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May is Maternal Health Month, a time to raise awareness about maternal health and highlight the importance of care and support before, during and after pregnancy. It also provides an opportunity to learn about how hormonal changes affect the body during pregnancy and beyond, which is an important part of maternal health. 

Women’s hormones are constantly changing throughout life, shaping both physical and emotional health at every stage. From puberty and pregnancy to perimenopause and beyond, these hormonal shifts play a key role in how women feel, function and care for their bodies. Understanding how hormones change during and after pregnancy can help women better recognize symptoms, support their health and know when to seek care. 

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy 

A hormone is a “chemical messenger” produced by glands or tissues in the body that communicates signals through the bloodstream to cells or organs, telling them what actions to perform and when. Hormones are important for controlling metabolism, growth, development, mood and reproduction.   

Pregnancy affects everyone differently. While some people experience many symptoms, others may notice very few. These differences are primarily driven by hormonal changes. Several key hormones play essential roles during pregnancy, supporting both the developing baby and the body’s changes. 

How These Hormones Affect Bodies During Pregnancy 

As hormones shift and cause changes within the body, they can also create noticeable symptoms. Pregnancy affects everyone differently. Some people experience many symptoms for an extended amount of time, while others notice very few. 

Many hormone-related symptoms are a normal part of pregnancy and do not usually require medical attention unless they become severe, persistent or interfere with daily activities. Typical symptoms include: 

However, if symptoms are severe, sudden, worsening or causing significant discomfort, contact your health care provider. The following symptoms should be reported as soon as possible: 

If you are unsure whether symptoms are typical, reach out to your provider. Asking questions early can provide reassurance and help ensure both you and your baby stay healthy. Providers may also recommend supplements or medications to help manage symptoms. 

Mental Health Changes and Available Support  

Hormonal changes during people’s lives from puberty to pregnancy, after childbirth and into menopause can all affect mental health. During these natural life changes, many people can feel isolated or emotionally drained. Prioritizing mental health and seeking help when needed are extremely important during pregnancy and perimenopause. A few of these mental health changes or symptoms include feeling sad, feeling a mood or energy shift, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, anger or irritability, headaches, body aches, stomach problems and more. (Learn more at https://womenshealth.gov). Just as women’s bodies and timelines differ, so do the challenges each person faces. 

There are many online and local resources available in the Madison and Dane County area to support people through life stages when hormonal changes affect both physical and mental well-being. If you have symptoms or concerns, talking with your primary care provider can help you explore options that are right for you. If you need additional mental health support, confidential help is available through the confidential resources listed below. 

Along with seeking a support system, there are daily tips women can follow to help their mental health throughout their everyday lives. 

Remember, building these habits and achieving these goals will take time, and there may be setbacks along the way. Lean on a friend or loved one to help with motivation.  

 

Hormonal changes are a regular part of life that every woman will go through, and each pregnant person’s experience is unique. There is no right or wrong experience, and it’s okay not to know what is happening to your body as the changes begin. Learning and understanding these changes can help you feel more prepared and empowered as your body undergoes them. Always remember that health care providers are there to support you through every stage of life. 

 

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, be sure to schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider or an OB Provider as soon as you find out to confirm the pregnancy. Your provider will schedule additional appointments throughout the pregnancy and arrange a follow-up appointment within three months after delivery. These appointments are important for monitoring both your baby’s growth and development and your own health during and after your pregnancy.

Resources  

Endorphins: What They Are and How to Boost Them 

Women’s Mental Health Matters  

Hormones During Pregnancy | Johns Hopkins Medicine 

OASH | Office on Women’s Health 

We will implement holiday hours at our clinics and Administrative Building in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026. Check out the upcoming holiday hours in the chart below:

 

Facility

Monday, May 25 | Holiday Hours
GHC-SCW Urgent Care Clinic at Capitol Clinic Open 9 a.m. – 9 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. – 9 p.m.
All other GHC-SCW Clinics & Administrative Offices:

  • Olin Clinic
  • Capitol Clinic (Primary Care)
  • East Clinic
  • Hatchery Hill Clinic and Pharmacy
  • Madison College Community Clinic
  • Princeton Club West PT/OT Clinic
  • Sauk Trails Clinic and Pharmacy
  • Administrative Building
 Closed

 

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) announced that Dr. Mark Huth, President and Chief Executive Officer, plans to retire in April 2027 after 20 years of service to the local, non-profit, member-owned Cooperative. Dr. Huth joined GHC-SCW in 2007 as a practicing Family Physician. Over the years, he advanced through several leadership roles, including Clinic Medical Director, Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer, before becoming President and CEO in 2015. His journey from practicing provider to CEO reflects a deeply rooted understanding of GHC-SCW’s patients, members, staff and cooperative mission.

“Dr. Huth’s leadership has shaped an important chapter in GHC-SCW’s history,” said Dr. Ann Hoyt, Chair of the GHC-SCW Board of Directors. “He has led with humility, clinical expertise, kindness and a deep belief in the power of cooperative health care. Under his leadership, GHC-SCW has strengthened its commitment to quality, expanded access to care, advanced health equity and remained true to its identity as a member-owned Cooperative.”

