CSU, Chico Intern at MMHD

Mayers Memorial Hospital District has had the privilege to have an intern from California State University, Chico this summer. Justin Sears has been working under the mentor-ship of MMHD's Chief Financial Officer, Travis Lakey. 

Sears has been working on a variety of projects for MMHD while completing his degree requirements. He was born and raised in the Redding/Palo Cedro area.

He attended Sacramento State after graduating from Foothill High School.  He transferred to Chico State where he studied and graduated with a degree in Health Care Administration.He plans on furthering his education in Health Care Administration by going to grad school. 

Sears is Certified in Lean Sigma Six and HIPAA.

He says he is an avid golfer and has also have played soccer since he was 3 years old.

MMHD thanks CSU, Chico for this opportunity!

Find it on the Web!

There is so much information to be found on the Mayers Memorial Hospital District website. We invite you to take a peek! 

• Current employment opportunities
• Health Dictionary
• FastHealth Nurse
• Surveys
• Brochures
• Pay Your Bill
• Patient Portal
• Advanced Directive
• Financial Information
• Events
• Facebook feed
• Social Media Links
• Staff contacts
• Board of Director information

Board Meeting is This Week

The Mayers Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors meets once a month for their regular meeting.  The July meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 27th at 1:00 pm in the Fall River Board Room.

You can keep up to date on meetings, agendas, minutes, financials and more on our website.

District Transparency Program
Board Biographies
Meetings

Protect Your Skin

Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time may lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to protect your skin and to make it feel and look better.

Dry Skin and Itching can be caused by several factors:

• Staying out in the sun
• Being in very dry air
• Smoking
• Feeling stress

Moisturizers like lotions, creams, or ointments can soothe dry, itchy skin. They should be used every day. Try taking fewer baths and using milder soap to help your dry skin. Warm water is less drying than hot water. Don't add bath oil to your water -- it will make the tub too slippery. Some people find that a humidifier (an appliance that adds moisture to a room) helps.Losing sweat and oil glands (common with age)

Age Spots and Skin Tags

Age spots, once called "liver spots," are flat, brown spots often caused by years in the sun. They are bigger than freckles, and many times show up on areas like the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Age spots are harmless, but if they bother you, talk to a dermatologist about removing them. Also, a sunscreen or sunblock may prevent more sun damage.

Skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They are a common occurrence as people age, especially for women. They are most often found on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the arm pit, chest, and groin. Skin tags are harmless, but they can become irritated. A doctor can remove them if they bother you.


Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone can get cancer, but people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are found mostly on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms, but can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Check your skin once a month for things that may be cancer. Skin cancer is rarely painful. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a bleeding mole. Also, check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the "ABCDE's." ABCDE stands for:

A = Asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half)
B = Borders that are irregular
C = Color changes or more than one color
D = Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser
E = Evolving; this means the growth changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color

See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.

Keep your skin healthy:

Some sun can be good for you, but to keep your skin healthy, be careful.

• Limit time in the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are strongest. Don't be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun's rays can go through clouds. You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean.
• Use sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It's best to choose sunscreens with "broad spectrum" on the label. Put the sunscreen on 15-30 minutes before you go outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied about every 2 hours. You need to put sunscreen on more often if you are swimming, sweating, or rubbing your skin with a towel.
• Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.
• Avoid tanning. Don't use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.


Source: USDA, National Institute on Aging

Encouraging Weight Loss

Talking to a family member or friend about weight loss is not an easy thing to do. What do you do when you genuinely care and feel it is important to bring up the conversation. Aside from trying to be a good example, there are a few ideas to try.

Begin by saying, “I care about you.”

Let your loved ones know they are important to you  and you want them around for along time. Talk about the new things you can do together with more energy and better health.

Share ideas and offer encouragement

If you know friends, family members, or co-workers who have lost weight by eating healthy and getting active, share some of their tips.

• Try losing weight slowly, about 1 to 2 pounds each week.
• Eat smaller portions.
• Keep a food diary. Every day, write down what and how much you eat.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice.
• Be active your way. Find activities you like and do them often.
• Do something active every day – take the stairs, go for a walk at lunch, or enjoy a family bike ride.
• Join a walking club or support group to keep you motivated.

Offer to be a part of the journey

Go food shopping together. Compare food labels to make healthy choices.

If you go out to eat, split a meal or save half to take home.

Go for a walk every evening or take an exercise class together.

