The Voice of Southwest Louisiana August 2017 Issue

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SWLA health & wellness National America's Health Center Week Contributed Article SWLA Center for Health Services hosts Annual Health Fairs & Healthy Community Neighborhood Walks as part of National Campaign Celebrating America’s Health Centers’ Week August – SWLA Center for Health Services will host health fairs and a community walk at all four of its Southwest Louisiana sites. SWLA Center for Health Services has been providing comprehensive primary health care services to southwest Louisiana residents for over 35 years. Although, National Health Centers week is set for August 13-19, 2017, SWLA will kick-off its celebration early: Healthy Community Neighborhood Walks and health fairs registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for each event. Saturday, August 5 2017, Crowley, Oberlin and Lafayette Louisiana. Saturday, August 12, 2017, Lake Charles. The theme for the annual health fairs is “Know Your Numbers”. Health screenings including: blood pressure checks, glucose testing, BMI, weight, dental screenings for children and adults, vision, and hearing testing and a seminar on diabetic education will be just some of the highlights at this year’s health fairs. In addition to the health screenings, Kids will also enjoy waterslides, fun jumps and sno-cones. Healthy snacks and a healthy lunch will be provided and students 22 completing screenings will receive backpacks and back to school supplies while they last. Vendors from various organizations in each community that supports and partners with SWLA Center for Health services will be in attendance at the health fairs offering additional information on valuable services they provide as well. One of the bright spots in America’s health care system, Community Health Centers have been in existence for over 50 years and have compiled a significant record of success by: • Reducing income and ethnic health disparities nationwide, even in the poorest and most challenged communities • Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings • Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the ER • Generating a system of preventive medicine that patients use regularly to stay healthy, thus saving lives. Health centers serve more than 26 million people nationwide, and are increasingly becoming the trusted provider of choice for many families, whether they are insured or not. Evidence shows patients choose health centers because they are convenient, affordable, and offer a range of services from a team of caring professionals. Studies also show the quality of care at a health center is as good as or even better than private practices. “Every day in our waiting rooms I witness the value of having a patientcentered health care home,” said Tommie Anderson, CEO. “Our patients not only get the care they need under one roof, but they are treated as individuals, with dignity and respect. This is what health care should be and what we celebrate during National Health Center Week. We provide a range of services onsite for children and adults – family medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, pharmacy, dentistry, WIC, lab, free pregnancy testing, KidMed, Certified Medicaid Application Center, Certified Medicare Counselors, Affordable Care Act Application Counselors, Fitness Center and even mental health services”. This year, during National Health Center’s Week, SWLA Center for Health Services will host “A Community Conversation” in partnership with LPCA (Louisiana Primary Care Association). “A Community Conversation” is all about engaging, educating and empowering the communities we serve to advocate the need to retain quality and affordable healthcare. Each of our four sites will welcome local elected officials and the local community to participate in an important August 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 1
conversation about healthcare. Please consider joining us at one of four opportunities provided during National Health Centers Week, to discuss strengthening healthcare coverage and access. Professional certified Outreach and Enrollment specialists from SWLA Center for Health Services will be present to answer questions and address concerns regarding Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. The dates, locations and times of each “Community Conversation” are listed below: Monday, August 14, 2017, SWLA Center located at 500 Patterson Street, Lafayette, LA, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2017, SWLA Center located at 2000 Opelousas Street, Lake Charles, LA, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Oberlin Library located at 320 S 6th St, Oberlin, LA, at 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017, MLK Center located at 1725 W Hutchinson Ave, Crowley, LA, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Department Of Health And Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee will be the special guest speaker during our National Health Centers Week “Community Conversation” at our Lake Charles site on TUESDAY, AUGUST 15TH FROM 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. This is an exclusive opportunity for the community to hear firsthand important and pertinent information concerning healthcare in our state. Visit www.swlahealth.org for more information about dates and the times of all 4 (four) annual Health fairs and the annual Healthy Community Neighborhood Walks. To learn more about SWLA Center for Health Services and the services offered please visit www.swlahealth.org. To learn more about the mission and accomplishments of Community Health Centers please visit the web site of the National Association of Community Health Centers at www.nachc.org. Volume 5 • Number 1 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM August 2017 23
Page 1 and 2: August 2017 Vol 5 No 1 SWLA WOMEN I
Page 3 and 4: editor’s By Brenda Hill Our commu
Page 5 and 6: SWLA news Editor's Note: This is th
Page 7 and 8: SWLA WOMEN IN BUSINESS The place wh
Page 9 and 10: Caring for Aging Parents with Diabe
Page 11 and 12: COUNTERPOINT VACCINES and AUTISM In
Page 13 and 14: met our mother, the late Mrs. Lucil
Page 15 and 16: Dr. Carl W. Ross, Jr., M.D. Family
Page 17 and 18: We Start With Nature We believe tha
Page 19 and 20: Faces of The Voice By: Tori Hebert
Page 21: You can’t always predict the weat
Page 25 and 26: ADVENTURES of the Lake Back to Scho
Page 27 and 28: Small & Emerging Business Developme

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana August 2017 Issue

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