HMHP ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS: Kathy DeVito of Austintown has been named nurse manager of the acute rehabilitation unit at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Prior to her appointment, DeVito was employed as the utilization manager for HM Home Care. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Youngstown State University.
Kristine Benishek of Streetsboro has been named director of library services for HMHP.
Prior to her appointment, Benishek was employed as the medical librarian for Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from Ohio University and a master of library science from Kent State University.
Karen English of Cortland has been named manager of organizational development and learning for HMHP.
Prior to her appointment, English was the coordinator of organizational education programs and services. She holds a nursing diploma from Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State University, and a master of science in health care administration from Independence University.
Learn more about HMHP online at www.HMpartners.org.
GIRARD CITY BOARD OF HEALTH TO MEET: A special meeting of the Girard City Board of Health will be held at 7 p.m. today, in the Council Chambers located upstairs in the City Building forconducting personnel business.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PICNIC PLANNED: Local Multiple Sclerosis Services Agency is hosting a 3-County Family Picnic on July 11, at the Stacey Pavilion at Austintown Township Park, 6000 Kirk Road, Austintown.
The MS Agency will provide beverages, hot dogs, hamburgers, plates, plasticware, napkins and cups. Families of those who have MS are welcome. The picnic is free. Reseravations are needed by July 6 and can be made by calling 330-533-6772.
ST. JOE'S OFFERS YOGA CLASS: A seven-session beginning yoga class will be held Mondays, July 11 though Aug. 22 at St. Joseph Health Center, 667 Eastland Ave., Warren. Class time is 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Certified yoga instructor Dawn Perhacs will teach simple yoga postures and breathing and relaxation techniques.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or blanket and a small pillow to each class. Adults only. Class size is limited.
Cost is $58; $44 for Humility of Mary Health Partners employees. Make checks payable to St. Joseph Health Center and mail, along with name, complete address and daytime phone number to Yoga, Humility of Mary Health Healthline, St. Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Ave., P.O. Box 1790, Youngstown, OH 44501.
For more information, call 330-480-3151 or toll free 877-700-4647.
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS: The Alzheimer's Association will hold its monthly Caregiver Support Groups on the following dates:
* July 5 at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center of Mahoning County, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown.
* July 12 at 7 p.m. at Howland United Methodist Church, 730 Howland-Wilson Road N.E., Howland.
* July 20 at 10 a.m. at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, 1350 E. Market St., Conference Room F, Warren.
For more information, call the Alzheimer's Association at 330-533-3300 or 800-272-3900.
MS SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET: The MS Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Warren Council, 1947 E. Market St., Warren. The group will provide information and resources that enhance the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and empower those with MS and their families. For information, call Kevin at 330-306-8399.
FLU CLINIC HELD: A flu clinic will be from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. daily at Warren West Community Health Center, 716 Tod Ave., Warren. Medicaid and Medicare will be accepted. All others are $20 each. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 330-373-0222.
NAMI PLANS MEETING: The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mahoning Valley daytime support group meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Girard Free Library, corner of North Avenue and Broadway. The NAMI Mahoning Valley evening support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at D&E Center, 142 Javit Court, Austintown. For more information, call Dianna at 330-540-8583.
POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TO MEET: The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Thursday of every month at the D&E Counseling Center, 142 Javit Court, Austintown. For more information, contact Jodi at 330-207-1385 or jodi@poemonline.org.
ST. JOE'S AT THE MALL: Open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, located next to Sears at the Eastwood Mall. Call 330-652-7542 to register.
The schedule includes:
NORTHSIDE MEDICAL CENTER
SHARON REGIONAL EARNS MAXIMUM ACHIEVEMENT: Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield recently recognized Sharon Regional Health System for earning the Maximum Achievement level for fiscal year 2011 in the Highmark QualityBLUE Hospital Pay for Performance program.
In its notification to Sharon Regional, Highmark officials recognized the involvement of the health system's staff, senior leadership, and project physician champions who are responsible for the QualityBLUE program administration and the organization's overall commitment to advancing a culture of quality.
Specifically, Highmark commended Sharon Regional for its efforts in the following areas: incorporating transparency of quality outcomes at nursing and physician levels throughout the hospital; advancing the care of stroke patients by extending beyond the hospital setting to partner with EMS systems in the community; creating a paradigm shift to support a culture of quality and improve capacity management in its emergency department; along with demonstrating a commitment to incorporating new technology and innovation into Sharon Regional as evidenced by implementing a telemedicine stroke program, converting the surgical safety checklist to an electronic format, and adopting an electronic health record system.
The QualityBLUE Program focuses on key public health issues that have been identified nationally as areas of opportunity. For 2010, Sharon Regional Health System completed the following four quality indicators: 1. Emergency department throughput; 2. Surgical safety; 3. Get With The Guidelines stroke initiatives; 4. Prevention of blood clots.
WALK FOR KIDNEY FOUNDATION: The 2011 Mill Creek Walk for the Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation was held June 18. This event is an annual fundraiser for the Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation. The foundation was formed in 1979 through the efforts of dedicated volunteers to help dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. They are a local non-profit organization and provide assistance to people in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. They receive no government funding.
Some assistance they offer include providing transportation and medication grants to eligible dialysis and kidney transplant patients. They also provide information and education on all aspects of kidney disease. It is estimated that 1 in 8 people in the U.S. Have some form of chronic kidney disease.
One of the organizers of this event is Nancy Rusu. For more information, call her at 330-792-5260.