Health news and events around the valley, Oct. 22-28, 2015

Breast Care Open House: Southwest Medical is offering a free breast care open house, set from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Eastern Health Center, 4475 S. Eastern Ave. The public can meet health care providers, learn about breast care health and early detection, get a mammogram screening or schedule a future screening.

Nevada Health Care Forum: The eighth annual event is set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Tuscany, 255 E. Flamingo Road. The largest gathering of health care professionals in the state, the event's featured speakers include: Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle, co-founder and CEO, Iora Health; Dr. Bard Coats, market president, HealthCare Partners Medical Group; Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO, Scripps Health; Richard L. Gundling, CMA, vice president of HealthCare Financial Management Association; and Brian Brannman, senior vice president of operations, Dignity Health Nevada, and president and CEO of St. Rose Dominican Hospital — Siena Campus. For registration information and prices, visit nevadahealthcareforum.com.

New Children First facility: A Community Open House and ribbon cutting for Sunrise Children's Foundation and Southern Nevada Children First is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at 3755 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The two are set to celebrate their new partnership and the 20,000-square-foot facility donated by Station Casinos. Southern Nevada Children First's goal is to address the needs of homeless, pregnant and parenting youth throughout Southern Nevada through mentoring, advocacy, education, counseling and intensive case management. Visit sunrisechildren.org.

Breast cancer supporters:Petty Holdings LLC, owner/operator of Drive Vegas, has partnered with Southern Nevada's local chapter of American Cancer Society by donating 5 percent of all online registrations from any Richard Petty Driving Experience King's Experience, Zero 1 Desert Adventure Pioneer Adventure, American Muscle Car Challenge and Indy Racing Experience booked at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway through Oct. 31. Drive Vegas is also allowing guests the opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors and those who have died by signing an honorary pink car hood that will be displayed at the Drive Vegas media center. Call 800-237-3889 or visit drivevegas.com.

Digital breast cancer screenings: To celebrate 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 for women who may be uninsured or under-insured through Oct. 31. Program participants must be at least 40 years old. 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.

Healthy holiday challenge: The Southern Nevada Health District's free, web-based program, the Get Healthy Holiday Challenge, kicked off its sixth year Oct. 12 and is set to run through Jan. 1, 2016. The event offers a weekly challenge and tools to track progress during the 12-week period. Each week, an email health challenge will be distributed that provides tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and tips to navigate the holiday party buffet table. The program also provides recipes and an interactive blog. Contact the Southern Nevada Health District's Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at 702-759-1270 or visit SNHD.info or gethealthyclarkcounty.org.

Hospital pharmacies: Centennial Hills, Desert Springs, Spring Valley, Summerlin and Valley hospitals are offering retail pharmacies available to patients and the general public to provide over-the-counter medications and prescription medications. The pharmacies accept most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D plans. Visit valleyhealthsystemlv.com.

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.

Sock Hop fundraiser: Friends of Parkinson's, a local nonprofit benefiting people with Parkinson's disease is set to host its Parkinson's All Shook Up Sock Hop Fundraiser from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at Elks Lodge, 4100 W. Charleston Blvd. The event is set to feature classic cars, music to rock around the clock, the Friends of Parkinson's board advisors, community supporters, Parkinson's disease care partners, family, and friends. The cost is $20, and all proceeds go to the organization. Contact Frank Fuentes at 702-884-5689 or frank@trospercommunications.com.

PurpleLight: The Las Vegas Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network plans a purple lighting event to honor and memorialize those who have or have had pancreatic cancer from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at The District on The Green in Henderson, 100 S. Green Valley Parkway. The University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels swim team will flip the switch, lighting The District in purple lights. Eleven-year pancreatic cancer survivor, Betsy Cushman, a Henderson resident, will speak and read the names of survivors and those lost. As each name is read, survivors, families and friends in attendance will be asked to stand and illuminate a purple glow stick. To register and receive a glow stick, visit purplelight.org. Visit pancan.org.

Look Good Feel Better Sessions: The sessions are set for 6 p.m. Oct 27 at 21st Century Oncology Las Vegas — Northwest, 2851 N. Tenaya Way, and 6 p.m. Oct 29 at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada — Northwest, 7455 Peak Drive. The program is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Professional Beauty Association and aims to help patients learn beauty techniques as they progress through their cancer treatment. In-person workshops help women with cancer manage the appearance-related side effects of treatment. Trained volunteer beauty professionals teach techniques on skin care, makeup, and nail care, and give practical tips on hair loss, wigs, and head coverings. Call 702-891-9009.

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.

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.

Hospital expansion: Centennial Hills Hospital is set to begin building out the fourth floor of the hospital later this year, adding a total of 36 inpatient beds and increasing its total inpatient bed count to 226 when the project is completed during the fourth quarter of 2016. The $9.7 million project includes transforming a previous shelled space into 20 private medical/surgical rooms and 16 intermediate medical care rooms to meet the increasing demand for inpatient care, according to Sajit Pullarkat, CEO/managing director of Centennial Hills Hospital. The overall project will also include additions to the hospital's current infrastructure to improve efficiency of patient care as well as visitor and staff convenience. These include additional parking, an additional elevator and other departmental improvements, according to Ryan Moon, chief operating officer of Centennial Hills Hospital.

