To honor 150 years of serving humanity, Mayo Clinic is taking its story to the public in a free exhibit destined for stops through the U.S. and Canada from April through October. The exhibit is stopping at Yampa Valley Medical Center on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The high-impact, 1,000-square-foot exhibition on wheels will bring to life Mayo Clinic's values and vision for the future of health care.
Visitors to the exhibit will see the human body as never seen before and discover how Mayo Clinic uses innovation, research and technology to meet the needs of individuals. For more information, visit http://150years.mayoclinic.org/mobile-exhibit.php.
Holistic health event is Tuesday on Oak Street
Steamboat Springs is one of the healthiest communities in Colorado and in the country. It is no coincidence that there are many practitioners of holistic healing available to assist in the pursuit of wellness within this community.
In Steamboat, there is a growing niche of wellness practitioners evolving on Oak Street between Third and Fifth streets. Several of the homes along Oak Street have become commercial transitional properties housing massage therapists, mental health professionals, chiropractors, animal massage and healing professionals, and others.
These practitioners, with the assistance of Mainstreet Steamboat Springs, have organized a holistic health fair open house to introduce the community to this wellness niche. From 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, the community is invited to meet the practitioners in their offices in a mixer-style event, opening their offices so the public can see the facilities, ask questions and having free screenings.
Participating businesses will be identified by clusters of balloons outside their doors. Don't miss the practitioners beyond Fifth Street on Oak Street, also identified with balloons.
The mixer-style format will include the opportunity to sign up for door prizes and treats available in many of the offices. One winner will take home a new e-reader.
For more information, call Kristen Van De Carr at 970-879-4604 or Tracy Barnett at 970-846-1800.
Community Forum is June 12 to inform public about organizations
The Northwest Colorado Center for Independence, Routt County Council on Aging and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are holding a Routt County Community Forum at 5:30 p.m. June 12 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.
The purpose of the forum is to inform the public about organizations in the community. Agencies and programs such as the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Bridges Out of Poverty, Horizons Specialized Services, Mind Springs Health and Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports will speak at the forum and will host resource tables.
All are welcome to attend. RSVP by Friday is preferred but not required. Call Jerry Van Voorst, with the Northwest Colorado Center for Independence, at 970-620-3897.
Tdap vaccine recommended for everyone
The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin made by bacteria that’s commonly found in soil. Tetanus does not spread from person to person. The bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin — usually cuts or puncture wounds.
Tetanus vaccination is recommended for everyone and should be repeated every 10 years. Immunizations including Tdap and other routine recommended vaccinations are covered by insurance.
If you are uninsured, the cost is $21.50 per shot. Call the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632 to make your appointment.
Residents reminded that blood donations are needed in summer
Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy all the activities the season has to offer, but unfortunately, it’s often a difficult time of year, and Bonfils Blood Center experiences as much as a 20 percent decline in donations because of travel and other warm weather plans.
This year, make a positive impact in your life and the lives of others and help ensure the community blood supply remains stable. All donors who give blood through Aug. 2 will receive a small red cooler bag (while supplies last).
The next community blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6 p.m. June 12 at Yampa Valley Medical Center inside the conference rooms.
Bonfils Blood Center provides blood and blood products to nearly 100 hospitals and health care facilities throughout Colorado and beyond. Bonfils needs nearly 3,000 people to donate blood every week to meet the needs of the community and be prepared for any unforeseen events.
For more information about Bonfils Blood Center, visit www.bonfils.org or call 303-363-2300 or 800-365-0006.
Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program offered through VNA
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program.
This free program offers four prenatal smoking cessations sessions. Expectant moms that quit smoking, stay quit during their pregnancy and stay smoke free after their baby is born will receive a monthly voucher for free diapers, for as many as 12 months.
For more information, call Hope Cook, RN, at 970-871-7622.
Hospice Celebration of Life Golf Tournament is June 9
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will hold its Hospice Celebration of Life Golf Tournament and dinner event June 9.
The day kicks off with the golf tournament at 8 a.m. at the Catamount Ranch & Club followed by a lively dinner event that same evening featuring an upscale barbecue menu, music by Jon Gibbs and Randy Kelley, drinks and festivities at The Larson Barn starting at 6:30 p.m.
There is limited parking, and carpooling is encouraged.
VNA’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program enables patients with a life expectancy of six months or less to approach the end of life with dignity and comfort in their own community. Dinner tickets are $60 each, and sponsorships are available from $100 and more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kendall Yeager at 970-871-7607 or kyeager@nwcovna.org or visit www.nwcovna.org/hospicecelebration.php.
US experiencing high number of measles cases being reported
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases, many of which developed from international travel.
A total of 129 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. in 2014, the highest number reported since 1996.
