As temperatures drop and families begin spending more time indoors, respiratory viruses become an increasing concern. This fall, flu (influenza) activity is already appearing earlier in parts of the country, raising questions about what the months ahead could look like.

Jon C. Michel, MD, is a pulmonary critical care physician and vice president of the Medical Specialties Service Line with OSF HealthCare.

"I think the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is predicting that the 2027 respiratory virus season should be similar to the 2026 season," Dr. Michel says. "We are seeing a slightly earlier shift in the flu uptake, especially on the West Coast, and it's spreading here to the Midwest."

The CDC's FluView report for the week ending October 10 notes that while flu activity remains low nationally, the highest activity is occurring in the western United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regions 9 and 10).

But an earlier arrival doesn't necessarily mean a more severe respiratory illness season. Dr. Michel says it's important to prepare now rather than wait for respiratory illnesses to become more widespread.

Three respiratory viruses to watch

While numerous respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year, three remain a primary focus for medical professionals.

"The three that we focus on the most are the flu, COVID-19 and RSV. We do that because we have vaccinations for those viruses, we have therapies for those viruses and they tend to be the ones that make you quite sick,” Dr. Michel says. "There's a wide variety of other cold viruses that we could diagnose now, but it's mostly academic and interesting. There's a rhinovirus, or the common cold, there's the parainfluenza virus. We don't have treatments for those, but it's important to understand what the patient has so we can tell prognosis and tell the duration of illness."

Dr. Michel says advancements in medical testing have made it easier to identify which virus is causing an illness. A decade ago, testing often focused primarily on influenza. In 2020, the global pandemic turned attention to COVID-19 testing. Today, respiratory testing panels allow medical teams to check for multiple viruses, including RSV, helping providers make more informed decisions about care.

RSV prevention has also come a long way. Newer preventive options, including vaccines for eligible pregnant women and older adults, as well as protective antibody injections for infants and certain young children, offer additional protection against severe illness.

Don't delay your flu vaccine

With flu activity appearing earlier this fall, Dr. Michel encourages people not to put off getting vaccinated. Getting your flu shot before activity increases in your community can help reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions.

People should also speak with their health care provider about which flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations are recommended for them based on their age, health history and other eligibility factors.

Simple steps to prevent illness

Vaccines are an important tool, but everyday habits also play a major role in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses.

"There's some commonsense stuff that we don't always lean into. Make sure that you avoid ill people. If you're going to be out in public and you're immunocompromised or prone to getting ill, wear a tight-fitting mask," Dr. Michel says. "Make sure if you're sick, you don't go out and expose other people, either."

Other steps include washing your hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. These simple habits can help protect those most vulnerable to serious respiratory complications.

What to do if you get sick

Not every respiratory illness requires an emergency department visit or hospitalization. The OSF HealthCare Ministry has virtual options, including OSF OnCall Virtual Urgent Care, as well as walk-in clinics known as OSF OnCall Urgent Care or OSF PromptCare.

In 2020, OSF OnCall launched a free, at-home monitoring service for babies and toddlers up to five years old. The digital service continues today and includes an at-home care kit and easy access to a real-time chat. If necessary, a video visit is an option for parents or guardians of an infant or young child with any respiratory illness, including RSV.

For many mild viral infections, supportive care is the main approach to treatment. That means focusing on relieving symptoms and helping your body recover while the illness runs its course.

"Rest, [drink] fluids, avoiding further infections and good nutrition," Dr. Michel says. "Sometimes breathing treatments [are needed]. But there aren't any medications, FDA-approved or otherwise, that have been shown to shorten the length [of illness] or stop that from getting worse in some of those other viruses."

If symptoms worsen or you're at greater risk of complications, contacting your primary care provider early is important. Some treatments for flu and COVID-19 work best when started soon after symptoms begin.

Can vitamins help prevent respiratory illnesses?

It's common to reach for vitamin C, zinc or other supplements when respiratory illness season arrives. But Dr. Michel cautions against treating supplements as a cure-all.

He says vitamins like these have been studied extensively, but they're not a "magic bullet" against respiratory viruses.

For people with nutritional deficiencies, addressing those deficiencies through a balanced diet or recommended supplementation can support normal immune function.

However, taking additional vitamins does not guarantee you won't become sick, and supplements should not replace vaccinations, healthy habits or medical treatment when needed.

When should you seek medical care?

