue after the first treatment, with relief of symptoms of vaginal pain and urinary incontinence.”

She notes that, while insurance doesn’t cover the treatment, it costs less than hormonal treatment over the long run and offers long-last-ing benefits. The cost of the treatment at Mid Dakota Clinic is $500, which is substantially lower than the $800 to $1000 charged else-where. Patients usually receive an initial course of three treatments over 12 weeks. For most patients, the benefits can be maintained with annual treatments.

“In 20 years of practicing medicine, all I could offer my patients was an expensive, messy hormonal cream,” says Dr. Bradley. “Now we have a procedure that is nearly 100 percent effective, non-invasive, painless, and takes just a few minutes. In my medical experience, this is quite an amazing opportunity for menopausal women. This process is new and innovative now, but I think it will soon become the standard of care, and for good reason.”

Patients are calling it “life-changing.”

“I am a 52 year old nurse with 14 years of OB/GYN experience. I was strug-gling with vaginal dryness and a leaky bladder. After visiting with Dr. Bradley and researching the MonaLisa Touch™ procedure, I had a treatment. I gener-ally say, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’ Since the procedure, I have not needed to use the vaginal hormone that was costing me $350.00 out of pocket every two to three months, and my bladder doesn’t leak any more when I stand up. I can’t wait to see the improvement after the next two treat-ments.” – T. E.

“Women with these symptoms need to know that they don’t ‘just have to live with it,’” says Dr. Bradley. “The MonaLisa Touch™ gives them a great new option for alleviating their symptoms. The first step is to talk about it.”

• Non-hormonal

• Non-surgical

• No messy creams

• Long-lasting benefits

Symptoms:

Advantages of MonaLisa Touch™

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Emotions affect every facet of our lives, personally and professionally. Our ability to understand our own emotions and the emotions of the people around us, along with our ability to consciously manage the potential affects those emotions have on our lives, is a concept known as Emotional Intelligence (EI).

Emotional Intelligence (EI) requires an ongoing commitment of practice throughout the course of our lives. Additionally, EI is a fundamental part of our life experiences that directly affects the success we experience in our relationships and careers. Those who possess EI tend to experience more success in life. The reason is because they’re not only capable of understanding the emotions they’re feeling and what those emotions mean, but also understand the potential affects those emotions have on their lives and the lives of those around them. Therefore, they tend to be more engaged and intentional about their actions and behaviors that result from their emotions.

The following are 5 Steps to Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Whatever stage of life we’re in, we can apply these steps to our own lives To Improve Our Relationships and Boost our Productiv-ity, personally and professionally.

1. Be Engaged.The first step to leading with EI is to be more engaged in life. Many of us often find ourselves rushing from one commit-ment to the next, day after day. In the process, we become less engaged with life and lose touch with our emotions. We begin

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to behave and make decisions unconsciously, and miss out on valuable information that our emotions actually contain.

To prevent this, we need to make a deliberate effort to periodically take a step back during the day and notice how we’re feeling emo-tionally about any given situation. We then need to pay attention to how those emotions are affecting our daily life, including overall thoughts, behaviors, actions, and even reactions to that situation. Only when we’re able to be consciously aware of our emotions and the affects they have on our lives, can we become better at managing them, which will help us become more engaged and intentional about life in general.

2. Take Responsibility.Being in control of our emotions is a basic element of personal responsibility. Though it can be the most challenging step, it can also be the most helpful. Our emotions and behaviors come from us and no one else; therefore it’s our responsibility to control and manage them.

Oftentimes, we might find ourselves making comments such as, “I did/said that because you made me feel _____.” Regardless of what someone else does or says, we are ultimately in control of how we allow ourselves to feel and the way we react as a result of those feelings.

3. Respond Don’t React.There’s a significant difference between responding and reacting to our emotions. Responding is a conscious process that involves


noticing how we feel, deciding how to behave as a result, and then intentionally responding in a productive manner. Reacting is an uncon-scious process where we’re not often aware of our emotions and react on impulse through an emotional trigger, which often results in bad decision making in the heat of the mo-ment. This leads to unintentionally expressing or relieving that emotion in an unproductive manner.

Learning how to respond to our emotions rather than react to them will have a significant impact on the interactions we have with those around us and the relationships we develop. Our ability to respond appropriately and pro-ductively to whatever life brings creates a posi-tive environment where we lead by example and motivate others to do the same.

4. Empathize and Be Respectful.Those who possess a strong sense of EI are typically empathetic and respectful of others. Remember, everyone we meet is dealing with a circumstance we might know nothing about. Therefore, it’s imperative to be empathetic and to try to understand why someone feels or behaves the way they do. More importantly, we should be respectful and at least help them feel comfortable and secure in their current environment.

