We Are Healthcare 2016

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A salute to healthcare services and providers in Globe • Miami • San Carlos • Supe or

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Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Leads the Way with Expansion.

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We Are Healthcare

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2015 COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT LIFE EXPECTANCY

72yrs

CONCERNING HEALTH TRENDS

Life expectancy for males

79yrs

Life expectancy for females

32.5%

Adults in Gila County are obese.

4 of 5

Adults are NOT consuming the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables

Higher rates of mortality and chronic diseases

THE COMMUNITY WANTS • Increased access to specialty health care services including mental health services • Improved access to healthy foods • Improved community infrastructure to increase social and recreational opportunities

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY 21%

26%

16%

lives below the federal poverty level

of the population are older adults

have bachelor’s degree or higher

SOCIAL FACTORS IMPACTING HEALTH

1 of 4

Adults report receiving inadequate social support

GILA COUNTY STRENGTHS • Close-knit communities • Access to National Parks • Lower health risk factors • Improved air quality

Higher rates in poverty, crime and school dropouts

To learn more visit: www.gilacountyaz.gov or www.cvrmc.org

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Neal Jensen, has served Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center for nearly two decades as both Chief Financial Officer for ten years and as Chief Executive Officer since 2008. During his tenure CVRMC has made dramatic financial improvements giving the hospital the capacity to grow and keep pace with technological improvements in healthcare services. Jensen has led the way in creating a regional medical center which serves the communities of Globe, Miami, Superior, Kearny, Winkelman, and Hayden, and has a working relationship with our neighbors of the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation. Photo by LCGross

Dear Family, Friends, and Neighbors of CVRMC: As we celebrate 103 years of service to the Globe-Miami and surrounding communities, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center (CVRMC) continues to evolve with the changing needs of our population base. Healthcare is ever moving and advancing and CVRMC is progressing with the demands of our target markets. The continued accomplishments we have made are a direct result of a dedicated and compassionate workforce, a steadfast Board of Directors, and strong supporting management which is focused on one mission – the mission of health with quality, efficiency, and compassion.

With the development of our next three-year strategic plan, we are focused on these areas:

Publisher Linda Gross Creative Director Jenifer Lee Editors Patricia Sanders Linda Gross Contributing Writers Linda Gross Patricia Sanders

• The Patient Experience (Quality and Customer Service) • People • Growth • Community Today, the healthcare arena is facing some monumental changes and challenges. This strategic plan encompasses our accountability and compassion to patients and families; our respect and collaboration to all who surround us; our earnest responsibility to grow with the needs of our population; and our social and public responsibility as healthcare leaders of our communities.

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, CVRMC is committed to our communities with an unwavering dedicated spirit.

Sincerely,

Neal Jensen, CEO

Contact Information Linda Gross 175 E Cedar St. • Globe, AZ 85501 Office: (928) 961-4297 Cell: (928) 701-3320 sales@globemiamitimes.com www.globemiamitimes.com LLC

A GlobeMiamiTimes Publication Copyright@2016 GlobeMiamiVisitorsGuide GlobeMiamiTimes All rights reserved. Reproduction of the contents of this publication without permission is strictly prohibited. The GlobeMiamiTimes neither endorses nor is responsible for the content of advertisements.

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MEET THE BOARD

Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center At the center of CVRMC healthcare are many compassionate, noble, kind and courageous employees who do great deeds, many of which are quiet and go unnoticed.

Our employees make unlimited sacrifices for those they serve in a clinical or non-clinical capacity.

“Thank You,� to each and every one of you.

You are who makes CVRMC alive and vital; you are the ones at the core of our healthcare; you are the essence, the ones who make a difference in the lives of all those who come through our doors.

With sincere appreciation to our entire staff, CV Board of Directors and Administration

Photo by LCGross

Rose Ann Garcia

Preston Pollock

Dr. Alan Osumi

Chief Nursing Officer

Human Resources Director

CV Radiologist, Member Board of Directors

Neal Jensen

Eddie Koury

Jendean Sartain

Chief Executive Officer

Treasurer Board of Directors

Member Board of Directors

Jim Rasmussen

Dr. Doug Brinkerhoff

Janice Cook

Chairman Board of Directors

Chief Medical Officer

Vice-Chair Board of Directors

Fernando Shipley

Evelyn Vargas

Frank Stapleton

Member Board of Directors

Public Relations Director

Clinics Director

Dr. Jody Daggett

Robert Hollis

Ed Carpenter

CV Physician, Chief of Staff

Member Board of Directors

Secretary Board of Directors

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CVRMC SERVES A VITAL ROLE IN THE REGIONAL COMMUNITIES Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center is a nonprofit, 25-bed, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) that has been managed by HealthTech Management Services for 25 years and has served its communities for more than 103 years. These communities include Globe, Miami, Roosevelt, Young, Superior, Kearny, Winkelman, and Hayden, with a working relationship with the new San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation. Along with a vast array of hospital services, far greater than most counterpart critical access hospitals, CVRMC has three regional clinics located in Young, Superior, and Kearny.

Members of the administration and staff serve on various community associations, including chambers of commerce, Rotary, work force development, economic development, cancer awareness committees, diabetes education, grief support teams, scholarship committees, and youth athletic programs, to name just a few. CVRMC has its finger on the pulse of its communities, provides charitable care with purpose, and offers educational services and programs for the good of the public.

CVRMC also makes financial and in-kind donations to many non-profit organizations within the community, whose activities are related to education or health and wellness initiatives. These have included Little League, youth soccer, youth basketball, and other athletic programs, Cobre Valley Summer Youth Theater Program, angel trees, domestic violence shelters, donations to skilled nursing facilities, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, scholarship programs, and community beautification efforts, such as keeping Hospital Drive clean and this past spring’s Paint the Town event.

CVRMC sponsors an annual health fair, working with other local and state agencies to distribute and disseminate health, wellness, safety, and other valuable information.

Without any charge to the community, CVRMC sponsors diabetic workshops, birthing and new baby care classes, customer service training, and grief support meetings.

CVRMC is continually upgrading and improving equipment. Much of the equipment that is replaced is still viable and is passed on to educational facilities, fire departments, or other local agencies that will continue to benefit from years of use. Supplies are also donated regularly to EMS, schools, senior citizens groups, and other organizations in need of medical or other types of supplies.

Many community organizations have taken advantage of the conference rooms CVRMC offers, free of charge, for meetings and educational training. Some examples of these groups are Teenage Outreach for Pregnancy Services (TOPS), Rotary Club, Little League, EMS training, Gila Community College, and more. Meeting places are difficult to find in our rural area, and CVRMC is pleased to accommodate its neighboring associations.

CVRMC provides a free referral service, called One Call, available by phone to anyone in the service area, as well as visitors to the area. One Call helps connect people to services and resources at the local, county, state, and national level, as well helping people navigate our sometimes complex and confusing social service systems.

CVRMC’s mission is everyone’s health, seeking to be a facility that cares for people when they are sick and also helps people better their lives through prevention and wellness.

The Expansion Project of CVRMC began in February of 2015 and is expected to complete in August of 2016. The new construction includes all-new family-centered single-patient rooms— Med/Surg, ICU, and Family Birth Center—which will bring comfort to the patients and their families.