Contact a health care provider if you experience:

• Symptoms that continue to worsen rather than improve
• A persistent or worsening fever
• Difficulty staying hydrated or keeping fluids down
• Symptoms that improve and then return or become more severe
• Respiratory symptoms that are especially concerning because of an underlying medical condition

Severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, new confusion or other signs of a medical emergency require immediate emergency care.

For those who become seriously ill, OSF HealthCare hospitals have intensive care units (ICUs) and specialized teams equipped to care for people experiencing severe respiratory complications.

"OSF is leading the charge because we have a broad-based primary care network, including urgent cares and virtual urgent cares, along with your primary care doctor," Dr. Michel says. "We shouldn't be ashamed of calling those places right away if we feel like we're ill, because there are therapies that are effective for this."

Act before respiratory illness strikes

Respiratory illness season is here, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Stay current on recommended vaccinations, recognize when symptoms require medical attention and don't hesitate to contact your OSF HealthCare team when you need help.

Video Interview Clips

Pope Leo XIV’s recent lung cancer diagnosis and surgery are drawing attention to the importance of early detection and the need for people at increased risk to talk with their doctors about screening.

Although the diagnosis has raised concerns about the pontiff’s health, medical experts say there is an important takeaway for the public: Lung cancer does not always cause symptoms in its early stages but finding it before it spreads can significantly improve a person’s chances of successful treatment.

Priya Andanamala, MD, a medical oncologist at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, specializes in lung cancer. She says the pontiff’s case underscores why people at increased risk should not put off screening.

“As sad as the news is, I think it encourages all of our patients that are under a high-risk category to get that screening because if we are able to identify these lesions at an early stage, we are able to cure most patients. We’re able to cure them with surgery and chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy,” Dr. Andanamala stresses.

Pope Leo underwent a lobectomy, a procedure that removes one lobe of the lung. The lungs contain multiple lobes, with three in the right lung and two in the left. The surgery can help doctors determine the type of cancer, assess whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes and identify characteristics that can guide further treatment.

Dr. Andanamala says the information gathered during surgery and subsequent pathology testing helps doctors determine whether additional treatment may be beneficial.

While the pontiff’s complete pathology findings and cancer stage were not available at publication time, Dr. Andanamala emphasizes earlier-stage lung cancers can often be treated with the goal of curing the disease. The appropriate treatment and prognosis depend on factors including tumor size, lymph node involvement and the cancer’s molecular characteristics.

A personalized approach to care

That molecular profiling allows for what she calls a more personalized approach to cancer care.

“Trying to determine what biomarkers the cancer has and understanding the molecular landscape, there are many different mutations that, thankfully, we have approved targeted therapy for that are highly effective. So, all of these can be found with comprehensive molecular profiling that we run on the surgical specimen.”

That profile can also help determine if a patient is eligible for certain clinical trials.

Rachael Davis, MD, a physician at OSF HealthCare who specializes in lung conditions, says people should also understand that finding a lung nodule does not automatically mean they have cancer.

“In the Midwest, many people have lung nodules that are not cancer.” Dr. Davis explains, “There’s a fungus in our soil called histoplasmosis that predisposes people to lung nodules, so the rates of benign, meaning non-cancerous or not malignant, lung nodules is much higher in the Midwest than in other parts of the country.”

Doctors evaluate nodules based on factors such as size, growth over time, appearance and location. Comparing current scans with older imaging can help determine whether a nodule is concerning and whether it requires monitoring, a biopsy or additional evaluation.

Know if you have risk factors

Smoking remains a major risk factor for lung cancer, but it is not the only one. Radon exposure, workplace exposure to certain chemicals and dusts, secondhand smoke, asbestos and family history can also contribute to risk.

Dr. Davis says people with a strong family history of lung cancer, particularly among relatives who never smoked, should discuss their circumstances with their primary care provider.

“Most cases of lung cancer are completely asymptomatic,” Dr. Davis stresses. “There are no symptoms early, and so if we wait until there's symptoms in a patient, we've waited too long.”

For people who meet established eligibility criteria, annual low-dose CT scans are the standard screening approach. At OSF, Dr. Andanamala says providers are also offering the First Look lung blood test at 49 locations as another way to help reach certain people at risk.

“It is currently not an alternative for a low-dose scan, but if this is something that is easier for patients to come in for, and if we’re identifying something that is concerning, then typically we’re following up with further testing.”

