Health Screenings Help People Stay Healthy

Four-D College’s medical assistant students, some shown here with CEO and President Linda Smith and  State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, offer free medical screenings. The college’s massage therapy students offer free massages. To find out more about how your group or organization can receive these free services call (909) 783-9331 or (760) 962-1325. Photo by Chris Sloan

 

 (COLTON, Calif.) Four-D College’s medical assistant program’s students want to help make sure people stay healthy.

They offer free health screenings for blood pressure and blood glucose levels to any organizations or groups whose members are interested in maintaining good health.

“We want to offer the services of our medical assistant students, said Cheryl Jerzak, director of the Four D- College medical assistant program. “We urge everyone to take advantage of these free screenings to maintain good health, or to be made aware of conditions they should discuss with a professional health care provider.”

As part of the service they offer, the medical assistant students will present these screenings during a health fair on Thursday, June 17 for the residents of Vista del Sol, a senior housing complex in Redlands.

They will do so again during a health fair open to the public, Saturday June 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burning Bush Church in Victorville, 14849 Seventh Street At this health fair, massage therapy students will also provide free chair massages.

The massages are another service Four-D College offers at no charge.

“It is a great opportunity to have an organization like Four-D College put on these screenings,” said Henry Romero, president of HR Resources, a Riverside insurance company that is producing the health fair for Vista del Sol.  “The students’ professionalism and care is highly commendable.”

Romero noted that Four-D College students have also helped with a number of other health fairs his company produced, including ones recently for the City of Banning employees and an event at the Mission Inn in Riverside. At the Mission Inn event, Four-D College also offered free chair massages by massage therapy students.

Anyone who would like to arrange for Four-D College students to conduct free health care screenings or free chair massages for their group should call Four-D College at (909) 783-9331, or in the High Desert call (760) 962-1325.

Four-D College offers programs in vocational nursing, medical assistant, massage therapy, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, plus medical billing and coding.

New courses begin monthly, and are available mornings, afternoons and evening. For a campus tour or for additional information call the school at (909)-783-9331; in the High Desert phone (760) 962-1325; or go on line to www.4dcollege.com.

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Adults Need Immunizations Too

Whether young or old, people need immunizations to ensure continued health. LaSalle Medical Associates can provide these needed immunizations at its four clinics in San Bernardino, Fontana and Hesperia.

 

(San Bernardino, Calif.) “You’re never too old for immunizations.”

“It is not just children who need immunizations,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates. “Especially as we get older, or when we travel to foreign countries, immunizations are a safe way to guard against diseases that could cause unnecessary pain and suffering.”

For the very youngest adults, those in the 18-26 age category, two immunizations are especially recommended, although both can be given in the preteen and earlier teen years.

 The first of these is the meningitis vaccine, as this disease is especially contagious among people who live in close proximity, such as a college dormitory.

“If you are enrolling in college, and are planning to live in a dormitory, and you haven’t been vaccinated for meningitis, you should be vaccinated now,” said Dr. Cheryl Emoto, director of medical services for LaSalle Medical Associates.

Young adults up to age 26 should also receive a vaccine against the human papiolloma (HPV) virus, which is a sexually transmitted disease that infects the genitals, and can cause cancer in either sex, but is especially likely to cause cervical cancer in women. 2010 is the first year it has been available to males.

“The HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer in women,” Emoto explained. “It is important that a girl or young woman receive three doses, which are given over a six-month period, before her first sexual encounter in order for the vaccine to be fully effective. Young men can also benefit from this vaccination, especially if they receive it before becoming sexually active.”

Young and older adults may also need a tetanus booster, as it should be given every 10 years.

There are also vaccinations especially recommended for both middle-aged adults and senior adults.

Middle-aged adults, especially those who were less than five years old at any time between 1963 and 1968, should consider a measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccination. This is because a vaccine used during those years relied on a “killed” virus instead of a live virus, which was not as effective as the live virus vaccine used since 1969.

Measles/mumps/rubella vaccines are especially crucial for women of childbearing age, and anyone who attends college or trade school, works in health care or will soon travel internationally or on a cruise ship.

Adults born prior to 1957 usually do not need measles or mumps vaccines, as most of them contracted both mumps and measles before the first vaccine was developed in 1963. However, any in this age category who either work in health care, or who are pre-menopausal women, should consider the MMR vaccine if they have not yet received it.

But there are vaccines needed for older adults. The pneummococal (pneumonia) vaccine is recommended for all over age 65 and Zoster (shingles) vaccine is recommended for all over the age of 60. Adults over these ages are at greater risk of developing serious health problems if they contract these diseases.