The expansion also includes a new pharmacy, cath lab, wound center, infusion center, cafe and kitchen, gift shop, and conference rooms. The 11,000 square feet of new physician offices and exam rooms will provide for growth and will centralize services for the convenience of patients and their families.

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Expansion paves the way for the future

Luke Halpin – Senior Project Manager for Layton Construction

Neil Terry – Managing Partner, Orcutt|Winslow Architects

Neal Jensen – CEO Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center

Neal Jensen with Evelyn Vargas, Director of Marketing

Lyle Frederickson – Great Western Bank, Vice President Regional Corporation Banking

67,000 sq.ft. Expansion includes: • Family-centered, single-patient rooms • Med/Surg, ICU and Family Birth Center • New Pharmacy • Cath Lab

• Wound Center • Infusion Center • Cafe and Kitchen • Exam Rooms • Conference Rooms Photos by LCGross

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Groundbreaking Ceremony

February 5, 2015

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The Community Health Needs Assessment: Making People’s Lives Better

By Patricia Sanders

When you walk along a neighborhood street in a local community, behind the closed doors you pass, the stories of our region’s social, economic, and health challenges will be unfolding.

If that neighborhood street reflects the region in general, the stories there might be something like these:

Behind the closed door of the first house, an elderly man, living alone, is unable to go to the grocery store because he doesn’t own a car. He has diabetes, and lives in poverty.

Behind another closed door, a single mother is struggling to care for her children.

She spends nearly a third of her paycheck on rent. She smokes and doesn’t get much exercise. She would like to improve her and her children’s health, but doesn’t know how.

Behind another closed door, a teenage girl is at risk of becoming pregnant. She feels on edge every day and has experimented with marijuana. She doesn’t know where to turn for help with her mental and sexual health.

On a street where 100 people live—if that street reflects the statistics in our region—80 of the people will be adults and 20 will be young people under 18. Among those 80 adults, 26 will be struggling with obesity, seven will have diabetes, and six will live with depression. Twenty of the adults will be living in poverty, and 32 would say they don’t feel safe in the community. Sixteen feel they can’t afford to see a doctor when they’re sick or injured, and 14 have no health insurance. Every year, one person—either on this street or within one block—will be diagnosed with cancer.

And every year one person, on this street or within one block, will become the victim of violent crime.

These numbers are based on data from a recent assessment of community health needs, undertaken

by Gila County’s Division of Health and Emergency Management (GCDHEM) and Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center (CVRMC). The assessment puts specific numbers to the needs and challenges of our region’s population, with the goal of helping the county, the hospital, and other organizations see where efforts and money would best be spent to improve public health in the region.

This is the first time the county, the hospital, and other community partners have “really worked together to identify what’s happening in the community, who can do what, pool the resources, and choose a few different areas to make some improvements in,” according to Michael O’Driscoll, Director of GCDHEM. “It’s more of a community health approach ... because nobody really has the resources to tackle a lot of these huge health issues alone.”

The hospital is required to complete a community health needs assessment every three years in order to maintain its accreditation, and the county is required to do a community health assessment every five years.

Last fall the county and the hospital collaborated and performed an assessment jointly. They gathered information through 637 surveys, six focus groups, and 14 interviews with key informants, such as the City of Globe, the Apache tribe, and Resolution Copper. The assessment covered all of Gila County plus a few other areas outside the county that are served by CVRMC. According to the assessment document, “The end result is a comprehensive summary of leading health issues

affecting Arizonans across Gila County and the CVRMC service region.”

In January, the assessment results were presented to an advisory committee and made available to the public. The assessment document compares the regional data to other populations, to show how our region’s factors stand in relation to similar regions, the state, or the country as a whole. The advisory panel then selected priorities, long-term goals, and strategies.

These priorities, goals, and strategies were outlined in a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which is a five-year strategic plan for improving health in the region. This summer, committees are preparing specific action plans to implement the strategies.

When people are healthier, they’re engaged more at their workplaces, kids get better grades, there’s less absenteeism in both the education arena and the work force.”

The advisory committee selected four priority health issues as the top problems to address. These priorities were chosen based on criteria like: How large is the problem—how many people are affected? How serious is the problem—does it cause severe impacts to quality of life or health care costs? Is it feasible to address the problem—are potential solutions cost effective and achievable? Can existing resources be leveraged to address this issue? Can preventive measures have a high impact?

The top four priorities that the advisory board selected were: obesity, substance abuse, access to quality health care including mental health services, and sexual health.

1) Obesity: According to the CHIP, people who responded to the community survey highlighted obesity as one of the top health issues in Gila County and one of the top health challenges they themselves face. Goals focus on increasing physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables. As strategies to meet these goals, the community might see improvements in walking trails and the possible opening of playgrounds and recreation areas outside school hours.

2) Substance abuse: Drug addiction was another top health challenge identified in the community survey, and lack of access to support services was highlighted.

The advisory committee determined that focusing on youth and prevention would be most effective, and they identified heroine and prescription opioid abuse as the most serious problems in our region. Strategies being considered include helping to provide caring and supportive relationships for adolescents, and establishing a monitoring program for prescription drugs.

3) Access to quality health care including mental health services: According to the CHIP, it has been difficult to bring health care providers to the area because of our region’s limited economic resources. However, Margo Badilla, CVRMC’s Referral Coordinator, notes that “Globe really does have a lot as far as services are concerned.” To help people make the best of use of providers and resources that are available locally, the county plans to create an Internet resource that lists all key health care services in the county. The county and the hospital will also continue to encourage the public to use One Call, CVRMC’s free service to help people find services and navigate systems.

4) Sexual health. Our region has a high teen birth rate and high rates of sexually transmitted diseases. The advisory committee chose to focus on prevention and reduction of risky behaviors. Strategies will include programs for teaching teens in an appropriate manner about reproductive health, as well as clinical interventions to reduce risky behaviors.

According to O’Driscoll, Gila County has already received two major grants that will support efforts with regard to obesity and substance abuse. The first is a grant for nutrition education (the SNAP-Ed program), and the second is a grant for prescription drug abuse program, which will allow doctors and pharmacists to access a database so they can see a patient’s history with prescription drugs.

“We need to create a healthy community,” says Evelyn Vargas, CVRMC’s Public Relations Director. “When people are healthier, they’re engaged more at their workplaces, kids get better grades, there’s less absenteeism in both the education arena and the work force.” Vargas notes that by September, people should begin seeing programs that are part of the community health implementation plan. ❚

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

By Patricia Sanders

Globe Gym has been supporting those like Maryn Belling who choose to find their way back to a healthy lifestyle.

In September 2015, Maryn Belling made some changes to her diet and started attending a weekly class at Globe Gym’s training center – a class space that’s separate from the regular gym. Maryn says that within three days she lost 11 pounds and stopped craving diet soda. Today she is an instructor at Globe Gym and a cheerleader for fitness and nutrition. She’s lost more than 40 pounds and dropped eight jeans sizes.

is not a state of mind...

Maryn says the biggest change in her life since she started exercising and eating better hasn’t been in her blue jeans size—although she is now able to buy off the rack at department stores instead of a “plus size” store. She says the biggest change has been “having energy and wanting to exercise because it makes me feel good.” She says she also started wanting to eat healthful foods because they help her feel fueled.