Illinois has considerable room to improve screening participation. According to the American Lung Association, only about 17% of eligible people in Illinois receive lung cancer screening compared with a national rate of approximately 20%.

Screening for early detection can improve treatment outcomes

Screening rates within OSF are higher.

“If the Pope’s case teaches us anything, it’s that we need to get screened for lung cancer. OSF is a national leader in lung cancer screening at 50% systemwide, but there’s still 50% of our qualified patients who are not being screened,” says Ryan Luginbuhl, vice president of the oncology service line at OSF HealthCare.

To date, 275 people have undergone the First Look blood test at OSF, and 133 were referred for further evaluation through a CT scan. To date, 76 people referred, completed scans. Of those, six were referred for more testing, and of them, two are seeing oncologists. One has received a lung cancer diagnosis.

OSF is also one of the largest medical provider in the Midwest offering robotic bronchoscopy. Dr. Davis says the minimally invasive procedure allows for less painful and more accurate lung biopsies.

“We’re able to biopsy multiple lung nodules at the same time during the same procedure and reduce the need for the patient to come back for multiple procedures.”

This next-level approach is also allowing for use of fluorescent dye during surgery to locate and highlight nodules and spare valuable, non-cancerous lung tissue, improving outcomes and patients’ lung capacity.

Pope Leo’s diagnosis serves as a reminder that even people who appear healthy can develop lung cancer. The most important next step is to understand your risk, talk with a primary care provider and determine whether screening is appropriate.

Find out if you are a candidate for lung cancer screening with this short assessment.

Learn more about the full range of services available at OSF Cancer Institute.

Video clips with Dr. Priya Andanamala

Video clips with Dr. Rachael Davis

B-roll-Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis

A vaccine offers protection for people at greatest risk. And for older people, it can be a one-time shot rather than an annual vaccination.

Talha Khan, MD, a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, says RSV is a common respiratory virus that can affect people of all ages. Young infants and older adults are among those most likely to develop severe illness.

“It can cause pretty severe respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalization and even death, so it is something we don’t take lightly. And we do have a vaccine for it now. So we do recommend getting that vaccine, if they’re eligible, so they have that extra layer of protection.”

For adults, the RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone age 75 and older.

“It can be given to individuals who are younger than that – age 50 to 74 – if they have some chronic conditions: respiratory disease, things like COPD, asthma, heart disease and if they’re a current smoker. All those things put them at increased risk for a more severe infection.”

For infants, RSV can be particularly dangerous during the virus’s typical fall and winter season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out it is the number one cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S.

The RSV vaccine can offer preventive protection when given to the baby after birth.

“And then it’s also recommended for pregnant women if they’re pregnant during that respiratory virus season [September-January], as well. They recommend either pregnant women get it or the infant gets it once their born, typically not both.”

During a particularly bad respiratory virus season in 2022, OSF OnCall launched a free, at-home monitoring service for babies and toddlers up to five years old. The digital service continues today and includes an at-home care kit and easy access to a real-time chat. If necessary, a video visit is an option for parents or guardians of an infant or young child with any respiratory illness, including RSV.

While RSV is common, many older adults may not be as familiar with the vaccine as they are with annual flu or COVID-19 shots.

“A few of my patients have kind of brought up that, ‘Oh, that’s one of the vaccines I’ve never heard of,’” says Dr. Khan. “But, again, it is important because it can cause those severe respiratory infections, [including] pneumonia, and potentially even lead to death. So, if we can stop that or stop you from getting a serious infection with a one-time vaccine, then why not just get that done.”

For people who may qualify for the vaccine, health providers recommend talking with a health care professional about their individual risk factors and the best way to protect against severe RSV.

With a single dose offering long-term protection, the decision may be one that is easier to make than most people realize.

Dr. Talha Khan is a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare in Bloomington, Illinois.

Video clips with Dr. Talha Khan

B-Roll-RSV Vaccine

Nipple-sparing mastectomy removes breast tissue while preserving the nipple, areola and most of the breast skin. For those selected, the approach can provide effective cancer treatment while supporting a more natural appearance following breast reconstruction.

People may be candidates for the procedure when breast cancer does not involve the nipple or surrounding skin, as well as those considering preventive surgery because of an increased genetic or family risk of breast cancer. Each person’s eligibility is determined based on factors including imaging, pathology and overall health.

This procedure is an innovative approach that can be performed through a single, small incision typically along the side of the chest where the scar may be less visible.

