Health briefs: Mercy Mammography unit plans April stops

        Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit has several stops scheduled throughout the region in April. The unit delivers 3D mammograms to women aged 40 and older.
        Among local stops scheduled are:
        • Tuesday, April 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.:  Mercy Health - Oregon Clinic/Bay Meadows Family Medicine, 3851 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
        • Wednesday, April 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Old West End Community Health Center, 2244 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo.
        • Wednesday, April 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy Health – Franklin Family Medicine, 2213 Franklin Ave., Toledo.
        • Thursday, April 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy Health – St. Vincent Heart & Vascular Institute, 2222 Cherry St., Toledo.
        • Friday, April 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy Health - Waterville Primary Care, 1222 Pray Boulevard.
        • Tuesday, April 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Halim Clinic/Mercy Health – Spring Valley OBGYN & Midwives, 6855 Spring Valley Dr., Holland.
        • Tuesday, April 26, 3-6 p.m., Scott High School Community Health & Wellness Fair. 2400 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo.
        • Wednesday, April 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Starbright Primary Care, 28555 Starbright Boulevard, Perrysburg.
        • Friday, April 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Oak Street Health – Toledo Northside Clinic, 553 East Manhattan, Toledo.
        Please note, while mammogram screenings may be covered by insurance, for best coverage, patients should verify if Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital is an in-network provider with their insurance carrier. Financial need-based assistance programs are available to patients who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles). Call 419-696-5839 for more information.
        Screenings at the Mercy Health Mobile Mammography unit are by appointment only. Call 833-MAMM-VAN to schedule a screening on the mobile unit.
        To view the full list of dates and locations, visit mercy.com/toledomobilemamm.
        Certified radiologists read all mammograms and, because a second look can mean a second chance, all mammograms are double-checked with a computer-aided detection system that detects more breast cancer than mammography alone. The patient and her physician receive a copy of the results.
 
Mercy program helps healthcare workers earn degrees
        Those seeking a career in healthcare can work full or part-time at Mercy Health while earning their degree through Mercy College at no cost. This new partnership between Mercy Health and Mercy College of Ohio provides an opportunity for those ready to work while still in school preparing for their healthcare career.
        Tuition assistance to pursue education in Radiologic Technology was the driving factor for Lacretia Smith to seek employment at Mercy Health. Smith gave up her education when she became a young mother. Now after seeing her children complete college, it’s her turn.
        “I was able to quickly earn my high school diploma and I want to keep going,” she said said. “My advisor told me about the tuition assistance for Mercy Health employees, so I applied and was hired.”
        Smith recently started a housekeeping position at Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital. She adds, “I’m working 20-25 hours a week, mostly on weekends so I will have time for classes and studying. I’m so excited to start my classes at Mercy College in May.”
        Information about Mercy Health’s expanded tuition assistance for employees and Mercy College of Ohio programs will be available at a hiring event going on this weekend where there will be open interviews. The hiring event is Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Mercy College of Ohio, 2200 Jefferson Avenue, Sixth Floor Hanson Learning Commons.
        Visit mercycollege.edu for more information or to rsvp.
 
Magruder Hospital
monthly lab screening
        Magruder Hospital offers a monthly lab screening on the second Thursday between 8 and 11:30 a.m. at the Magruder Community Clinic, 730 Jefferson St., Port Clinton. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 419-301-4304.
        The $20 screening includes a basic metabolic panel (glucose, BUN/Creatinine, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, CO2) and a lipid profile (total cholesterol/LDL/HDL/triglycerides), as well as a blood pressure check. 
        As an added bonus, individuals can add on a PSA test for an additional $5 and/or a hemoglobin A1C test for an additional $5.
 
TOPS welcomes members
        TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) welcomes new members who want to lose weight.
        The group meets Mondays from 7-8 p.m. at the East Toledo Senior Center, 1001 White St. Weigh-ins are held from 6-6:45 p.m. Yearly membership is $49. Weekly dues are 50 cents.
         Call Judy at 419-691-8033 or just come to a free meeting. Everyone is welcome.
 
Free health screenings
        In observance of Minority Health Month, Nuestra Gente Community Projects is offering free health screenings April 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. outside Immaculate Conception Church in Toledo’s Old South End.
        Screenings, provided in conjunction with ProMedica and Mercy Health,  will include blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
        The organization has been offering the free screenings for the past 12 years to give low-income families access to the healthcare system.
        Learn more at nuestragentecommunityprojects.org.
 
 
Alzheimer’s Association
returning to in-person
programming, support
        Following evolving CDC, state and local COVID guidelines, the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter began offering educational programs and support groups in person on April 1, while continuing virtual options.
        “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association has focused on the health and safety of our community, volunteers, donors and staff as we worked together to advance our mission,” said Julia Pechlivanos, executive director of the Northwest Ohio chapter. “The Association continues to monitor the pandemic closely and, as some restrictions have been lifted, we will begin meeting in person for selected educational programs and support groups, while also providing some virtual options to best serve the needs of the largest possible number of families and community members.”
        The chapter will continue to follow all state and local health guidelines regarding masks, social distancing and meeting size. While masks are optional (unless required by the host venue site), unvaccinated and compromised participants should consider wearing masks when attending programs and other meetings, Pechlivanos said.
        “In the last two years, our chapter heard loud and clear that there are individuals who prefer in-person offerings and those who prefer virtual options,” said Pamela Myers, program director of the Northwest Ohio Chapter. “Through virtual delivery of our educational programs and support groups, we’ve reached new people in our community that we might not otherwise have reached. We will continue to offer both virtual and in-person options to best serve our community.”
        Chapter staff will continue working remotely. Members of the community can call the Northwest Ohio Chapter at 419-537-1999 or visit alz.org/nwohio for additional information. Free caregiver support groups, education programs, and care consultations are available throughout Northwest Ohio.
        The latest information on area support groups and education programs is available by calling the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800-272-3900.
 
Help unleash independence
        Discover how you can turn your love of dogs into a rewarding experience benefiting local people with disabilities.   Volunteer with The Ability Center’s Assistance Dog Program and teach assistance dogs in training basic obedience and manners in the home and in the community. Dogs will be placed with individuals with disabilities, offering them greater independence. Equipment, treats, and vet cost are covered by the program. Visit abilitycenter.org/volunteering/ for more details.