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- Schedule a Heart Check appointment. Heart Check is a screening for heart disease that determines your personal risk factors. It’s one of our most popular programs. Learn more about it at RMHHeartandvascular.com.
- Get more sleep! If you struggle with going to sleep, staying asleep, feeling tired in the mornings, or any other sleep-related issue, call the RMH Center for Sleep Medicine. Physician referral not required! 437-8230.
- Give blood. The heart of winter is always a slow time for blood donations. Virginia Blood Services (which directly supports RMH) is ALWAYS looking for blood donors, but particularly this time of year. Consider giving – it’s quick, easy, and you get a cookie when you’re done. VBS is now located on Neff Avenue.
- Become a volunteer. The Volunteer Services program at RMH is filled with great opportunities for you to give back to your community. And there are so many different jobs you can do. Tell us what you’re interested in and when you want to volunteer, and we’ll take care of the rest! Call 689-6413 to learn more.
- Schedule your colonoscopy. Not the most pleasant of resolutions, but a very important one. If you’re over age 50, you should have a colonoscopy. Did you know that if everyone followed the recommended guidelines for screenings, HALF of lives lost to colon cancer would be saved?
- Schedule your mammogram. Again, not the most pleasant of resolutions, but incredible important. RMH and the RMH Women’s Center follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendations that all women age 40 and older have an annual mammogram. To schedule yours, call the Women’s Center at 433-4641.
- Schedule your physical. Remember that person in the white coat with a stethoscope? Yeah, your doctor. You two need to get reacquainted! If you need help finding a physician, call Healthsource at 564-7200. They’ll help match you with the physician that best meets the needs of you and your family.
- 8,000 bottles of water
- 2,000 green grocery tote bags
- 3,000 stadium cups
- 4,000 band-aid dispensers
- 500 Medical Staff Directories
300 HealthQuest magazines- And various odds and ends needed to do our jobs throughout the week.
Keeping Kids Safe from Day-to-Day Dangers, Risks
March 1st, 2012
I recently stepped into the temporary role of “mommy”. I kept my two nieces, ages 15 and 10, and my nephew, age 12, for three days while my brother and sister-in-law traveled to Spain.
In all, I had a great time. They’re awesome kids who are very bright, very funny, and very full of energy.
Sometimes, though, I felt incredibly outnumbered, overwhelmed, and frustrated. For three little people, they certainly are loud! And messy! And listening to Aunt Sarah was not always at the top of their list of priorities.
Keeping the kids safe, however, was my top priority. Not being a mom myself, and being in a house and town outside of my normal community, made things a little uneasy for me at times. Is Rose usually allowed to ride her scooter with no helmet? Is Zach seriously allowed to climb out on the roof from his bedroom window? Can Emily walk home from band practice when it’s dark out?
Yeah, I was seriously outnumbered.
But we survived – with no injuries, no ER visits, and no tears. A success!
But being with them for those three days made me much more aware of everyday dangers and risks that I don’t normally consider. Thankfully, there are folks in our Harrisonburg community who DO consider these risks – and have organized an event to help parents and kids alike learn about the dangers of both home and farm – and how to avoid them.
I encourage you to check out the RMH-Bowman-Progressive Farmer Home and Farm Safety Day. Long name = great event. The event costs only $5 and is held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 10. There’s a long list of different safety topics that will be covered (bike safety, tractor safety, preventing fires, etc!) — all taught in a fun, exciting atmosphere.
A link to the complete info can be found here.
Check it out!
Racing Toward Heart Health
February 10th, 2012
I’m not a runner.
I exercise a lot. I’ll take cardio classes and weight lifting classes. I’ll get on the dreaded Stepmill or ride miles to nowhere on the stationary bike.
But don’t ask me to run.
Unless I’m being chased.
Or if there’s a limited supply of dessert.
Those are entirely different situations, though.
Walking, however, is never a problem. Especially when it’s for a great cause – my health and the health of our community.
On Saturday, February 25, the Alpha Phi sorority at JMU is hosting their annual “Move Your Phi’t” 5K run/walk. The proceeds from this walk will benefit the RMH Heart and Vascular Center.