“We are proud to offer this innovative surgical option at our institution and are committed to expanding access to advanced surgical techniques that may provide appropriate patients with additional treatment options. This technique may offer benefits such as less postoperative discomfort and improved scar appearance, while maintaining the principles of oncologic breast surgery,” Dr. Addae says. “Similar minimally invasive approaches have become increasingly established in other surgical specialties, including abdominal and thoracic surgery, and minimally invasive techniques in breast surgery are likely to become increasingly popular and widely adopted in the nearest future.”

Nipple-sparing mastectomy is performed as part of a coordinated breast cancer care plan, with patients having access to breast surgery, reconstruction consultation and other cancer specialists through OSF Cancer Institute.

For more information about breast cancer care at OSF HealthCare, visit the OSF website.

On Thursday, September 24, Archbishop Fulton Sheen was officially beatified, and is now recognized as Blessed Fulton Sheen, marking an important next step towards canonization as a saint.

The celebration also has a direct connection to OSF HealthCare. The miracle recognized by the Catholic Church for Sheen’s beatification involves a newborn boy who was stillborn, whose heart began beating after 61 minutes. He revived and received care at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.

James Fulton Engstrom was born in 2010. After his birth, his family and others prayed, asking for Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s intercession.

Now a teenager, Engstrom was in St. Louis for Sheen’s beatification. In a full-circle moment, he walked toward the altar with his family during the Beatification Mass, carrying a vessel containing relics of Sheen.

In 2019, then-Pope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession, clearing a major requirement for his beatification. Seven years later, Sheen has officially been declared Blessed.

Thousands of Catholic clergy, seminarians and religious attended and participated in the Beatification Mass. Thousands of individuals witnessed the beatification as well.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, presided as Pope Leo XIV’s representative at the Mass, held at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

During the ceremony, the Most Reverend Bishop Louis Tylka of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria formally requested the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. After a brief biography of Sheen was read, Cardinal Tagle read an apostolic letter from Pope Leo XIV in Latin, with Bishop Tylka reading it in English. The letter formally declared Sheen “Blessed.”

Pope Leo, a Chicago native, grew up watching Archbishop Sheen on television. While Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919. He later became one of the most recognizable Catholic figures in American media. His television program, “Life Is Worth Living,” reached up to 30 million viewers per week during the 1950s.

Bishop Tylka oversaw the official cause for canonization and beatification. He reflects on Sheen’s mission.

"His desire was to save souls. He was the convert-maker, whether it was the person of notoriety or fame, as well as the person on the street," Bishop Tylka says.

Millions of people around the world have been impacted by Fulton Sheen, including Michele Konecki of Metamora, Illinois, just outside of Peoria. Konecki volunteers at Fulton Sheen’s tomb at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Peoria, as well as with the pastoral care staff at OSF HealthCare, visiting people receiving care at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

"Because I've been active in the cause for the beatification, this is kind of putting the cherry on top," Konecki says. "Because I have been praying for the beatification and spending time with him at the tomb, it's very important to me."

Konecki attributes an important moment in her life to Fulton Sheen.

"He says in his book Treasures of Clay, ‘what do you do for your church? And what do you do with the talents that God gave you?’ Right after that I met someone that was related to Fulton Sheen, like 30 minutes after that conversation I had in my car,” Konecki says. “It was almost a sign that he heard me, and that pushed me forward to what I'm doing."

Monsignor Jason Gray, also with the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, is the executive director for the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation. He says while Sheen’s messages were broadcast nearly 80 years ago, they remain relevant today.

“Young people who were not alive when he was on television are discovering him now," Monsignor Gray says. “He really left a legacy we can be proud of. He came from this local territory and went to serve the Church throughout the United States and throughout the world.”

Bishop Tylka agrees, stressing that Sheen asked an important question that should still be considered today.

"He asked a question, 'Quo Vadis America?' Which means 'where are we going, America?' His reach was to all homes that were willing to turn on the TV and tune in to him," says Bishop Tylka. "He had a significant following, but not just among Catholics. Protestants and those of the Jewish faith (followed him), and he just spoke to the world."

Monsignor Gray notes Sheen’s missionary work as an inspiration to all.

"Archbishop Fulton Sheen had some personal stories that were really fantastic. For example, he would look after leper colonies, that was part of his missionary work," Monsignor Gray says. "He talked about a time that he was distributing little crosses, and he would actually go and touch their hands. Because it's important to practice the virtues like charity, but to do so in practice, it's not just something you talk about, you actually have to do that."