5. Get Perspective.With increasingly busy and demanding sched-ules, it can be easy to allow emotions get the best of us. However, when that happens, we need to learn to put our lives and the emotions we’re feeling into perspective.

To gain perspective, we can follow these two simple steps. First, take a step back and observe the current situation or circumstance and recognize the emotions we’re experiencing at that moment. Second, remember that there is always someone who is dealing with a situa-tion worse than ours. Although we have every right to feel the way we do, it’s important to be grateful for the larger picture, because it will help us develop a stronger sense of EI. This will not only change our lives, but also will change the lives of those around us.

Emotional Intelligence is a fundamental part of our life experiences, which requires an ongoing commitment of practice throughout the course of our lives. It isn’t something we develop once and then drop. Even when we feel like we’ve mastered EI, there’s always room for improve-ment. If we can at least challenge ourselves to practice improving our EI daily, we will ultimately experience more success in our own lives, personally and professionally. [GCW]

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About 1 in 8 women in America will develop breast cancer in their lifetime according to the American Cancer Society. Of these women, many will require a mastectomy, an operation that removes the breast. This surgery is often a necessary and life-saving op-tion for women battling breast cancer. However, it can leave many survivors feeling like they’ve lost a piece of their femininity and self-confidence. To help, Truyu Aesthetic Center offers breast reconstruction surgery. Performed following a mastectomy, this procedure of-fers breast cancer survivors an option to regain a more natural-looking breast.

The road to breast reconstruction begins after the diagnosis of breast cancer, often identified after mam-mogram imaging, a type of X-ray that looks at breast tissue. If a subsequent biopsy tests positive for cancer, the battle to fight it begins. A team of experts at Altru Cancer Center work to identify the proper course of action for each individual. If it’s determined that a mastectomy is the best solution, a general surgeon will perform this surgery. The surgeon might bring up the possibility of breast reconstruction. If this option isn’t presented, the patient can initiate the conversation with her surgeon or other provider.

In Grand Forks, Truyu offers a variety of plastic surgery procedures, one of which is breast reconstruction surgery. Truyu plastic surgeon, Dr. Jaron McMullin, is one of two practicing breast reconstruction surgeons in the Grand Forks area, along with his colleague Dr.

Kevin Muiderman. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Dr. McMullin attended school and practiced medicine in Utah for three years before coming to Grand Forks. Dr. McMullin wants more women in the area to become familiar with the option of breast reconstruc-tion after a mastectomy. “I hope that women become more informed about this process so that they know it is an option for themselves, their mothers, grandmoth-ers, sisters, and friends.”

Breast reconstruction sur-gery can be performed two different ways. The first uses

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existing tissue from other locations in the body (abdomen, but-tocks, thigh, and so on). The tissue is transplanted to the breast and restructured into a breast shape. This option, according to Dr. McMullin, is more extensive with a longer recovery time. It is typically done if the patient has been through radiation treat-ments, which leaves the skin with decreased ability to heal.

The second method, more commonly performed by plastic surgeons nationwide, including Dr. McMullin, is done by using an expander followed by a silicone or saline implant. After the mastectomy is performed, an expander is put in under the tissue remaining after removal of the breast. There is a port within the expander to allow it to be filled slowly. This allows the skin of the breast to be stretched carefully after a mastectomy, which takes a large amount of the breasts’ skin. After the expander has reached the size needed, surgery is done to replace it with the implant. Dr. McMullin says that this method requires less intensive surgery and recovery time.

The road to reconstruction is often filled with doubt and uncer-tainty. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer are hesitant to undergo another surgery and are worried the results won’t be what they hoped for. This doubt can be lessened by viewing images of past successful operations performed. There are also improvements being made every day due to advancements in technology. One such technique involves injecting fat into the

hollowing left behind after a partial mastectomy. Reconstruction not only improves outward appearance after mastectomy, but also can help women regain self-confidence. Self-esteem in many women after breast cancer can be dimin-ished. The removal of one or both of the breasts may feel a bit like a loss of femininity. Receiving breast reconstruction surgery can give women a self-esteem boost; this is something Dr. Mc-Mullin has seen firsthand. “One recent patient rarely smiled. Af-ter the mastectomy, she seemed to have lost her happiness and confidence. When she came back for her appointment following her implant surgery, I finally saw her smile. Her self-esteem and confidence were back.”

