Health news and events around the valley, Aug. 13-19, 2015

Bloodmobile drives planned across valley

UBS Bloodmobile drives are planned at multiple times and locations around the valley. Call 702-233-9620 or visit unitedbloodservices.org and enter the code specific to the location, listed below. The locations include:

From 8 to 11:45 a.m. Aug. 13 at Moen Distribution Center, 4335 Arcata Way. Enter sponsor code moen.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. Enter sponsor code paseoverde.

From noon to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. Enter sponsor code enterpriselibrary.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 14 at Progressive Choices Inc., 3014 Rigel Ave. Enter sponsor code progessivechoices.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road. Enter sponsor code blackmtn.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive. Enter sponsor code whitneyranch.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Enter sponsor code spring.

From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Pima Medical Institute, 3333 E. Flamingo Road. Enter sponsor code pimamedical.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Enter sponsor code springspreserve.

American Red Cross blood drives scheduled around the valley

The American Red Cross encourages residents to donate. Blood drives are planned continually across the valley. All blood types are needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, on a regular basis. To schedule a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Upcoming donation opportunities are:

Las Vegas

From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at Mountain Vista Ward, 1775 N. Christy Lane.

From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Back to school fair planned with dental screenings and immunizations

A Back to School Dental Care Fair and School Immunization event is planned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Aug. 14 at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, 2323 Potosi St. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in partnership with Nevada Health Centers is holding a free Dental Care Fair (appointments necessary) and School Immunizations (walk-ins only). Call 844-227-6867 to schedule.

Free breastfeeding support group planned at Centennial Hills Hospital

A free Live, Love, Latch! event is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, La Leche League USA is set to present this event designed to celebrate breastfeeding and highlight community support.

Community blood drive planned Aug. 19

A Community Blood Drive is planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at Nathan Adelson Hospice's Walter L. Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care, 4131 Swenson St.

All donors are to receive a voucher for two-for-one all-day ride passes to the Adventuredome at Circus-Circus and a voucher for a complimentary large one-topping pizza from Papa Murphy's participating locations.

Donors are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 702-233-9620 or visiting unitedbloodservices.org and entering sponsor code "nah."

Hospital job fairs planned at two locations Aug. 21 and 25

The Summerlin Hospital Job Fair is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at the hospital main lobby, 657 N. Town Center Drive. The hospital is hiring for experienced registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, operating room technicians, emergency department technicians and monitor technicians. Interested nurses should have a minimum of one year of experience.

The Spring Valley Hospital Job Fair is planned from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at the hospital conference room B, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000 are available for certain registered nurse positions within all Valley Health System hospitals. Nurses must have at least three years of experience in the area for which they are applying: OB (which includes labor and delivery, post-partum, antepartum and nursery), cardiovascular OR, emergency and intensive care unit, to qualify for the sign-on bonus. The bonus is available through Sept. 20.

Benefits may include medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401k participation; tuition reimbursement; weekend bonus; shift and weekend differentials (partial listing). Benefits may vary depending upon employment status and specific position. Benefits become effective at various dates during employment. Employees covered under Collective Bargaining Agreements may have other eligibility requirements or limitations.

Free Healthy Heart Day celebration scheduled at Spring Valley Hospital

A free Healthy Heart Day is set from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. Dr. Nauman Jahangir is set to lecture at 11:30 a.m. regarding heart health; lunch is included. Cholesterol screenings ($5 charge), blood pressure screenings, a hands-only CPR demonstration, a heart health information question-and-answer session, a heart health nutrition demonstration, refreshments and giveaways are also planned. Registration is required by calling 702-388-4888.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy seminar planned for Aug. 27 at Spring Valley Hospital

A free What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? seminar is set from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be an important part of wound care treatment, spending time in a pressurized chamber to help the blood carry more oxygen to the body's tissues and organs to help with healing. Learn more about this process, along with the types of medical issues it can help treat. Registration is required by calling 702-388-4888.

Las Vegas HEALS Opens Nominations for Inspired Excellence in Health Care Awards

Las Vegas HEALS (Health, Education, Advocacy and Leadership of Southern Nevada) is accepting nominations for its annual Inspired Excellence in Healthcare Awards. This annual award ceremony recognizes health care individuals who inspire continued health care excellence.

Nomination forms can be found at lasvegasheals.org/nominate. The nomination process will close at 5 p.m. Aug. 28. This year's award gala is set for the Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 29.

Artisan Craft Festival set to host blood drive

An Artisan Craft Festival Blood Drive is planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the grand ballroom in the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. The first 68 will receive a special gift bag, and all who donate are to receive two for one rides at the Adventure Dome sponsored by Circus Circus. Visit artisancraftfestival.com, email info@artisancraftfestival.com or call 702-466-7683.

