Valleywide health news, June 4-10, 2015
DESERT SPRINGS HOSPITAL RECEIVES A GRADE IN PATIENT SAFETY
Desert Springs Hospital has been awarded an A grade in the Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. It also received an A rating in fall 2014.
To see the full scoring and other information, visit hospitalsafetyscore.org.
CENTENNIAL HILLS HOSPITAL RECEIVES LACTATION RECOGNITION
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association have recognized Centennial Hills Hospital for excellence in lactation care. The hospital is one of two in Nevada to receive the award.
In addition to finding lactation professionals at Centennial Hills Hospital, mothers can also find a consultant near them by visiting the association website at ilca.org. For more information about the award program, contact the board at award@iblce.org.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE AWARDS $20,000 TO HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
On May 28, 2015, UnitedHealthcare awarded HELP of Southern Nevada a $20,000 grant to support the organization’s efforts to help Nevada families in transition. This grant is part of UnitedHealthcare’s ongoing efforts to identify and support organizations in Nevada that help families, young parents and children live healthier lives.
CARRINGTON COLLEGE PROVIDES THOUSANDS OF BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS
On May 21, 2015, Carrington College’s 17 campuses, including its Las Vegas campus, provided 5,698 complimentary blood pressure checks to members of the local community in observance of High Blood Pressure Education Month.
The checks were provided by campus medical assisting students, and Carrington College faculty and staff were also on-hand to provide information on the dangers of high blood pressure, risks to developing high blood pressure and methods to combat high blood pressure.
Visit carrington.edu.
SINUS SURGERY SEMINARS OFFERED
A free minimally invasive sinus surgery seminar is offered from noon to 1 p.m. June 23 at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. Dr. Terrance Kwiatkowski is set to discuss a new option to treat sinusitis through balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive way to find relief from sinusitis.
Registration is required. Call 702-388-4888.
FREE WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SEMINARS SCHEDULED
Free weight loss surgery informational seminars are planned at 10 a.m. June 13 and 27 and 6:30 p.m. June 16 at the Surgical Weight Control Center, 3802 Meadows Lane. Registration is required. Call 702-313-8446.
FREE SEMINARS FOR KNEE, HIP SURGERIES OFFERED
Free seminars for surgical options for knee and hip pain are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. June 9 and 23 and July 13 and 30 at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. Registration is required. Call 702-388-4888.
WOMENS PHILANTHROPY GROUP GRANTS $350,000 TO WESTCARE
Nevada Women’s Philanthropy elected to award its $350,000 gift to WestCare Nevada to carry out vital improvements to an aging 33,000-square-foot building at its Women and Children’s Campus at 5659 Duncan Drive. Future Smiles will receive the $30,000 NWP Founder’s Gift.
WestCare Nevada provides emergency housing, youth medical detox, substance and mental healthcare treatment, case management and job training among other services to over 1,600 people there per year at its Women and Children’s Campus.
Visit nevadawomensphilanthropy.org.
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 1 to 4 p.m. June 5 at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Enter sponsor code gibsonlibrary.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 5 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Enter sponsor code greenvalleylibrary.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 5 at Shepherd Eye Center, 3575 Pecos McLeod. Enter sponsor code sheperdeye.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 5 at the Windmill Library, 7060 Windmill Lane. Enter sponsor code windmilllibrary.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at Outlet PC, 7485 Commercial Way. Enter sponsor code outletpc.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6 at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive. Enter sponsor code chlibrary.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. Enter sponsor code rainbowlibrary.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6 at Smith’s, 9750 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter sponsor code smithssilverado.
From 9 a.m. to noon June 7 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2 S. Pecos Road. Enter sponsor code cslc.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at Smith’s, 10600 Southern Highlands Parkway. Enter sponsor code smithssohighland.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8 at Lindsay Bennett Memorial, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter sponsor code unlv.
From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 8 at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way. Enter sponsor code aliante library.
From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 9 at Pima Medical Institute, 3333 E. Flamingo Road. Enter sponsor code L1C67.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10 at Fremont Hotel Casino, 200 E. Fremont St. Enter sponsor code fremontdonor.
VOICES FOR A CURE EVENT FEATURING TERRY FATOR SCHEDULED
The Arthritis Foundation is set to host its annual Voices for a Cure benefit starring Terry Fator at 7:30 p.m. June 4 at The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The event is to raise money to help improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and arthritis-related diseases.
A VIP reception is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. with food and cocktails. This year’s event features three honorees, including 6-year-old Youth Honoree Janaya Cosio, who was diagnosed with systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 18 months; Adult Honoree Jesenia DeLaCruz, diagnosed with lupus as an adult; and Medical Honoree Dr. Christianne Yung, rheumatologist.
In addition, Clark County commissioners are set to proclaim June 4 as Terry Fator Day in Clark County.
VIP tickets are $200, and general admission tickets are $75. Visit voicesforacurelv.org or contact Crystal Schulz at the Arthritis Foundation’s Las Vegas office at cschulz@arthritis.org or 702-367-1626.
FREE MEDICARE INFORMATION SESSIONS PLANNED
A free Medicare Information Session is set for 2 p.m. June 9 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. Call 702-507-3716.
A second session is planned for 2 p.m. June 17 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Call 702-507-3964.
Representatives from the Nevada State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Senior Medicare Patrol and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act are set to be on hand to answer questions.
POWER OF LOVE GALA TO BENEFIT KEEP MEMORY ALIVE
Keep Memory Alive’s 19th annual Power of Love Gala is set for June 13 to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. The event is set to feature Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and friends and include live auctions, wine and cocktails, and cuisine by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Tickets are on sale at keepmemoryalive.org/pol. Call 702-263-9797 or email events@keepmemoryalive.org.
