Health
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LAKEPORT – Did you know that a one key to a healthy pregnancy starts in the mouth? Pregnant women and those women considering becoming pregnant can significantly reduce their chances of premature labor and delivery by taking care of their oral health.
A 2006 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology study found that 30 percent of women with moderate to severe periodontal disease (inflammation of the gums with bleeding and loss of tissue that holds the tooth in place) delivered small for their gestational age babies.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Web site, pregnant women with severe periodontal disease have an estimated seven-fold increase in their risk of delivering premature, low-birth weight babies.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital's Family Birth Center has named May the "Spring Clean" oral health promotion month.
"The nurses and physicians here in the Birth Center are focused on our patients' overall health and wellness," said Family Birth Center Nurse Manager Jody Dawson.
Dr. Jonathan Davies, director of OB/GYN Services at Sutter Lakeside, agrees. "Many patients take their oral health for granted, not realizing the impact this can have on their pregnancy.”
In an effort to help this information reach area residents, the Family Birth Center has purchased 500 dental kits that will be distributed throughout the county.
Staff Nurse Sasha Reynolds, RNC, the brains behind the initiation of this promotion, wants to remind everyone of the importance of taking care of their oral health.
"Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, limit foods containing sugar, avoid sodas, and see your dentist twice a year to improve your overall health,” Reynolds said. “Periodontal disease has also been linked to increased cardiovascular risks as well. Good oral hygiene is not just about a pretty smile.”
For information regarding dental kit distribution, or for pregnancy-related questions, please contact the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Family Birth Center at 262-5085, or visit them online at www.sutterlakeside.org.
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CLEARLAKE – Childhood obesity is a national epidemic. One in three children in California is overweight or at risk for being overweight. We can turn this around by coming together in community focus groups, called "World Cafés," to share ideas and make recommendations for programs throughout Lake County.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Health Leadership Network (HLN) are inviting all interested community members to a series of "World Cafés" to do just that.
The Health Leadership Network, a network of Lake County service provider agencies, has received a grant from the California Endowment to develop countywide obesity prevention programs.
Partners in this project include our school systems, hospitals and clinics, physicians, public health, early childhood development agencies, food and agricultural programs, and concerned citizens.
The first World Café will be conducted in Clearlake at the Clearlake Senior Center on Wednesday, May 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you live in Clearlake, Clearlake Park or Lower Lake, please join us for a fun evening. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited so please call and reserve your space.
For more information about the World Café call Leslie Lovejoy at Sutter Lakeside Hospital's Wellness Center at 263- 2998 or e-mail
For more information on Sutter Lakeside Hospital, visit our website at www.sutterlakeside.org.
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UKIAH – The Mendocino College Nursing program will graduate 31 nursing students on May 25, the largest graduating nursing class thus far for the program.
These students will be eligible to take their Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exams and will provide much-needed relief to local hospitals and health facilities.
Of the current 31 graduating students, 23 are two-year RN students and nine are Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to RN Bridge students. One mother and son have completed the nursing program together and will graduate on the same evening.
All graduating students will receive an associate's degree in nursing. Many students plan to go on to further their nursing education toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
The Mendocino College nursing program was originally approved by the Board of Registered Nursing in 2003 and graduated their first class of LVN to RN Bridge students in 2004.
Since that time the program was expanded to a full two-year Registered Nursing program and has yearly admissions. Because of expansion of the nursing program, due in large part to $60,000 in funding from the Mendocino College Foundation, the college has hired two new full-time faculty in the past year.
Karen Wilson and Melissa Hladek, both local RNs, have joined the program director Barbara French and assistant program director Fran Laughton in the instruction and administration of the nursing program.
Currently enrolled in the nursing program are the 31 graduating students, and twenty-four first year students. A new first semester class will be admitted in August. Applications for the two-year RN program are accepted each March, and applications for the LVN to RN Bridge program are accepted each November. Admission to these programs is highly competitive as with all nursing programs within the state.
“Our goal is to produce skilled and intelligent nurses that will serve our community at the highest level possible,” said nursing program director Dr. Barbara French. “Our local community had been very happy with our graduates, and we continue to work hard at educating great nurses.”
The 2007 nursing graduates are Theresa Adair (Clear Lake), Mark Albert (Ukiah), Candace Baroza (Ukiah), Annette Barrera (Willits), Steven Bushey (Nice), Kati Christofferson (Philo), Donald Clancy (Willits), Terri Coker (Nice), Bonnie Covarrubias (Ukiah), Jami Flores (Ukiah), Zorah Gluckman (Potter Valley), Sherri Gravier (Laytonville), Katrina Hale (Lakeport), Shellee Hoomalu (Ukiah), Danielle Jones (Ukiah), Denise LaChance (Ukiah), Rebecca Larson (Ukiah), Lindsay Linnell (Lakeport), Jene Lowater (Kelseyville), Amy Niesen (Willits), Jennifer Prince (Ukiah), Kenneth Robinson (Upper Lake), Denise Sams (Ukiah), Shannon Scatena (Potter Valey), Jennifer Seymour (Willits), Carrie Studer (Ukiah), Kristen Terwilliger (Ukiah), Aura Thomas (Clearlake), Erin Webb (Redwood Valley), Jason Winegarner (Lakeport), and Nicole Woodruff (Willits).
General information on the nursing program can be obtained through the Mendocino College Web site nursing pages, or by calling the nursing office, 468-3099.
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LAKE COUNTY – Lake Family Resource Center has announced that registration is open for girls 11 through 15 years of age for the “All That” Camp taking place at Sutter Lakeside Hospital, June 25-29.
Did you ever say to yourself, “I wish I knew then what I know now”? The “All That” Camp will show girls that not all life lessons need to be learned the hard way. Participants will have the opportunity to have fun, learn and develop skills to become safe, healthy, vibrant and engaged members of our community.
Some of the many “All That“ Camp topics will include the importance of friendship, communication skills, resilience, dealing with stress, handling grief and loss, respecting differences, making healthy choices, body image, exercise, dance and movement, Yoga, art, team building, honoring your spirit, journaling, healthy relationships and much more.
One day of the camp will include activities for moms, grandmothers, aunts, etc. and one day for dads, grandfathers, uncles … or whoever the significant adults are in the lives of the girls.
Girls 16 years of age and older will be able to earn community service hours by volunteering as camp counselors. Counselors be able to attend all of the sessions while mentoring the younger girls.
Participating with Lake Family Resource Center to bring this camp to the girls of Lake County are Sutter Lakeside Hospital Wellness Center, Lake County Office of Education, Lake County Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Inter-Tribal Council of California, Lake County Hospice and the Lakeport Police Department.
Cost for each participant is $75; many scholarships are available through the generosity of the community.
Each day will include breakfast provided by the Lake County Office of Education ROP Culinary Program, and lunch provided by Sutter Lakeside Hospital. In addition, transportation will be available from several Lake County locations.
Registration flyers will be sent home from school with girls in the fifth through eighth grades.
For more information, to register for the camp, or volunteer as either a camp counselor or adult volunteer, call Susan Thompson, Lake Family Resource Center, at 262-1611 or 888-775-8336.
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