“My goal is not to be a certain size or a certain weight, it’s just to feel better mentally and physically,” Maryn says, adding, “I feel better mentally and physically when I take care of myself.”

Maryn says the changes to her diet include focusing on eating whole foods, replacing one meal each day with a nutrition shake, and eliminating soda. “It’s small changes that make a huge difference,” Maryn says.

Maryn now leads classes for Globe Gym at their Training Center in Globe every Saturday.

But she gives the most credit for her success to her support system. “The people that I’ve worked with have been totally encouraging.” Maryn says. “I really appreciate that the gym culture is really, really positive.”

Stacey Murry, who owns Globe Gym along with her husband, Ryan, says people who take classes at Globe Gym’s training center find a supportive community for sharing information and encouragement about food and fitness. “These are all people that are coming together for good reasons,” Murry says. “We’re all talking about food and health ... so it’s really a great support system for anyone who wants to be healthier.”

Murry says even a small amount of regular exercise can make a large difference in a person’s life. “If you really want to make a difference, come to the gym or to a class three or four times a week, and I’m promising you, you will notice a change,” Murry says.

“You choose to feel better by how much you move and what you put in your mouth,” Murry says. “It’s that easy.”

Since beginning her program of diet and exercise, Maryn has lost 40 pounds and is down from a size 22 blue-jeans to a size 14.

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Sid Hostetter (L), with a 17-year career in Globe, has worked with Ryan Taylor (R), Haven of Globe’s Executive Director, to design the new rehab space at Haven.

H AV E N H E A L T H O F G L O B E Family Environment and Patient-First Orientation Bring a 5-Star Rating practice walking and moving their wheelchairs over the

– Haven Health Group– and an updated purpose. As

The baby boomer generation doesn’t want to stay in the nursing home of their parents or grandparents.”

a skilled nursing facility– no longer a “nursing home”–

rooms are being completely remodeled, and the areas

Taylor said the baby boomer generation wants

it’s also receiving an extensive remodel, inside and out,

that are not being remodeled will be redecorated.

Story by Patricia Sanders; Photos by LCGross

The building that once housed the Gila General Hospital on Monroe Street in Globe has a new owner

to help it better serve the community as a rehab facility and a home for people who need skilled nursing care.

“The baby boomer generation doesn’t want to stay

different surfaces. There will even be a wooden bridge, Hostetter said. Much of the equipment is already being purchased so Hostetter and his patients can start using it even before the new gym is built.

more than just remodeled spaces in a skilled nursing

The facility is also getting a new, larger rehab gym

facility—they also expect responsiveness when they

with new equipment. “It’s going to be state of the art,”

have concerns, quality of care, and quality rehab.

says Sid Hostetter, Haven’s Rehab Coordinator.

“We’ve got a five-star rating,” Taylor said, referring to

in the nursing home of their parents or grandparents,”

Hostetter, a well-respected physical therapist with

the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ quality

Ryan Taylor, Haven of Globe’s Executive Director,

17 years in Globe, has been working with Taylor to

rating system, where five stars is the highest rating.

explains. So Haven is responding by remodeling the

design the new rehab space. According to Hostetter,

“We’re the only one in Gila County,” he said. The rating

building to bring it up to date, both in appearance

it will include an occupational therapy kitchen where

system includes health inspections, staffing numbers,

and function.

patients can practice preparing meals, and a bathroom

and quality measures.

The remodel includes creating a new frontage for

for practicing ADLs.

Taylor pointed out that Debbie Martinez, Haven’s

the building with a deep cabin-type overhang. There

Taylor added that there will also be a large outdoor

Activities Supervisor, organizes community activities

will be new outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy and

therapy courtyard with different surfaces like stone,

for Globe-Miami seniors, such as a Halloween party

practice activities of daily living (ADLs). Thirty-seven

brick, and concrete, so patients and residents can

and a Fourth of July party. She also creates a full

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calendar of activities for the residents of Haven, like Las Vegas Day and Hawaii Day. “She goes all-out,” Taylor said, adding, “Food and activities are the two biggest ways to keep our long-term residents happy.

That and good nursing care.” Haven of Globe also participates in community organizations and events such as the Taliesin Studio Project and the Relay for Life last April.

What is the difference between a skilled nursing facility (SNF) and the nursing homes of the past? Hostetter explained that today’s SNFs are “more sub-acute and rehab for people that are coming out of the hospital quicker, in more of an acute condition. So the nursing staff has to be more skilled and better equipped and better trained and educated to take care of people who are sicker. The same thing with the therapists.”

Taylor said that there is a demand for quality rehab in Globe.

“We’re taking higher-acuity rehab patients. Haven is more focused on that, whereas Copper Mountain was mostly focused on longterm care. But that’s not to say we’re not going to have long-term care.

The percentage mix is going to be different,” he said.

Hostetter says one of his objectives as rehab coordinator will be to build rapport between the rehab professionals and the nursing and social services staff. He said this is so that the nursing, social services, and rehab staff will “feel like we’re all one and not separate.”

Another of Hostetter’s objectives is to hire therapists who live Brooke Horta (R) is Haven’s Medical Records Manager and handles admissions and marketing for Haven. She says she likes helping families through a tough time. Ashley Jones (L), Medical Records Assistant.

in Globe. “You live here in town, you’re part of the community, and being part of the community is important to me,” he said. “Then you’re more invested in what you’re doing.”

Hostetter says he’s been doing therapy for over 20 years and still enjoys it. “Seeing people improve, giving people hope, using their skills and their personality to help people get better, seeing them progress, seeing them get to go home [when] a lot of times they’re concerned they’re not ever going to get to go home. It’s exciting,” Hostetter said.

Brooke Horta is Haven’s Medical Records Manager and also does admissions and marketing for Haven. She noted the family environment and patient orientation at Haven. “We’re more involved with our residents,” she said. Horta is one of the first people that patients and residents meet when they arrive at Haven. As a result, they often continue to turn to her when they have questions or need help. She added, “I like dealing with the families, helping them, and being able to help them through a tough time.”

Haven’s Director of Nursing, Robert Labowitz, moved here from Tucson this spring to join Haven of Globe after serving as Chief Nursing Officer at Cornerstone Hospital in Tucson. Before becoming a nurse, he was an ambulance medic. “My mentality is, the floor, the patient and the resident first, and [then] the staff, and then the office [work]. And that’s what this company truly believes, as well,” he said. “I have two corporate people here today who have helped transfer patients, who have helped take care of our guests. That’s unheard of in most corporations.”

Ryan Taylor has two small children and raises chickens at his home in Globe. He has an MBA in healthcare administration, but also has served in the Coast Guard and the Marines.

He said, “One of the most fun things about being here is, you’re taking care of everyone’s family ... and I think that’s one of the big cultural things with our nursing staff, our housekeeping, our dietary– they all feel like these residents are their family and so they go out of their way to take care of them, they make personal sacrifices that we don’t ask them or expect them to.”

Hostetter expressed optimism about his new role at Haven and Haven’s contribution to the community. “Sometimes rural communities get the short end of the stick ... you’ve got all the competition in the Valley,” he said.