Addiction treatment center accepting applications for art contests

Local addiction treatment center Solutions Recovery Inc. is accepting applications for two art contests to will highlight the 12 steps of recovery. The paintings are to be featured in the organization's Wellness Campus publication and be officially presented during an unveiling ceremony at Solutions Recovery's 10-year anniversary event, scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

Solutions Recovery will select 12 contestants total, with six artists participating in each of the contests. Each artist will be tasked with painting a mural portraying one of the 12 steps of recovery on an outdoor wall at the Solutions Recovery Wellness Campus, 2975 S. Rainbow Blvd. Artists will pick their recovery step on a first-come, first-served basis, and they are free to interpret their step however they choose, using any painting style they prefer.

Each contest will provide a $500 prize to the painter of the winning mural and a $150 prize for the second-place mural. Artwork will be judged on originality, design and significance to the specific step.

To apply, email Jessica Kantor at jkantor@solutions-recovery.com.

NV Energy Foundation donates $1.25 million to clinic for brain health

The NV Energy Foundation made a $1.25 million check presentation to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on July 28. The five-year grant is to create the NV Energy Chair for Brain Health Education and help the clinic to advance its efforts to improve the quality of education for Nevada's current and future health care professionals. Dr. Dylan Wint, who leads the center's existing educational programs, will be the inaugural chairman and spearhead new community outreach initiatives.

Multicultural populations encouraged to resister as organ donors

The Nevada Donor Network is in the midst of a four-week ad campaign targeted toward multicultural populations to honor previous multicultural donors and their families and highlight the need for multicultural donor registration. The campaign, Every One Counts, is aimed at highlighting that an organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a tissue donor can save and heal dozens of people. The Nevada Donor Network is asking for multicultural Nevadans to visit nvdonor.org to learn the facts about donation and register as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging opens Shadow Lane location

The Las Vegas Medical District is beginning its growth and expansion as it welcomes the newest imaging location for Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging to Shadow Lane. A ribbon cutting with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Ward 1 Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, Dr. David Steinberg, Las Vegas City Manager Betsy Fretwell and Deputy City Manager Scott Adams, emceed by Latin Chamber of Commerce President Otto Merida, was scheduled for the new location, 800 Shadow Lane, on Aug. 4.

Valley Health System receives accreditation from College of American Pathologists

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists has awarded accreditation to the Valley Health System Hospital Laboratory in Las Vegas based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the the college's accreditation program. The Valley Health System Laboratory is one of more than 7,600 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, which began in the early 1960s, as being equal to or more stringent that the government's own inspection program, according to the College of American Pathologists. Visit cap.org.

Hospices set to participate in Medicare Care Choices Model

Nathan Adelson Hospice announced it has been selected to participate in the Medicare Care Choices Model. The model provides Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for coverage under the Medicare Hospice Benefit and eligible beneficiaries who qualify for the Medicaid Hospice Benefit the option to elect to receive supportive care services typically provided by hospice and continue to receive curative services at the same time.

For information on the model or list of participating hospices, visit tinyurl.com/hospicemedicaremodel.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program available at Desert Springs Hospital

Southern Nevadans who have undergone open heart surgery, balloon angioplasty or have other serious cardiac conditions may benefit from a personalized cardiac rehabilitation program available at Desert Springs Hospital. The program uses a mix of education, personalized exercise plans and encouragement to strengthen the heart muscle and adopt healthier lifestyle changes, according to Larren Wallace, director of cardiopulmonary services for the hospital.

Under the direction of Larren Wallace and medical director Dr. Alfred Danielian, the cardiac rehabilitation center helps patients continue with their cardiac recovery. The cardiac rehabilitation team can help address patients' future heart problems by educating them on cardiac risk factors and focusing on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle through a heart-healthy diet and personally designed exercise options. Call 702-902-1700.

Fibromyalgia group meets second, third Thursdays

The Fibromyalgia Friends Support Group of Southern Nevada is scheduled to meet during lunch and evening sessions the second and third Thursday of the month. Lunch meetings are set from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fiesta Henderson buffet, 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Evening meetings are planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Barbara Greenspun Women's Care Center, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180. Visit fmfriends.org.

Breast cancer empowerment group set to meet monthly

A free Breast Cancer Empowerment/Support Group is set to meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. Topics vary and include guest speakers, resources and open discussion with the goal of helping to empower and support women. RSVP by calling 702-233-7155.

Better Breathers Club set to meet monthly

The Better Breathers Club is set to meet the second Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. This educational and social support group is for people with lung disease, their loved ones and caregivers. A light lunch and snacks are planned. Call Henry Clay at 702-835-9898.

Free STD testing available

Free weekly STD screenings are available at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada and the Richard Steele Boxing Facility. Visit snhd.info/sexual-health-clinic.

Stroke support group planning monthly meetings

The Stroke Support Group is set to meet at various times monthly:

From 3 to 4 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, 702-233-7061.

From 3 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive, 702-629-1309.

From 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of the month at the South Magna Conference Center, south of the Desert Springs Hospital main entrance, 2075 E. Flamingo Road, 702-369-7560. Recommended parking is off Bruce Street. Lunch is provided.

From 10 to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month on the fourth floor of Valley Hospital, 620 Shadow Lane. Call 702-388-8441 or 702-388-4619. Light refreshments will be served.