11 Jun 2012

Iowa State Fair Sew-In Seeks Donations, Volunteers

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (06/11/2012)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Fabric and Threads Department is seeking fabric donations and volunteers for the fourth annual State Fair Sew-In. The free program offers Fairgoers a chance to try their hand at simple sewing and quilting while providing warm blankets to local children in need. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set August 9-19.

Donations of two-yard cuts of fabric in juvenile prints and patterns are needed for quilt backings. In addition, cash donations are needed to help cover the costs of quilt batting and materials. All donations can be dropped off in the Competitive Events Department in the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds or mailed to the Iowa State Fair Competitive Events Department: P.O. Box 57130, Des Moines, IA 50317-0003. All donations should be labeled for the Sew-In project.

The Fair is also searching for sewing assistants to help Fairgoers make the simple strip quilts. Volunteers are asked to commit to four-hour shifts from noon to 4 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. A site supervisor will be on-hand to supply materials and help with machines. All volunteers will receive one parking and admission ticket to the Fair.

Volunteers at last year's State Fair Sew-In completed 298 quilts, which were donated to children at the Iowa Lutheran Hospital and to Angel Tree Camps, an organization that offers summer programming for children with a parent in the Iowa prison system. The sewers represented 50 Iowa counties, 13 states and 3 foreign countries. Since the Sew-In began in 2009, volunteers have created 724 quilts for children at the University of Iowa, Blank Pediatric Oncology Clinic and Lutheran Social Services of Iowa.

The Sew-In will be open daily during the Fair from noon to 5 p.m. in the south hallway of the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building. Fairgoers are invited to stop in and try their hand at quilting basics (no experience necessary). Each participant will receive a commemorative pin for their efforts.

If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or receiving more information about the Sew-In, contact Sharon Meisenheimer by phone at 515/986-1145 or by email at rmeis@aol.com.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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11 Jun 2012

Braley Announces $177,927 for Medicare & Medicaid Fraud Prevention

By Kira Ayish

Empowers seniors to prevent health care fraud

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging will receive a $177,927 grant for their Senior Medicare Patrol project. The project empowers seniors across Iowa to prevent, detect and report health care fraud. Medicare and Medicaid recipients are served by this project.

"I'm happy to announce that the Hawkeye Valley Area on Aging has been awarded a grant for their Senior Medicare Patrol project.," Braley said.  "Health care fraud is a problem in Iowa and across the country. Empowering Iowa seniors who rely on Medicare and Medicaid with the tools to prevent, detect and report fraud is important to ensure that Iowans are getting the health care services they need while taxpayer dollars are safeguarded."

 

The funding was awarded through the Administration on Aging, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

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08 Jun 2012

Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus Awarded An "A" For Patient Safety By Hospital Safety ScoreSM

By Rick Martin
WASHINGTON, DC -- June 7, 2012 - Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus has been honored with an "A" Hospital Safety Score SM by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

The Hospital Safety ScoreSM was calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group's Blue Ribbon Expert Panel using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D, or F for their safety.

"Usually 'A' grades recognize high achievers and we look at this as the recognition of high-achieving employees at Illini who, on a daily basis, are focused on patient safety and the best patient outcomes,'' said Flo Spyrow, President of Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus. "High achievement in patient safety requires a dedicated team of people from food and nutrition and environmental services, to all of the clinical staff and physicians.

"Every member of the team at Illini has an important role to play in providing the safest environment we can for patients.''

"It's The Leapfrog Group's goal to give patients the information they need and deserve before even entering a hospital," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "We congratulate the hospitals that earned an 'A' and we look forward to the day when all hospitals in the U.S. will earn the highest scores for putting patient safety first."

Genesis Medical Center, Davenport received a 'B' grade.

To see Genesis Health System hospital scores as they compare nationally and locally, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org, the Hospital Safety ScoreSM website, which also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay.

Calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group's nine-member Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single score representing a hospital's overall capacity to keep patients safe from infections, injuries, and medical and medication errors. The panel includes: John Birkmeyer (University of Michigan), Ashish Jha (Harvard University), Lucian Leape (Harvard University), Arnold Millstein (Stanford University), Peter Pronovost (Johns Hopkins University), Patrick Romano (University of California, Davis), Sara Singer (Harvard University), Tim  Vogus (Vanderbilt University), and Robert Wachter (University of California, San Francisco).

