‘A Day Just for Women’ set to return on Sept. 30

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/12/2010

Anna Parson and nine other women from the local chapter of the AARP have made sure they are seated together at The Medical Center’s “A Day Just for Women” conference every year for at least the past five years.

“We get a table every year. We enjoy the speakers and just getting together,” Parson said. “The food and booths are really good. You get different free screenings. It’s a wonderful day out.”

Organizers are planning another “wonderful day out” with the 13th annual conference, set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Sloan Convention Center. Tickets are $50 a person or $450 for a table for 10. The cost includes a continental breakfast and lunch, gifts and a chance to win door prizes. Preregistration is required by Friday.

“We’ll have 40 booth exhibits, free health screenings and a lot of health information. We have products from jewelry to makeup,” said community wellness director Linda Rush. “This is an opportunity for women of all ages to be able to get together and network, enjoy each other’s company and learn about our health. We need to take ownership for our own health.”

This year’s speakers are scheduled to be motivational speaker and author Donna Tyson and Dr. Kerri Remmel, neurologist and Stroke Center director for the University of Louisville Hospital. Remmel will talk about stroke prevention, awareness and treatment, while Tyson will discuss dealing with change and self-esteem.

“I think it will be a day of great empowerment,” Tyson said. “Women will be able to get a bigger perspective and reclaim their joy.”

A motivational speaker for 24 years, Tyson spoke at “A Day Just for Women” a few years ago.

“I’m delighted to get to come back,” she said.

Tyson said dealing with change is a popular topic right now in every industry.

“People have change they didn’t expect and didn’t want,” she said. “I’m going to talk about how to stay centered, how to communicate to other people, how to balance home life and health and not lose their joy.”

In the second session, Tyson will talk about self-esteem, using her book, “The Red Bow,” as a reference. The children’s book tells the story of a young girl who doesn’t feel good about herself and wishes her life to be different. While visiting her grandmother, she receives what she believes to be a magical gift. Tyson will bring copies of the book to autograph and sell. They are also available at her website, www.drtyson.com.

“I feel so blessed to be able to have that story. I feel that any age can relate to it,” she said. “No matter what you’ve gone through in the past or what you’re going through, greet the world with a smile and have a red bow day.”

Rush encourages women to take advantage of the conference.

“It has grown because of word of mouth, the women who have come and enjoyed the day, support from the community and the quality of speakers we’ve been able to bring in,” she said. “Get a little pampering, enjoy the information and just enjoy being together.”

— For more information, call 745-1010 or 800-624-2318 or e-mail info@mcbg.org.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Medical field is a calling for Ross

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/11/2010

Brookie Ross’ love of all things medical began with family.

“I’ve always been interested in the medical field,” she said. “My aunt is a nurse. I’ve always admired what she does for a living.”

It wasn’t a surprise that when she began working as a nurse’s assistant at The Medical Center at Scottsville, she decided to do in-house training to become a certified nurse’s assistant.

“(Commonwealth Health Corp., the parent company of The Medical Centers at Scottsville, Bowling Green and Franklin) has an in-house certification. I did on-the-job training,” she said. “You have to job shadow for a certain number of days before you can touch a patient and take the state exam to be certified.”

That was about 12 years ago. Ross is now an emergency room technician and registration clerk at The Medical Center at Scottsville. Ross said her job requires her to be a jack of all trades. Some of her duties include stocking and ordering, completing patient-related paperwork and assisting the doctors in things such as suturing and flu swabs.

“I’m their gofer,” she said, laughing. “I do whatever I can do to assist the nurses and make their jobs easier.”

Her dream is to become a nurse. Ross has been a part-time nursing student at Western Kentucky University for about four semesters while being a full-time mother and working full time.

“I’m doing general education requirements now,” she said. “I hope to get into the nursing program in the spring semester.”

Being a nontraditional student has helped her focus on goals.

“It’s different. I enjoy it,” she said. “I see where I need to be now.”