People of any age who are traveling outside the United States may need vaccinations against diseases that are much more prevalent in other countries, such as hepatitis and meningitis.

The LaSalle Medical Associates clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St., and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.

For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407.

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Dee Williams Joins Salvation Army Advisory Board

 Dee Williams has joined the advisory board of the San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army. Photo by Chris Sloan

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dee Williams, who already has broad experience working to help children, has joined the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps Advisory Board.

Williams, who currently is the marketing consultant for Totally Kids Specialty Health Care, taught school in Ohio for 12 years before moving to California in 1987. She has worked for more than 20 years in sales and marketing, but never lost her passion for children.

But kids aren’t the only ones Williams likes to help. While a newcomer to the San Bernardino Corps advisory board, she has since 1998 served in the same capacity on the San Bernardino Adult Rehabilitation Center Advisory board, which assists men who are going through the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program run by this branch of the Salvation Army.

“I have enjoyed interacting with the men going through the ARC’s sobriety program,” Williams said. “It is very rewarding to see the successes that these men have accomplished, and now as a member of the Corps advisory board, I look forward to seeing entire families blessed as a result of the Salvation Army.”

“I have always been a great supporter of the Salvation Army and the work that they do,” she added. 

The advisory board consists of volunteers who assist the Salvation Army with fund raising, community outreach and other areas of the Corps’ ministries.

“Dee Williams has a strong background in sales and marketing, which will assist the Salvation Army in providing the services people need the most,” said Tom Brickley, advisory board president. “

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps

The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.

For local help, call the San Bernardino Corps headquarters at (909) 888-1337.

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Tinman: A Showcase of San Bernardino

After their final swim in the California  State University, San Bernardino pool, Tinman triathletes of all ages walk from the pool to a courtyard filled with fun activities. These are also open to non-athletes. Tinman takes place Sunday, June 27 on and near CSUSB.

 
Tinman triathletes receive free massages after their competitions, and they may be offered to the public as well when Tinman comes to California, State University, San Bernardino on Sunday, June 27.

 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The 24^th Annual Tinman, taking place Sunday, June 27 at California State University, San will showcase much of what San Bernardino has to offer.

“We want to make people aware of as many of San Bernardino’s resources as possible,” said Thom Salisbury, Tinman co-chair. “And it’s not too late to join us. If your business or non-profit organization can bring samples of food or something unusual to California State University, San Bernardino please contact me at (909) 855-3116.”

The Sunset Rotary Club of San Bernardino presents Tinman, now in its 24^th year.

The fun begins at 7 a.m., with the kickoff of the adults’ triathlon and 5K race. Athletes can begin checking in at 5:30 a.m. Children’s events begin at 9 a.m.

While Tinman’s main event is a competitive triathlon, non-athletes will find plenty to enjoy as well.

“Our children’s events are as cute as can be,” Salisbury said. “You don’t have to like sports to enjoy watching these kids giving their all.”

Kids Triathletes run a quarter mile through a fun obstacle course, bike a mile and swim 25 yards. The Tiny Tots Tricycle Race is a quarter mile of pure (and cute) chaos!

Helizone, a San Bernardino manufacturer of model radio-controlled helicopters and airplanes, will bring some of its aircraft. These will dazzle Tinman visitors with their ability to perform aerial stunts at elevations of several thousand feet, all with the touch of a remote control held by an on-ground operator.

The Inland Empire Route 66ers minor league baseball team will send their mascot Bernie and their 66ers Spirit Girls Dance Team to Tinman. Bernie,will interact with children and other guests, and the dance team will perform.

The classic Smokie the Bear, is coming down from the mountains with the National Forest Service. Stater Brothers will bring its antique delivery truck.

Several local restaurants and stores will have food samples available. Among these are Clark’s Nutrition, offering a variety of healthy products, Qdoba, offering free chips and salsa, and Jamba Juice, offering smoothies.

Fresh fruit and other refreshments will be given free to all of the sporting events’ participants. Kettle corn and lemonade will be available at a limited price for the general public. There will also be a face-painting booth for children.

Admission and parking for Tinman are free.

Registration for the sporting competitions is $25 for children’s events, $30 for 5K, $75 for triathletes and $90 for teams of two or three who wish to compete in the triathlon.

All participants receive a commemorative medal and a “goody bag” from the sponsors.

Discounts are available on the adult triathlon for disabled athletes, all students with school ID, California State University, San Bernardino staff with school ID, and members of the military with ID. These people can enter the triathlon for $45.

Register at www.Active.com (search for Tinman) T-shirts and medals will be given to registrants as supplies last. Same day registration is available.

For more information, call Salisbury at 909-855-3116.

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