About The Leapfrog Group
The Leapfrog Group (www.leapfroggroup.org) is a national organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of health care to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality, and affordability of health care for Americans. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey allows purchasers to structure their contracts and purchasing to reward the highest performing hospitals. The Leapfrog Group was founded in November 2000 with support from the Business Roundtable and national funders, and is now independently operated with support from its purchaser and other members.

About Genesis Health System
Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a full continuum of health care services for a 12-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Genesis hospital affiliates include : Acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and at the Illini Campus in Silvis, Illinois. Genesis also manages hospitals in Maquoketa, Iowa and Aledo, Ill. Genesis also offers home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services; Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with more nearly 170 primary care physicians and specialists; the Genesis Quad Cities Family Practice Residency program. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.

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08 Jun 2012

Braley to Join Shawn Johnson in Effort to Combat Childhood Obesity

By Jeff Giertz

DC event is Part of Coca-Cola and US Olympic Committee's effort to promote physical activity among kids 

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will join Olympic champion and West Des Moines native Shawn Johnson at an event in Washington, DC, this afternoon to increase awareness of and help combat childhood obesity by promoting active, healthy lifestyles.  Braley will introduce Johnson at an appearance at Washington's King-Greenleaf Recreation Center, managed by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, as part of Coca-Cola's and the US Olympic Committee's "Get the Ball Rolling" program to promote physical activity and proper nutrition among kids.

Following a brief speaking program, an Olympic-themed fitness clinic for local youth will provide them an opportunity to learn about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

In December 2011, Braley and Johnson teamed up to introduce the Shawn Johnson Fitness for Life Act, legislation that seeks to improve physical education programs at schools by emphasizing the use of technology like heart monitors and computerized fitness programs in teaching.

More information on the bill can be found at the following link: http://braley.house.gov/shawn-johnson-fitness-life-act
06 Jun 2012

North America's Lost Boys - What to Do?

By Rick Martin
As Adolescent Male Achievement Declines,
Author Says, 'Get Outside!'

There is bad news for boys in North America:they are being blown out of the water by girls in academic achievement, and psychologists say young men are becoming more socially awkward, making relationships with young women difficult.

Sidney Gale, a medical doctor and author of Unto the Breach (www.sidneygale.com), an outdoor adventures book for boys, is concerned about the following statistics:

• Boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to drop out or flunk out of school. In Canada, five boys drop out for every three girls.

• Boys are underperforming girls at every level, from elementary to grad school.

• Boys are less likely than girls to get bachelor's of arts (44% vs. 56%) and graduate degrees, (45% vs. 55%).

In addition, young men in college are increasingly socially inexperienced, which means they're less likely go to on dates or otherwise step out of their comfort zone,says Stanford University psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. In general, maleswere never as sophisticated as females in verbal and bodily communication, but it's gotten worse.

Excessive hours of solitary video-game play and internet use likely account for atrophied social skills, Zimbardo says.

"We need to get boys out of their solitary bedrooms and into the sun," Gale says. "It's also a good idea to get them reading something other than tweets, texts and the like. They have intellect, and we should encourage them to use it."

Gale offers ideas to help boys even the achievement and social gap:

• Camp: Summer is a perfect opportunity to consider varied activity for young boys. Gale, an avid seaman, says sailing camps encourage teamwork, physical activity and navigation skills.

• Read novels: Physical isolation has significant effects on one's mental state and will stymie social skills. While reading is an activity pursued alone, reading novels can be very therapeutic, he says. They take readers beyond their daily lives, illustrate the workings of human relationships and increase language skills. They can also teach social- and problem-solving skills.

• Get social - both boys and parents: Children pick up on parental behaviors. If Mom and Dad do nothing but work and vegetate at home, chances are good that boys are just doing the same. Leave the house, together, when you can. Recreational activities are ideal; however, simply shopping together is an easy way to get boys out. "Talk to them on the way to the store," Gale says. "It sounds simple, but we are so inundated with technology in every part of our daily lives that an in-person conversation should not be taken for granted."