“That’s not good enough for Globe. We want Globe to have everything that people get in the Valley. The same level of care, the same equipment, the same facilities. That’s what we’re working towards.”

HAVEN OF GLOBE

ADDRESS 1100 MONROE ST, GLOBE, AZ 85501

Director of Nursing, Robert Labowitz moved to Globe this spring from New York to join Haven of Globe.

PHONE (928) 425-5721

HOURS OPEN 24 HOURS

VISIT WWW.HAVENHG.COM

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Hospital Foundation Fulfills A Critical Role

By Patricia Sanders

he Cobre Valley Foundation is a local non-profit organization that helps provide equipment and amenities at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center that align with the mission of the hospital. According to Fernando Shipley—who serves on both the foundation’s board and the hospital’s governing board—“These are items that improve the overall experience for the patient.”

Ellen Kretch is the Executive Director of the Globe Miami Chamber and has served on the Foundation Board for 20 years. Photo by LCGross

An example of something the foundation funded for the hospital is a device called a vein finder. When it’s difficult for a nurse to find a vein in order to administer an IV or take a blood sample, the nurse might have to try several times in different places. But with a vein finder, the nurse can instantly scan the patient’s arm and see a map of the blood vessels. Now the nurse can go straight to a vein, with only one poke.

Shipley explains, “The foundation can take a look at a piece of equipment and say, ‘this will enhance the interactions between the patient and the care giver; it’s about developing relationships, not just about making money; it’s about community. It’s about caring about the people that are here under our care. So even though it doesn’t make us a dime, it’s still worthwhile and the right thing to do.”

Another example is the 160-slice CT scanner that the foundation funded in 2010. It was the first 160-slice CT scanner to be purchased by a hospital in Arizona. Ellen Kretsch, Chair of the CV Foundation, says, “It was as good as any equipment you would find in the Valley. …

It was much better than what most rural hospitals would have.” The state-of-the-art CT scanner allows patients to be scanned faster, in more comfort, and with an up to 80 percent reduction in radiation exposure over less sophisticated scanners.

The Foundation has also provided many other pieces of equipment and amenities at the hospital, including an oximeter—which allows blood oxygen levels to be measured without blood samples being taken—and a

Fernando Shipley sits on both the Foundation Board and Board of Directors where he serves as a liaison between the two boards. Photo by LCGross

“Chester Chest,” a model of a human torso used for training nurses. The Foundation has furnished birthing rooms, purchased TVs for waiting rooms, laptop computers for education, and collaborated with the hospital auxiliary to build the Serenity Garden.

As Kretsch explains, the Foundation seeks to provide resources that enhance patients’ and families’ experience at the hospital. “No, you don’t need to have a serenity garden,” Kretsch says, giving an example, “but it’s a good place for family members who are having a hard time.”

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have.” And Kretsch points out, “We still have a lot to do” in terms of “making people aware of what’s here locally so they don’t necessarily have to go to Phoenix for treatment or to find a doctor.”

Although the Foundation does have large donors, its funds come mostly from small donations from individuals.

Lamont points out, “Everyone’s contributions makes a difference, the big as well as the small.” He says fund raising is “continuously a challenge.”

Perhaps the most successful fundraising effort comes each fall when the Foundation hosts its annual art and wine auction. The planning begins eight months in advance and involves volunteers from the Foundation, the hospital, and the community, including art students from Miami and Globe High Schools, who help with decorations.

Local individuals and organizations sponsor the event with financial and inThe Serenity Garden was established by the Foundation to provide an outdoor kind donations, and their names will be space that offers solace to family members and patients. Photo by LCGross displayed during the event. Around 40 local artists donate work to be auctioned, and individuals Kretsch says the foundation works closely with CVRMC and businesses also donate items to be raffled off. to determine what purchases to make. “We’re listening Between 350 and 400 people attend, and the event raises to the hospital board, to the hospital staff when they’re upwards of $40,000 or more for the hospital. It’s the saying, ‘This is what we need to better serve our patients foundation’s largest source of funds every year. and to better fulfill our mission,’” Kretsch explains.

Kretsch says the auction also raises awareness of what “So we work very closely, especially with the hospital the foundation does. “People know if they buy a ticket board because they set direction for the hospital.” to the event, the money might be going to a new X-ray The foundation also works to improve public machine or a computer for the X-ray technician to work perceptions of the hospital and inform the public about with,” she says. resources available at CVRMC. Foundation board For people who would like to support the foundation’s member Ian Lamont, of Lamont Mortuary, says, “It’s activities, there are many ways they can do so. They kind of notorious for all hospitals that everybody wants can make monetary donations, participate in the art to complain when things don’t go right, but they really and wine auction, pledge an annual gift, or donate a piece don’t want to say a whole lot when things have gone well. of property. Donors can specify how their gifts will be So that’s been probably one of the biggest challenges we

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used. They can also choose to contribute to the foundation’s permanent fund, which provides an ongoing source of funds.

Another way to give—one that can provide financial benefits to the donor, as well—is to make a bequest in the form of an irrevocable gift. Shipley explains that this involves making a gift of property, such as a house, with the stipulation that the owner continues to have use of the property until their death. The owner can take the tax deduction on the gift immediately, but can still live in the house for the rest of their life.

Shipley notes that the foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and donations are tax deductible. The foundation’s board members are all volunteers.

Evelyn Vargas, CVRMC’s Public Relations Director and also a member of the foundation’s board, notes that the foundation is preparing a strategic plan for philanthropy.

Vargas says this will provide an opportunity for “those people that really believe in our mission and our vision for the hospital in regards to the health and wellness of our community ... to donate financially or in-kind to the hospital, and their name will be up on an upcoming ‘giving wall.’ It’s just a different way of connecting to the mission and vision of the hospital other than fundraising. It’s more an emotional connection; a belief in the direction we are going and what we’re doing for the communities we serve.”

“It’s not just about raising money,” Shipley says.

“Doing things together, having an opportunity for people to come together is very valuable.” He points out that instead of holding the art and wine auction, the foundation could simply ask for donations. “We could just ask for checks, make more money, and do less work.”

To that notion he says, “No. Because you’re missing the point. The point is to bring everybody together to make sure we continue to care about each other, to see that we’re in this together, to create a spirit of unity.”

This year’s art and wine auction will be held at the county fairgrounds on the evening of October 28 with the theme of “Once Upon a Time.” For more information, call Ellen Kretsch at (928) 425-4495. ❚

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ONE CALL

Globe-Miami’s Local Google

By Patricia Sanders

When you have an important question that you need the answer to, who do you call?

Maybe you ask a friend or relative if they know the answer. Maybe you get online and search the internet.

But what if your question is something about health care in Globe or Miami, or about local social services?

What if you need to know about housing, or would like help with a financial issue? These are systems that can be hard to navigate and find the reliable information you need.

When you have questions like these, there’s someone right here in town you can call—our own local form of Google. Her name is Margo Badilla.

Margo is the voice behind One Call, a free service from the Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. The hospital created the service to solve a problem: They were receiving many calls from people who needed information or assistance.

Can you help me find an ophthalmologist?