New primary care practices opening: Humana Inc. and HealthCare Partners Nevada, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., will further solidify the partnership by opening two new primary care practices in Nevada. Opening under the HealthCare Partners Nevada brand, the two new primary care practices located in Southern Nevada are designed with Humana's Medicare Advantage members in mind. The new practices are located at 6210 N. Durango Drive, Building, and 745 S. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 160. Visit humana.com/accountable-care.

Health Link Health Fair: Nevada Health Link is set to kick off the open enrollment period with a Health Fair for Uninsured and Underinsured Nevadans from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the College of Southern Nevada Charleston campus, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd. Nevada residents seeking affordable, high-quality, income-appropriate health insurance are invited to attend. The enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2016. Attendees can Speak one-on-one with licensed broker agents and certified enrollment assisters, find out if they are eligible for federal tax credits and subsidies to help cover insurance costs, find licensed brokers, or receive a free health screening by various health service providers. Food trucks are set to be on site. Visit nevadahealthlink.com.

Autism Gala: The sixth annual Fashion for Autism Gala is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Aria, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The theme of the evening is Bringing a Solution Into Focus. Featuring Porsche Design at Crystals, the fashion event celebrates community members leading the fight against autism and benefits the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation. To purchase tickets, call 702-564-2453 or visit grantagiftautismfoundation.org or email events@grantagiftautismfoundation.org.

Heart and stroke walk and run: Billed as Oscar vs. Oscar, former Mayor and Host Committee Chairman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Oscar Goodman and his son Dr. Oscar B. Goodman Jr. have joined in a dual city-wide challenge to knock out cardiovascular disease and stroke in support of the 24th annual Heart & Stroke Walk and Run, set for Nov. 7 at the Fremont Street Experience. The duo invite business leaders and physicians to accept the challenge by setting a personal fundraising goal of $2,500. The event includes a Kids Zone, free health screenings, live entertainment, food, and more. Heart and stroke survivors can participate in a 1-mile survivor route and will receive special survivor T-shirts. Visit lasvegasheartwalk.org or call 702-789-4370.

Medicine Ball: Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that provides the uninsured with access to preventative and comprehensive medical care, invites the public to attend the Seventh Annual Volunteers in Medicine Ball, set for 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The fundraiser is set to honor Donald D. Snyder, a philanthropic and community leader and presidential advisor for strategic initiatives at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the former chairman of the board and CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada, co-founder of Bank of Nevada and founding board chair of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, dancing and a live auction in a Vintage Vegas theme. Proceeds raised during the event support VMSN's operations in Southern Nevada. Contact VMSN at 702-967-0530, ext. 207, or visit vmsn.org. To sponsor or purchase tickets, visit vmsn15.auction-bid.org/micro2.php.

Health benefits fair: The National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association Lake Mead District Henderson Chapter No. 2031 is set to host its annual Health Benefits Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. Attendees can learn about many insurance organizations, long term care, assisted living and healthy living agencies. Federal employees, active and retired, are invited. Contact Verena Briley Hudson at 702-998-6757 or verenajo@otmail.com.

Bariatric seminar: The free seminar is set from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at MountainView Hospital, 3100 N. Tenaya Way. Learn about bariatric (weight loss) surgery, the different types and steps toward making this life change. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

MountainView Lunch & Learn: The GME Continuity Clinic and Heart Failure Clinic is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at H2U, Suite 114, 3150 N. Tenaya Way. The guest physician is Ali Rahimi, director of internal medicine, for an informational program on the GME Continuity Clinic and Heart Failure Clinic. The Heart Failure clinic will be the first of its kind in Las Vegas to serve the community's needs in preventing readmissions, increasing access to preventative heart failure treatments, while focusing on patient education and maximizing pharmacological treatments. Following the presentation will be a question-and-answer session with Dr. Rahimi. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Diabetes and Nutrition: The class is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at MountainView Hospital's 1 South Conference Room, 3100 N. Tenaya Way. Expect a discussion about the role nutrition plays in diabetes management. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or 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 Nov. 19, Eating Healthily; and Dec. 17, Coping with Psychiatry. Visit umcsn.com.

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 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Mountain's Edge Master Association, 8090 Blue Diamond Road, Suite 240.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Enter code summerlinlibrary.

From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Truth Christian Ministries International, 5101 N. Rainbow Blvd. Enter code tcmi.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4275 N. Rancho Blvd., Suite 120. Enter code saplv.

From 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 25 at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus, 6670 W. 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 9 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Oct. 23 at Las Vegas Metro Police - Southeast Area Command, 3675 E. Harmon Ave.

From 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Warm Springs Stake, 7670 S. Bruce St.

From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Word of Life Christian Center, 3520 N. Buffalo Drive.

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Unleashed Body & Mind, 9272 Tamarus St., No. 115.

From 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Cirque du Soleil, 980 Kelly Johnson Blvd.

Henderson

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Green Valley Range, 175 Cassia Way.