Like anything worthwhile, a boy's development takes time and effort, he notes.

"The old idea of a boy was one who longed for adventure, like Tom Sawyer or the Hardy Boys," he says. "As with any of today's issues concerning children, parents need to be vigilant so they can lead their sons to a successful and socially active life."

About Sidney Gale

Sidney Gale is the penname for Ian Blumer, a physician who has published a number of non-fiction books. He has been a specialty doctor in the Toronto area since 1985. "Unto the Breach" is his first work of fiction.

05 Jun 2012

Dr. Louis Katz to join Executive Leadership Team of America's Blood Centers

By Rick Martin

Oversight of scientific, medical, and regulatory initiatives to follow September retirement of Dr. Celso Bianco

Davenport, Iowa - Dr. Louis Katz has been appointed as the next Executive Vice President for America's Blood Centers (ABC). Dr. Katz currently serves as Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs for Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) and has worked with the Davenport-based community blood center for more than 30 years. He will transition from his role at MVRBC to his new position with ABC following the September retirement of Dr. Celso Bianco, who has held the position since 2000.

The announcement was made to ABC's member blood centers in the U.S. and Canada last Friday. "It is a great tribute to the America's Blood Centers' membership that we have attracted two of the finest physicians in all of blood banking - first Celso, now Lou - to work with and represent us," said ABC's Chief Executive Officer Jim MacPherson. "With the complexity of blood safety issues, Celso was absolutely the right person for his time with us. We are lucky that as community blood centers are integrating more with their hospitals that he will be succeeded by such a distinguished clinician as Lou Katz."

In his new role, Dr. Katz will serve as ABC's Chief Medical Officer. He will also lead ABC's scientific, medical, technical, quality, and regulatory efforts and represent ABC and its member blood centers before governmental and regulatory agencies. Dr. Katz is no stranger to ABC, having served the organization in many leadership capacities, including president, chair of the Scientific, Medical, and Technical Committee, and as a spokesperson for several years.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Dr. Katz to cap his distinguished career by influencing policy in transfusion medicine at a national level," said Dave Green, Chief Executive Officer at MVRBC. Due to the nature of his new position, Dr. Katz will be based at MVRBC's headquarters in Davenport, although he will travel frequently to Washington D.C. and to blood centers throughout the country. "He will be very busy with his new responsibilities, but I'm glad to know Dr. Katz will be available to provide counsel to the MVRBC medical staff as we maintain continuity in our medical affairs programs," said Green.

Dr. Paul McLoone, Chief Medical Officer for Trinity Regional Health System and Chair of MVRBC's Board of Directors, said "it's no surprise" ABC would recruit Dr. Katz for a national leadership role. "Through his past service to ABC, his research, and most importantly his stewardship and development of our own community blood center, Lou has demonstrated unparalleled expertise and judgment in the field of transfusion medicine. We have been fortunate to work alongside a nationally recognized leader for all these years."

Dr. Katz' accomplishments and experience include : serving as a member and chair of the Food and Drug Administration Blood Products Advisory Committee, a member the AABB Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Committee, the Health and Human Services National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's XMRV Scientific Research Working Group, serving as Medical Director to the Scott  County, Iowa Health Department and founding Community Health Care, Inc.'s Regional Virology Center, a comprehensive Ryan White-funded AIDS clinic in Davenport, Iowa.

"To follow my good friend Dr. Bianco into this position is an honor, but also humbling. I wish him all the best in a retirement that we all know will be as engaged as ever in the important work we do," said Dr. Katz. "I intend to focus my efforts on service to the membership of America's Blood Centers specifically, and the blood community in general, while advocating for rational policy development and implementation. All thanks for this opportunity are due to my colleagues at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, who are so good at what they do, that I have been free to spend a lot of time thinking about issues external to the blood center for more than 25 years."

About America's Blood Centers
Founded in 1962, America's Blood Centers is North America's largest network of community-based, independent blood programs. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its critical work in patient care and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 blood donor centers providing half of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian blood supply.