My dad is having surgery, and I can’t be in town to help—how is he going to get from the hospital back home?

—and many more questions like these.

Often, the callers would have to be transferred from department to department at the hospital before they got the answers they needed. It was time consuming and frustrating for everyone.

With One Call, answers to all sorts of questions are available in one place. Margo often knows the answer herself, and if she doesn’t, she will find out. She keeps

The face behind One Call is Margo Badilla, whose title as Referral Coordinator covers a wide range of topics from suggesting where to get your dog groomed in the community to what physicians are accepting new patients. Photo by LCGross

track of questions and answers in a computer spreadsheet and is adding to it all the time.

The idea for the One Call program came from a health needs assessment that the hospital conducted in 2013.

According to Evelyn Vargas, Public Relations Director at CVRMC, the assessment showed that people were getting lost in the health care and community services systems and couldn’t find the answers they needed.

Roseanne Garcia, the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, had seen a program similar to One Call when she worked at Tucson Medical Center, and suggested CVRMC start a similar program.

The hospital conducted a long search to find the person with just the right combination of skills and personality for the position, Vargas said. In September, they found Margo.

Margo’s background and personality make her specially qualified to be the voice of One Call. She’s an RN with experience in home health and hospice nursing. She founded Copper Communities Hospice and operated it for six years. Margo says her experience running the hospice and the extensive community connections she made during that time helped her transition to becoming the One Call coordinator. “Because obviously community is what this is all about,” she says. “It really laid a solid foundation for what I do now.” To increase her skills, Margo will be taking classes online beginning this summer toward becoming a nurse practitioner.

Margo is originally from Scotland and was a professional singer for ten years, before she went to nursing school. She moved to Globe 14 years ago with her ex-husband and says it took a long time for her to get

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used to Globe, because it was so different from Scotland.

“Definitely a culture shock,” she says—“it was the total opposite of Scotland.” She has three children and four “fur babies”—her three cats and one dog. She’s engaged to be married in June.

“I love Globe now,” she says. “I couldn’t imagine not being here. I think it’s because if you get involved with the community, you then feel part of the community.”

Margo’s title is Referral Coordinator. After she was hired, she began to attend community meetings and make presentations to let people know about One Call.

The program was introduced gradually to let Margo start to develop her database of information. At first there were only four or five calls a week—but now Margo receives ten to fifteen calls every day. Questions like, Do we have any local transportation that can pick me up and take me to the grocery store?

I’m having trouble paying my utility bill—is there any help available?

Can you help me find a dog groomer?

Margo is happy to answer questions even when they aren’t related to health care or community services.

She even gets calls from visitors to the area asking for restaurant or hotel recommendations.

Last spring the hospital began to promote the program with a billboard, in partnership with Freeport McMoRan, and advertising at grocery stores. Margo says the grocery store advertising led to one of the strangest questions she ever received. One weekend she received a voice mail on the One Call line from a young man who said he was at Fry’s and asked Margo to arrange a van to take him and fifteen of his friends to a concert in Phoenix. “If I couldn’t get them a van, an SUV would be fine,” Margo remembers.

“I called back but the number wasn’t working.”

She guesses he had seen an A-frame advertising the One Call service at Fry’s.

Usually the questions Margo receives are not so strange, but they do cover a wide variety of topics. “I get a lot of questions like what physicians are taking patients, do they accept such and such insurance— these are the most popular ones I get,” she says. Transportation is another popular subject. “We do have a lack of local transportation for our patients. I get common ones like my dad’s going in for surgery, as an outpatient, but how can he get back to his house?”

“I get a lot of frequent flyers,” Margo says. She says some of them are elderly people who live alone. “They’re calling in just to say hi, and honestly if I didn’t hear from them every now and again I would be, like, okay, I have to call them, just to make sure they’re okay.”

Vargas says that when Margo receives questions about local businesses, she gives several suggestions, and this helps the community economically. When visitors to town call One Call, “their first impression through talking to Margo is this is a great community,” Vargas said. “This is a community that helps and cares.”

Margo’s database of information allows her to answer most questions immediately. Sometimes she has to do some research, and when that happens she adds the new information to her spreadsheet so she can answer the question easily next time. She attends community meetings every week, and this helps her stay current on resources in the area. “I have my finger on the community pulse,” she says.

The number for One Call is (928) 402-1111, and Margo is there Monday through Friday. She says she hasn’t had a question yet that stumped her. “My model is there’s always a solution for everything, there really is,” she says.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to dig a little deeper to find the answer, but there’s always, always a solution.”

Margo attends community meetings every week which helps her stay current on the resources in the area.

Courtesy photo

Answers: We do have local transportation options.

Cobre Valley Transit has regular routes in Globe and Miami and does stop at the hospital. Dial-a-Ride goes door to door. Both services charge $1 each way. Call (928) 473-8222 for both. The Gila County Community Action Program (928-425-7631) can help with utility bills for people who qualify. For information about ophthalmologists and dog groomers in Globe-Miami ... call Margo! ❚

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Ten To Facts about your Feet

By Dr. Glen Robison, Podiatrist

The foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones, 33 joints and 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons that hold the structure together and allow it to move in variety of ways.

The average pair of feet takes eight to ten thousand steps every day and travel 115,000 miles in a life time.

(More then four times the circumference of the globe.)

There are approximately 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet, and they excrete as much as half a pint of moisture each day.

The average temperature is 105 F. in side a shoe.

On a warm day or after activity the temperature rises to 110-115 F. There are approximately 10 Trillion germs or bacteria on the skin. Of this two trillion are on the feet.

Your feet mirror your general health. Such condition as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet – so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

Women have about four times as many foot problems as men; lifelong patterns of wearing high heels often are the culprit.

75% of Americans will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives.

Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon, your feet tend to swell a little during the day.

Abraham Lincoln’s personal Podiatrist, Dr. Isachar Zacharie, submitted a bill for $45,000 to the war department for treating the feet of 15,000 Union Soldiers.

The bill was never paid.

There are over 300 aliments to the foot and ankle that may need medical attention.

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CALENDAR OF NATIONAL HEALTHCARE RECOGNITION JULY

2016

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week – Sept. 18-24

EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week – July 10-16th Massage is one of the oldest healing arts, going back at least 3,000 years. It has been shown to improve symptoms from ailments ranging from arthritis to high blood pressure. EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week is an annual event sponsored by the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals to promote the benefits of massage. Go to www. massagetherapy.com to learn more about massage’s benefits.

AUGUST Neurosurgery Awareness Month The 2015 movie Concussion brought the nation’s awareness to brain injuries suffered by football players, and how players’ lives were affected by these injuries caused by impacts to the head.

During Neurosurgery Awareness Month, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons encourages people to learn about neurological safety, including the prevention of traumatic brain injury and back pain. Neurosurgeons are medical specialists who operate on patients with injuries or diseases of the brain, spine, or nerves.

SEPTEMBER Healthy Aging Month Healthy Aging Month focuses national attention on the positive aspects of growing older, and encourages older adults to take personal responsibility for their health – be it physically, socially, mentally or financially. The Healthy Aging website, www.healthyaging.net, provides inspiration and practical ideas for adults, ages 50-plus, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial well-being. Top tip: Don’t act your age! What was your best year so far? 28?

