Public Health Newsletter May-June 2007
Public Health
News Briefs
May-June 2007
(listed in order of event date)
Employers Workshop: New Roles in Tobacco Cessation – May 3rd
Motivational Interviewing: Supporting your Employees’ Stage of Change to Quit Tobacco
An Employers Workshop will be offered on Thursday, May 3rd 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm at San Juan
Basin Health Department. This workshop is a great opportunity for employers who want to bring their communications with employees to a new level. Learn more about motivational interviewing - a practical System for Employers to facilitate change immediately with employees; including assisting them in tobacco cessation. Snacks and refreshments included.
For more info, call Caleb Gates at 247-5702, ext. 236 or email at caleb@sjbhd.org.
Lynn Westberg Appointed to Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform
Public Comment Taken May 12th in Durango
San Juan Basin Health Department’s Executive Director, Lynn Westberg, has been appointed by Governor Ritter to the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform. Westberg is one of only two representatives statewide from public health. Created by the Colorado Legislature, the Commission is charged with making recommendations for comprehensive health care reform in our state. Its goal is to increase access to heath care coverage and decrease costs for Colorado residents. The Commission is currently reviewing proposals and taking public comment around the state. There will be local opportunity for public comment on May 12th from 9 a.m. to noon at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. For more information on the commission and proposals, visit: www.colorado.gov/208commission.
C-Ride is Rolling into Durango May 14th
Local youth will have an opportunity to check out the C-Ride (and get free shirts, caps, etc designed by youth from all over the world) when it hits the Durango Rec Center from 3:45 to 4:45 PM and Schneider Skate Park from 5 to 6 PM on Monday, May 14th.
The C-Ride is a grassroots campaign promoting OwnYourC.com, an award winning website developed for Colorado teens that carries a message about making choices, including tobacco use. The C-Ride Tour delivers this choice-making message directly to teens and is funded by the State Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention program. In a small customized truck, the C- Ride is traveling around the state to various youth events along with local hangouts and schools. A street team -- staffed by college-aged marketing/event -- specialists, are distributing free promotional items in addition to providing tobacco-related information and cessation kits. Artists
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from around the world were commissioned to convey what ‘owning their C’ meant to them. The illustrations and designs that resulted are used on the C-Ride, as well as on t-shirts, stickers, hats and magnets that will be distributed to teens.
In addition to its Durango visit, the C-Ride will be in Cortez on Tuesday, May 15, Ouray on Wednesday, May 16; then Silverton on Thursday, May 17th and complete its Southwest tour on Friday, May 18th in Pagosa Springs.
New Home Health Services Director and Staff Announced
Kathy Giandalia, RN is the new Home Health Services Director. She is replacing Nancy Steinberg who left San Juan Basin Health to join family in Illinois. Giandalia has been a nurse for 36 years with experience in a wide variety of nursing areas. In addition, Home Health Services recently added two new nurses, Rachelle Schwitzer, RN and Lori Green, RN.
Promoviendo La Salud Offers Screening Clinic May 24th
Promoviendo La Salud, a program of San Juan Basin Health, will offer a health screening clinic for Latinos on May 24th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at San Juan Basin Health Department, 281 Sawyer Drive (Bodo Park). Call 247-5702, ext. 207 for more information.
San Juan Basin Health Department Closed Monday, May 28
In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, San Juan Basin Health Department will be closed Monday May 28th. There will be no immunization clinic held that day.
Back to School Immunization Friday Clinics: June 8th and August 3rd
Students will soon be out of school, and that means it’s a great time for parents to get their children ready for next school year by updating their immunizations. San Juan Basin Health is, therefore, offering Back-to-School Immunization clinics on Friday June 8th and Friday Aug 3rd from 10:30-5:30. The 2007-08 school year requirements have changed and impact kindergartners, 6th and 10th graders. These students must receive their appropriate immunizations BEFORE school starts!
Parents can schedule appointments with their pediatrician or San Juan Basin Health which also requires appointments for its two special Friday clinics and its normal Monday clinics. Please call 247-5702 to schedule an appointment at San Juan Basin Health Department.
Lasso Tobacco Coalition Meeting – June 19th
The next quarterly meeting of the Lasso Tobacco Coalition will be on Tuesday, June 19th from 11:30 to 1:00. The focus will be on tobacco prevention and cessation among youth and young adults. Please call 247-5702, ext. 227 for more information including meeting location.
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Significant Health Benefits in Workplaces since Smoke-Free Colorado
Our state’s smoke-free law has helped to improve public health in Colorado by limiting people’s exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke at work and other public places. Colorado has been smoke-free for almost one year, and already the significant health impacts are being seen in work places around the state. A recent study by the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP) found that the air pollution in hospitality venues including bars and restaurants has improved by nearly 70 percent since the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act took effect last July.
For free signs, decals, brochures and other resources see www.smokefreecolorado.org or contact 247-5702 Ext. 1526.
Animas Surgical Hospital Contributes Generous Donation
Providing family planning services to low income women in our community received a huge boost recently due to a generous donation from Animas Surgical Hospital. It recently contributed $30,000 to San Juan Basin Health Department’s Family Planning program. This is the second year they have provided greatly needed financial assistance. “We’ve heard good things from community members about the program,” says Brett Gosney, CEO of Animas Surgical Hospital. “We’re excited to once again help fund this essential program for our community – a program that fulfills a need not being met.”
San Juan Basin Health is providing family planning services to over 1000 low income women in our community this year. Animas Surgical Hospital provides in and out-patient surgery diagnostic imaging as well as 24 hour emergency services.
Pap Test or Mammogram – Free Screenings
The Colorado Women’s Cancer Control Initiative (CWCCI) provides free screenings to women over the age of 40 who meet certain income guidelines. Those screenings are available through Planned Parenthood (970) 247-3002, San Juan Basin Health Dept. in Pagosa Springs (970) 264-2409 ext 25, and in Durango (970) 247-5702 ext. 202.
Thanks to Local Dentists who Gave Kids a Smile
The recent Give Kids a Smile Day was a great success in Southwest Colorado due to the wonderful local dentists who participated and Southwest SmileMakers Dental Clinic which coordinated the event. The following dental providers donated their services for Give Kids a Smile Day: Dr. Mickelson, Dr. Groskopf of Dental Associates of the Southwest; Dr. Hening, Dr. Knight, Dr. Lacey of San Juan Smiles; Dr. Miner, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Owen, Dental Assoc of the Southwest; Dr. Wilson, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Pozo-Alonzo.
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Contact Information for Public Health News Briefs:
Jane Looney, Communications; jlooney@sjbhd.org
San Juan Basin Health Department; 247-5702 x1605