UnityPoint Health - Meriter

11/13/2025

“Bladder problems are common, but that doesn’t mean they’re normal.”

November is National Bladder Health Awareness Month. Julie Becker, an Orthopedic Therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, has been helping patients take back control of their lives with relief from issues like incontinence, urinary frequency, urgency, difficulty fully emptying the bladder and pelvic pain for over nine years.

“Something as simple as going out to dinner with friends or taking a workout class can be daunting for patients struggling with bladder health,” Julie said. “Seeing them return to the activities they love but were avoiding is incredibly rewarding.”

Meriter’s approach to therapy is highly personalized. Each patient receives a thorough evaluation of the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles. Bladder issues can stem from under active muscles that require relaxing, overactive muscles that require stretching and lengthening or even the need to retrain the bladder’s signals.

“The bladder has a mind of its own,” Julie added. “Sometimes there are simple tips and tricks to regain control. That’s where we come in.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing frequent urination, leakage or pelvic pain, the UnityPoint Health – Meriter Pelvic Health clinic treats the root cause with our recently expanded equipment and services. Talk with your doctor today to connect with our expert pelvic therapy team and get back to your life.

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, UnityPoint Health - Meriter raises our flag to honor and thank all our team members, patients and community members who have served in the military.

We also remember the unseen battles with mental health and wellbeing that many veterans fight after they return home.

The way you feel matters and you're not alone. Explore our mental health resources at https://bit.ly/3XDZl9e.

Dane County Veterans Service Office

11/11/2025

What works best for headache relief? What about achy muscles? Find out. https://uph.link/sj3

Most of us manage common aches and pains, fevers and other minor health concerns by reaching for acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You may also think of it as Tylenol vs. Advil. But, what’s the difference between the two? Learn which over-the-counter pain reliever is best for your situation.

11/10/2025

After high school, Josh knew college wasn’t the right fit, so he joined the Marines in 2000. Over the next eight years, he served around the world on multiple deployments, gaining structure, purpose and a lifelong sense of belonging to something greater than himself.

When his service ended, Josh, like many veterans, struggled with returning to civilian life. But through his work at UnityPoint Health and his involvement with the Veterans CommUNITY Network, he found it again.

“The Veterans Network is about bringing that sense of belonging back and finding a group of people who understand you,” Josh said. “It’s not about digging deep into trauma or heavy stuff. We keep it light, positive and focused on community."

The Veterans Network connects veterans and other team members with a connection to the military across UnityPoint Health, offering support, friendship and a shared sense of purpose. Whether it's celebrating Veterans Day together, organizing service projects or sharing resources and lighthearted stories from their service days.

UnityPoint Health is proud to honor and support its veteran team members, not just on Veterans Day, but all year long. This year, we’re recognizing those who have served with UnityPoint Health challenge coins, a small token of appreciation for their service, leadership and continued commitment to caring for others.

11/10/2025

At UnityPoint Health – Meriter, we believe in the power of partnership to create healthier communities. One of our most impactful collaborations is with the Bayview Foundation Inc., an organization rooted in opportunity and empowerment for residents in Madison’s diverse Triangle neighborhood. 💚

Bayview has served as a cornerstone of community support since 1971, offering affordable housing and robust, on-site programming to a multicultural community. Following a community-centered redevelopment model, Bayview’s approach is rooted in providing a safe, stable and supportive environment for residents and building services that support residents' aspirations and long-term success.

Recently, Bayview completed a transformative renovation and expansion of its housing complex, creating a more welcoming and accessible neighborhood for residents. As part of this renovation, Bayview welcomed 55 new families into affordable housing units, playing a role in filling the housing gaps in our community.

Bayview also provides a range of essential services including after-school and summer programming, teen and young adult job readiness, food access initiatives, senior wellness activities, cultural programming and mental health support. These programs are designed to uplift individuals while fostering a greater sense of belonging, shared purpose within the community and life-long skills.

Each summer, Meriter welcomes young community members from Bayview’s Teen Employment Program to our campus for a hands-on gardening initiative. The Bayview Community Garden at Meriter offers youth a chance to engage in group-based work that teaches valuable skills in gardening, teamwork and food systems. With support from Meriter, which provides funding and a dedicated garden space, the youth spent over 1600 hours this summer learning valuable job-readiness skills while planting, tending and harvesting an organic garden plot.

