Diamond Jubilee

Being a part of the Intermountain Community means there is always something to do.  A great way to get out of the heat and celebrate the 4th of July weekend is to come to Burney to the Annual Burney Basin Days event. Mayers Memorial Hospital District (MMHD) is excited to be participating in the Burney Basin Days Parade again this year.

Residents from our Burney Annex will also get to ride in the parade thanks to the generosity of the Senior Center in letting us use their bus.

MMHD is proud to be a part of the Burney Community and would like to invite you to attend this 60th Annual event.

Schedule of Events

Water Safety

The United States has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world. Although it is not uncommon to have outbreaks of illness related to water contamination. It is very important to know where your drinking water comes from.

The quality of drinking water can vary depending on how it is treated, what the source is and whether or not the source is regulated or not.

Regular tap water can be contaminated from chemicals and natural minerals, viruses, bacteria and parasites, pesticides and insecticides and sewer or septic problems.

Drinking water across the country is regulated by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This often only applies to large public water systems. The EPA does not regulate the one in seven Americans that use private wells or small public water systems.

Water contaminates can have an effect on your health.  

Web MD reports:
How contaminated water effects your health depends on the type of contaminants. For example:

• Cryptosporidium is a pathogen that sometimes gets into water supplies. It can cause a gastrointestinal disease that could be fatal.
• Nitrates can contaminate water and pose an immediate threat to infants. In the intestines, nitrates are converted to nitrites, which prevent blood from transporting oxygen. An enzyme present in the system of older children restores the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
• Lead can cause both physical and mental developmental problems in infants and children. Adults who have been drinking lead-tainted water for a number of years can experience kidney problems and high blood pressure.

Does boiling contaminated water make it safe to drink? It depends on the contaminant. Boiling water can kill germs, but things like lead, nitrates, and pesticides aren't affected. And since boiling reduces the volume of water, it increases the concentration of those contaminants.

The EPA provides many resources online to help the consumer with education, testing and other information regarding water safety.

Golf Tournament Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars for August 15, 2015 and get ready to have some golfing fun in the Fall River Valley.  The annual Mayers Intermountain Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament will be opening registration soon.

The "On the Green" Golf Tournament is one of the Foundation's major fundraisers. Each year a critical piece of equipment for Mayers Memorial Hospital District is funded through the proceeds of this event. Some of the past tournaments have helped to purchase IV pumps, defibrillators, labor and delivery room remodel and a stress test treadmill.

Stay tuned for more information!

Blood Drive is Tuesday

Besides getting a FREE t-shirt, there are many reasons to mark your calendar for a life saving appointment tomorrow!

 

 

 

If you are eligible, it is a great time to contribute to life. The Mayers Memorial Hospital Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at the Fall River Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Here are a few facts about blood and blood donation:

1.     More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada.

2.     43,000 pints: amount of donated blood used each day in the U.S. and Canada.

3.     Someone needs blood every two seconds.

4.     Only 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood – less than 10 percent do annually.

5.     About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood.

6.     One pint of blood can save up to three lives.

7.     Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood—the most common form of donation—every 56 days, or every two months. Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47 percent.

8.     94 percent of blood donors are registered voters.

9.     Four main red blood cell types: A, B, AB and O. Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor. AB is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.

10.  Dr. Karl Landsteiner first identified the major human blood groups – A, B, AB and O – in 1901.

 

Best Wishes to Johnson

MMHD's Chief Compliance Officer, Caleb Johnson will be leaving his position at our facility to join another northern California District Hospital.  Johnson will be the new Chief Financial Officer at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy, California. We wish him all of the best and great success in his new position.


Message from Johnson:

I’d like to take this opportunity to formally announce my departure from Mayers Memorial Hospital District and to thank my coworkers and the Board for the last five and a half years.  In my positions as Purchasing Manager and Compliance Officer I was privileged to interact with nearly every employee on some level.  In my experience, Mayers’ employees are some of the most caring, hardest working, most resourceful people I’ve encountered.  In my new position as Chief Financial Officer at Plumas District Hospital I look forward to coordinating and fostering relationships across the organizations for mutual benefit.  Thanks again.

 

Thank you Caleb Johnson for your commitment to MMHD! You will be greatly missed!

Do You Know the Symptoms?

During Men's Health Week there is a focus on prevention, awareness and how to lead a healthy life. Being educated and knowing the facts about certain diseases can mean the difference between life and death.

Heart Attacks are a major concern when it comes to men's health. There are five major symptoms of a heart attack. 

1. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
2. Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
3. Chest pain or discomfort
4. Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders
5. Shortness of breath 

It is important to seek attention for a heart attack immediately.

What is a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when a section of the heart dies or gets damaged because of reduced blood supply.

The best chance of surviving a heart attack is immediate medical attention.

For more information visit MMHD's website.

Mayers Employees Lose Pounds!

Employees of Mayers Memorial Hospital District began a healthy challenge at the beginning of 2015. "Waist Management" is a friendly competition designed to encourage to eat right, exercise and drop those unhealthy pounds.

