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Health briefs: YVMC to celebrate hospital heritage with book

Yampa Valley Medical Center will celebrate 100 years of hospital heritage with the publication of a history book in 2014, according to a news release. Christine McKelvie is researching and writing the book that will highlight 10 decades of medical care at the Steamboat Sanitarium, the Steamboat Hospital, Routt County Memorial Hospital and YVMC.

“Our hospitals have long been the heartbeat of the valley, and we owe much to the dedicated people who have provided a century of care to this community and region,” McKelvie said in the release. “This book will tell their stories.”

If you have an historic hospital photo or memory you would like to share, email christine.mckelvie@yvmc.org or call 970-870-1119.



Free support group for cancer patients, care providers is Dec. 20

Cancer patients and their care providers are invited to join a free, open forum support group called Whole Person Wellness to experience the benefits of sharing the journey. The monthly support group will meet at noon Dec. 20 at Integrated Health in the Yampa Valley Medical Park at 3001 Lincoln Ave., Suite A. It is for cancer patients in any stage of diagnosis or treatment. Each participant may bring a support person such as a family member or friend.

For more information, call Sara Ross at Integrated Health at 970-875-2731. Visit Yampa Valley Medical Center’s cancer website for more about YVMC Cancer Care.



YVMC presents Link, Lunch, Learn event Friday

An educational lunch will explain how the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, may impact you on a personal and business level at the Link, Lunch, Learn event Friday, according to a news release.

Linda Gann, of Connect for Health Colorado; Erin Gleason, of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association; and William Crosby, of Steamboat Select Insurance, will give a general overview of the resources available to assist in the selection process and how to use the Colorado health exchange to get insured.

Learn how you and your company can make sound strategic decisions about health plans for the next year and beyond. Lunch is provided.

Yampa Valley Medical Center, Wells Fargo Bank and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association sponsor the event, which is at noon Friday in the Allbright Family Auditorium at CMC.

Support groups meeting this week

• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.

• A Parkinson’s support group meets at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, 736 Oak St. For more information, call 970-875-1088.

• A domestic violence support group for women is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.

• A cancer support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for those with cancer to learn techniques to manage stress and create a holiday plan. For more information, call Sara Ross at 970-875-2731.

Health insurance marketplace meetings scheduled

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is hosting a series of free information sessions to answer questions about the new health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado. A health coverage guide will attend the meetings for individuals, families and small-business owners interested in learning about their options for health insurance under new the legislation. The meeting dates are as follows:

Friday: 2 to 4 p.m. at Bud Werner Memorial Library

Dec. 20: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bud Werner Memorial Library

For more information, call 970-871-7638 or email assistroutt@nwcovna.org.

Whooping cough cases surge in Colorado in October

Responding to a recent surge in cases of whooping cough, the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is reminding Coloradans to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for:

• Children ages 7 to 10 who are not fully immunized with the childhood Tdap vaccine series

• Adolescents ages 11 and 12

• Adults who never have received a Tdap vaccine

• Women at 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy

• Parents and caregivers of infants younger than 12 months, including grandparents, babysitters and child care workers

• Health care workers

• Others who plan to have close contact with an infant

The Tdap vaccine can be received at all VNA flu clinics or from a private medical provider. For a list of flu clinics, call 970-871-7624 or go to http://www.nwcovna.org/flu.php.

Health care law will not change VA health benefits

Veterans who are enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs health care programs — including the veterans health care program, the Civilian Health and Medical program or the spina bifida health care program — do not need to take additional steps to meet the Affordable Care Act coverage standards, according to a news release from the VA.

The new health care law will not change VA health benefits or out-of-pocket costs for those who are enrolled, according to the release. Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care can apply at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits or by calling 1-877-222-8387.

For more information, call Routt County Veterans Affairs Officer Michael Condie at 970-879-5489.

VNA offers vaccines for uninsured/undersinsured

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering $21.50 immunizations for adults who are uninsured/underinsured including measles, mumps, rubella, HPV, chicken pox, pneumonia, meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and hepatitis A and B.

The VNA also is offering a vaccine for shingles. Adults ages 60 and older who are uninsured/underinsured are qualified to receive the vaccine for a $21.50 fee. Medicare enrollees with Part D are not eligible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leading medical groups recommend being vaccinated against meningitis for youths ages 11 to 18 as well as those ages 19 to 21 who attend college. College students younger than 22 who received a vaccine before age 16 should receive a booster.

To schedule an appointment, call 970-879-1632.


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