Speaking of Flu Shots...

News Release
For Immediate Release
September 23, 2008

Benton County Providing Flu Shots on November 7, 2008
County Testing Mass Dispensing Plan

Flu season is near, and it’s also time to get your flu shot. On November 7, 2008, the Benton County Health Unit in coordination with the St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Spring and Siloam Springs Bridges to Wellness will be exercising its local Mass Vaccination Dispensing Plan by providing flu shots at the St. Francis Clinic, 304 S. Maxwell, Siloam Springs from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of the clinic is to provide flu vaccination to County citizens and also to exercise the county’s mass dispensing plan. Dr. John Huskins, Benton County Health Officer, said, “The time to practice dispensing large amounts of medication is now, before we have a disaster. It’s important for Benton County citizens to get their flu shot to protect them from influenza this year. It’s also important to exercise our County Mass Dispensing Plan.”

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reports that there is an ample supply of flu vaccine this year. This County effort is part of 81 health units statewide that are participating in one-day mass flu vaccination clinics.

Participants are advised to bring their Medicaid, Medicare and /or state insurance card. There will be no charge to those that do not have coverage and are unable to pay.

A Parent, Grandparent or legal guardian must accompany all children. No exceptions will be made.

After the day of the Mass Dispensing Plan exercise, a cost of $20.00 per shot will be observed at the Benton County Health Unit for those not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, the Vaccines for Children Program or selected state insurance programs.

For additional information you may contact the Benton County Health Unit 479-271-1055 or St. Francis Clinic 479-524-9550.

Get Your Flu Shot!

I woke up Saturday morning with yet another reminder of why I don’t like cold weather; a very scratchy throat and a stuffy nose! But it could be worse. Last year was the first year in at least the last ten that I did not get a flu shot, and you guessed it, I got the flu. It was in February, and I was sooo sick. Missed a whole week of work and didn’t get to enjoy a single minute of my days off! That’s just wrong.

So I have already had my flu shot this year. Have you? If not, I urge you to do so. A lot of employers offer them for their employees and families, either free or at a reduced charge, so check with the HR Dept. where you work.

And also, the St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Springs is offering free flu shots on Friday, November 7, on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting at 8:00 am.

So don’t be a baby, flu shots don’t hurt at all and they may certainly save you some pain and suffering later on!

Stay well!
Tammy

Tammy's First Blog

Well, this is my first attempt at “blogging”, so bear with me!

I am here to let you know that I am not a fan of cold weather! I don’t mind fall too much, as long as the days stay above, oh, 65 degrees, or so! I know, I am asking a lot, but I can dream. We have had some beautiful golden days so far and I have surely enjoyed them, but I know that the cold stuff is lurking behind every colorful leaf.

One of the reasons I dislike cold weather so, is that my kids always got sick at the first hint of autumn and the grandkids are following in their footsteps. And, true to form, my six-year-old grandson woke up last Sunday morning running a high fever and with white spots all over his throat. Yep, good ole strep throat! What fun, and my daughter, his mom, also got it, and then little sis, (she just has to do everything her big brother does!) and where do you go on a Sunday except the ER? Well, they decided to tough it out until Monday morning, and so had a very unpleasant weekend.

An after hours clinic in town would certainly be a welcome addition to the health care community, don’t you think? This would help to keep the ER open for actual emergencies, which would improve efficiency and maybe lower costs. I know my kids and grandkids are not the only ones who get sick on the weekends, and I have an idea that a clinic of that sort would stay very busy, especially during the winter months.

Which brings me to the Health-Care Needs Survey that Bridges to Wellness is conducting. Right now, you may go onto our website, www.ssbtw.com, and fill out the Business Needs Survey, and soon we will have our individual health needs assessment available for you to fill out concerning you and your family’s health care needs.

Hopefully, with enough input from the community, we will be able to make a few of the things we are lacking into reality in the not-too-distant future.

So take a couple of minutes to check out the Business Needs Survey now, and if you have any input you think would be beneficial, please fill it out and submit it to us and watch for the summary of the Business Needs Survey coming soon. And also keep watching for the individual survey which should be available right here on the website within a couple of weeks! We need everybody’s input, so don’t think your opinion doesn’t matter! The more information we have, the better our chances of improving the current health care system.

This was kind of fun, so I suppose you will be hearing from me again!

Tammy Weeks
Bridges to Wellness, Administrative Assistant

SSMH Health Fair - Fall 2008

Hello All BTW Followers!