Ross said most jobs she has held have been in the medical field. She has worked in a doctor’s office as a registration person and medical assistant. At CHC alone, she has had various positions. She was a nurse’s assistant at The Medical Center at Scottsville for about two years. Next, she worked in pediatrics and dialysis at The Medical Center at Bowling Green for about a year. She returned to Scottsville to work at Urgent Care, which is now the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic, as a registration clerk for four years. She then moved to her current position, where she has been for six years.

“I have been to all the CHC hospitals except (The Medical Center at) Franklin,” she said.

Ross said there are many things she likes about her job, including the encouragement she gets from her co-workers and the fact that they are like a family and work as a team.

“It’s a wonderful place to work. The benefits are great. My co-workers are great,” she said. “I can be close to home and be near my children if they need me. It’s a fulfilling job. In the ER, you get to see all kinds of interesting things.”

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Seasonal flu shot this year packs punch: Vaccine designed to fight off three viruses

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/10/2010

Local medical officials are preparing for the upcoming flu season with a new universal vaccine designed to protect against three different common flu strains.

“Unlike last year, when we had to get two shots to make sure everyone was covered for the regular flu and H1N1, this year’s vaccine has combined all of them,” said Melinda Joyce, corporate director of pharmacy at The Medical Center.

While past flu vaccines have been strongly suggested to certain populations – including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and the elderly, who are at high risk for complications of the flu – this year’s vaccine is being recommended for anyone ages 6 months and older.

“Children who have never received the vaccine need two doses at least 28 days apart,” said Teresa Casey, nurse program manager for the Communicable Disease Team at the Barren River District Health Department. “Infants younger than 6 months old can’t get the shot, so it’s important that people with children get vaccinated so they won’t pass anything to them.”

People ages 65 and older might be able to get a higher dose of vaccination, said Jennifer Hunt, director of infection prevention at Greenview Regional Hospital.

“They are among a higher risk group of people who die from complications of the flu. A study shows they benefit from it because it gives four times immunity,” she said. “The other (vaccine) doesn’t give as much coverage. They should talk to their health care providers.”

A few people need to be careful about getting the flu vaccine, including those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, anyone who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome from a previous flu vaccine and children under 6 months old, Joyce said. She has also been asked if a person should receive the vaccine if they have a fever.

“Most of the time if someone is running a fever and have other moderate to severe symptoms, they need to wait until the fever is gone,” she said. “Sometimes the fever itself can cause the flu vaccine to not be as effective.”

People can’t catch the flu from the injectable vaccine, Hunt said.

“Keep in mind that once you get the vaccine, it takes two weeks to build up immunity,” she said. “If you come in contact with someone with flu, you can still catch it.”

Medical officials have received calls about vaccine availability and don’t anticipate a shortage this year.

“We are starting to get vaccine in our eight local health departments,” Casey said. “We’re planning for early October flu clinics.”

Some places are already giving the vaccines, but Hunt cautions people to consider the timing of flu season, which is from November through May.

“You want the vaccine to protect you during the flu season,” she said. “If you get it too early, it may not protect you throughout the entire six months.”

Besides getting the vaccines, CDC and the local officials are urging people to protect themselves and others from the flu by stopping germs and using antiviral drugs.

“Influenza is a virus and not bacteria,” Hunt said. “Don’t ask for an antibiotic because they only work on bacteria.”

Covering coughs and sneezes and proper handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol cleanser is a must, Hunt said.

“Wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water, and try to remember not to touch the faucets after your hands are clean,” she said. “Turn them off with a paper towel or your elbow. You may come in contact with the same organisms you just flushed down the sink.”

Rest is also important, Casey said.

“If you’re sick, stay home,” she said. “If your kids are sick, keep them at home.”

— For more information about flu vaccines, contact your health care provider or pharmacy or visit the CDC website at www.flu.gov.

Symptoms of flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. Flu-like symptoms include:

•fever

•cough

•sore throat

•runny or stuffy nose

•body aches

•headache

•chills

•fatigue

•Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without the fever.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)