Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
August 2015
Why you should stop stressing over stress By Jeanne Dorin for Next Avenue
We’ve all heard the bad news. Stress can lead to a panoply of problems, from depression and fatigue to cancer and heart disease, and perhaps, as recent research suggests, premature death. The unrelenting onslaught of information about these dangers can itself create more stress, as we worry about our health and longevity on top of woes over jobs, finances, college-age children with limited job prospects and caring for aged parents. But now comes — at last — news that may bring your anxiety level down a notch or two. Despite research documenting the potential dangers of stress, it is not a foregone conclusion that you will get sick or come down with any of the diseases or ailments associated with this problem. According to Sheldon Cohen, a professor of psychology and director of the Laboratory for the Study of Stress, Immunity and Disease at Carnegie Mellon University, we humans actually have quite a bit of resistance and resilience. “Most people who are stressed out can cope with it,” suggests Cohen. STRESS, continued on page 3
June Kliesen, resident and former teacher Many of you may call June Kliesen a fellow resident or friend. But to many of the nurses here, June is known as their former teacher who helped them work towards their nursing degree in college. June’s career started out in Denver after she graduated from Adam State College in Alamosa, Colo., with a degree in biology. Right out of college and recently married to Gary Kliesen, June worked as a lab tech in Denver at the Children’s Hospital. They then moved to Jackson, Wyo., where she had twins Brenda and Brian. After a couple of cold winters, Gary took June back to his hometown of Dodge City to help his dad run the family business, OK Tire. June waited tables and was a homemaker raising their three children, Joel being born in Dodge. While waiting tables, one of her customers told her about a teaching position that was opening up at Dodge City Community College and encouraged her to apply. She quickly took a class to gain her teaching certification and managed to land the job. For the next 35 years, June was an associate professor at Dodge City Community College teaching microbiology, biology, anatomy and physiology, and math. While there, she also obtained her master’s degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. At DCCC she was involved in many projects, volunteering for sports programs, fundraisers and social events, becoming a well-known and much respected teacher and mentor. What did she love most about teaching? “At the time, it was just going to be a job,” said June. “But over time I grew relationships with the RESIDENT, continued on page 4