Fall is definitely upon us now. We have had our first frosts on the pumpkins and leaves are turning the beautiful colors so familiar to those who live in this part of the Ozarks. Speaking of fall always brings up the hospital Health Fair. They do one each spring and fall, and held a very successful Health Fair on Saturday, October 18, 2008. They had more people than ever stop by and have their blood drawn for the lab to check. The lines were long from very early (6:45 am) until it was over at noon. All vendors seemed to stay busy passing out information and giving goodies that might advertise their business. Many hospital departments were represented, and I got the feeling from the people I spoke with that it was just a great community event. The weather was beautiful! We had sunshine and a blue sky, but there was a bit of a nip in the air when we arrived.

During this event, another thing was happening in our fine community. The Annual Siloam Springs Heart Walk took place. From what I have heard, more money was raised this year than ever before! Way to go Siloam!!! The economy is down, but people are still stepping up to GIVE for heart health and walk to show support! I was proud to be a part of the Heart Walk this year, and walked the 2 miles without much difficulty, except for the uphill climb at the end of the walk. The walk started at the Hospital Health Fair, went down Maxwell street hill to E Twin Springs, then left on Washington street to get on the Walking Trail at Washington and Main. We then followed the trail to a point on Washington that made one mile, turned around and came back on the same path to end up back at the Health Fair. That meant the UPHILL climb was the last part of the walk. It really wasn't so bad as I made it out to be, but I did huff and puff for a while when I got back under the big white tents at the Health Fair!

We were able to pass out many fliers about Bridges to Wellness, as well as surveys, to both individuals and businesses. We hope many will go ahead and fill out those surveys, or at least visit us online to see what we are up to. Thank you to all who have turned in your completed surveys! Your input is greatly appreciated, and we are continuing to gather and compile that information so we will be able to help the most people with their health and wellness.
Best wishes for Health and Wellness to you all!
Joyce

Job Fair Was A Great Opportunity

October 14, 2008, Bridges To Wellness participated in the Community Job Fair at the Siloam Springs Community Building. While we were not looking to employ anyone, but instead we had information about continuing health care for those who might be between jobs.

It is very important for everyone to continue to see their doctors, especially if they have a chronic disease. Diabetes care and even high blood pressure are not things to be put off, just because you do not have insurance benefits.

We spoke with lots of people, including the other vendors at the Job Fair. We felt it was a great benefit for all involved. We got the word out that Bridges to Wellness is here to help, especially the underserved population of our region, and we let several people know about St. Francis Clinic. We were surprised that a lot of people did not know it was here in our community to help those who might not have a primary care physician that they can afford to see regularly. St. Francis Clinic is for the working uninsured, but they will see anyone who meets their guidelines and is in their service area. The fees are reasonable enough that most can afford to pay at the time of service.

We just want to keep spreading the word that we are your community Bridge to Wellness!

Until next time,
Joyce

SSMH Health Fair - A Great Value

Every 6 months Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital does a health fair in their parking lot under the big white tents. This will be happening this next Saturday, October 18, 2008. You can get several screenings free, and you can get a comprehensive blood test which screens for diabetes, liver and kidney function, and total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, all for only $15. Those results will be sent to you, as well as, your primary care physician. Now that is a great value! (Don't forget to fast for 12 hours prior to the blood draw.) The hospital lab is very careful with these tests and get very accurate results. We have a great lab team! Thanks Marlene! There will also be a prostate cancer screening blood test for men for $15.

Just some of the free checkups include: blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, bone density screening, simple spirometry and much more! Take a few minutes early Saturday morning to come see what is available to you.

While you are there checking out the Health Fair, you can also participate in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. It will start at 9:00 am, right there at the Health Fair. Hope to see you at the fair!!

Joyce

Mayor Van Poucke declares "Women's Heart Day"

The Heart Truth campaign and its Red Dress Project are coming to Siloam Springs, AR and the surrounding area.

Only 55 percent of women know that heart disease is their leading cause of death, and most fail to make the connection between its risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and their personal risk of developing heart disease. In fact, this disease kills one out of every three American women. A nationwide campaign—The Heart Truth—is underway to raise awareness that women need to protect their heart.

The Heart Truth features a Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. This symbol links a woman’s focus on her “outer self” to the need to also focus on her “inner self” and her heart. What’s a Red Dress got to do with it? A simple Red Dress works as a visual red alert to get the message heard loud and clear: “Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear—It’s the #1 Killer of Women.”