During Dr. Huth’s tenure as CEO, GHC-SCW earned national recognition for quality, innovation and member-centered care. The Cooperative was one of only two plans in the nation to achieve a 5 out of 5 Health Plan Rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2018 and was the highest ranked health plan for quality in the state in 2025 by the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP). GHC-SCW also earned NCQA Health Equity Accreditation, expanded BadgerCare Plus service areas and launched new programs, such as the GHC Foundations Intensive Outpatient Program and a series of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) programs to improve access to much needed behavioral health services in the area.

Under Dr. Huth’s leadership, GHC-SCW continued to show that a local, non-profit Cooperative can lead nationally in health care innovation. From launching a first-of-its-kind health care Experience Guarantee to becoming the first health care organization in the world to adopt Epic’s AI Charting tool into medical practice, GHC-SCW has consistently embraced new ways to improve care for members. The Cooperative also became the first health care organization in Wisconsin to offer organ donation registration directly through GHCMyChart and was among the first organizations to fully expand interoperability through Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), helping ensure providers have better information to support safer, more connected care.

Beyond innovation, GHC-SCW also strengthened its role as a local community partner during Dr. Huth’s time as President and CEO. The Cooperative continued investing in initiatives that support students, families and community well-being, including celebrating 20 years of partnership with the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools through the Adopt-a-School Program. As GHC-SCW prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, Dr. Huth’s leadership has helped position the Cooperative for continued service to members and the communities it serves.

Hear about Dr. Huth’s personal reflections on his time at GHC-SCW and the celebration of GHC-SCW’s 50th anniversary.

As both a medical provider and health plan executive, Dr. Huth brought together clinical knowledge, health insurance expertise and cooperative leadership. He has represented GHC-SCW through service with organizations including the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans, Alliance of Community Health Plans, National Cooperative Business Association and Cooperative Network, among others. Through this work, he helped elevate GHC-SCW’s voice in conversations about quality care, health plan innovation, community health and the future of cooperative health care.

Dr. Huth’s leadership has also been defined by his focus on people. Colleagues describe him as a steady, thoughtful leader who helped foster a culture of kindness, growth and continuous improvement. Throughout periods of change, uncertainty and opportunity, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Huth remained focused on GHC-SCW’s mission: partnering with members and the communities it serves to maximize health and well-being.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve GHC-SCW, first as a primary care provider and later as CEO,” said Dr. Huth. “This organization is special because of its people. Our staff, providers, members, Board of Directors and community partners believe deeply in doing what is right for the people we serve. It has been an honor to help lead a Cooperative rooted in quality, kindness, innovation and the belief that health care is a human right.”

Dr. Huth’s leadership has been recognized beyond GHC-SCW. In 2025, he received Cooperative Network’s Cooperative Builder Award, honoring individuals who have contributed significant time and energy to building and maintaining cooperative heritage. He was also named to the InBusiness Power 100, recognizing influential leaders across Greater Madison and beyond and the Titan 100, recognizing the 100 top CEOs in the state of Wisconsin.

“Dr. Huth’s impact will be felt long after his retirement,” said Dr. Hoyt. “He has helped build a stronger, more innovative and more compassionate Cooperative. As we look ahead to GHC-SCW’s next chapter, we do so with gratitude for his leadership and confidence in the foundation he helped create.”

GHC-SCW’s Board of Directors has begun planning for a thoughtful leadership transition. Additional information about succession planning will be shared as more details become available.

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on mental well-being and learn healthy ways to support it. Life can be chaotic and busy, making it important to take time to care for yourself both mentally and physically. 

Mental health affects how we think, feel and behave in our day-to-day lives. Having good, supported mental health helps people handle stress, make decisions, solve problems and stay focused. Another important aspect of good mental health and well–being is that it promotes self-esteem, social interactions and the ability to find meaning in daily life. 

What is Mindfulness and Meditation? 

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of your thoughts, feelings and surroundings without judgment. It’s focused on staying in the moment, listening to your breathing, encouraging you to observe your thoughts and feelings and letting them pass, rather than getting caught up in them. There are many ways to practice mindfulness; some include meditation, breathing exercises and intentional movement, such as yoga. These activities and practices can be integrated into your daily activities. 

Meditation is a technique under the umbrella of mindfulness. It is a formal practice aimed at helping people stay in the moment. It urges people to focus on a specific object or thought and typically requires more time and space than other mindfulness practices.  

While these two terms are different, they become intertwined as we ground ourselves and become self-aware in our lives. 

What are the Benefits of Mindfulness? 

Being mindful not only promotes emotional well–being and regulation, strengthens mental health and the awareness of your mind and body, but it also supports the regulation of digestion, heart rate and breathing. Mindfulness reduces stress, anxiety and depression by breaking cycles of overthinking and worry. Increase in positive emotions like happiness and content has also been seen when people implement mindfulness practices into their lives.  

Techniques for Practicing Mindfulness 

Mindfulness can look like many things. You can participate in a mindfulness practice that takes thirty minutes or one that takes thirty seconds. Everyone is different and resonates with a technique that fits their needs and circumstances. 