Celebrate your loved one’s weight loss, but don’t use food as a reward.

Healthy Snacks

Busy schedule?  Look no further than fruits and vegetables for quick healthy snacks! Fruits and vegetables are a natural source of energy and provide nutrients to keep you going with a busy schedule.

Think Color!

For a great source of vitamins and minerals try eating fruits and vegetables of different colors. This will provide a wide range of valuable nutrients like fiber, folate, potassium and vitamins A and C. Some examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, yellow corn, purple plums, red watermelon, and white onions.

Children and families tend to consume more of the foods that they have easy access to. Keep fruits and vegetables within reach and you’re more likely to make healthy choices.

Tip: Replace a candy dish with a fruit bowl.

Tip: Store especially tempting foods, like cookies, chips, or ice cream, out of immediate eyesight, like on a high shelf or at the back of the freezer. Move the healthy food to the front at eye level.

Eat fruit raw to enjoy its natural sweetness.

Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are good options when fresh produce is not available. Be careful to choose those without added sugar, syrup and cream sauces.

Choose whole fruit over fruit drinks and juices. Fruit juices have lost fiber from the fruit. It’s better to eat the whole fruit because it contains the added fiber that helps you feel full.

Car Show Benefited Hospice

The NorCal Road Gypsies hosted their Summer Show & Shine over the weekend and had a great turnout!

The event took place at the Clearwater Lodge and offered spectators a BBQ lunch, raffle prizes and the opportunity to view some beautiful vehicles. 

The organization is donating their proceeds to the Mayers Intermountain Hospice.  In 2015, the group raised $2750 for Hospice. 

Thank you Nor-Cal Road Gypsies!

Legislation and Advocacy

Mayers Memorial Hospital District wants you to be informed about legislation that affects healthcare and our rural communities. You can stay up to date by visiting our website for updated information. 

Here's a snapshot of what is currently happening in Sacramento:

The State Legislature adjourned for their month long summer recess on June 30 after a week of marathon policy committee hearings. July 1 was the deadline for policy committees to meet and hear policy bills. When they return August 1st, they will have one month to consider the financial implications of bills and hold floor votes. They adjourn the session on August 31st. 

Some Bills we are following: 

AB1300(Ridley-Thomas) Support

Specifies that a trained Emergency room physician in non-designated hospitals, after conducting and assessment, have the authority to write and release individuals from a 72-hour involuntary hold.  Currently, there is no consistent statewide policy for the involuntary hold process.

 

Passed Full Assembly 1-27-16

Passed Senate Health Committee 6-30-16

Currently in Senate RLS

AB2024 (Wood) Support

Rural CA has 1 physician for every 3,500 people. ‪#‎AB2024 will bring more doctors & better access to care.

Passed Full Assembly 5-5-16

Passed Senate Health Committee 6-23-16

Currently in Senate Appropriations

Our California Legislators: 

Assemblyman Brian Dahle

Senator Ted Gaines

MMHD Advocacy and Legislation

FastHealth - Information at Your Fingertips

Mayers Memorial Hospital District's website has a great informational feature providing health information on unlimited topics.

MMHD understands the desire family members and patients have to conduct online research. Below you will find a research library to tens of thousands of health sources where you may read and examine health topics of interest to you. The program includes a medical dictionary, a research engine and the FastNurse Personal Research Service.

The online health dictionary gives you access to definitions from the Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. 

The general health search feature has access to articles, information, research and more. 

The FastNurse Personal Research Coordinator can provide assistance in searching for specific information. 

There is also a component to search top health conditions for quick reference.

Though your doctor is the best source of accurate information, this online educational library of comparative health information links gives you a starting point for research so you do not have to turn to other popular search engines. 

Blood Drive is July 12

There are many reasons to mark your calendar for a life saving appointment on July 12, 2016. If you are eligible, it is a great time to contribute to life. The Mayers Memorial Hospital Blood Drive is scheduled from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at the Fall River Seventh Day Adventist Church.

You can pre-schedule your appointment by visiting www.bloodsource.org/drives and enter location code H105.

Here are a few facts about blood and blood donation:

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

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

Someone needs blood every two seconds.

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

About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives.

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.

94 percent of blood donors are registered voters.

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.

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

Fishing Derby a Success!

Fall River Senior Stevie Collins along with mentor Jeremy Vanover hosted a Fishing Derby last weekend at Baum Lake. The event was a success and Collins donated the proceeds to the Mayers Intermountain Hospice.