Of these cases, 34 were imported from other countries, such as the Philippines.
The Philippines has been experiencing an explosive outbreak of measles, with approximately 20,000 confirmed or suspected cases reported during January and February, including 69 deaths.
Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. After an infected person leaves a location, the virus remains contagious for as many as two hours on surfaces and in the air. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
CDC recommends international travelers, school age children and college students receive two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. Children between ages 1 and 3 years old should receive one dose of MMR but two doses if they are traveling internationally.
For more information about getting vaccinated against measles, call the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632, or contact your health care provider.
Donations needed for bingo at Casey's Pond
Donations now are being accepted for jewelry, small stuffed animals or similar items to be used as bingo prizes at the Doak Walker House at Casey’s Pond Senior Living in Steamboat Springs.
Drop them off at the concierge desk or call Celia with questions at 970-457-4883.
Support group for parents grieving loss of infant
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is starting a support group for parents grieving the loss of an infant.
This group will meet weekly and offer support to any parent who has experienced the premature loss of an infant through miscarriage or other circumstances.
Call Katy Thiel at 970-871-7628 to register for this group. A date and location have not yet been determined.
Support group for children ages 12 to 15 is Wednesdays
Poogie’s Place/Cole’s Cowboy Corner, a program of Hospice, will be starting a children’s support group for kids ages 12 to 15 who are grieving the death of a loved one.
This group will use art as a means of learning about and finding ways to cope with a death. During the children’s group a subsequent parent’s group will be offered for parents to explore ways to deal with your own grief and to learn ways to help your children deal with their grief.
The group will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rollingstone Respite House. The start date will be determined at time of registration.
This group is free, but donations are accepted. Call Katy Thiel at 970-871-7628 for more information and to sign up.
Parkinson's exercise class is Wednesdays in Steamboat
A Parkinson’s exercise will start for people with Parkinson's disease or those who would like to improve balance. The class includes seated warm up, standing exercises for balance, strength and agility, and group camaraderie.
The classes will run from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs at Eighth and Oak streets. Use the alley entrance.
Costs are $10 for drop in or $80 for a 10-punch card, and care partners are free.
Contact Jacqueline Teuscher at 303-829-2869 or jacqueline.teuscher@gmail.com or Eva Gibbon at 970-846-9887 for more information.
VNA offers birth control, STD screenings
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Community Health Center is offering low-cost birth control, STD screenings (for men and women), pap smears, breast exams and general women’s health care based on income. All income levels are welcome. Make an appointment in Steamboat by calling 970-879-1632 or in Craig by calling 970-824-8233.
LiveWell program to help families with healthy eating
LiveWell Northwest Colorado is helping families be healthy by working to improve eating habits and to be more physically active through the “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” program. The program sets the goal each day of eating five or more fruits and vegetables, watching two or fewer hours of TV, getting an hour or more of physical activity and drinking zero sugary drinks. For more information about the program, visit www.nwcovna.org/livewell.php or call LiveWell Northwest Colorado Community Coordinator Barb Parnell at 970-819-4110.
Planned Parenthood can help with annual exam costs
Planned Parenthood can cover the cost of an annual exam for women who are uninsured or underinsured, according to a news release. Call 970-879-2212 for information or to make an appointment or stop by the health center on 11th Street between Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street.
Northwest Colorado VNA offers options to help quit tobacco
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association offers options for those looking to quite smoking. The VNA has counseling available to help tobacco users of all ages to quit using cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Quitting tobacco usually takes multiple attempts, but studies show cessation support can significantly improve a person’s chance for success. Counseling helps tobacco users set quit goals in a judgment-free environment. Participants also may receive support for weight management, nutrition, heart health and stress control. There is no fee for this service. It is available in English and Spanish. To be connected with a Cessation Counselor in Steamboat Springs or Craig, call 970-871-7634.
Other programs the VNA offer include:
• The Colorado QuitLine, which offers free personalized cessation phone support for smokers. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• SmokefreeTXT program provides free personalized text message support. Text the word QUIT to IQUIT (47848).
Support groups to meet this week
• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.
• A Christian support group for parents of children have been called home by God is at 6:30 p.m. Monday at 27441 Brandon Circle. For more information, call 970-870-7879.
• A domestic violence support group for women is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.
• A depression, anxiety and bipolar support group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room 2 at Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive. The group provides support, education and tools to help with everyday life. Family and friends are welcome. Call 970-819-6751 for more information.
• Heartbeat of Steamboat support group meetings Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rollingstone Respite House, 480 Rollingstone Drive. The group is for those who have lost a loved one or friend.
• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meetings Sundays at 5:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group will explore recovery through meditation, book study and all open discussion. Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions. For more information, call 720-670-8642.
To submit a health brief, email happenings@SteamboatToday.com.