40? Now? Picture yourself at that age and be it. Some people may say this is denial, but we say it’s positive thinking and goes a long way toward feeling better about yourself.

National Assisted Living Week – Sept. 11-17

Desert Critter Awareness Month During August, the Globe-Miami Times encourages desert dwellers to learn about the critters in our midst—the scorpions, snakes, spiders and centipedes that fascinate and sometimes scare us.

Learning how these animals behave, which ones are harmful and which aren’t, and what to do when you encounter them will dispel much of the fear about these critters. A good place to start is with educational events at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Visit ag.arizona.edu/bta/ events.html a calendar of events.

Nationwide, more than 735,000 people live in assisted living settings.

National Assisted Living Week celebrates the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, “Keep Connected,” honors the ways technology can enhance residents’ care and overall experience. The theme also aims to help overcome the myth that seniors are not interested in using or do not have the ability to learn new technologies. But “Keep Connected” is about more than technology. In a world where people are constantly looking at screens, assisted living reminds us that sometimes the best relationships are formed face-to-face.

For the nearly 50 million Americans who live with disabilities, rehabilitation helps them live up to their fullest potential. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or trauma, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning and well-being. National Rehab Week is a nationwide celebration to educate people about the benefits of rehabilitation and the capabilities of people with disabilities.

National Geronotological Nursing Week – Sept. 26-30 Gerontological nurses specialize in meeting the psychological, medical and social needs of older adults.

National Gerontological Nursing Week celebrates their work and raises awareness of the growing need for nursing excellence for older adults as our population ages.

OCTOBER National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer. Most people are aware of breast cancer, but many forget to take the steps to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. During the month fundraisers will be held across the country to provide mammograms to women in need.

National Physical Therapy Month National Physical Therapy Month recognizes how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants help transform society by restoring and improving motion in people’s lives.

This year, the focus is on healthy aging and the many ways that physical therapists, as movement experts, can help patients overcome pain, gain and maintain movement, and preserve their independence.

American Pharmacists Month

National Women’s Health and Fitness Week – September 26-30 National Women’s Health and Fitness Week encourages women to take control of their health: to learn the facts they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity.

It is the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages.

More than 500 groups across the country will host women’s health and fitness events at senior centers, hospitals, health clubs, park and recreation districts, local health and service organizations, schools, retirement communities, houses of worship and other community locations.

Activities will be noncompetitive and include walking events, exercise demonstrations, health screenings and health information workshops.

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who focus on safe and effective use of medications. They help us know what we’re taking and why, and how to take medicines safely. American Pharmacists Month is a time to honor and recognize the United States’ 300,000 pharmacists. October 18 is National Pharmacy Technician Day, recognizing the contributions of pharmacy techs in our health and wellness.

National Medical Librarians Month When a healthcare professional is searching for information about medical subjects, Google often isn’t good enough.

Medical librarians help professionals in all medical fields find and use healthrelated information. They have a direct impact on the quality of healthcare by helping physicians stay current about advances in their specialty areas.

National Medical Librarians Month raises awareness of the important role of the health information professional.

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National Red Ribbon Week October 23-31

National Midwifery Week – October 2-8 Nurse-midwives are licensed primary care providers who have been recognized for their contributions in reducing infant and maternal mortality, premature births, and low birth weight rates. They are most known for attending births, but they also work in reproductive health, write prescriptions, give basic nutrition counseling, provide parenting education and more. National Midwifery Week honors the work of midwives to help healthy mothers have healthy babies.

Emergency Nurses Week October 9-15 America’s 90,000 emergency nurses specialize in rapid assessment and treatment when every second counts.

Emergency nurses must tackle a wide range of tasks with professionalism, efficiency and, above all, caring.

Emergency Nurses Week celebrates the dedication, care and courage of these essential medical professionals.

Pastoral Care Week – October 16-22 National Physician Assistants Week – October 6-12 Physician assistants are members of healthcare teams who practice medicine and prescribe medication. PAs are proven to improve healthcare access, elevate outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. PAs were ranked as the most promising job of 2015 by Forbes. com. National Physician Assistant Week celebrates America’s more than 100,000 certified PAs and their contributions to the nation’s health.

Pastoral Care Week is an opportunity to recognize the important, but often unrecognized, work and gifts of pastoral caregivers, whether they are clergy, chaplains or volunteers. It honors every person who provides pastoral or spiritual care to others, including those who work in specialized settings such as hospitals, prisons, businesses, long-term care facilities, hospices, military settings, congregations, schools or seminaries.

Pastoral Care Week is for all faiths and spiritualities. The theme for this year is “Spiritual Resilience.”

When parents talk to their teens regularly about drugs, their children are 42% less likely to use drugs. Yet only a quarter of teens report that their parents talk to them about drugs. National Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people annually. The Red Ribbon campaign was sparked in response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena - when parents and youth across the country began wearing red ribbons to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. Displaying a red ribbon is a symbol of intolerance of drug abuse.

NOVEMBER National Hospice and Palliative Care Month The first hospices were places of care for the ill and dying in Europe during the Middle Ages, but the idea did not come to the United States until 1971. Today, hospices provide end-of-life care to more than one-third of dying Americans.

Every November, hospice and home care providers work to get the word out about the comfort and relief that hospice care can provide to terminally ill patients.

National Alzheimer’s Month Go Purple with a Purpose for Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Caregivers Month. President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983. At that time, fewer than two million Americans had Alzheimer’s – today, the number of people with the disease has soared to nearly 5.4 million. The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, provides a 24/7 toll-free help line and information about living with Alzheimer’s.

National Movember Month In November, the Movember Foundation encourages men to grow their moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health through the No-Shave November event. Movember also sponsors MOVE in Movember, a 30-day physical fitness challenge. Since 2003, Movember has raised $715 million and funded over 1,000 projects focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and physical inactivity.

The Movember Foundation encourages men to get annual check-ups, be aware of family history of cancer and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

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DECEMBER

No-Shave November

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

The goal of No-Shave November is to help men grow awareness of men’s health by embracing their hair – which many cancer patients lose – and letting it grow wild and free. Men are encouraged to donate the money they would typically spend on shaving and grooming to help the Movember Foundation educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle. The rules of No-Shave November are simple: put down your razor for 30 days and donate your monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause.

“Driving a car is one of the riskiest activities any of us undertake,” according to the National Safety Council. And December is the most dangerous month to be on the road, because impaired driving increases during the holiday season. In response, law enforcement agencies step up their efforts to identify impaired drivers and prevent as many tragedies as possible. Always plan ahead for a safe way home. Visit www.nhtsa.gov/StopImpairedDriving for additional information.

Safe Toys & Gifts Month

National Family Caregivers Month For any caregiver, respite – the chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize – is as important as any other item on your to-do list. Respite protects your own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burnout and allows your loved one to stay at home up to three times longer. National Family Caregivers Month encourages caregivers to remember that respite is care for caregivers.

