Joe’s Health Calendar 11/4/10

Check this column regularly for health events of interest to San Joaquin County residents. New events are being added all the time. You never know what you could read here.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Summit on Strategies to Decrease Cervical Cancer Rates and the Spread of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Nov. 4 (today) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation presents the 2010 Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Summit at Sierra 2 Center for the Arts, 2791 24^th St., Sacramento. The registration form can be submitted by visiting the CMA Foundation’s Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Summit section or call Leslie Barron at (916) 779-6630. Cervical Cancer is the second most common form of cancer worldwide and causes 250,000 deaths a year; 4,000 of those in the United States. Each year, about 1,400 California women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 400 die from this disease. The 2010 Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Summit serves as the official launch of the CMA Foundation’s California Cervical Cancer Free Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about cervical cancer and develop approaches to reduce the rate of this disease in California. During the summit, physicians, health care professionals, policy makers, cancer survivors and advocates will discuss updates on the adoption and administration of the HPV vaccines as a key strategy for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and discuss strategies to strengthen adoption of the vaccines. The summit will feature:

• Information about the two HPV vaccines currently available.
• Approval for boys and young men ages 9-26 to receive the vaccine.
• Health-care reform implications for women’s preventive health issues.
• Current statewide data, including cervical cancer rates and information about HPV vaccine uptake.

National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health Care

Nov. 4 (today) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The national Office of Minority Health (OMH) is seeking public comment to update the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health Care, 10 years after their adoption. The standards are used as a benchmark for ensuring appropriate care to our communities by providers that receive federal funds. Public comments can be submitted online here and by attending a regional meeting in San Francisco  at the Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel, 905 California St. Register here. Issues you may want to include in your comments:

• OMH should require applicants for funding to demonstrate compliance with the CLAS standards. Other agencies that fund direct health services and programs should do the same.
• All fourteen CLAS standards should be mandatory requirements for receiving federal funds.
• OMH should align the CLAS standards with other current work, such as quality improvement, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and the health reform law.
• “Culture” under the standards should be defined broadly to include race, ethnicity, primary language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, and religion or spirituality.

Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Awards Luncheon

Nov. 5 (Friday) noon to 2 p.m.: Five local employers who have provided outstanding support for their breastfeeding employees will be honored at the 2010 Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Awards Luncheon. Each year the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond California’s basic legal requirements to support their breastfeeding employees. This year’s recipients, each nominated by an employee, are: Community Medical Centers WIC, The Record, San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and Valley Mountain Regional Center. This year’s Awards Luncheon will be held at the Residence Inn, 3240 W. March Lane, Stockton, that received the Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Award in 2008. Tickets are $20 and reservations should have been made by Oct. 27. For more information see the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County website www.bfcsj.org or call (209) 468-3267.

Personalized Medicine: Getting the Prescription Right

Nov. 5 (Friday) 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Top professionals, entrepreneurs and executives in medicine, bioethics and law will explore the future of personalized medicine – a rapidly growing field of health care that tailors medical treatments to a patient’s genetic profile – during a daylong symposium at University of California, Davis School of Law. Personalized medicine is poised to become a part of the national health care plan. Congress is currently considering HR 5440 – the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2010, which calls for expansion and acceleration of research in support of genomics and personalized medicine. President Obama, as the U.S. senator from Illinois, introduced similar legislation in 2006. The symposium, “Personalized Medicine: Getting the Prescription Right,” will be held in the Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom at King Hall. A luncheon and keynote presentation will be held in the neighboring UC Davis Conference Center. All panel discussions are free and open to the public; the luncheon is for ticketed guests only. Speakers will address how ongoing improvements in DNA sequencing technology and other complex areas are converging to create advanced personalized medical diagnostics and treatments that offer the promise of improved outcomes and lower health care costs. Driving from Interstate 80, take the UC Davis exit north on Old Davis Road, then park in the parking structure across the street from the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Mrak Circle is two blocks north. The law school (King Hall) is on the west side of Mrak Circle.