These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. America's Blood Centers' U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Canadian members are regulated by Health Canada. For more information, see www.americasblood.org.

About Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center
MVRBC is the exclusive provider of blood products and services to 85 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin, including all of the hospitals in the Quad Cities region. The Blood Center is based in Davenport, Iowa, where MVRBC's testing, processing and primary distribution center produces transfusable blood components from more than 200,000 whole blood and platelet apheresis donations each year. The Blood Center's service region extends from southwestern Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri and from Danville, Illinois to Albia, Iowa, an area with a population of more than 4-million residents.

The not-for-profit community blood center has regional administrative offices in central Illinois (Springfield, Ill., operating as Central Illinois Community Blood Center), eastern Illinois (Urbana, Ill., operating as Community Blood Services of Illinois); southeastern Iowa (Ottumwa, IA) and the St. Louis region (Maryland Heights, MO). From these locations, MVRBC collects blood at 17 fixed site donor centers and at more than 4,000 mobile blood drives held each year. Since its founding in 1974, MVRBC has collected more than 2.5-million units of blood from volunteer donors and has served millions of patients in the Midwest and beyond through national resource sharing programs. For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org.

-end-

05 Jun 2012

Healthy Foods: The Affordable Choice

By USDA Communications

By USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon

Fresh fruits and vegetables? Key elements of a healthy diet, for sure. But many people of modest means, including those
served by USDA's nutrition assistance programs, wonder if they can afford to buy healthy foods like the wonderful fresh produce that can be found in summer abundance at America's farmers' markets.

As USDA Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, I find that perception a source of concern because we
work hard to encourage all Americans to make healthy food choices - particularly those participating in USDA's nutrition
assistance programs, from kids in school to the more than 46 million people participating in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Well, I'm pleased to say that a recent study by USDA's Economic Research Service, "Are Healthy Foods Really More Expensive? It Depends on How You Measure the Price," found that healthy food choices, like fresh fruits and vegetables, may be more affordable than people think.

They found that while it is easy to buy "cheap" calories by using less-healthy foods, there are many healthy food choices that
cost no more per portion than less nutritious foods. Measured by the cost per portion, or per pound, grains, vegetables, fruit, and
dairy foods are actually less expensive than most protein foods and foods high in saturated fat, added sugars, and/or sodium.

This is great news for all those trying to get by with a limited food budget - like people receiving SNAP benefits. You don't have to compromise on good nutrition just because money is tight. And just in time for summer.

If you haven't been to one of the nearly 7,200 farmers' markets across the country, I encourage you to do so. Farmers' markets offer shoppers a wonderful place to find the fresh fruits and vegetables and other local produce so important to a healthy diet - particularly now when farmers' markets are practically bursting with a bounty of summer produce.

USDA strongly supports farmers' markets. And the Food and Nutrition Service, which I oversee, has farmers' market programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, for seniors, and for WIC mothers to help provide healthy food for them and their children.

We also encourage farmers markets to accept SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which makes it easier for SNAP participants to make purchases.

Farmers markets are the ultimate win-win situation. They're a win for customers because they can easily buy the freshest produce available. They're a win for producers because they are a convenient local market for their products.  They also provide a chance for customers and producers to meet face to face and build better understanding of community agriculture and what customers want.

So visit a local farmers' market today - you're in for a treat.  And remember, fresh fruits and vegetables are not only the healthy choice - they're the affordable choice, too.

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05 Jun 2012

Improving Iowans' health care

By Hawkeye Caucus

The Executive MBA program through the University of Iowa helps health care professionals improve the quality and delivery of health care products and services to Iowans.

 

Nearly 20 percent of the 100 students taking EMBA classes in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines work in health care or health care related fields, including ten physicians, CEOs of healthcare facilities, and leaders in medical device and pharmaceutical industries. They learn how to better manage the business of today's increasingly complex health care practices and services so they can be delivered more affordably to Iowans.

 

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

Alex Taylor, associate director of the Tippie EMBA Programs: "Health care makes up 17 percent of US Gross Domestic Product, so it's not a surprise that 20 percent of our students work in health care."

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Tippie Executive MBA program is the only program of its type in Iowa.  To find out more go to http://tippie.uiowa.edu/execmba/.

