As the crisp air settles over Wisconsin and the days grow shorter, late November offers a perfect opportunity to nourish your body and boost your immune system with seasonal produce and wellness habits. Fall is not just about cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice. It’s a time to fortify your health before deep winter sets in.
Seasonal Produce in Wisconsin (Late November)
Wisconsin’s late fall harvest is rich in hearty vegetables and fruits that thrive in cooler temperatures.
Here’s what’s in season:
- Root vegetables: carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips
- Cruciferous veggies: brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage
- Squashes: butternut, acorn, spaghetti, pumpkin
- Storage crops: potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes
- Fruits: apples, pears, cranberries, raspberries
These foods are not only flavorful but packed with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, which are all key components for a strong immune system.
Why Seasonal Eating Matters
Eating seasonally supports local farmers, reduces your carbon footprint and ensures you’re getting produce at its peak nutritional value. In Wisconsin, late November’s harvest is perfect for warming meals that comfort and heal.
So, this fall, embrace the season’s bounty and “fall into immunity” with nourishing foods and mindful habits. Your body will thank you all winter long.
Healthy Habits for Fall Immunity
Stay healthy this season by practicing simple habits like washing your hands often, eating balanced meals, staying active and getting enough rest.
- Eat the rainbow: Incorporate a variety of colors from seasonal produce to get a broad spectrum of nutrients.
- Stay hydrated: Cooler weather can trick you into drinking less water. Herbal teas and broths count too!
- Get outside: Even short walks in the brisk air can boost mood and circulation.
- Sleep well: Aim for 7–9 hours to allow your body to repair and strengthen immunity.
- Support your gut: Fermented foods like sauerkraut or yogurt help maintain a healthy microbiome.
Enjoy the flavors of the late-fall harvest and keep up with simple healthy habits to stay strong throughout winter. Taking care of yourself now makes the colder months a little easier.
November 14 is World Diabetes Day, a time to come together and learn how we can prevent and manage diabetes as a community. Diabetes is common, but with the right support, you can take charge of your health and live well.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes means your body has trouble managing blood sugar. If not controlled, it can lead to problems with your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. The good news? Many complications can be prevented with healthy habits and regular checkups.
How Can You Lower Your Risk?
- Eat healthy foods: Choose more fruits, veggies and whole grains.
- Move your body: Aim for 30 minutes of activity most days—walking counts!
- Maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Get screened: Regular checkups can catch diabetes early, when it’s easiest to manage.
Do You Already Have Diabetes?
You’re not alone! GHC-SCW’s diabetes team is here to help you with:
- Easy-to-use tools to check your blood sugar, including fingersticks and sensors you wear on your skin.
- Recommending medications that may not only control blood sugar but also protect your heart and kidneys.
- Support from dietitians, diabetes nurse specialists and clinical pharmacists who listen and help you set goals that fit your life.
- Making sure you are getting proper preventive care – eye visits, dental visits, immunizations and foot checks.
Let’s Work Together!
Managing diabetes is a team effort. GHC-SCW’s diabetes team will help you make a plan that works for you, answer your questions and celebrate your progress one step at a time.
Take Action Today:
- Ask about a diabetes screening at your next visit.
- Join our spring or fall diabetes boot camps. Email Quality Management at QManagement@ghcscw.com to inquire about the next session.
- Reach out if you have questions or need support. Call your GHC-SCW clinic at (608) 257-9700 or send a MyChart message to ask your primary care provider to refer you to GHC-SCW’s diabetes team.
On World Diabetes Day, let’s take small steps for a healthier future—together!
Learn more: Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
We will implement holiday hours at our clinics and Administrative Building for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Check out the Thanksgiving holiday hours in the chart below:
Facility |
Thursday, November 27 | Holiday Hours |
| GHC-SCW Urgent Care Clinic at Capitol Clinic | Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| GHC-SCW Capitol Clinic Pharmacy | Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| GHC-SCW Urgent Care Lab and Imaging | Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
All other GHC-SCW Clinics & Administrative Offices:
|
Closed |
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us notice a shift in our mood and energy levels. While it’s common to associate these changes with the arrival of autumn and the approach of winter, there’s more to it than just the changing seasons. Daylight Saving Time (DST) ending can play a significant role in our mental health, particularly for those susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between the end of DST and the onset of SAD, offering insights into how you can manage these “fall back blues.”
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder, often referred to as SAD, is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, typically during the fall and winter months. While it can affect anyone, SAD is more prevalent in regions with distinct seasonal changes and reduced daylight hours. Symptoms of SAD may include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Increased fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
- Changes in appetite, particularly a craving for carbs.
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
- Social withdrawal and irritability.
The Role of Daylight-Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice in which the clocks are set forward by one hour during the summer months and then set back by one hour in the fall. This shift in time can disrupt our circadian rhythms, the body’s internal clock, and sleep patterns. For many individuals, especially those prone to SAD, the end of DST can be a trigger for depressive symptoms.
Decreased Daylight: With the end of DST, we experience an abrupt reduction in available daylight hours. Less exposure to natural light can contribute to feelings of lethargy and sadness.
Altered Sleep Patterns: The time change can disrupt our sleep routines, leading to sleep disturbances. Poor sleep quality and irregular sleep patterns are associated with increased depressive symptoms.
Biological Impact: The reduced exposure to sunlight can affect the production of important neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin, both of which play a role in mood regulation and sleep.
Managing the Fall-Back Blues
If you find yourself susceptible to the fall-back blues, there are several strategies you can employ to help mitigate the impact of DST ending on your mental health:
Light Therapy: Light therapy, or phototherapy, involves exposing yourself to a bright light that mimics natural sunlight. This can help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve mood.