Many people think of meditation as the main mindfulness practice, and while it’s extremely beneficial, there are smaller, quicker ways to be mindful throughout the day as well. Here are some techniques you can try to be more present and mindful: 

Meditation – There are many different types of meditation people practice, from focusing on breathing to movement-based meditation such as yoga. One of the most common for beginners is Mindfulness meditation, which involves sitting quietly, observing and focusing on thoughts and sensations without judgment. Some people take a mindful-breathing approach, paying attention to their breath to center their minds. There are different ways to follow along with guided meditation practices on YouTube and various mobile options such as the Calm app. 

Journaling is a great way for people to incorporate mindful practices into their lives. You can sit down for one minute and write down what you’re grateful for or take ten minutes to reflect on life moments or things that may be causing stress. Getting stressful thoughts and feelings onto paper and out of the mind can feel very freeing. This is a great, easy mindfulness technique to build into a habit. 

Sensory grounding- This mindfulness technique helps people in stressful moments or situations by focusing on the present. Identify five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell and one you taste. This technique helps manage anxiety by keeping you grounded and focused. 

Focusing on Your Senses – Mindfulness can be as easy as slowing down and taking a moment to notice the small things in your everyday life that might otherwise go unnoticed. When taking a bite of food, focus on eating slowly and taking in each flavor. Listen to the bird’s chirping in the morning and the rustling of the wind through the trees. Look at the sunrise or sunset and notice the colors of the clouds and the sky.  

When life is busy, and it feels like time is always moving faster, it’s important to slow down and appreciate the little things. Practicing mindfulness in whatever capacity feels right for each person enhances mental well-being.  

Find more information and mindfulness techniques below. Follow GHC-SCW on Facebook and Instagram for some helpful practices from Behavioral Health Providers this Mental Health Awareness month.  

 

Resources and More Mindfulness Techniques 

Mental Health Awareness Month | SAMHSA 

Mindfulness | Mental Health Foundation 

Mindfulness vs. Meditation 

All 42 Types of Meditation: The Complete List – Meditation Music Library 

6 Reasons Mental Health Is SO Important 

Behavioral Health – Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin

Celebrate 50 years of member-centered care with our 50th Anniversary Legacy Trail! This outdoor scavenger hunt features rock-like cache containers called Legacy Trail caches, each representing a year that GHC-SCW has been serving their members, from 1976 – 2026. All caches will be hidden across Dane County and neighboring areas. Designed for families, individuals and beginners alike, this adventure invites everyone to explore local parks and community spaces with no special skills required.  

The Legacy Trail adventure runs May 5 through September 29, 2026, giving players the entire summer to explore new places and celebrate 50 years of GHC-SCW. New caches will be released every two weeks on the Legacy Trail website. Players can create an account to view new cache locations, enter to win prizes and learn more about GHC-SCW’s history and impact in the community. 

Learn More and Get Started

 

How Can I Participate?  

Everyone (except for the GHC-SCW staff who know where the caches are hidden, of course!)

What You’ll Need:  

Inspired by the popular activity of geocaching, each Legacy Trail cache is hidden at a specific set of coordinates. Each cache listing on the Legacy Trail Adventure website includes GPS coordinates that guide you to their exact location. On your first time accessing the website, you will be prompted to create an account. In this account, you can find the coordinates for each cache, view how close you are to earning prizes and learn more about GHC-SCW’s history.

 

How to Navigate to a Cache Location:   

  1. Select a cache to discover on our website: explore.ghcscw.com. 
  2. Head to the featured property address for your selected cache.  
  3. Tap Find Cache or paste the coordinates into your phone’s map (Google Maps or Apple Maps), follow the directions and start searching. All caches look the same, so keep an eye out! 
  4. Found it? Open the bottom, scan the QR code or enter the code on the explore.ghcscw.com website. Be sure to create an account to track your progress and unlock prizes. 
  5. Close the cache and place it back exactly as you found it so others can join in on the fun. 

Your progress and prize eligibility will update automatically online.   

 

Earn Prizes  

You can earn prizes by finding each of the caches! After you register a cache online, you will be able to see your progress towards different prize tiers. The more caches you find, the more prizes you earn!  

 The Legacy Trail offers several ways to participate and win, including: 

This fun-filled adventure isn’t just about celebrating a milestone; it’s about giving back to the community. Each cache will be placed at a variety of meaningful locations, including longtime community partners, local businesses and outdoor spaces that promote health and well-being. Featured locations will include iconic destinations such as Henry Vilas Zoo, Schuster’s Farm, Vitense Golfland and more. 

To ensure accessibility, GHC-SCW has also created virtual cache options for those who are not able to visit each location in person, allowing more people to participate in the experience.  To view the virtual caches, visit explore.ghcscw.com and click Find Caches. Select the one you’d like to “find.” Each cache page will include a link to the virtual option beneath the physical GPS coordinates. 

 

Important Reminders: 

 

Ready to start the adventure? Visit explore.ghcscw.com to join the GHC-SCW Legacy Trail and begin finding hidden caches. Follow GHC-SCW on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated!