Health briefs

Beginner Yoga offered at Magruder Hospital
 
        Kylie Gospodarek will offer Beginner Yoga in the Magruder Hospital Conference Center on Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. beginning Sept. 13. The cost is $10 per class, or $50 for six-week sessions. 
        The classes will be an introduction to yoga postures, stretching, proper breathing, proper relaxation, positive thinking and meditation.
        Students should bring a floor mat and wear layered comfortable clothes.
        Magruder Hospital is located at 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton. For more information call 419-341-6163 or 419-732-4061.
 
Cancer Support Group
        The Magruder Hospital Oncology Department will host a Cancer Support Group, scheduled to meet on the fourth Wednesday each month September through May from 1-2 p.m. in the Magruder Conference Center. There will be no meeting in December.
        The group is free and open to anyone impacted by cancer, including patients, caregivers and family members. Attendees do not have to be a patient of Magruder Oncology to attend.
        An expert will discuss a different topic each month. Meetings will also include time for questions and open discussion.
        Participants are welcome to bring their lunch or a snack to eat if they would like; coffee and tea will be available. Scheduled topics include:
        • Sept. 27: Insurance and Co-pay Assistance.
        • Oct. 25: Making My Wishes Known with Advance Directives.
        • Nov. 29:  Cancer Services Programs and Assistance.
        • Jan. 24: Nutrition, Nausea and Diabetes.
        •  Feb. 28: Cancer Screenings.
        • March 27: Community Health Worker Assistance.
        • April 24: Treatment Options During and After Cancer.
        • May 22: Now What….Cancer Survivorship.
        RSVP is not required. For more information, contact Taffy Armstrong at 419-734-3131, ext. 3729 or tarmstrong@magruderhospital.com.
 
Ottawa County Summit on Aging
        The Ottawa County Task Force on Aging will present the 2023 Summit on Aging on Friday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Magruder Hospital Conference Room, 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton.
        This year’s focus is “Keeping Our Seniors Safe.” Speakers will include Valerie Feasel, RN, navigator with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Northwest Ohio and Teri Ruslander, elder services coordinator, Grove City Division of Police.
        Feasel will discuss, “Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the Elderly,” and Ruslander will speak on, “Safety Protocols for Romance Scam and Sexploitation.” Ottawa County Juvenile and Probate Judge Frederick C. Hany II will offer welcome remarks.
        The Ottawa County Summit on Aging is held annually to educate the public about the incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation that often target the older populations in the community.
        Reservations are welcome but not necessary. The event is free and will include a continental breakfast and snacks.
        For more information or to make reservations, call 419-898-6459 or email ottawacoaging@gmail.com.
 
Life Line Screenings
        Residents living in and around the Northwood area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other conditions with Life Line Screening being offered Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Red Willow Event Center, 5805 Woodville Rd., in Northwood. Free parking is available. 
        Screenings can check for:
        • Levels of plaque buildup in arteries, which is related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.
        • HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
        • Diabetes risk.
        • Kidney and thyroid function, and more.
        Package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with clients to create a package that is right for them based on age and risk factors. 
        Pre-registration is required. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit lifelinescreening.com for more information.
 
Kidney Foundation names
new executive director
        The Kidney Foundation Board of Directors has named Kelly Fritz Mofield as the group’s next executive director.
        Mofield has served in senior management roles at the University of Dayton, the Toledo Museum of Art, Sunshine Communities, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She joined the Kidney Foundation full time in June. She succeeds Holly Hoagland-Fojtik, who retired after nearly 30 years of service.
        “Kelly is an experienced nonprofit leader, and we are delighted to have her join the Kidney Foundation,” said Steven J. Martin, Kidney Foundation board member and chair of the search committee.
        “I am thrilled to be back home in Northwest Ohio after working in higher education in Dayton and Ada the past seven years,” Mofield said. “The Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio is a well-known charity dedicated to education and support for people with chronic kidney disease throughout its 20-county service area. The organization has a strong financial base and is poised to grow after coming through the pandemic.”
        Founded in 1966, the foundation is entirely donor supported and aids people with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis. The organization provides help with transportation, medications, nutritional supplements and patient education. All money raised remains in Northwest Ohio to serve local people.
        “The direction we want to grow is in providing support, education and assistance to people with chronic kidney disease so that they can avoid dialysis for as long as possible,” Mofield said. “Up to 15 percent of the American population has kidney disease at this moment, and nine out of 10 people don’t know it. We want people with risk factors such as heart disease and diabetes to get tested for kidney disease so that they can get the help they need to remain healthy.”
        Mofield is recruiting new board members and volunteers to help with the work. To learn more, visit the organization’s website at kfnwo.org.
 
ProMedica events
        ProMedica has announced a pair of events in September
        • Sept. 17: BE FAST 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, Promenade Park, 400 Water St., Toledo. The event aims to raise awareness of stroke and stroke risk factors while raising money for the Stroke Patient Assistance Fund, which provides financial coverage for patients with limited financial means as a result of their stroke.
        The event will feature a free community resource fair that is open to the public (race participation not required), where there will be health screenings, door prizes, music, face painting, activities for the kids and more.
        For more information or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Toledo/BEFAST5kRunWalk.
        • Sept. 28: The annual Celebration of Life for Brain Aneurysm Survivors hosted by the ProMedica Stroke Network will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Toledo Botanical Gardens Crosby Conference Center, 5403 Elmer Dr. Toledo.
        The event includes guest speakers, survivor testimonies, vendors, dinner, entertainment by the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra and more. Admission is free but registration is required by visiting eventbrite.com/e/celebration-of-life-for-brain-aneurysm-survivors-tickets-536005947217?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete.
 
Special Olympics Dinner & Fundraiser
        Wood County Special Olympics will hold its 26th Annual Dinner and Fundraiser in support of its Wood County Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 3, from 6-10 p.m. at Glass City Boardwalk,  27820 E. Broadway St., Walbridge.
        The fundraiser will include a reverse raffle with the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize.
        Raffle tickets are $100 and include one dinner. Soda and beer are included; games of chance and a cash bar will be available. Call 419-352-5115 or visit woodcountydd.org/special-olympics for more details.
        All proceeds from the dinner and reverse raffle fundraiser will support the Wood County Special Olympics Program in purchasing new equipment and uniforms, registration fees, travel and lodging, facility rentals, officials, fuels costs, and more. It will also allow the opportunity for growth and expansion of programs and available sports offered.
        “By supporting Wood County Special Olympics, it allows athletes with developmental and intellectual disabilities to discover their strengths and abilities, while building their self-confidence,” said Jen Krouse, Wood County Special Olympics local coordinator. “The contributions of our community and those beyond allow participants to develop friendships and experience what it means to compete and achieve. For that, we are forever thankful.”
        To learn about sponsorship opportunities available, visit the website or email cbotjer@woodcountydd.org.
        Kimberly Paxton is no stranger when it comes to Special Olympics. “My journey with Special Olympics began when I was 8 years old, and 33 years later, I still play basketball and swim,” she said.
        Paxton says that she realized that being an athlete is so much more than athletics. “I became part of a team that had athletes from the entire state of Ohio. We worked together, we played together, we bonded together,” she said. “We
all shined as one. Being a part of Team Ohio helped me understand how close we are as Wildcat family. It inspired me to not only be an athlete but to be a cheerleader for my teammates. Without our sponsors each year, this program wouldn’t be where it is today.”
        Since its creation in 1970, Wood County Special Olympics has sponsored more than 500 youth and adult athletes served by Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This program offers year-round training and competitions in nine different sports, including local, state, and regional games.
        Currently, Wood County Special Olympics covers all costs for each athlete and will continue this practice due to the generosity and contributions of sponsors.
 
Mercy therapy services
        Mercy Health continues to offer physical therapy services at several former McLaren St. Luke’s locations.
        Outpatient rehabilitation and therapy services continue to be available at:
        • Mercy Health — Lighthouse Way Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 7015 Lighthouse Way, Suite 100, Perrysburg. Call 419-871-6499.
        • Mercy Health — St. Luke’s Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 5901 Monclova Rd., Maumee.  Call 419-893-5957.
        • Mercy Health — Waterville Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 900 Waterville Monclova Rd., Suite C, Waterville. Call 419-441-1002.
        • Mercy Health — Swanton Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy,  22 Turtle Creek, Suite G, Swanton.
        In addition to assuming ownership of the four therapy clinics, Mercy Health welcomed 25 former St. Luke’s outpatient therapy staff members. Collectively, the team will offer several therapy services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy as well as a variety of specialized services such as aquatic therapy, neurological rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, dry needling and pelvic floor therapy among others.
        These locations join Mercy Health’s outpatient rehabilitation and therapy offerings throughout the region including:
        • Oregon Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 3851 Navarre Ave., Suite 100, Oregon. Call 419-696-7203.
        • Perrysburg Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 13415 Eckel Junction Rd., Perrysburg. Call
419-251-8788.
        • St.. Vincent Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 2213 Cherry St., First Floor, Main Hospital, Toledo. Call 419-251-4261.
        • Maumee Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 518 The Boulevard, Maumee. Call 419-794-4790.
        • Sunforest Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 3930 Sunforest Ct., Suite 100, Toledo.  Call 419-251-1121.
        • Sylvania Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, 7640 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. Call 419-407-1080.