Health notes - dailypress.com

'Dual-eligibles' (Medicare/Medicaid) can join pilot program in Feb. 2014

By Prue Salasky — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:29:00 GMT

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Virginia will partner with CMS to test a new model for providing Medicare-Medicaid enrollees with a more coordinated, person-centered care experience.

BFF program for all 5th grade girls

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:27:00 GMT

On Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast will present a special program, BFF, for ALL girls in Grade 5 -- non-Girl Scouts included -- at Warwick High School in Newport News.

Free lunch and learn for community health workers

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:18:00 GMT

From noon to 2:45 p.m. on May 23 there is a free lunch and learn for Community Health Workers to learn about Chronic Disease Self Management; it's at Warwick Forest, 1004 Old Denbigh Blvd., Newport News.

Free emergency response training in JCC

By Prue Salasky — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:26:00 GMT

L earn to be prepared for an emergency by taking the James City County Community Emergency Response Team (JCC CERT) course.

National Veterinary Cancer Registry launched

By Prue Salasky — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:23:00 GMT

Theresa W. Fossum has launched the National Veterinary Cancer Registry, NVCR, a national database for pets diagnosed with cancer.

Sentara enrolling patients in new heart research study

By Prue Salasky — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:13:00 GMT

Sentara Cardiovascular Research Institute is enrolling heart patients in a clinical research trial to study an investigational "dissolving" device to treat blockages in the vessels serving the heart.

Hampton opens new WIC clinic

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:26:00 GMT

In a press release, The Hampton Health Department announced the opening of its second WIC clinic at 1206 N. King St., "creating a location more convenient for Hampton residents in the eastern part of the city, including Langley Air Force Base. The clinic was specifically built to provide WIC services. Hampton Mayor Molly Joseph Ward cut the ribbon to officially open the clinic on May 8 th .

Virginia group wants housing options for those with a mental illness

By Prue Salasky — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:28:00 GMT

Virginia advocacy group is seeking a change to the use of auxiliary grant funds which currently confine those with a mental illness to group homes or assisted living facilities.

Chiropractor Andrea Shannon conducting free spine screenings

By Prue Salasky — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:34:00 GMT

Andrea Shannon, chiropractor, will conduct free spinal screenings at the Wal-Mart, 12407 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.

Recovery Center open in Newport News on Tuesdays

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:51:00 GMT

SAARA of the Peninsula, an affiliate of the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance, held an open house in April. The new Recovery Center at 3509 Chestnut Ave. in Newport News (behind Triumph Christian Center) is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Additional hours in the future).

Suffolk WalMart a top fundraiser for CHKD

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:42:00 GMT

Customers at WalMart in Hampton Roads donated $1.1 million to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, a regional pediatric hospital in Norfolk, in 2012. Their donations go to the radiology department and last year it helped the hospital purchase a second MRI machine.

Communicating about end-of-life care -- for families and caregivers

By Prue Salasky — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:17:00 GMT

The Virginia Caregiver Coalition is sponsoring a meeting: "Improving Patient-Physician Communication about end-of-life care". POST -- physician orders for scope of treatment -- presented by Laura Pole, RN, MSN, pilot project coordinator, Palliative Care Partnership of the Roanoke Valley.

Peninsula hospital charges vary widely; Medicare releases numbers on 3,000 hospitals

By Prue Salasky — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:54:00 GMT

On Wednesday, the CMS released FY 2011 numbers regarding what hospitals around the country charge for the 100 most common procedures. Charges varied wildly even within the same geographic region - and somewhat between hospitals under the same ownership.

Bon Secours Wellness Fair/party to celebrate Senior Games

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:40:00 GMT

The Virginia Senior Games are taking place in Newport News, and on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fountain Plaza in City Center, Bon Secours will be celebrating with a "Wellness Fair."

Operation Smile volunteer from Newport News recognized

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:40:00 GMT

Operation Smile International, a volunteer organization that travels the world fixing cleft palates and other facial deformities in people, has awarded the Michael Reusing Award to Peggy Hewes of Newport News.

Specially for theme park visitors with food allergies

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:31:00 GMT

Last year the operators of SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place Parks instituted special menus/initiatives for visitors with food allergies.

Women doctors in the news

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:31:00 GMT

Karen Remley, MD, stepped down from her position as Virginia Health Commissioner to protest the politicization of the Board of Health in regard to the vote on architectural standards for abortion clinics.

Virginia Bio recognizes 20, including in-vitro pioneer Howard Jones

By Prue Salasky — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:31:00 GMT

Virginia Bio, a statewide trade association recognized 20 contributions to bioscience research and commercialization as part of the group's 20th anniversary.

Disabilities day at Virginia Zoo in Norfolk -- free admission

By Prue Salasky — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:05:00 GMT

11th annual Day for People with Disabilities will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 1 at the Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St., Norfolk. Last year, 3,000 citizens attended.

Williamsburg Wound Healing Center recognized

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:09:00 GMT

Sentara Wound Healing Center earned the Center of Distinction award from Healogics, Inc., a provider of wound care services with a membership of 500 centers. The center is located in the Geddy Outpatient Center at Williamsburg Regional Medical Center; it brings together a diverse team of doctors and specialists to find the cause of slow and non-healing wounds and develop customized treatment plans.

UVA brain study moves forward

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:49:00 GMT

UVA School of Medicine reports that a preliminary clinical trial of scalpel-free brain surgery that uses sound waves to treat essential tremor - a progressive neurological disease that affects millions -- has proved positive and will move on to large-scale testing. The initial study had 15 participants who showed a 67 percent reduction in hand tremor over one year.

Free breast screenings and more for women

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:49:00 GMT

Riverside is offering free breast cancer screenings and pap smears to women between the ages of 21 and 70 who live in Newport News, Williamsburg, James City County, York County or Poquoson; call 800-520-7006 to register.

'Every 15 minutes' serves as warning to Woodside students about DUI

By Prue Salasky — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:40:00 GMT

The Newport News “Every 15 Minutes” Task Force is thrilled to announce the culmination of nine months of planning and preparation! Woodside High School will host the crash program on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, 2013, at 13450 Woodside Lane, Newport News.

NN-based Team Care expands reach

By Prue Salasky — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:31:00 GMT

As a primary care physician, Peter Anderson, MD, developed a team care approach in order to handle more patients while providing better, more focused care.

Hampton Proton Therapy Institute hosting open house

By Prue Salasky — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:21:00 GMT

The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) will host a free informational seminar Thurs., May 2, at 6:00 pm, at 40 Enterprise Parkway in Hampton. It invites the public to attend and learn about cancer prevention tips and proton therapy cancer treatment. Refreshments will be served.