Some women might think that they are not eligible to receive breast reconstruction surgery because their mastectomy took place 10, 15, or even 30 years ago. Some women might think that their insurance won’t help pay for reconstruction. Dr. McMul-lin said that usually isn’t the case. “I’ve had women who come to me years after their surgery and have breast reconstruction done. Many women think they may not be able to afford the surgery, but reconstruction following a mastectomy due to breast cancer is, by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, covered by group health plans, health insurance companies, and HMOs, as long as the plan covers medical and surgical costs for mastectomy.” [GCW]

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“Keeping kids safe at home, at school, at play, and on the way” is what Safe Kids Grand Forks strives for each and every day in our programming and messages. Most of us spend countless hours in a home setting; having a safe place to live and grow is important for parents and those caring for children. Statistics show that every day, six children in the United States die from an injury in the home, and 10,000 go

to the emergency department for the kinds of injuries that commonly happen in the home.

Recently, our home safety partner, Nationwide, released a report on home safety so we could better understand the issues surrounding these injuries. The article, “Report to the Nation: Protecting Children in Your Home,” featured a survey of 1,010 parents across America. It explored what parents are concerned about and what they do, or don’t do, to keep kids safe in the home.

When asked what parents are concerned about in the home, drowning barely made the list, with only 1 percent listing it as a concern. Yet every week, a child dies from drowning in a bathtub. One in eight parents surveyed said they have left their young child alone in the bathtub for five minutes or longer. Reasons given: getting towels, checking on other children, and cooking.

TIP: Give young children your full and undivided attention when they are in the bathtub or around water. Drain water from the tub immediately following the bath.

While parents say they are worried about fire safety, and 96 percent report they have a smoke alarm, 14 percent said they never check their smoke alarm battery. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by half.

TIP: Check smoke alarm batteries every month to make sure they are working. For detectors without long-lasting batteries (for the life of the detector), change

Safe Kids CornerCreating Safe Homes for Children to Live and Play

the batteries each spring and fall when you change your clocks with daylight savings time.

For children under the age of 1, suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death. In a separate study among children age one and under, Safe Kids learned that 73 percent of parents say they place items in the crib with their baby, including blankets, bumpers, and stuffed animals, all of which can be suffocation hazards.

TIP: Keep cribs clear of objects, and make sure babies sleep alone, on their back, and in a crib every time they sleep. Babies should not sleep on a couch, an adult bed, or sleeping environments other than a crib or playpen.

Window falls are preventable, yet 70 percent of parents say they have never used window guards or stops that prevent these falls. Each year, 3,300 children are injured from falling out of a window.

TIP: Install window guards or window stops to keep children from fall-ing out of windows. Place furniture in rooms away from windows.

Only 4 percent of parents expressed concern about poisoning, which is surpris-ing, given that Poison Con-trol Centers answer more than one million calls a year about children 5 and under who have gained access to medicine or other dangerous products. In a separate study, Safe Kids found that more grandparents identified elec-trical outlets as a top safety issue over medicine, but 36 times more children go to the emergency department for medicine poisoning than for injuries caused by an electrical outlet.

TIP: Keep all medicine up and away, even medicine you take every day. Be alert to medicine stored in other locations, like pills in purses, vitamins on counters, and medicine on nightstands. Dispose of over-the-counter and prescription medications that you are no longer using. Local law enforcement centers have disposal boxes to safely rid the home of unused, expired, or unwanted medications.

We know that parents want to protect their children, and have found that parents consider their own home to be safer than most. Sadly, 2,200 kids die from an injury in the home every year. The good news is, we know how to prevent these injuries and our goal is to equip parents and caregivers with tools to assist in this process by including materials on our website and Facebook page (Safe Kids Grand Forks). Follow-ing the simple steps offered and being aware of dangers in the home, where children spend a great deal of their time, will help to create a safe environment for kids to live and grow.

To learn more tips to keep kids safe in the home, go to www.SafeKidsGF.com or www.makesafehappen.com. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks. For more informa-tion on home safety or other childhood injury risk areas, contact us at [email protected]. [GCW]

Submitted by Carma Hanson, Coordinator – Safe Kids Grand Forks


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In early 2014, the Grand Forks Public School District faced a huge dilemma: How to handle overcrowded schools. The solution: Discovery Elementary School is now open and has welcomed almost 385 students, all under the watchful eye of school principal Ali Parkinson.

“For a long time it was just a construction project. Wiring, plumbing, picking out colors...now it’s shaping a vision and mission of the school. It is exciting to be a part of it,” said Parkinson.

Walking through the building with Parkinson, one can feel the energy and excitement. “Every room has been a conversation. And what’s more exciting than the newness is what it will bring.”

The Trailblazers, as the school’s nickname indicates, are doing just that. According to Parkin-son, the function of the school is to honor the past, but not limit the future. Earlier this year, she gave her staff “The Energy Bus” book by John Gordon with a ticket for them to ride the bus with her. She hopes it will be a

big theme for them over the years. “We are encouraging teachers to think different, progressive and innovative.”