Over 20 employees actively participated in the challenge.  Employees were encouraged to go for walks on their breaks, utilize the choices at the facility's large salad bar and to use the workout equipment available to employees after work. 

The friendly competition recently came to an end and MMHD's maintenance department's Victor Richey took the top prize losing 49.5 pounds which was 20.41% of his body weight. Runners-up were Val Lakey who lost 21 pounds, 11.17% of her body weight and Renee Coe who lost 23 pounds, 8.65% of her body weight.

Overall, MMHD employees lost a total of 148.5 pounds.

Great job TEAM MAYERS!

Healthcare and Legislation

Assemblymember Brian Dahle with MMHD staff member Valerie Lakey.

Mayers Memorial Hospital District is no stranger to keeping up on legislative issues that affect healthcare.  At any one time there are a variety of new bills that relate directly to healthcare.

It is important to stay aware and informed when it comes to legislation. MMHD is fortunate to be represented by great legislators at the state and federal levels. MMHD staff frequently meets with representatives to work on various projects and legislation that will affect our ability to provide quality healthcare. 

Coming soon...healthcare legislative updates on our web page.

Scholarship Winners Announced

The Mayers Intermountain Healthcare Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of this year's scholarships.

Ms. Tiffani Broadway, Chico, CA - $500 Scholarship

Currently enrolled at Butte College where she is fulfilling her prerequisite electives and is pursuing physiology/physical therapy education.

 

Ms. Ellie Haydock, Fall River Mills CA 96028 - $750

Currently enrolled at California State University, Chico, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN).

 

Ms. Tymber Wells, Burney, CA - $250

Attending Shasta College in the fall of 2015 to obtain certification as an emergency medical technician and is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.

 
These scholarships were granted by the Mayers Intermountain Healthcare Foundation board of directors through the Mayers IHF General Scholarship Fund. All scholarships are made possible by the foundation’s fundraising efforts and through its network of donors who established the six scholarship funds and continue to support our scholarship funds to assist young men and women with their pursuit of higher education within the medical and healthcare fields.

Congratulations Graduates

Mayers Memorial Hospital District would like to congratulate all of the local graduates and wish you the best in your future endeavors.


Always Be A Student

Keep on learning,
Though your graduation's done;
Your whole life's an education
That has only just begun.

Your diploma is the first big step,
For knowledge is the special key
To winning what you want in life
And being who you want to be.

If you'll always be a student,
You'll find the secrets to success
And travel on the golden road
To peace and happiness.

By Joanna Fuchs

Melanoma Facts

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma cases are increasing, with cases doubling from 1982 to 2011.  More that 9000 Americans die from Melanoma each year. In 2011 there were more than 65,000 cases of Melanoma.  Prevention practices could cut that number by one-third.

Melanoma can be caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or other sources (indoor tanning). Without coordinated prevention efforts, the disease will continue to increase.

What can you do?

• Understand that tanned skin is damaged skin
• Wear protection such as hats and glasses
• Try to stay in the shade during midday hours
• Use sunscreen
• Avoid sunbathing and indoor tanning

More about Melanoma

Spots suspicious for melanoma usually show one or more of the following symptoms and signs (the ABCDs):

• Asymmetry,
• Border irregularity,
• Color changes or too many colors in one mole,
• Diameter more than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser).
• Some now add a fifth letter: E for Evolving.

How to Make Celebrations Healthy

Graduation parties, Father's Day, Fourth of July, camping trips and summer barbeques...sounds like a lot of fun. These events can also mean poor food choices. Eating healthy and being active can easily be a part of these celebrations and events.

Choose My Plate has put out a 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series. Here are some ideas to make celebrations fun, healthy and active:

• Make healthy habits a part of your celebration.  Food and beverage do not have to be the center of your event. Focus on activities that get people together and get them moving.
• Make your food look fun and festive. Use colorful vegies, nuts, seeds and serve up some fresh fruit.  Try making decorative fruit bowls or garnish plates with fresh fruits and vegies.
• Add some fun to beverages. Make ice cubes from 100% juice or add fresh fruit to ice cube trays.
• Savor the flavor. Pay attention to what you are eating and enjoy the taste. Try spices and seasoning to rev up the flavor. Eat slowly, enjoy your company and enjoy your food.
• Include foods from all food groups. Try whole grain crackers, fresh vegies, bean dips, hummus, yogurt dips.
• Include activity. Play yard games, dance, go for a group walk after the meal.
• Try some new, healthy recipes. Find ways to cut back on sugar, salt and fat.
• Keep your gathering simple. Ask for help and challenge guests to bring a healthier version and an idea for an activity.
• Plan ahead and shop smart. Buy produce that is in season.  Planning ahead will keep you from making those last minute trips to the store to buy chips and soda.
• Set a good example. Keep in mind that the children at your events will follow your example!

Men's Health Month

June is Men's Health Month. The purpose of the event that is anchored by a Congressional health education program is to increase awareness in all areas of men's health.

The awareness month focuses on preventable health problems, and encourages early detection and treatment of male diseases. There are many ways to stay pro-active with men's health; having the correct information and knowing what you need to do is the first step.

 

 

For more information visit Mayers Memorial Hospital's website.