05 Jun 2012

New book shares how type 2 diabetic became insulin-free in 30 days

By Laurie Tomlinson

ELDRIDGE, Iowa - When Iowa author Jason L. McLaughlin was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he knew it was going to be a lifestyle adjustment, but he didn't realize just how much. He quickly got tired of testing his blood sugar levels and injecting insulin. So he decided to do something about it.

After months of research, developing a systematic plan, and actual application, he was free from his dependence on insulin injections. He shares how others can become insulin-free in just one month in his new book releasing nationwide this month, "Diabetes: How I Got Off Insulin In 30 Days."

The book takes readers through the daily routine, the rules that govern diabetic lifestyles, and the best way to get in control. McLaughlin hopes that, by following the proper eating habits and engaging in a regular exercise plan, readers too can tell their families and friends they are insulin-free in just 30 days.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

McLaughlin lives in Eldridge, Iowa. For more information, visit kickinsulin.tateauthor.com.

04 Jun 2012

Is America Really Dumb About Health - Or Just Incredibly Misinformed?

By Rick Martin
By: Gordon Filepas

America must seem pretty dumb to the rest of the world when it comes to how we take care of ourselves.  Here's why:

• America spends more per person on health-care costs than any other country in the world, by a huge margin, yet ranks 29th in longevity and has among the worst health outcomes.
• Americans and their children are still getting fatter and sicker each year.
• American physicians receive less than 24 hours of nutrition training throughout all of medical school.
• 90 percent of what U.S.-educated physicians learn in their careers is either directly or indirectly funded by pharmaceutical companies.
• President Obama's health-care plan and Mitt Romney's counter-proposal don't discuss prevention.

Everyone's complaining about America's increasing health and obesity issues and wondering how to solve these problems while also reducing health-care costs. They make it sound like a big, complicated mystery - how could this be happening?  Giving everyone health insurance is the best solution anyone can come up with?  It's a noble proposition but it won't solve the problem or do a thing to cure or prevent any disease.

Twenty years ago, I would have thrown up my hands in frustration along with everyone else. Back then, I was in the same place that most of America is today - uninformed, a little bit frantic, and wondering what to do.

But through two decades of common sense study, I've learned good health is easily attained and maintained - and it doesn't require either deprivation or a big change in lifestyle.

I know, now, that Americans aren't dumb about health. They're just incredibly misinformed about how to get and remain healthy and lean, and how to extend their longevity.  In many other countries, such knowledge is simply part of the culture, handed down through the generations.

Here's what I've learned after 20 years of intensive research:

• The human cell is essentially immortal and humans should live to, at minimum, 120 years of age while being lean and healthy.
• To achieve this you must give your body what it needs biologically - oxygen, proper nutrition, adequate water and good drainage, freedom from toxins and adequate sunlight:  The same things a plant needs to thrive.
• Genetics has little to do with your weight, health or longevity.
• Humans gain weight or get sick only when their body becomes out of balance because it is not receiving the raw materials to meet its biological needs.
• America can save $600 billion a year with common sense preventative practices that ensure individuals receive the proper nutrients.
• It is impossible to reform America's health-care "system." The only way to change the system is to change the health of the people within the system through proper education about health and wellness.  As people become healthier and demand for services is reduced, the system will gradually adapt to reduced health-care needs, much like how the music industry adapted to the introduction of iTunes.

The key is proper education that emphasizes common-sense, time-tested practices focusing on how the human body works. High-tech gadgetry and man-made petrochemicals cannot replace what the human body needs biologically.

Rapid, mass health-care reform in America will result directly from individual self-care reform from proper health education.

Try it America.  You'll like it.

About Gordon Filepas

Gordon Filepas spent 20 years researching for his book Lean And Healthy To 100 (www.adviceformychildren.com), interviewing physicians, attending seminars, and reading medical journals and other health-related literature. He is the founder of TGM Partners, a consulting and investment firm. Filepas says he was motivated to learn more about the requirements for optimal health following the deaths of his father and brother from cancer right around the time his first child was born. He hopes to ensure the good health of his family, including his wife of 25 years and three sons.

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