Veterans Health Education Outreach Services Fair

Nov. 6 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: American Legion Karl Ross Post 16, 2020 Plymouth Road, Stockton. RSVP: Jesus Tzintzun, (209) 957-1747.

How Will Health Care Reform Affect You?

Nov. 9 (Tuesday) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Attend a public town hall in Visalia on the provisions of the recently passed federal health-care reform, hosted by the Great Valley Center and Valley Public Radio’s Quality of Life program. It will be at College of the Sequoias, Ponderosa Hall, 915 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. You’ve heard the political opinions on health-care reform but what will the changes really mean for you? During this two-hour event, a panel of guest experts will explain the details and timing of specific changes in the legislation and answer questions from the audience. This event is free and open to the public. The program will be recorded and broadcast Nov. 16 on Valley Public Radio which reaches listeners in Fresno, Bakersfield, Visalia, Madera, Tulare, Clovis, Merced, and Hanford. For more information, contact Stacey Shepard at stacey@greatvalley.org.

CSU Stanislaus Hosts Troops to College

Nov. 10 (Wednesday) 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: California State University, Stanislaus invites veterans and their families to honor the dedication and loyalty of American service men and women at Thank a Veteran Day, featuring a posting of colors ceremony followed by a small reception and information fair for veterans of various ages and backgrounds. There will be a banner and cards for guests to sign that will be sent to those currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. “The best thing about the event is watching the posting of colors ceremony, and seeing older and younger generations of veterans supporting each other,” said Troops to College Stanislaus committee member Nadine Kent. All area veterans and supporters are encouraged to attend this event, which is hosted by the Troops to College Stanislaus Committee with the help of the CSU Stanislaus Veterans Club, Modesto Veterans Center, Patriotic Guard Riders, American Red Cross, California Army National Guard and American Legion. Meet at the flagpole in the main quad at CSU Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock.

Medicare Part D Outreach Events for Seniors, Plus More

Several dates in November: Pharmacy students from University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be providing a number of free outreach services for seniors, including one-on-one counseling for Medicare Part D drug-benefit coverage, medication therapy management (abbreviated to MTM), flu vaccinations for those with Medicare Part D benefits, and osteoporosis screening. Many of the students are multilingual in Spanish and Asian languages.

• Nov. 15 (Monday) noon to 3 p.m.: UOP School of Pharmacy, Room PHS 111, 757 Brookside Road, Stockton. Services: Part D, MTM, vaccination, osteo-falls screening.
• Nov. 16 (Tuesday) 1 to 5 p.m.: Hutchins Street Square, Cottage and Pisano Rooms, 125 S. Hutchins St., Lodi. Services: Part D, MTM, vaccination, osteo-falls screening.
• Nov. 17 (Wednesday) 1 to 4 p.m.: Jene Wah, 238 E. Church St., Stockton. Services: Part D, MTM, osteo-falls screening.
• Nov. 18 (Thursday) 1 to 4 p.m.: OLLI at University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave., Tiger Lounge in Grace Covell Hall, Stockton. Services: Part D, MTM, vaccination, osteo-falls screening.
• Nov. 19 (Friday) 2 to 5 p.m.: Casa de Modesto, 1745 Eldena Way, Modesto. Services: Part D, MTM, vaccination, osteo-falls screening.
• Nov. 20 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Independence High School, 1776 Educational Park Drive, San Jose. Services: Part D, MTM, vaccination.
• Nov. 21 (Sunday) 1 to 5 p.m.: O’Connor Woods, 3400 Wagner Heights Road, Stockton. Services: Part D, MTM, osteo-falls screening.