Maintain a Routine: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even after the time change. Prioritize good sleep hygiene practices to ensure quality rest:
- Create a consistent bedtime/wakeup time where possible
- Keep a comfortable bedroom and a cooler ambient temperature
- Avoid backlit screens (phone, tablet, television) for at least 1 hour before bed
- Avoid rigorous exercise in the 1-2 hours before bed
- Avoid eating or drinking in 2-3 hours before bedtime
- Spend the last hour before bed in a dimly lit space doing a quiet and relaxing activity (reading a book)
- Consider listening to calming music or white noise
Stay Active: Regular physical activity can boost your mood and alleviate depressive symptoms. Consider exercising outdoors during daylight hours.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional if you’re struggling with SAD. Therapy and, in some cases, medication can be effective treatments.
Mindful Practices: Engage in mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, to reduce stress and anxiety.
The end of Daylight-Saving Time can be a challenging period for those susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, by understanding the connection between the two and implementing proactive strategies, you can better manage your mental health during this transition. Remember that seeking professional help is a valid and valuable option if you find yourself struggling with the fall-back blues.
National Radiologic Technology Week (NRTW) is an honorary week to recognize the essential role that radiologic technologists play in patient care and safety. NRTW is celebrated from November 2nd – 8th each year, marking the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s discovery of the X-ray on November 8th in 1895.
At Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW), our radiology team is at the heart of diagnostic excellence. From X-rays and CT scans to ultrasounds and mammograms, our technologists use cutting-edge imaging technology to help providers diagnose and treat patients with precision and compassion.
Why Radiologic Technologists Matter
Radiologic technologists are often behind the scenes, but their work is vital. They ensure imaging procedures are safe, accurate and comfortable for patients. At GHC-SCW, we use cutting-edge technology and are accredited by the American College of Radiology, offering imaging services that are designed for convenience and confidence. From helping a provider detect a fracture or assisting in early cancer diagnosis, our technologists are essential to the patient care journey. Their expertise, empathy and attention to detail make a positive impact on every patient they serve.
Meet a Few of the GHC-SCW Radiologic Technology Staff!
Kyle Booth, GHC-SCW Radiographic Technologist
What inspired you to pursue a career in radiology technology?
I worked as a graphic artist and screen printer for several years before I went to school for radiography, and though I did enjoy that field, it wasn’t giving me the sense of fulfillment that I desired in my life. I decided to go into healthcare because I wanted to be a part of something that truly helped people. I ultimately decided on radiography because the field is patient-facing, and bones are cool!
What does a typical day look like for you at GHC-SCW?
I work at the Madison College Clinic, and while my primary role is doing x-rays, I do so much more than that on a daily basis. I also work the reception desk, do lab draws, review schedules, room patients and I’ve even been known to fix the toilet when it’s acting up! I try to do anything in my power and scope to help the clinic operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
What’s your favorite part of working in medical imaging?
I really enjoy my field. I love expanding my knowledge and understanding of the structure of the human body. My absolute favorite thing, however, is the interactions I have with our patients. I strive to provide the best care I can for our patients, while also trying to make it as pleasant an experience as a visit to the doctor’s office can possibly be.
What is something you wish more people knew about Radiologic Technology?
On the electromagnetic spectrum, x-rays are located right next to gamma rays, so when you get an x-ray, you’re *that* close to becoming the Incredible Hulk. Not quite though.
Jana Rodriguez, Mammography Quality Control Technologist
What inspired you to pursue a career in radiology technology?
My love for the anatomy part of my Anatomy and Physiology class in college and my interest in photography at the time. I found a healthcare career that kind of “married” those two concepts together!
What does a typical day look like for you at GHC-SCW?
A typical day is one where I am at the Hatchery Hill clinic in mammography. I am the Mammography QC technologist for GHC’s Radiology department and you can most likely find me in a mammography exam with a patient or pouring over quality control reports and documents. I also perform general X-ray exams and Bone Mineral Density scans, as well as help our preceptor with Madison College’s Radiography program students.
What’s your favorite part of working in medical imaging?
My favorite part is the people. I find that in mammography especially you become close with everyone you interact with: the breast cancer survivor who comes in annually for their screening, the co-workers you become a family with and rely on and the radiologists who are our reservoir of knowledge and provide strength in tense moments. My most favorite and cherished moments are when patients say, “Thank you for everything that you do.”
What is something you wish more people knew about Radiologic Technology?
I wish more people were aware of how broad the Radiologic Technology field is. It includes patient facing specializations (general XR, MG, CT, MRI, NucMed, IR, etc.) as well as more behind the scenes paths, such as radiation safety, educator, medical imaging equipment specialist and many more careers. And that we are technologists, not technicians! The difference is that we have degrees and sit on a national board as technologists, whereas technicians have certifications which can have work limitations in the field, particularly in licensure states like Wisconsin.
Joe Michels, CT Technologist
What inspired you to pursue a career in radiology technology?
I’ve always enjoyed surrounding myself with good people from different walks of life. Healthcare was a great transition for me to come out of the military and also very similar in a lot of ways. Radiology allows me the opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than anything I could accomplish on my own.
What does a typical day look like for you at GHC-SCW?
As a CT Technologist, our schedule typically ranges from simple cases of pneumonia to various stages of cancer. We spend a huge chunk of the day hyper focused on the schedule to ensure patients get the highest quality scan without overlooking some of the finer details. Once I have a thorough understanding of the schedule, I can then focus on building relations with patients and simply enjoying the science of computed tomography.
What’s your favorite part of working in medical imaging?
Once in a great while a patient will say something along the lines of, “You guys found my cancer in time for me to fight it off.” Hearing something like that is a great example of people looking out for each other even if it is just our job.
What is something you wish more people knew about Radiologic Technology?
