Civista Health Blog http://www.civista.org/blog Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 We look forward to serving you in 2012! http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/we-look-forward-to-serving-you-in-2012/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/we-look-forward-to-serving-you-in-2012/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:58 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2126 Having a new baby? Considering a joint replacement or looking for a physician? Maybe you are simply ready to learn more about improving your health. Whatever your health needs, we look forward to seeing you here at Civista throughout 2012.

Where we don’t want to see you is in the Emergency Department this New Year’s holiday. Celebrate Safely. Don’t Drink and Drive.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/we-look-forward-to-serving-you-in-2012/feed/ 0 Tips for Stress Management During the Holidays http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/tips-for-stress-management-during-the-holidays/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/tips-for-stress-management-during-the-holidays/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:26 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2118 Between hosting and attending gatherings with family and friends, putting up decorations, gift buying, and all the traffic and crowds, it’s hard not to feel at least a little stressed during the holidays.

Here are five easy tips for helping you manage stress this holiday season:

1. Take a hike. Nothing relieves stress like walking away from it, and somehow things do look better when you get back.
2. Take a breather. Literally. Taking time out to breathe deeply several times a day will slow you down and clear your head.
3. Take time to help someone else. Nothing makes you appreciate what you have like giving to those in need. There are plenty of charitable organizations that need help this time of year. Help yourself by helping others.
4. Take time to share good news. Lorette LaRoche, humorist and author of “Relax, You Only Live Once” tells us, “Find someone doing something right and tell them.” Your words can make their day.
5. Take a look at the bright side. Remember, a sense of humor can put even the most stressful situations into perspective. Susan Vass, author of “Laughing Your Way to Good Health” advises, “Take frequent laugh breaks throughout the day. Learn to laugh at yourself.”

From all the doctors, nurses, administrators, and staff at Civista, we wish you the very happiest of holidays.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/tips-for-stress-management-during-the-holidays/feed/ 0 Support Breast Cancer Awareness with the “Shades of Pink” Breast Cancer Tree http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/support-breast-cancer-awareness-with-the-shades-of-pink-breast-cancer-tree/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/support-breast-cancer-awareness-with-the-shades-of-pink-breast-cancer-tree/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:00:03 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2102 As of November 28, the 10½-foot Christmas tree in the main lobby at Civista Medical Center has gone PINK! Members of the Sisters at Heart breast cancer support group decorated the tree in “Shades of Pink” to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. Stop by to see this stylish and spirited tree for yourself!

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/support-breast-cancer-awareness-with-the-shades-of-pink-breast-cancer-tree/feed/ 0 Civista Employees Support Christmas Connection Toy Drive http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-employees-support-christmas-connection-toy-drive/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-employees-support-christmas-connection-toy-drive/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:40:05 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2139  

Pictured from left to right: Civista Employees Pam Anderson, Paula Hancock, Brenda Rosier, Karen Collins, Donna Gray, Amy Copeland, and Charles County Children’s Aid Society Board Member Pam Vahle

Once again this year, Civista Medical Center employees participated in the Christmas Connection Toy Drive for Charles County. Employees collected new unwrapped toys and gifts and held a bake sale/pizza sale that raised $1,270 to help needy families in our community. Special thanks go to Karen Collins, Donna Gray, Kim Stringer, Stephanie Simm, Amy Copeland, Brenda Rosier, Pam Anderson, and Paula Hancock for heading up this terrific effort.

Christmas Connection, the largest Christmas program in Charles County, includes five human service agencies that have combined their efforts to provide food and gifts for Charles County’s neediest families through donated funds, goods, and services. Annually, 3,000 children receive their Christmas toys, gifts, clothes, and food through this program. The agencies involved are: Charles County Children’s Aid Society, Charles County Department of Social Services, Department of Community Service Office on Aging, New Life Church, South Potomac Church, and The Salvation Army Charles County Service Unit. Thank you to all involved!

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-employees-support-christmas-connection-toy-drive/feed/ 0 Civista Achieves Perfect Score in Children’s Asthma Care http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-achieves-perfect-score-in-children%e2%80%99s-asthma-care/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-achieves-perfect-score-in-children%e2%80%99s-asthma-care/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:26:03 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2095

Gail Lessner, RN, and Terri Jones, Respiratory Therapist, meet with Sherita Mason and her daughters Ihnaya and Ihyana.

We’re proud to announce that from March 2010 through April 2011 Civista Medical Center was the only hospital in Maryland to earn perfect scores for all three key measures of pediatric asthma care, as tracked by the Maryland Health Care Commission.

“The Asthma Home Care Plan is very important and has helped decrease the possibility that a child would have to return to the hospital for asthma related symptoms,” said Lisa Wiltrout, MD, director of the Civista Pediatric Hospitalist Program. “It’s a cooperative team effort among physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists.”