The produce they grow supports Bayview’s food access programs, including the food pantry and culturally inclusive cooking offered to the community’s seniors 5 days a week and the daily summer program meals for all 167 youth in summer programming.

In addition to the garden partnership, Meriter is proud to support Bayview through one of their largest fundraising initiatives of the year. Each fall, during Badger football season, Meriter provides parking space in the Braxton parking lot. Funds raised from this effort go directly to support Bayview’s youth programming. You can learn more about the wide range of youth programming supported at www.bayviewfoundation.org.

UnityPoint Health – Meriter is inspired by the energy and vision Bayview brings to our shared community and are proud to contribute to their mission. Together, we are growing a healthier Madison and we remain committed to standing alongside them.

11/08/2025

Find out. https://uph.link/s6v

11/07/2025

"UnityPoint Health - Meriter gave us hope when we needed it most. They saved mine and all three of my children’s lives. For that, I’ll always be grateful."

Both of Timaira's pregnancies were unexpectedly intense.

At 31 weeks with her first son, Gary, a routine appointment turned into a preeclampsia diagnosis and an early delivery. A few years later, at just 26 weeks pregnant with twins, Gianna and Gavin, Timaira went into pre-term labor and needed an emergency C-section to get her babies to safety.

"I was angry and heartbroken that neither pregnancy had gone the way I planned," Timaira said. "But when I needed expert, compassionate care most, Meriter was there."

Timaira remembers panicking in the operating room before her C-section, telling her doctors that she needed to be okay for Gary and she was scared about what would happen to her twins.

"I'll never forget my doctor looking me in the eyes before surgery and saying, 'I’ve got you, and my team, we’ve got those babies. You’re all going to be OK," Timaira remembered. "In that moment, I felt comfort rush over me."

Timaira spent a combined total of 173 days in the Meriter Birthing Center and NICU. It was full of ups and downs, and her care team became like family.

"From care packages to parent support groups, they wrapped their arms around me," Timaira said. "A NICU nurse I went to high school with even recognized my name and promised to personally look after my babies."

Today, all three kids are thriving, and Timaira even brings care packages to current NICU parents during the holidays every year.

11/07/2025

When Crystal, a certified medical assistant, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she leaned on her sister, Carol, for support. Weeks later, they were stunned to learn Carol had received a breast cancer diagnosis of her own.

From their first appointment with their care coordinator, who helped them establish a roadmap, through chemo, radiation and surgery, the sisters felt surrounded by kindness during their shared journey.

Carol says, "The whole team becomes your family while you’re there." This comprehensive support — from the "amazing angels" on the chemo staff to their oncology social worker who helped with necessary paperwork — allowed them to focus on healing.

With their third sister, a two-decade survivor, providing crucial guidance, the three scheduled genetic testing, offering peace of mind to their own daughters.

The final word from the sisters? Don't wait. Schedule your annual mammogram. https://uph.link/mammograms

11/07/2025

When your child is diagnosed with diabetes, it can feel incredibly overwhelming. But with the right support, kids with diabetes can do anything. 💙

Devon Balles, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the UnityPoint Health - Meriter McKee Clinic helps families navigate diabetes care, ensuring your child understands their diagnosis and feels comfortable to ask all their questions. And she's now accepting new patients!

Schedule your first appointment with Devon Balles at https://bit.ly/DevonBalles-BookNow.

11/06/2025

Carbon monoxide makes its way out of your blood after just 12 hours. See other ways your body quickly repairs. https://uph.link/b2df68

It’s important to your heart and lungs to quit smoking and improve your overall health. Find out how ci******es affect your health and learn the timeline of what happens to your body from the moment you decide to quit smoking.

11/05/2025

Breaking ground on Madison's newest hospital! UnityPoint Health - Meriter, UW Health and Lifepoint Health are proud to officially break ground on a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital coming to the Madison community in 2027!

The new facility, constructed by JH Findorff, will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational and speech pathology services for adults recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions.

We're incredibly proud to expand access to critical care right here in our community. This partnership brings world-class rehabilitation services closer to home for patients who need it most.

11/04/2025

Is it helpful to have proof of your child's fever when you bring them to the doctor? We're clearing up this common question from parents. https://uph.link/a2e2e2