Meet Dr. Galbraith: Preventative Care for Functional, Healthy Living

Healthy Connections is published by Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital is proud to welcome Aaron Galbraith, M.D., Internal Medicine Physician now seeing patients at the Pleasant Prairie Clinic. With a decade of experience and a deep commitment to preventative medicine, Dr. Galbraith brings a refreshing, whole-person approach to primary care focused beyond just treating illness that helps patients live longer, healthier, more functional lives.

Speakers at data center town hall warn residents about environmental risks and long term impacts

JANESVILLE — More than 400 residents gathered for a town hall Tuesday night focused on proposed data center developments in Rock County, with speakers warning about environmental risks, flooding concerns and long-term impacts to communities like the Town of Beloit. The event, hosted by Rock County Neighbors for Responsible Development, centered on educating the public about large-scale data centers — particularly as proposals emerge near the Rock River corridor. Speakers included Charlie Berens, Prescott Balch, Brittany Keyes, Lori Hontoon and Brittany Bumpus. Organizers pointed to a second potential project in the Town of Beloit, a rural community in Rock County that sits along the Rock River and has about 7,700 residents. “Now with another data center possibility in the Town of Beloit, Rock County has even more serious issues to consider,” organizer Cassandra Pope said. “This is our community” Co-emcee Shelly Stroman said her concerns grew when development reached close to home. “I didn’t have much information… until I learned that one was being proposed almost literally in my backyard,” she said. “That’s what woke me up.” She urged residents to stay involved in local decision-making. “Use your voice, because at the end of the day, this is our community,

OSF HealthCare expands orthopedic services in Ster

OSF HealthCare is welcoming Chris Herbert, APRN, to OSF Saint Katharine Center for Health – Sterling, where he will begin seeing patients April 23 at 1840 1st Ave. Herbert will continue to care for patients at OSF Saint Katharine Commerce Towers while expanding access to orthopedic services at the Sterling location.

UW Health SwedishAmerican celebrates organ donors, lives saved with flag-raising ceremony

ROCKFORD — UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital celebrated the lives saved by organ donation on Friday while raising awareness for tens of thousands of patients still waiting for a match. Health care workers and other hospital staff gathered for a ceremony outside the hospital’s Critical Care Unit Atrium to raise...

Nurses Expo 2026 to Spotlight Nursing Leadership Amid Shifting Healthcare Landscape

Rockford, IL — April 10, 2026 — In the midst of national dialogue surrounding healthcare reform, workforce shortages, and evolving legislation, the Stateline Nurses Network is set to host its flagship event — Nurses Expo 2026 — on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the BMO Center, 300 Elm Street, Rockford, Illinois.

Local Meeting Schedules Announced for CGH Medical Center and City of Sterling

CGH Medical Center and the City of Sterling have released their regularly scheduled meeting dates for 2026–2027. All meetings are subject to change unless otherwise noted. Board of Directors – Boardroom, 6:00 p.m. May 26, 2026. June 30, 2026. July 28, 2026. August – No meeting. September...

Vital Wellness Center Highlights Neurologically Focused Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Kane County, IL Since 2002

ELBURN, IL - April 13, 2026 - PRESSADVANTAGE - Vital Wellness Center has highlighted its neurologically focused pediatric chiropractic services, which Dr. David Foss has provided since establishing the practice in 2002. The center describes its pediatric care as centering on the nervous system, which according to the website controls regulation, development, immunity, and stress response in children.

National Public Health Week April 6–12

The LaSalle County Health Department is recognizing National Public Health Week, observed April 6–12, with efforts to highlight programs and services available to residents. The annual observance, organized by the American Public Health Association, promotes community health and prevention. The department, a certified local health agency, provides clinical and...

Civil War-era Briggs Mansion in Rockford to be razed to make way for hospital growth

ROCKFORD — A mansion built during the Civil War will be torn down as UW Health SwedishAmerican clears land for future growth. Work has begun to strip the Briggs Mansion, 1244 E. State St., of key architectural features in the lead-up to its demolition. At least one of the arching window hoods have been removed so far with crumbled brick left behind. Demolition is expected to begin in May.

OSF HealthCare to host community education class on Advance Care Planning in Mendota

OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center invites community members to attend Thinking Ahead Together: Care Decisions Explained, a free educational class designed to help individuals better understand advance care planning and make informed health care decisions that reflect their personal values and goals. The session will be held on Tuesday,...

Rockford Walgreens pharmacy to close in May

Rep. Fritts Hosts Medicare 101 Event in Ashton

State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) is hosting a free Medicare 101 event on Monday, April 20th, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Mills & Petrie Memorial Library, located at 704 N. 1st Street in Ashton. This event is in collaboration with the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. “There is always more...

Rockford-area agency on aging shares update on plans for senior center

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging shared strategies Monday to help caregivers and address social isolation among seniors, including plans for a new senior center in Rockford. The U.S. Surgeon General equates the health risks of social isolation to smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily,...

OSF HealthCare adds GI physician

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Ill., has added Tarik Firozi, MD, according to an April 6 report from RiverBender.com. Dr. Firozi is a gastroenterologist specializing in GI procedures including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. He provides treatment for conditions such as abdominal pain, Celiac disease, gastrointestinal...

Rockford Walgreens pharmacy to close in May

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Those who use the Walgreens specialty pharmacy at 5503 E. State Street in Rockford will need to fill their prescriptions elsewhere, after the drugstore chain announced it will permanently close the location. Customers were notified the pharmacy will close for good on May 19, with prescriptions...

Rockford doctor duo leaving legacy of compassion, care | Opinion

After more than four decades of caring for generations of families across Rockford, two physicians are closing an extraordinary chapter in local healthcare — leaving behind a legacy defined by compassion, excellent care, mentorship, and unwavering dedication. Dr. Joseph Ross and Dr. Mary Jo Ironside, both longtime leaders in family medicine, are being recognized upon their retirements on April 1st for careers that have shaped not only patient lives, but the very backbone of the Rockford medical community. For hundreds, if not thousands, of medical students and residents, their names have become synonymous with trust, guidance and compassion. When you hear the names Dr. Ross and Dr. Ironside, you cannot help but smile and reflect on your experiences with them. As family medicine physicians, they have guided patients through every stage of life — often caring for multiple generations within the same family. Dr. Ironside is on her fifth generation of families, delivering babies and caring for many family members. There is not a day that goes by that I see a patient and they ask about Drs. Ross and Ironside and reflect on the incredible care that was provided to them over the years. More: Joe Ross and Mary

Eye care store to open new location on E State Street in Rockford

Eye care store to open new location on E State Street in Rockford.

Fielmann Vision Care opens first Rockford store, third in the region

ROCKFORD — Fielmann Vision Care has opened a new practice on East State Street, its third in the region since the German company brought its namesake stores to the U.S. The new store opened Monday at 7474 E. State St., suite 118, which is in a shopping strip at the corner of State and Bell School Road.

Physical therapists treat vertigo at Belvidere clinic

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Physical therapists at OSF HealthCare’s Belvidere clinic help patients with vertigo, a condition that affects up to 40 percent of people. Most cases come from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, where tiny crystals in the inner ear shift out of place and trigger brief spinning sensations.

South Beloit Fire Department takes back control of fire and EMS responses

SOUTH BELOIT, Ill. (WIFR) - After a long back-and-forth, the South Beloit Fire Department will take responsibility for all fire and emergency medical services within the city. New fire chief Brian Kunce says the department will officially assume responsibilities at 7 a.m. April 1. “We are incredibly proud to have...