While the Beatification Mass began before 2 p.m. at The Dome, the celebration started hours earlier, with thousands of people lining up to get inside. Visitors could participate in Eucharistic adoration and confession and walk through the Sheen Expo, which featured Catholic ministries and organizations, including OSF HealthCare.

The celebration now returns to Peoria with more events are scheduled Friday and Saturday, including Masses of Thanksgiving, a festival, the Sheen Awards Gala and other celebrations honoring Blessed Fulton Sheen.

Beatification leaves Sheen one step from sainthood. Canonization ordinarily requires the Catholic Church to recognize another miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession following his beatification.

Bishop Tylka says multiple potential miracles are being considered and hopes to have more information to share in the near future.

The Most Reverend Bishop Lou Tylka Video Interview Clips

Monsignor Jason Gray Video Interview Clips

Video Interview Clips | Michele Konecki

Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen B-Roll

Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis walking to Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen B-Roll

For Mark Segobiano, the hardest part of his prostate cancer journey came before treatment ever began.

It was hearing the word “cancer” again.

Mark had already battled acute promyelocytic leukemia years earlier, so when blood work and prostate testing revealed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, the news brought back familiar fears. He and his wife, Cindy, had learned firsthand how quickly a health concern could become something much more serious.

The Bloomington, Illinois, home inspector had been experiencing more frequent urination, particularly at night. Rather than dismiss the changes, he and Cindy decided to have them checked.

The testing led to a prostate cancer diagnosis in October of 2021, and because of the location of the tumor, surgery was not an option. Mark and Cindy’s hearts fell upon hearing that news.

Cindy Segobiano, however, says it was so comforting that within days, Mark had a treatment plan.

“We got to Dr. Gomez who referred us to Dr. Stang, and we had a plan immediately,” she remembers. “That to me was such a blessing that we had immediate attention and an immediate plan. The staff was so confident.”

Under the treatment from Kyle Stang, MD, a radiation-oncologist with OSF HealthCare, Mark underwent treatment using the advanced form of radiation known as modern intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with image guidance (IGRT). It is designed to precisely target a tumor while limiting exposure to surrounding tissue.

“It was a gamechanger for us to be able to be treated in our own hometown. I just remember that day we had such a comfort zone knowing that hey, ‘we got this.’”

Mark underwent daily treatments for several weeks. The process required plenty of preparation, including drinking large amounts of water, but he says the care he received from the medical team at the OSF Cancer Center in Bloomington helped make an otherwise difficult experience more manageable.

“The staff over there was just unbelievable … so friendly, so warm and inviting. They made you feel very comfortable even though you were going through a process you really didn’t want to go through. I think that has a lot to do with your comfort zone as well – the staff around, and they were fantastic,” Mark recalls.

The treatment targeted the tumor without causing the kind of surrounding damage Mark had experienced with his earlier cancer treatment. When he was done with the targeted radiation, Mark returned for follow-up appointments and received encouraging results when in June of 2022, he was declared cancer-free.

His recovery was not without challenges. Fatigue was the biggest hurdle, and he took medication during the recovery period. But overall, he says the treatment itself was comfortable and his energy gradually returned.

On his final treatment day, the staff gathered to celebrate with him, ringing a bell and giving him a hat marking him as part of “Team Sego.”

For Mark, the experience reinforced the importance of paying attention to his health and encouraging other men to do the same.

His message to other men during this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is straightforward: Don't assume you're invincible. It’s better to be proactive than reactive, especially when a simple blood test can provide preliminary results.

Don’t ignore symptoms

• Needing to pee more often or urgently, especially at night
• Trouble starting a urine stream or a weak and interrupted flow
• Feeling like the bladder is not completely empty
• Pain or burning during urination

Other signs

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Painful ejaculation or new or sudden erectile disfunction
• Deep pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or pelvis that does not go away

Mark Segobiano acknowledges that men can sometimes be reluctant to seek medical care, particularly when symptoms seem minor or they otherwise feel healthy.

“Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Yeah, I need to go get checked out,’ whether it’s something small, because small things turn into big things and you don’t want them to get to that point,” says Mark. He adds, “I would highly suggest that if you're at a stage in your life, and we all know what stages those are, that you go ahead and get checked out.”

The experience has also changed Mark's perspective on everyday health. He is now more mindful of his body, medical appointments and the importance of staying proactive.

Most of all, he credits his family, his faith and the medical professionals who guided him through the diagnosis and treatment.

For Mark, cancer is not something that simply disappears from his thoughts after treatment ends. But neither is the gratitude he feels for having caught the disease, received treatment close to home and had his family beside him throughout the journey.

The OSF Cancer Center in Bloomington is part of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute network.

Video clips with Mark and Cindy Segobiano

B-roll-OSF Cancer Center in Bloomington

"There's a need here. We're developing something special here in Peoria," says Robert McWilliams, MD, the deputy director with OSF Cancer Institute. "This helps us get recognition that we're a player in the region and serving the people of Central Illinois. It also means we're collaborating with other researchers in the region to put OSF and those we serve on the map."

HCRN is a consortium of community oncology programs and academic centers across the United States that collaborate on clinical trials, with a particular focus on investigator-initiated studies. Founded in 1984, HCRN now supports a nationwide network of more than 100 academic and community research sites. The organization has conducted more than 250 clinical trials, enrolled more than 10,000 patients and contributed to more than 350 scientific publications.

“We are delighted to welcome OSF Cancer Institute as a member of our network. We believe there is great value in bringing together academic centers and outstanding community providers like OSF Cancer Institute to advance cancer care in a real-world setting,” says Brian Stemme, CEO of HCRN. “Our team is honored to support these vital collaborations.”                

HCRN brings together leading academic cancer centers and community oncology programs, including numerous National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers across the U.S.

"They have an ongoing portfolio of clinical trials that we can decide whether it makes sense for us to open here in Peoria, or in some of our other OSF markets as well," Dr. McWilliams adds. "Then we can have our trials open through that network and accelerate the speed and rapidity of the research that is done."

The affiliation strengthens the growing role of OSF Cancer Institute in cancer research and positions the organization to contribute to clinical studies that could shape the future of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For those served, this work creates more opportunities to participate in cancer research while receiving high-quality care.

At OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria, people from across the state have access to one of Illinois’ few Level 4 Epilepsy Centers, offering the highest level of specialized epilepsy care available.

Designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), the Level 4 accreditation recognizes the center's ability to provide advanced diagnostic testing, comprehensive medical management and complex surgical treatments for epilepsy. The designation also reflects a broader commitment to expanding access for expert epilepsy care for people throughout Illinois.

For Thandar Aung, MD, medical director of the epilepsy center at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, improving access to specialized epilepsy care was one of the primary reasons she joined OSF.

"In my past job, I was getting patients from all over the country, and even outside of the United States," Dr. Aung says. "The access to epileptologists, or rather the lack of access, really showed why there are limitations."

Having spent her career in large metropolitan academic medical centers, Dr. Aung saw firsthand how difficult it can be for people to find an epilepsy specialist.

Peoria stood out because of its ability to serve people across a large geographic region. OSF Illinois Neurological Institute regularly cares for people throughout Central and Western Illinois, including communities near the Iowa and Missouri borders. For many Illinois residents living near those state lines, receiving care in Illinois can also make a significant difference when navigating insurance coverage.

Epilepsy is a lifelong condition, so getting the right care as early as possible helps people live their lives to the fullest.

What Level 4 means for patients

The NAEC designates epilepsy centers based on the level of care they can provide. A Level 4 epilepsy center offers the most comprehensive services available, including advanced diagnostic testing, multidisciplinary care and complex surgical procedures for people whose seizures cannot be controlled with medication alone.

"Level 4 is where you're able to do the invasive epilepsy surgeries, including invasive pre-surgical evaluation such as depth electrodes also known as stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG),” Dr. Aung says. “You place them in the brain based on a hypothesis, using all the available data to determine where the seizures are coming from. Of course, this is very dependent on experience. If you place the SEEG electrodes in the wrong locations, you could localize the seizures to the wrong part of the brain, potentially leading to an unsuccessful surgery or harm to the patient.”

The Level 4 designation also reflects the collaborative approach patients receive. Physicians, including epileptologists and functional neurosurgeons, work alongside specialized nurses, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, social workers and other experts to create individualized treatment plans tailored to each person's needs.

Advancing epilepsy care

While medications successfully control seizures for many people with epilepsy, others have drug-resistant epilepsy and may benefit from surgery or newer technologies.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is one innovation Dr. Aung is particularly excited about. The technology measures the brain’s magnetic fields (instead of the electrical field used in an electroencephalogram (EEG)), to help identify where seizures originate.

