Advocate Sherman Hospital Care heart patient Diana Esposito, of Elgin, unfurled a giant “Bear Down” flag Sunday, Jan. 4, before the Chicago Bears game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.
Esposito, 72, graduated from the cardiac rehabilitation program a year ago after undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure at Sherman, according to a news release.
Esposito is a retired physical education teacher and former athlete. In 2024, she was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a disease in which the aortic valve narrows and restricts blood flow. She also learned she was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a heart defect where the valve has two cusps instead of three.
TAVR offers an effective alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, with quicker recovery and reduced risk of complications, the release said. Esposito also received a pacemaker that helped detect atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm.
Nominations sought for Waubonsee award
Nominations are currently being accepted for Waubonsee Community College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, officials with the college said.
Nominations must be received by Saturday, Jan. 31, to be considered for this year, according to a press release from the college.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Waubonsee graduates who demonstrate exceptional achievement and meaningful, ongoing contributions to their professions, communities and alma mater, the release said. The individual must have completed an associate’s degree or certificate program at Waubonsee Community College and may not be a current employee of the college.
Self-nominations accompanied by a letter of recommendation are welcome, officials said.
Nominations can be submitted online at waubonsee.edu/distinguished-alumnus-award. For questions or additional information, contact Karen Marker, Development and Alumni Relations coordinator, at kmarker@waubonsee.edu.
New program set to begin at Senior Services
Senior Services Associates will host Bingocize, a 10-week evidence-based health promotion program focusing on the prevention of falls, at its facility at 2111 Plum St. in Aurora.
The program will be offered at 2 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays from Jan. 12 to March 26, according to a press release from Senior Services.
The free program incorporates exercising to improve range of motion, balance, muscle strength and cardio-respiratory endurance all while earning the chance to win prizes, according to the release.
To sign up for the program, call 630-897-4035.
