Sherri Enlow has had more than her share of surgeries in her life, but the procedure she had done at Alton Memorial Hospital in September was the smoothest one yet. Enlow, 62, of Wood River, Ill., underwent a partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma on Sept. 22, with Dr. Arjun Sivaraman doing the procedure using the robotic da Vinci X Surgical System that AMH began using in January 2020. “It was wonderful,” said Enlow.

Alton Memorial Hospital is expanding its partnership with Books for Newborns, a nonprofit organization that provides book bags to low-income new mothers and children at no cost. AMH is now using other books for older children undergoing therapy in its Human Motion Institute. In late October, Books for Newborns delivered its 10,000^th book bag, and it went to a therapy patient at AMH.

If you’re one of the many people struggling with excess weight or obesity, a new bariatrics program at Alton Memorial Hospital offers renewed hope so you can achieve your long-term health goals and live a healthy, active life. Dr. Matt Musielak, a general surgeon on staff at AMH, is offering sleeve gastrectomies for patients who meet certain guidelines, such as a Body Mass Index of more than 40. But the surgical procedure is just part of a lengthy process that also include visits with a dietitian as well as a mental health professional to make sure all the patient’s needs are met.

Daniel Berg, MD, is an experienced, board-certified Family Medicine physician who has started practice at Family Physicians of Bethalto, 163 E. Bethalto Drive. Dr. Berg is accepting new patients, so schedule an appointment today by calling 618-433-6490.

Four Alton Memorial Hospital departments were recognized with top 2020 awards from national health care research leader Professional Research Consultants Inc. (PRC).The Digestive Health Center, which earned a 5-Star Award last year, earned a Top Performer award for 2020. The Human Motion Institute, Women's Health and Childbirth Center, and the Emergency Department were also honored.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation (AMHSF) to cancel the 12^th annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball, originally scheduled for June and then August. Even without an event, however, $67,299 has been raised for the Duck Pluckers Ball fund.

Dr. David Sumoza is returning to Alton Memorial Hospital as the full-time medical oncologist. He oversees the Outpatient Cancer and Infusion Center, located in Suite 132 of Medical Office Building B on the AMH campus. Dr. Sumoza is now a member of the Department of Medical Oncology at Washington University. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact the Outpatient Cancer and Infusion Center at Alton Memorial Hospital at 618-463-7323.

Sisay Michael Abraham, MD, is a board-eligible Family Medicine physician who started recently at Family Physicians of Alton, located in Suite 230 of Medical Office Building B on the Alton Memorial Hospital campus. Dr. Abraham is accepting new patients now. Call 618-463-7777 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Members of five area Girl Scout troops decorated and painted more than 100 rocks and donated them to AMH on July 8 as a thanks for all the great work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rocks are at the hospital's Duncan Wing entrance.

Todd Meiser is the physical therapist for Alton Memorial Hospital’s new Human Motion Institute location at 155 E. Bethalto Drive in Bethalto, which opened Jan. 6.