SHOW OFFERS SPONSORSHIPS TO BENEFIT AUTISM FOUNDATION
Blue Man Group Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo is offering exclusive sponsorship packages for its Grant a Gift Autism Foundation benefit performance. On June 14, the group is set to host a sensory-friendly show, suitable for children with autism spectrum disorders, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the nonprofit.
Limited sponsorship packages are available. The tiers of financial support are The Royal Package, The Sapphire Package, The Navy Package, The Cobalt Package, The Indigo Package and The Steel Package, ranging in price from $36 to $3,500. Those interested in securing a sponsorship can contact Lynda Tache, Grant a Gift Autism Foundation’s founder and executive director, at ltache@grantagiftautismfoundation.org or 702-564-2453.
CANCER SUPPORT NONPROFIT TOUR SET TO COME TO VEGAS
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit that tours the country selling donated wedding gowns with the proceeds going to programs and services for people affected by cancer.
The Nationwide Tour of Gowns is set to make a stop on June 21 at Emerald Queensridge, 891 S. Rampart Blvd. Vendors, discounted gowns, swag bags, giveaways and more are planned. A VIP event is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit tinyurl.com/vegasbridesagainst.
MEASLES VACCINATION RATES INCREASE IN NEVADA
Immunize Nevada shared a statistic from the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health: According to data from Nevada WebIZ, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and MMR-V (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella), vaccination coverage rates jumped 23 percent in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.
Officials attribute the increase, at least in part, to the high-profile measles outbreak that was linked to Disneyland, along with reported cases in Nevada and many other states between Dec. 28 and April 24. Visit immunizenevada.org.
HEALTH DISTRICT LAUNCHES NEW SITE
The Southern Nevada Health District with the support of community partners, including the UNLV School of Nursing, UNLV School of Community Health Sciences, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, University of Nevada School of Medicine and United Way of Southern Nevada, has launched the Healthy Southern Nevada website. The site offers information on community health and population data available to planners, policy makers, and community members to use as a tool for conducting community assessments, strategic planning and community health improvement and advocacy activities.
Visit healthysouthernnevada.org.
CLEVELAND CLINIC UNVEILS NEW HEALTHY BRAINS SITE
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health unveiled healthybrains.org, which features an interactive brain checkup, personalized brain health index scores and customized reports and recommendations.
The Healthy Brains Initiative, supported by the Caesars Foundation, is a website, a mobile app and an online community. Using a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, anyone can complete a free brain checkup, receive personalized reports and keep up to date on brain health news and scientific breakthroughs. Progress is recorded and tracked and is presented on an individualized dashboard. The customized recommendations, ranging from nutritious recipes, tips to get a better night’s sleep and the importance of exercise, are based on the Six Pillars of Brain Health. Clinical trials can also be recommended for those signaling an interest in helping with new treatments.
UNLV FACULTY DENTAL PRACTICE OPENS
The Faculty Dental Practice at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine is open at 1700 W. Charleston Blvd., Building D, Suite 157.
In its fifth year, the practice offers a wide variety of professor-dentists seeing patients from the community, specializing or emphasizing practice in oral surgery, orthodontics, TMJ, oral pathology, periodontics, endodontics, aesthetic dentistry, implants, complex restoration, dentures and more. All doctors are Dental Board-licensed and engaged in teaching the dentistry they practice in the facility daily. As they are part of the university, they employ all of the latest clinical techniques using the latest, cutting-edge technology at fees similar to their colleagues in the community. Call 702-774-8000.
FAMILIES ASKED TO TAKE SUNDAY DINNER PLEDGE TO SUPPORT SENIORS
Bonnie Reppert, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City, is asking families to take the Sunday Dinner Pledge and commit to scheduling regular meals with senior loved ones. For every pledge made, the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels (up to $20,000) to help ensure that all seniors have access to healthy, nutritious meals.
Also included in the Sunday Dinner Pledge program is a year’s worth of healthy, easy-to-make recipes and shopping guides to help make family meals a positive experience for all generations.
Visit tinyurl.com/sundinnerpledge.
BREAST CANCER EMPOWERMENT GROUP MEETS EACH MONTH
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.
HEALTH GROUP LOOKING FOR RESIDENTS’ INPUT
HealthInsight, a private nonprofit organization working to improve health care in Nevada hospitals, doctor’s offices and nursing homes, needs the public’s input to improve the health care experience.
The group is creating a Patient and Family Advisory Council to better understand the health care system from the patient’s viewpoint. Patients, families and caregivers participating in the council will share their personal stories and health care experiences.
People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Contact Gina Pirozzi at gpirozzi@healthinsight.org or 702-933-7326.
BETTER BREATHERS CLUB MEETS 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 PLANS 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.
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS TO BE OFFERED FRIDAYS
Free blood pressure checks are set to be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays at the Southern Nevada Health District’s main facility, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.
Visit southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
SOUTHWEST MEDICAL ASSOCIATES TO HOST WEIGHT MANAGEMENT GROUP
The HEW/Weight Management Support Group is planned from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. Discuss nutrition and exercise and get tips for weight loss.
To register, call 702-877-5356.
SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL TO HOST STROLLER STRIDES CLASS
A new Stroller Strides Fit4Mom class is planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays on the campus of Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 653 N. Town Center Drive.
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms do with their babies. Activities include power walking/jogging and intervals of strength and body toning exercise using exercise tubing, a stroller and the environment. The class is taught by certified fitness instructors with specialty training in the pre- and postnatal woman. Instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to engage and entertain the babies.
Registration is required. To enroll, visit lasvegas.fit4mom.com.