Parkinson knew, when earning her teaching degree, she didn’t want to be a teacher who stayed in one classroom, teaching one grade, for 35 years and then retire. “The fun part has been, what’s next?”

Parkinson has worked in numerous positions throughout the School District, which she believes has helped shape her philosophy as an administrator. Most recently, Parkinson was the principal at West Elementary. “I loved where I was; however, the opportunity to open a school rarely comes up and I wanted to see what we could accomplish.”

A big part of her motivation for wanting to try new things and take on big challenges (like opening a new school) comes from her personal life and trying to set an example for her two daughters. “I want to be a model of a hard-working mom, [for my daughters] to see that as the norm, to see that they can aspire to [having] a successful career, a loving family, and a wonder-ful husband.”

She credits her husband Chad, who is self-employed, as a major contribu-tor to her success. “He manipulated his work schedule to allow me flexibility.” Chad picks up the kids from school, transporting them wherever they need to be. “It is a gift to have a husband that does that.”

Parkinson also believes her work at Discovery will benefit her children and


hopes that her contributions to the school district have a ripple effect across the district.

Yet, she is humble about her opportunities within the district and her current position, “So many people who do what I do, could easily do what I’m doing. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Parkinson is quick to point out that building Discovery has been a collaborative effort. “People think that because I am at and/or leading every meeting [that] I [built the school myself ], but we have had input from other schools, technology experts, physical education teachers, [and] special education professionals [so we could] make all parts a whole. These experts are helping to lead the way.”

Occasionally, there will be surprises or issues that surface. However, Parkinson hopes that the staff will approach it with problem solving, because learning environments matter.

Discovery offers 19 classrooms, a full-time physical education teacher, a full-time music teacher, and a counselor. Additionally, the school includes a band and orchestra room, a luxury some schools in the district do not have. Another new feature to this school will be five learning com-mons, which are large common spaces designated for students in various classrooms to collabo-rate on special projects, conduct science observations, read together, or use the space for indoor recess.

Being with the kids during lunch is another way Parkinson hopes to encourage a positive learning environment. “It’s important that I connect with students every day and being in the lunchroom and classrooms helps me to connect with kids.”

She even strives for that connec-tion in her own office. Comfortable chairs with laptop tables attached will make for a better meeting environment with teachers, parents, and staff.

The Discovery team is quickly realizing the benefits of having five learning commons in the school. “We’ve had classes participate in yoga in our learning commons. We’ve had grade level teams work on collaborative projects like designing their own outdoor park,” Parkinson explains. “At any given time of the day, you can see kids in

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the learning commons reading together, using their chromebooks or iPads, and/or collaborat-ing with other kids.” The learning environment allows everyone to think differently about what school can look like. In turn, this new way of thinking can transform how students can learn in the twenty-first century.

While details might seem small, they are a part of a bigger picture. Though not often in her of-fice, Parkinson strives to be a people person, to connect with those whom she serves.

Parkinson attributes all of the positive feedback they have received to the staff that has joined the team. “This staff is innovative and collabora-tive,” said Parkinson. “This staff has problem-solved so many variables and have [sic] made opening a new school look easy. It hasn’t been easy, but when you have a staff that is invested in being a part of something bigger than them-selves, then great things can happen.”

The school year started with three sections of kindergarten, first, third, fourth, and fifth grade and four sections of second grade. While the school is currently over half capacity, it is fully finished. This allows the school to respond to growth thoughtfully and with a plan that families can trust.

Since opening Discovery School, the staff has quickly transitioned from being a new school to a school family. “The students, staff, and parents are really the heart of this school, and so having this amazing building filled with people has really made this school feel like a community. Building relationships with students, staff, and parents has been my first priority and this has been my favorite part of this wonderful experi-ence so far,” said Parkinson.

The Discovery team continues to try new and innovative ideas at the school that might have seemed unique at first, but have quickly become part of the school’s culture. For example, as stu-dents finish lunch, they discard their own lunch trays and then retrieve a book from the cafeteria book bins. “Students not only enjoy sitting at the lunchroom tables to eat with any student in their same grade, but also enjoy reading together with their friends. We are always trying new ways to keep kids connected with each other and with books.”

“It is a privilege to serve kids and their parents. I am lucky to get to do what I do.” And, Parkinson hopes to keep serving the kids, their parents, and her community at Discovery for a long time to come. [GCW]

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Grand Cities Woman Volume 4, Issue 4

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Transcript of Grand Cities Woman Volume 4, Issue 4