Coach for Life’s Champions Awards Gala

Nov. 19 (Friday): The third annual Coach for Life’s Champions Award Dinner & Show will take place at the Waterloo Gun & Bocci Club, 4343 N. Ashley Lane, Stockton.  Please save the date – it is going to be an evening that you will never forget. Celebrating the champions of stroke and traumatic brain injury in San Joaquin County will be speakers including Marty Lancer, “The Blind Traffic Jock” from Mega 100 radio and San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Bestolarides. What’s the greatest part of the evening? Stroke and TBI survivors coming together for an evening of celebration with joy and dignity. For the third year, Healings in Motion is working to assist those in financial need with tickets. Every survivor is significant and a valuable component of this celebration. Go online or phone (209) 234-2802 for more information.

Flu Vaccinations at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Offices

Weekdays by appointment; Saturday clinics through Nov. 20: See this flier for details.

Digital Doctors: The Future of Health Care

Dec. 2 (Thursday) 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.: View a preview of “Digital Doctors: The Future of Health Care,” a collaboration between the Modesto-based Great Valley Center and KVIE Public Television. “Digital Doctors: The Future of Health Care” explores how technology and medical experts are teaming up and saving lives outside the traditional hospital or doctor’s office. The preview will be shown at KVIE, 2030 W. El Camino Ave., Sacramento. Visit the event website here to RSVP by Nov. 29.

Kids’ Health Calendar Bay Area

Check out KidsCal for a calendar of children’s health events (click here) sponsored by nonprofit organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, posted by Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health.

NEWS

Army Recognizes Family Impact on Wounded Soldiers’ Recovery Throughout Warrior Care Month

November: The U.S. Army will commemorate Warrior Care Month 2010 all this month.  During this year’s events, the Army will demonstrate its appreciation for the sacrifices made by families and caregivers of more than 16,000 wounded warriors currently served through the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP). This year’s theme is “Army Strong – Family Strong: caring for wounded, ill and injured soldiers by supporting their families and caregivers.” Commemorative events will take place at 29 Warrior Transition Units and nine Community-Based Warrior Transition Units throughout the United States and Europe. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocates will present on how local communities can help the families of local wounded, ill, and injured soldiers and veterans at locations across the country. “Families and caregivers provide a considerable support system for wounded, ill, and injured soldiers,” said Col. Darryl Williams, WTC Commander. “The Army cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they make to stand beside their soldiers, and WTC is committed to integrating them into every aspect of their soldiers’ recovery.” The Army recognizes that families and caregivers assume a new role when their soldiers are injured, and has implemented several measures to incorporate them into the recovery process, including:

• Established Soldier and Family Assistance Centers (SFACs) at Warrior Transition Units, providing families and caregivers a single location to access administrative and transition resources, such as child care, counseling and benefits.
• Included families and caregivers in each wounded soldier’s Comprehensive Transition Plan, a six-part process that includes a personalized plan for each wounded soldier to guide his/her return to the force or transition to civilian life.  Families and caregivers have a structured role in this process that involves attending regular progress meetings and medical appointments.
• Expanded many services traditionally focused on soldiers to include their families and caregivers as well, such as medical record access, counseling, and transition planning.

The Warrior Transition Command (WTC) is a major subordinate command under the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). WTC’s mission is to develop, coordinate and integrate the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) for wounded, ill and injured soldiers, veterans and their families or caregivers. For more information on WTC, visit the WTC website at www.WTC.army.mil.

Questions About the New Health Reform Law?

• How are small businesses affected by health reform?
• Will everyone have to buy health insurance?
• How will the new provision allowing young adults to remain on a parent’s insurance work?

The FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) section of the Kaiser Family Foundation’s new Health Reform Source provides concise answers to common questions about the health reform law. You can search for your question or submit a new question if yours is not addressed. http://healthreform.kff.org/faq.aspx. Additional questions addressing the affordability of health insurance, how programs like Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) will be financed under health reform and others are addressed in a series of Video Explainer clips featuring foundation experts answering specific questions about the law on a variety of health policy topics. http://healthreform.kff.org/video-explainers.aspx. Kaiser’s Health Reform Source, http://healthreform.kff.org, an online gateway providing easy access to new and comprehensive resources on the health reform law, provides these and other new features and tools including an interactive timeline showing when health-reform provisions take effect, all the latest polling data, links to other information resources, and the latest health-reform headlines from Kaiser Health News.

State Launches Flu-Fighting Film and Poster Festival

Nov. 7 (Sunday) deadline: In an effort to re-energize Californians about ways to prevent catching and spreading the flu, Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), announced the launch of the second-annual Flu-Fighting Film and Poster Festival. Last year’s contest produced short videos that aired across the state on commercial television stations. This year’s contest includes a video contest and a new poster challenge. One winner will be selected from each of four categories: English-language video; English-language poster; Spanish-language video; and Spanish-language poster. Each will be awarded a $250 gift card provided by the nonprofit California Immunization Coalition. “With students back at school, it is important for them to practice simple but healthful habits to avoid the flu,” Horton said. “The video and poster contest provides an excellent opportunity for young people to display their talent with messages on how to avoid the flu.” All California residents 14 years of age and older are invited to create a video or develop a poster to encourage people to take steps that will help prevent the spread of the flu. The entry must promote one or more of the following health messages:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Get vaccinated (this year’s vaccine covers three flu strains, including H1N1).

The winning videos will be used as public services announcements (PSAs) and will be featured on the CDPH and other Web sites. The posters will also be posted online and be available for download, and will also be distributed to local health departments and schools across the state. For contest details, including rules and a challenge from some of last year’s winners, visit www.cdphfilmfest.org.

Getting Covered Website Answers Questions About Health Insurance for Young Adults

Now Available: Getting Covered is a campaign to inform young adults and their families about dependent coverage, the provision in the new health-care law that allows young adults to stay on their parent’s plan until age 26. This provision is important. It alone has the potential to cover more than 2 million of our nation’s 18.9 million uninsured young adults. And it will not add a single dollar to state or federal budgets. Getting Covered will ensure that all young adults, parents and families have the information they need to take advantage of this benefit. Visit www.gettingcovered.org.

HICAP Seeking New Volunteers to Train as Medicare Counselors

Now: HICAP – Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program – that helps individual seniors and the disabled understand the complexities of the often confusing Medicare health benefits they are entitled to is starting training soon for new volunteer counselors in San Joaquin County. Counselors typically volunteer 20 hours per month during normal business hours in Stockton, Tracy, Manteca and Lodi. All that’s needed is computer literacy and the desire to give back to the community. Upon completion of the comprehensive training and mentoring program, counselors will be registered with the California Department of Aging and be assigned to provide counseling services in the county. Those interested in training for the program should contact HICAP volunteer coordinator Susan Billings at (916) 375-3761 or sbillings@hicapservices.net.

Kaiser Permanente Central Valley: Click here for Kaiser Central Valley News and Events

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation: Click here for Sutter Gould news. Click here for Sutter Gould calendar of events.

Grants Available for Children’s Medical Expenses

No deadline: UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to pay for their child’s health-care treatments, services or equipment not covered by their commercial health-insurance plans. Qualifying families could receive up to $5,000 to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical and occupational therapy, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids. Grants are also provided in cases where insurance may cover only a portion of the expenses. To be eligible for grants, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health-insurance plan. Parents and legal guardians may apply for grants online at www.uhccf.org. The Web site includes additional grant application criteria, video clips, stories about recently helped children, and a new “live chat” feature that enables visitors to speak directly with a UHCCF representative. Visitors can also make tax-deductible donations directly online. “The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is dedicated to facilitating greater access to medical-related services that can help improve children’s health and quality of life,” UHCCF President Matt Peterson said. “We recognize some families experience gaps in coverage for certain medical treatments and equipment, and we are committed to helping fill this void.  Since expanding our grant program nationwide in 2007, we have provided more than 1,500 grants to families in need of financial assistance.” Last year, UHCCF awarded grants to more than 450 families for treatments associated with medical conditions such as speech and developmental delays, hearing loss, autism, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

HOSPITALS

DAMERON HOSPITAL Events

Click here for Dameron Hospital’s Event Calendar.