While heart disease risk begins to rise in middle age, heart disease develops over time and can start at a young age—even in the teen years. It’s never too early—or too late—to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease. This national campaign is building awareness of women’s heart disease and empowering women to reduce and prevent their risk. It is reaching women with important heart health messages in community settings through a diverse network of national and grassroots partner organizations.

The Heart Truth campaign is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; Bridges to Wellness, Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, 2008 Siloam Springs Heart Walk, St. Francis Clinic, The American Heart Association, and other groups committed to the health and well-being of women.

Community organizations across the country are joining The Heart Truth campaign and using its Red Dress symbol to raise awareness about women and heart disease. Educational materials are being distributed at local events and presentations emphasizing women’s health issues. Mayor M.L. Van Poucke has been asked to declare October 18, 2008 as Women’s Heart Day.

If you would like to have someone speak to your civic group or club, please feel free to call Bridges to Wellness, at (479) 549-2639, for more information. To find out more about women and heart disease, visit The Heart Truth Web pages at https://mail.ssmh.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hearttruth.gov/ or call the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573.

(Featured in GROUP Photo above, left to right: Tammy Weeks, Bridges to Wellness; Shelly Moran, Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital; Joyce Lynch, Bridges to Wellness; Patti Eiland, Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce; Sheila Colvin, Liberty Bank & 2008 Heart Walk Co-Chair; Mayor M.L. Van Poucke, City of Siloam Springs; Raquel Beck, St. Francis Clinic of Siloam Springs; Gail Walters, 2008 Heart Walk Committee Member; Melanie Brakeville, Bridges to Wellness; Jennifer Lightle, American Heart Association. CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VERSION.)

Team Finds Evidence Linking Chemical In Plastic Products To Diabetes, Heart Disease

Check out this article from Channel 40/29. The water bottle you carry on your walks could be giving you diabetes & heart disease!

Research Links BPA, Disease In Adults
Team Finds Evidence Linking Chemical In Plastic Products To Diabetes, Heart Disease
POSTED: 8:50 am CDT October 13, 2008

http://www.4029tv.com/health/17701946/detail.html?treets=fts&tml=fts_12pm&ts=T&tmi=fts_12pm_1_12000810132008

Guest Blogger: Jerry Cavness, United Way of NWA

At United Way of Northwest Arkansas we believe that all people in our community deserve the opportunity to have a better life. Today more than ever, we are working to address the issues Northwest Arkansas cares most about. We refer to it as “advancing the good of all”. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes because if any one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

Did you know…?

More than 33,000 children in Northwest Arkansas are on the free or reduced lunch program. More than 60,000 residents in Northwest Arkansas are living in poverty. Each night there are more than 1,100 people in Northwest Arkansas that are homeless, living each night in a shelter, a car or a friend’s home. Over half of these 1,100 homeless are children.

What can we do about these statistics? We believe there are three main building blocks to help address these areas. They are Education, Income and Health.

Education: Helping children and youth achieve their potential through education by improving access to quality, affordable child care and early learning opportunities. Also providing after-school and mentoring programs for at-risk youth.

Income: Helping families become financially stable and independent by supporting basic needs while increasing financial education. Working to have more affordable housing for seniors and families.

Health: Improving people’s health by increasing access to critical healthcare services. Working to reduce substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence and increasing health education and preventive care.

These building blocks can only come about with involvement of us all as givers to and supporters of the over 86 funded United Way programs. Much can be achieved by Giving, Advocating and Volunteering. If we join hands, open our hearts, lend our voices and muscles we can make a difference. LIVE UNITED! Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.

Thank you,

Jerry Cavness
Area Coordinator
United Way of Northwest Arkansas
(479) 524-6639
jcavness@unitedwaynwa.org

Updates to the Website

It's been a very busy time here at Bridges to Wellness. We've been putting together an enormous list of health related events in our area, along with grant & funding resources, and lots more. In addition, we've been busy working with area business to get them to fill out our Business Needs Survey so that we can compile the information and submit it to the regional medical community.

Please take a few moments and look around our site. As always, it's a work in progress, but we'd love to get your feedback. Plus, I guarantee you'll be surprised at how many FREE health events we have available to us here in the Siloam Springs region.

www.ssbtw.com

Wishing you a healthy week!
Melanie Brakeville
Network Director