The Pediatric Asthma Program is part of Civista Medical Center’s continuous improvement process, which also lead to Civista’s high ranking among the top hospitals for performance in other core areas including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care

Click here to learn more about Children’s Asthma Care at Civista.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/civista-achieves-perfect-score-in-children%e2%80%99s-asthma-care/feed/ 0 Join Us for the Lighting of the Civista Health Foundation Christmas Tree of Life http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/join-us-for-the-lighting-of-the-civista-health-foundation-christmas-tree-of-life/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/join-us-for-the-lighting-of-the-civista-health-foundation-christmas-tree-of-life/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:21:27 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2073

2011 Honorary Illuminator, Charles Carrington

Please join us at Civista Medical Center on Wednesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. as we light the Civista Health Foundation’s Christmas Tree of Life and pay tribute to our honorary illuminator, the late Charles Carrington—an avid Civista Health Foundation member, volunteer, advocate, and donor.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/join-us-for-the-lighting-of-the-civista-health-foundation-christmas-tree-of-life/feed/ 0 Fat, Fiber & Fitness http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/fat-fiber-fitness/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/fat-fiber-fitness/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:42 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2043 Civista Health will present a hands-on lecture on lowering your cholesterol without medication on Wednesday, November 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Fat, Fiber and Fitness will offer proven information about incorporating soy- and plant-based foods in your diet, increasing your fiber intake and exercise, and its effect on cholesterol—we will even be tasting some yummy foods!

This class is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here or call 1-888-332-4847 to register.

Fat, Fiber & Fitness
Wednesday, November 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Civista Medical Center, Ground Floor Classroom A
Free. Pre-registration required.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/fat-fiber-fitness/feed/ 0 Happy Thanksgiving from Civista http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving-from-civista/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving-from-civista/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:00:09 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2035 On behalf of everyone at Civista Health, we’d like to wish you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Join us at the Civista Health eCooking Channel for more on how to make a delicious, healthy Thanksgiving dinner from start to finish, including how to roast a turkey, whip up mashed potatoes, and create a beautiful low-calorie pumpkin pie dessert in minutes.

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests with our healthy recipes for classic Thanksgiving favorites. At the Health eCooking Channel, you’ll find comforting cornbread stuffing with chestnuts and figs, fresh cranberry sauce, and tasty caramelized onion gravy. Make these dishes early in the week and on Thanksgiving morning, all you need to do is put the turkey in the oven.

Watch this month’s Health eCooking video recipe for a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie dessert that has fewer than 125 calories per serving. There’s always room for this light pumpkin “pie” served in individual dessert cups. Made with pumpkin and gingersnap cookies, this delicious pumpkin pie recipe is sure to become a Thanksgiving dinner favorite!

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving-from-civista/feed/ 0 Look Good, Feel Better with Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/look-good-feel-better-with-civista-health-4/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/look-good-feel-better-with-civista-health-4/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:00:32 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2029 In partnership with the American Cancer Society, Civista Health is proud to offer “Look Good, Feel Better”  on Monday, November 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Civista Medical Center, One North. This class teaches beauty tips to female cancer patients so that they can feel better about how they look during chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Learn about make-up, skin care, nail care, and how to deal with hair loss. The class includes a free make-up kit to use during the workshop.

This class is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here or call 1-888-332-4847 to register.

Look Good, Feel Better
Monday, November 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Civista Medical Center, One North
Free. Pre-registration required.

]]> http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/look-good-feel-better-with-civista-health-4/feed/ 0 Assessing the Health Needs of Our Community http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/assessing-the-health-needs-of-our-community/ http://www.civista.org/blog/index.php/2011/11/assessing-the-health-needs-of-our-community/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:00:08 +0000 Civista Health http://www.civista.org/blog/?p=2062 At Civista Health we genuinely care about the needs of our community.  To determine the current health needs of Charles County, Civista Health in partnership with the Charles County Department of Health conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment. This process identified the important health issues that the county is currently facing and will provide tools for the development of new strategies to improve the health of our community. The results of the assessment will serve as a guide for future healthcare programs and services in Charles County.

After speaking with members of the community, and collecting information and feedback from a number of sources, we have a comprehensive picture of the healthcare needs of our community.  Some of the top medical concerns identified in our community were obesity, heart disease and cancer.   Civista Health along with the other members of Partnerships for a Healthier Charles County has developed the Charles County Health Improvement plan to address the top medical concerns identified in our community.  In addition, there are areas where improvements have been made in the health of our community.  We have seen a decrease in infant mortality rates, stroke mortality rates and tobacco use in adults.  Along with our partners, we will continue to work to help Charles County citizens be healthier.

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