ST. JOSEPH’S MEDICAL CENTER Classes and Events

Click here for St. Joseph’s Medical Center’s Classes and Events.

DOCTORS HOSPITAL OF MANTECA Events

Click here for Doctors Hospital of Manteca Events finder.

LODI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Educational Opportunities

Click here for Lodi Memorial Hospital Event Calendar.

SUTTER TRACY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Community Education and Support Groups

Click here for Sutter Tracy Community Hospital events, classes and support groups.

SCHOOLS

Earn Master’s Degree for Diabetes Educators Online

Application deadline Jan. 15: Teachers College, Columbia University (in New York) will launch the nation’s first master’s degree program for diabetes educators in fall 2011. Based in the college’s Department of Health and Behavior Studies and offered entirely online, the Diabetes Education and Management Program will equip clinicians and care managers with a greater, more research-based understanding of how diabetes develops and evolves across different populations. It will teach them how to help patients manage treatment of their illness. And it will train these caregivers and educators to be successful patient advocates for effective public health strategies and policies, such as securing Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for diabetes education. This interdisciplinary 36-credit program, which leads to a Master of Science degree, is currently accepting applications for the inaugural cohort of 25 students through January 15, 2011. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Management Program, visit www.tc.columbia.edu/diabetes/.

PUBLIC HEALTH

San Joaquin County Public Health Services General Information

Ongoing resources for vaccinations and clinic information are:

1. Public Health Services Influenza website, www.sjcphs.org
2. Recorded message line at (209) 469-8200, extension 2# for English and 3# for Spanish.
3. For further information, individuals may call the following numbers at Public Health Services:

• For general vaccine and clinic questions, call (209) 468-3862;
• For medical questions, call (209) 468-3822.

Health officials continue to recommend these precautionary measures to help protect against acquiring influenza viruses:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based sanitizers.
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve, when you cough or sneeze.
3. Stay home if you are sick until you are free of a fever for 24 hours.
4. Get vaccinated.

Public Health Services Clinic Schedules (Adults and Children)

Immunization clinic hours are subject to chance depending on volume of patients or staffing. Check the Public Health Services website for additional evening clinics or special clinics at www.sjcphs.org. Clinics with an asterisk (*) require patients to call for an appointment.

Stockton Health Center: 1601 E. Hazelton Ave.; (209) 468-3830.

• Immunizations: Monday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday 1-4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Friday 8-11 a.m.
• Travel clinic*: Thursday 8-11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
• Health exams*: Tuesday 1-4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday 8-11 a.m.
• Sexually transmitted disease clinic: Wednesday 3-6 p.m. and Friday 1-4 p.m., walk-in and by appointment.
• Tuberculosis clinic*: Tuesday; second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
• HIV testing: Tuesday 1-4 p.m.; Thursday 1-4 p.m.

Manteca Health Center: 124 Sycamore Ave.; (209) 823-7104 or (800) 839-4949.

• Immunizations: Monday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
• Tuberculosis clinic*: first and third Wednesday 3-6 p.m.
• HIV testing: first Wednesday 1:30-4 p.m.

Lodi Health Center: 300 W. Oak St.; (209) 331-7303 or (800) 839-4949.

• Immunizations: Monday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Friday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Tuberculosis clinic*: Friday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• HIV testing: second and fourth Friday 1:30-4 p.m.

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Have a health-oriented event the public in San Joaquin County should know about? Let me know at jgoldeen@recordnet.com and I’ll get it into my Health Calendar. I’m not interested in promoting commercial enterprises here, but I am interested in helping out nonprofit and/or community groups, hospitals, clinics, physicians and other health-care providers. Look for five categories: Community Events, News, Schools, Hospitals and Public Health.

TO THE PUBLIC: I won’t list an item here from a source that I don’t know or trust. So I believe you can count on what you read here. If there is a problem, please don’t hesitate to let me know at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Thanks, Joe