Health news and events around the valley, Oct. 15-21, 2015

Digital breast cancer screenings: To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Breast Center at Sunrise, Southern Hills Hospital and Red Rock Radiology at MountainView Hospital are offering $75 digital screening mammograms through Oct. 31 for women who may be uninsured or under-insured. Program participants must be at least 40. Some insurances may fully cover the mammogram. Call MountainView Hospital at 855-445-2246, option 1; Southern Hills Hospital at 702-880-2949; or Red Rock Radiology at 855-476-1268.

$55 Mammograms planned in October: The Valley Health System is offering $55 mammogram screenings weekdays in October. A physician's order is required and should be brought to the appointment. Results will be mailed to the insurance. Insurance will not be billed. Call 702-369-7710 to make an appointment at: Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive; Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd.; or Summerlin Hospital, 657 N. Town Center Drive.

Hospital accreditation: MountainView Hospital, 3100 N. Tenaya Way, received accreditation for its Internal Medicine Residency Program from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The council is a private nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits graduate medical education programs. Residents who are accepted into the MountainView Internal Medicine GME program will begin July 2016. Approximately 20 first-year and 20 second-year residents are expected to be selected. Visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Walk with a Doc events scheduled: Free Walk with a Doc events are planned at 8 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Upcoming event topics are Oct. 15, Breast Health; Nov. 19, Eating Healthily; and Dec. 17, Coping with Psychiatry. Visit umcsn.com.

Disability Awareness Day: In honor of October as National Disability Awareness Month, the Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living is teaming up with AAMCO Medical and several other organizations to host the 23rd annual Disability Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave. Representatives from more than 60 organizations are set to share information on independent living, recreation, employment, legal services, assisted living, transportation, SSI/SSDI benefits counseling, services to the blind, adaptive equipment, financial planning, services to the deaf, housing, home-based businesses and more. The free event will include door prizes, free lunch, a wheelchair wash and minor tune-up, and live entertainment provided by AAMCO Medical. Visit sncil.org.

Healthy walking seminar planned: Tina Encheva, Realtor and continuing education UNLV teacher, is set to direct workshops on the Secrets of Natural Walking from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at 3585 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 203. Email tinae@realtyonelv.com.

Medicare 101 seminar set: A free Medicare 101 seminar is planned from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-East, 5820 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 100. Participants can learn the ABCs of Medicare benefits, including enrollment and lock-in dates; enrollment and eligibility requirements; and tools to choose the best option. Free refreshments will be served. Space is limited. RSVP by calling 855-861-8277.

Hearts and Hands Gala to benefit seniors: A vintage Vegas-inspired gala is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, 888 Bonneville Ave. Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin impressionists are planned, along with music and refreshments. Tickets are $150, and a portion of the ticket may be tax-deductible. Proceeds benefit senior residents. Visit the events page at hhovv.org.

Health care awards planned for Oct. 29: The Dr. Roy W. Martin Fourth Annual Inspired Excellence in Healthcare Awards are planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Las Vegas HEALS (Health, Education, Advocacy and Leadership of Southern Nevada) is set to honor six local physicians for their contributions to the Las Vegas community: Dr. Joseph Adashek of Desert Perinatal Associates; Dr. Rutu Ezhuthachan of United Healthcare; Dr. Mitchell Forman of Touro University; Dr. Oscar B. Goodman Jr. of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and Roseman University of Health Sciences; Dr. David Steinberg of Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging; and Dr. Dylan Wint of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Call 702-952-2477 or visit lasvegasheals.org.

Light the Night Walk: The Southern Nevada chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual Light The Night Walk is planned at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at 899 Fremont St. The walk is held in more than 200 communities across the country and features teams of co-workers, families and friends walking together in twilight holding illuminated lanterns — white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember loved ones lost. The Walk, which commemorates lives touched by blood cancers, is a fundraiser to support blood cancer research for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. The event will include music, refreshments and family activities. Registration is set to open at 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to raise at least $100 to become Champions for Cures and receive an illuminated lantern. Those who raise $1,000 or more join the Bright Lights Club and receive a special long-sleeve shirt and access to the VIP area at the walk. And unique in Las Vegas, all those who raise $1,864 or more are part of the Club 1864 (named for the year Nevada became a state) and receive all Champions for Cures and Bright Lights Club benefits, plus VIP parking. Individuals and teams can register for the walk at lightthenight.org/snv.

Trial participants sought: The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is recruiting participants for a new, multicenter Alzheimer's disease treatment trial, Rasagiline Rescue (R2), designed to determine if treatment with Rasagiline is associated with improved brain glucose metabolism and improvement in memory. Men and women 50 to 90 suffering from mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer's disease are needed to complete the free, six-month study. Other qualifications for trial participation include having a study partner willing and able to comply with required procedures and at least eight years of education. Call 855-568-7886 or contact Yolande Mucharbach at 702-685-7070 or muchary@ccf.org. For more information about the center and other ongoing trials, visit clevelandclinic.org/brainhealth.

Flu vaccines: The Southern Nevada Health District's flu vaccine clinics began Sept. 21 at all locations where patients can receive the injectable, quadrivalent flu vaccine. The cost of the vaccine is $41, and the trivalent high-dose vaccine for people 65 or older is $59. Contact the health district's immunization clinic at 702-759-0850 or visit snhd.info.

Medical bill streamlining: Through the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development, new legislation, sponsored by Gov. Brian Sandoval on behalf of the office and passed by the Nevada Legislature, will help expedite medical licensing for the Health & Medical Services Industry. The Expedited Licensure Bill, which went into effect July 1, allows for medical professionals, currently in good standing in another state, to receive licensure to practice in Nevada within 60 days. Visit diversifynevada.com.

New nursing program: Centennial Hills Hospital recently launched a partnership with Nevada State College nursing students. Beginning in September, eight nursing students from Nevada State College are embarking upon a new model of learning as they care for patients on the sixth floor of Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive, once a week for the next two years. Known as the Caring Science Unit, the students are mentored by Centennial Hills Hospital nurses, who serve as Caring Coaches. In their role, they teach both clinical skills and caring practices to students as they work with patients.

Better Breathers Club plans meetings: The American Lung Association in Nevada invites those with lung health disease, their loved ones and caregivers to a Better Breathers Club meetings planned at the following locations and times each month:

Second Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. in the conference room at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive; 702-835-9898.

Last Fridays, 3 to 4 p.m. at Prestige Care at Mira Loma, 2520 Wigwam Parkway; 702-431-6348.

First Thursdays, 1 to 2 p.m. at St. Rose Women's Care and Outreach Center, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway; 702-616-4910.

First Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m., United in Hope: Lung Cancer Survivors Support Group, at Kindred Hospital Las Vegas, 2250 E. Flamingo Road; at 702-353-2039 or lysa71@cox.net.

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.

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.

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, if available, below. The locations include:

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at Tuscany Village, 522 Via Del Corrallo.

From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, 8425 W. Windmill Lane.

From 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus, 6670 W. Cheyenne Ave.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at New Hope Las Vegas Christian Fellowship, 6344 W. Sahara Ave.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at the College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.

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. Additionally, the Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts are teaming up through September. Those who donate blood or platelets during the month will receive a free haircut coupon valid through Nov. 8.

Las Vegas

From 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Mountain View Christian School, 3900 E. Bonanza Road.

Henderson

From 3:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Thurman White Middle School, 1661 Galleria Drive.