National Home Care Aide Week – November 6-12 The nearly one million home health care aides in the U.S. make a difference for the patients and families they serve, and play a central role in our healthcare system. They help people with disabilities, chronic illness or cognitive impairment with activities of daily living, and they are also companions and friends. Yet the average home health aide earns approximately $10 an hour. National Home Care Aide Week recognizes and honors these heroic caregivers who play an invaluable role for their patients.

Holiday safety tip: Supervise your children’s battery charging. Chargers and adapters can get hot and cause burns, and young children are especially at risk. The United States has some of the strictest toy standards in the world, and most toys that pose hazards are removed from the marketplace before they reach children’s hands, so that American families can be confident as they shop for toys during the holiday season.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3 Worldwide, one billion people live with disabilities. These individuals often face barriers to transportation, employment, education, and participation in social and political life. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes awareness and builds support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It was created by the United Nations to foster access and empowerment for people of all abilities.

2017

Great American SmokeOut – November 17

JANUARY

The American Cancer Society Great American SmokeOut event is a chance for smokers to triumph over addiction.

About 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and millions more smoke cigars or smoke tobacco in pipes.

Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. A smoker who quits even for one day will be taking an important step toward a healthier life—a step that can lead to reducing your cancer risk.

Every day, approximately 39,000 units (pints) of blood are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities to help save the lives of accident victims and treat patients with cancer and other diseases. Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months, particularly in January, so this month has been designated National Blood Donor Month to encourage donors to give blood. The components of one pint of donated blood can help save the lives of three people. Visit www.adrp.org/ promoting-donation/natl-blood-donormonth/ for more information

National Blood Donor Month

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CALENDAR OF NATIONAL HEALTHCARE RECOGNITION January is traditionally the time to make resolutions for the new year—and there’s good sense in that.

There’s power in stating intentions and setting goals.

Take some time to relax and reflect on the past year and the year to come. Make a list of things you’d like to accomplish or changes you would like to make in the coming year.

Remember that effective goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-limited.

National Wise Health Care Consumer Month

JANUARY CONTINUED Healthy Weight Week – Jan. 16-20 Healthy Weight Week is all about understanding that health isn’t about a number - on the scale or otherwise.

It’s about making sustainable healthy choices through eating well, living actively and feeling good about yourself.

A healthy weight is supported by mindful, pleasurable eating and physical activity, stress management, getting enough sleep, and more healthy habits.

Americans spend more time researching car purchases and new appliances than they do choosing doctors and health plans. The American Institute for Preventive Medicine established Wise Health Care Consumer Month to help empower people to understand their options, communicate with their care providers, and made educated decisions about their health.

National IV Nurse Day – Jan. 25 IV nurses deliver infusion therapies in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, and patients’ homes.

Ninety percent of all hospitalized patients have an IV nurse on their care team. IV Nurse Day recognizes the care and passion of these professionals.

FEBRUARY American Heart Month Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly half of all Americans have at least one major risk factor for heart disease, and everyone can take steps to reduce their risk.

To take charge of your heart health, you can exercise regularly, maintain a nutritious diet, reduce alcohol intake, live tobacco-free, and stay aware of early warning signs.

National Wear Red Day/Go Red for Women – Feb. 3 Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one in three deaths each year. Wear red on National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness of women’s heart health.

Eighty percent of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented with education and action.

National Burn Awareness Week – Feb. 5-11 Safety tip: Open heated containers from back to front to help prevent steam burns. Every year, nearly half a million people are burned badly enough to need medical treatment. The American Burn Association designed Burn Awareness Week to raise awareness of burn and scald injury prevention.

National Kidney Month

National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week – Feb. 12-18 Across the country, hospitals, medical centers and rehab centers celebrate Cardiac Rehabilitation Week with events featuring heart-healthy foods, raffles of fitness gear, and spirit dress-up days - all to draw attention to the role of cardiac rehabilitation in reducing the potentially devastating effects of heart disease.

Our kidneys filter 200 liters of blood each day, help regulate blood pressure, and control the production of red blood cells. But they are also prone to disease.

One in three Americans is at risk for kidney disease, and most people who have kidney disease don’t know they have it. During National Kidney Month, free screenings are available for individuals at risk for kidney disease.

MARCH National Nutrition Month

March of Dimes March for Babies

The end of winter often leaves us with cherished memories of holiday gatherings ... as well as unwanted weight gain! To help us get back on track with healthy eating and fitness habits, National Nutrition Month focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Premature birth is the #1 killer of babies. The March of Dimes’ March for Babies is a fund-raising effort to support research that helps moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. Events take place throughout the year – locally, last year’s march was held in April in Miami.

National Social Work Month

Keep a piece of paper next to your bed and write down any worries of the day before putting your head down to sleep. This is just one of the tips for better sleep from the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of sleep and its importance to safety and productivity.

America’s social workers – there are more than 600,000 of them – confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families and communities, and seek solutions to help people reach their full potential and make our nation a better place to live. National Social Work Month honors these dedicated individuals and their contributions.

National Sleep Awareness Week – March 5-12

National Athletic Training Month Athletic trainers are health care professionals who work with physicians, patients and athletes to provide medical services, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness programs. They are medical professionals who must have a master’s degree and complete continuing education requirements.

Their services improve quality of life for patients and save money for employers.

National Athletic Training Month honors all that athletic trainers do.

World Kidney Day – March 9 Do you know the eight Golden Rules for caring for your kidneys? Number one is “Keep fit and active.” World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health.

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CALENDAR OF NATIONAL HEALTHCARE RECOGNITION MARCH CONTINUED National Doctors Day – March 30 Doctor’s Day began in 1933 when Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians. She encouraged people to mail greeting cards to their favorite physicians and place flowers on doctors’ graves. Today, the Doctor’s Day Organization sells t-shirts, mugs, and other gift items honoring our nation’s nearly 900,000 doctors and the essential work they do.

APRIL National Humor Month “The old saying that laughter is the best medicine definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart,” says Michael Miller, director of the Center of Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

In his book Anatomy of An Illness, author Norman Cousins cited laughter as an effective tool for promoting the healing process. In Cousins’ words, “Laughter is internal jogging.” National Humor Month was conceived by comedian Larry Wilde as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor.

National Autism Awareness Month More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.

National Autism Awareness Month promotes autism awareness and autism acceptance and draws attention to the tens of thousands of people facing an autism diagnosis each year. In April, celebrate autism awareness by wearing a puzzle ribbon, sharing your experiences with autism, or watching a movie about autism.

World Autism Awareness Day – April 1 From the Panama Canal to Madison Square Garden, every year landmarks, buildings and homes around the world “Light It Up Blue” to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders. World Autism Awareness Day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to focus on autism as a global health issue and to support, empower and enhance the wellbeing of people on the autism spectrum and their families. Light up your house or business blue or wear blue on April 1 to support autism awareness.

National Public Health Week – April 2-8 Americans are now living 20 years longer than their grandparents’ generation, thanks in large part to the work of public health professionals. Still, the U.S. ranks only 34 in life expectancy.

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.

National Public Health Week is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving Americans’ health and life expectancy.

World Health Day – April 7 Every year the World Health Organization selects a theme for World Health Day. Last year, it was diabetes – a disease affecting 422 million people globally.