"With an EEG, we try to read the brain and its electrical activity," Dr. Aung says. "There's another way you can read brain activity by using the magnetic field. Sometimes you cannot see the electrical activity, but you can see it with the magnetic activity."

Dr. Aung also hopes to expand access to epilepsy clinical trials, giving patients opportunities to receive promising therapies before they become widely available and helping researchers better understand which treatments work best for each person.

Recognizing the signs

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures, but not every seizure looks the same. While some involve full-body convulsions, others may appear as brief staring spells, confusion or other subtle changes.

Dr. Aung encourages anyone experiencing unexplained episodes or symptoms that continue to occur to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.

Although seizures are commonly related to abnormal brain activity, she notes that some heart conditions can mimic seizures and may be life-threatening if left untreated.

As one of the few Level 4 epilepsy centers in Illinois, OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute is continuing to grow its capabilities with one goal in mind: ensuring more patients throughout the state have access to the advanced, comprehensive epilepsy care they need.

Video Interview Clips

A growing social media trend is putting vibration plates in the spotlight as a potential tool to shake off lymphedema symptoms, though specialists caution that the devices should complement, not replace, established therapies.

Whole-body vibration plates, which create rapid muscle contractions while users stand, sit or exercise on the device, have attracted attention online for claims that they can improve circulation, reduce swelling and support lymphatic health.

Many people discover the devices through social media platforms such as TikTok, where wellness trends often spread quickly. Rachel Rohman, PT, DPT, CLT, an OSF HealthCare physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment, stresses that while vibration plates may provide an additional tool for symptom management, they should not replace compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage or other evidence-based treatments.

She also warns against believing claims circulating online that portray vibration plates as a standalone solution for lymphedema. While early research is encouraging, Rohman says evidence specific to lymphedema remains limited.

More research is needed

“There has been a lot of positive research regarding, especially improvements in circulation, improved venous vasodilation and getting the blood moving,” Rohman says. “While the circulatory system and the lymph system go hand in hand, there's not as much research looking directly at people with lymphedema and use of vibration plates.”

Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by a disruption in the lymphatic system that leads to swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs. While the condition cannot be cured, it can often be effectively managed through treatments such as compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage therapy and compression pumps.

Rohman points out studies examining vibration plates in healthy individuals, and patients with other medical conditions, have demonstrated benefits related to circulation and mobility. A smaller number of studies have explored their use among people with lymphedema or related conditions, with some positive results.

In the past few years, there have been a handful of published studies including one that looked at women with a related condition called lipedema, which results in an abnormal fat buildup on both sides of the body.

Rohman explains, “Those women do get some swelling and that study did show some positive improvements in swelling over time with use of vibration plates in addition to manual lymphatic drainage massage. So, the new studies are showing some promise. I think there will be a lot more promising research that comes out, even potentially in the next few years.”

Because research remains limited, vibration plates are not considered part of the standard of care for lymphedema management. Instead, Rohman says she discusses the devices primarily with patients who are already following established treatment recommendations and are looking for additional ways to manage symptoms.

Vibration plates can be a good supplement to care

“They are already potentially doing their other treatment options that are more standard of care, but they're just looking to take their treatment to the next level and so I’m telling them that is an additional option they can try that does have some promising research,” Rohman shares.

Users of vibration plates often report feeling less swollen, more energized or generally better after use. For most healthy people, the devices are frequently incorporated into fitness routines, allowing people to perform body-weight exercises while standing on the vibrating platform.

Still, Rohman cautions that the devices are not appropriate for everyone.

“I am looking for a patient that does not have any medical contraindications,” Rohman says. “They don't have any uncontrolled medical conditions that would warrant being seen by a specialist. Someone with an implanted device like a pacemaker, that can cause some harm to the device, which could be life-threatening.”

Patients with poor balance, untreated blood clots or uncontrolled heart and respiratory conditions could face increased risks. Anyone trying a vibration plate should begin with a low setting and short sessions before gradually increasing intensity.

For people experiencing swelling and considering vibration therapy, Rohman recommends consulting a lymphedema specialist first to determine whether the treatment is appropriate and to rule out other underlying causes.

As interest in vibration plates continues to grow, Rohman emphasizes that potential users should approach the therapy with realistic expectations and view it as one potential component of a broader treatment plan rather than a miracle cure.

Rachel Rohman is a physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment at OSF HealthCare in Bloomington.

Video clips with Rachel Rhoman

B-roll-Vibration plates