National Healthcare Volunteer Week – April 23-29

National Occupational Therapy Month Occupational therapy is the profession that helps people across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). National Occupational Therapy Month is an opportunity to celebrate the important work that OTs do to help people live life to its fullest.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week – April 23-29

CVRMC Health Fair – April 1 CVRMC’s annual health fair includes a Get Fit run, free health screenings, health and wellness booths, a craft fair, children’s activities, and much more. Call (928) 402-1277 for more information.

President Richard Nixon established National Volunteer Week in 1974 to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers. Since then, the week has become a nationwide effort to urge people to get out and volunteer in their communities. Healthcare Volunteer Week focuses on the contributions of volunteers in the healthcare arena. It’s a time to thank hospital volunteers for their service to patients and communities, and recognize that their commitment and selfless acts of kindness help improve patient care every day.

There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States, and they are playing an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Their dedicated efforts often go unnoticed, although quality health care and professional accountability depend on their work. Medical Laboratory Professionals Week honors their contribution as critical members of the health care team. “Laboratory professionals get results!”

Administrative Professionals Week – April 24-28 During World War II, a shortage of administrative personnel led to the formation of the National Secretaries Association, which helped attract workers to the administrative field. Secretaries Week was first held in the early 50s, and the name has changed over the years, along with the expanding responsibilities and job titles of administrative workers.

Today’s Administrative Professionals Day recognizes administrative professionals for their skills and loyalty – attributes almost every office depends on. The Wednesday of this week is Administrative Professionals Day.

World Veterinary Day – April 26 There are over 500,000 veterinarians worldwide, and they play a crucial role in promoting global health - as well as caring for the health and welfare of animals.

Veterinarians have been in the forefront of scientific advances such as developing hip-joint replacement surgery. World Veterinary Day is an opportunity to celebrate the veterinary profession and the work of veterinarians in promoting the health of both humans and animals.

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Mental Health Month In Gila County, more than 8 out of 100 adults suffer from depression, and the suicide rate is nearly twice the rate of Arizona as a whole. Mental Health Month is dedicated to spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. The theme for this year is “Life with a Mental Illness.” People who are living with a mental illness are encouraged to speak up about their personal experiences. “Sharing is the key to breaking down negative attitudes and misperceptions surrounding mental illnesses, and to show others that they are not alone in their feelings and their symptoms,” says the organization Mental Health America. On social media, use the hashtag #mentalillnessfeelslike.

Global Employee Health and Fitness Month Global Employee Health & Fitness Month started out as National Employee Health & Fitness Day - but it takes time to develop healthy lifestyle habits, so the day was expanded to a full month.

Employers are encouraged to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to their employees.

National Hospital Week – May 7-13 The first hospitals were ancient temples in Greek and Egypt dedicated to healer-gods, where people went for medical advice and cures. Today’s hospitals are highly sophisticated centers for diagnosis, treatment, long-term care and teaching. National Hospital Week celebrates hospitals and the women and men who support the health and wellbeing of our communities. Across the country, hospitals hold health fairs, open houses and golf tournaments to raise awareness of their contributions to the community.

Copper Valley Relay for Life [2017 date TBA] Every year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay for Life movement. At last year’s Copper Valley Relay for Life, 25 teams and 186 participants raised $40,829.92 for cancer research. The event is held at Harbison Field at 6 p.m. in May every year.

Florence Nightingale’s Birthday/ International Nurses Day – May 12 America’s 3.1 million registered nurses are the nation’s primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the nation’s long-term care.

International Nurses Day, a day to honor our nurses, is celebrated every year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nightingale was a nurse who lived during the 1800s and is often considered the founder of modern nursing, based on her pioneering work and her example of compassion.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day – May 31

It’s estimated that 40 million Americans have communication disorders, such as hearing loss, aphasia and stuttering. Each May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association sponsors Better Hearing & Speech Month to raise awareness about communication disorders and the life-altering treatments that are available.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the nation’s largest older adult health promotion program. The event promotes the importance of regular physical activity for seniors and showcases what local organizations are doing to improve the health and fitness of older adults in their communities. More than 100,000 older adults will participate at local events at more than 1,000 locations across the country on the same day.

Activities will be non-competitive and include walking events, low-impact exercises, health screenings and health information workshops.

National Nurses Week – May 6-12

JUNE

National Better Hearing and Speech Month

Nurses protect our health, prevent illness and injury, help us heal, alleviate our suffering and advocate for our care.

They work in hospitals, medical offices, schools and clinics, but they’re also found in places like camps, homeless shelters, prisons, sporting events and tourist destinations. National Nurses Week is an opportunity to express appreciation for nurses and to honor their work and dedication.

Men’s Health Month In 1920, women lived on average one year longer than men. Now, men die almost five years earlier than women, on average. Men’s Health Month is an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. June 16 is Wear Blue Friday, a day to show concern for the health and well-being of boys and men by wearing blue.

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2016/2017 CALENDAR JUNE CONTINUED National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month Migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world, with 38 million sufferers in the United States alone—but the vast majority of migraine sufferers do not seek medical care for their pain.

Wear purple in June to show your support for migraine and headache advocacy, awareness, education and research.

National Older Americans Month During Older Americans Month, we celebrate how older adults take charge of their health, get engaged in their communities and make a positive impact in the lives of others. It’s also a time to raise awareness about important issues facing older adults. Communities across the county hold events like dances, film showings, gardening or cooking events, recreational activities and volunteer recognition ceremonies.

International Men’s Health Week – June 13-19 Men’s Health Week is celebrated annually during the week leading up to Father’s Day to honor the importance of the health and wellness of boys and men. Around the world, healthcare providers are encouraged to offer free and convenient health services to boys and men who wouldn’t otherwise receive such care. This week, take action to be healthy and safe, and encourage the men and boys in your life to make their health a priority.

National Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day – June 6

Fireworks Safety Month – June 1 – July 4 Before you light a fuse on the Fourth of July, learn the dangers. More than 9,000 people are injured in fireworks-related accidents every year. Sparklers, popular with young children, seem innocent but actually account for one-third of all fireworks injuries. They can burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause a third-degree burn. For common-sense suggestions for fireworks safety from the National Council on Fireworks Safety.

Sun Safety Week – June 5-11 Did you know insect repellents reduce a sunscreen’s SPF by up to one third? Sun Safety Week promotes the importance of protecting our skin from the sun.

Healthcare recruiters help make sure that communities have the medical professionals they need. They help connect healthcare professionals such as nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and physicians with job opportunities, whether it’s in hospitals, home care, long term care, rehabilitation facilities, HMOs, schools or the military.

Without these professionals and their efforts, patient care would suffer and many facilities would not be able to function. June 6 is a day to honor these professionals and their important work.

World Blood Donor Day – June 14 Blood donors save lives. According to the World Health Organization, it takes only 1% of the population to provide enough blood for a country’s basic needs.

But in more than half of the countries of the world, donations aren’t sufficient to provide for the people whose lives are depending on it. The WHO established World Blood Donor Day to encourage people to share life by giving blood. ❚

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To our community of healthcare providers...

FOR ALL THAT YOU

DO!

~ Globe Miami Times

For more healthcare coverage and details on local events, visit www.GlobeMiamiTimes.com/health-wellness or follow us on FACEBOOK.

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