What a wonderful philanthropic effort from our local college students! Each year, they do so much for RMH and for the fight against heart disease in our local community. They’re passionate about getting us up off the couch and moving!
I think it’s important that we support these girls and their hard work by lacing up our shoes and walking (or running….or strolling…or whatever you like to do) in this 5K. I challenge you to find a buddy (or 6) and sign up for the Move Your Phi’t 5K. Not only will you have given your weekend a healthy start, but you’ll also have helped your community and its hospital.
The winner of the race will win a heart-healthy lunch for 20 people from Vito’s Italian Kitchen.
To register for the race, simply go to: www.moveyourphit5k2012.eventbrite.com
Your heart will thank you. Your feet may not, but your heart definitely will.
Matters of the Heart—A photo recap of our annual symposium
February 7th, 2012February is about more than just candy hearts, greeting cards and Cupid’s arrow. The American Heart Association has created a nationwide phenomenon know as American Heart Month. The AHA has done an incredible job of raising awareness about heart disease – and the fact that it’s the number one killer of both men and women in the United States.
Each February, the RMH Heart and Vascular Center offers the community a public symposium called “Matters of the Heart.” This year, Matters of the Heart featured presentations by two of our physicians: electrophysiologist Robert VerNooy, MD and interventional cardiologist David McLaughlin, MD. Cardiothoracic surgeon Steven Marra, MD, served as our host for the evening.
More than 115 guests attended the symposium and had the chance to meet with RMH vendors, talk with the doctors, and learn important information about the latest and greatest technologies at the RMH Heart and Vascular Center.
Below are some images from the event.
This Year, I’m Going to . . .
January 2nd, 2012
Making resolutions at the start of a New Year makes sense, doesn’t it? We’re experiencing the end of a chapter in life while marking the beginning of our future. It’s the perfect time to both reflect and project.
Many people make resolutions to lose weight and to exercise more. And the employees at RMH can’t argue with those ideas! But here are a few other resolutions that we encourage you to try for 2012 (just in case you were looking for some new ideas):
Happy, Healthy Holidays to You
December 22nd, 2011
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Oh wait, it’s supposed to be 64 degrees today! Ok, no snow for us — and probably not a white Christmas either. But that’s ok. The Christmas music playing on my computer, the cookies and chocolate filling up the office kitchen, and the Peppermint Mocha Coffee Mate sweetening up my coffee this morning are working together to put me in the Christmas spirit.
At RMH, the holidays are a fun time. Our new hospital looks beautiful with its holiday decorations; the Coffee Cup is offering its annual selection of yummy holiday drinks and treats; and the Gift & Floral shop is filled with beautiful gift ideas and decorations.
Even the RMH Wellness Center is filled with a little extra cheer this time of year. Aside from the pretty decorations brightening up the front desk, they’re also offering new members half-off the enrollment fee! That’s an amazing deal — and a great opportunity to help many of us kick off our New Year with a healthy resolution! You can learn more about this limited time offer at RMHWellnessCenter.com.
The entire RMH family wishes you and yours a healthy, happy holiday season. Be safe. Be merry. Be full of good health!
Where Were You? RMH Reflects on 9/11
September 9th, 2011
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. I remember my parents saying they’ll never forget where they were when President Kennedy was shot. And now, I can someday tell my children that I’ll never forget where I was during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
My friend emailed me a week ago. She teaches high school English at an area school. She said, “Sarah, can you believe that this year’s freshman class doesn’t remember 9/11?” Seems so crazy — seems like it was just yesterday.
On September 11, 2001, I was a senior at Bridgewater College. My first “class” that morning wasn’t a class at all. I was doing a work/study with my communications professor — earning a meager wage for being her errand girl. I loved it.
As I was getting dressed, I had Good Morning America on — and I remember anchor Charlie Gibson saying something about a plane and the World Trade Center. But the seriousness of it didn’t really sink in.
By the time I got over to Bowman Hall, the second plane had hit. My work/study period became a gathering as teachers and students stared in horror at the television. I remember a student running down the hallway crying and looking frantic. Her mother worked in the Pentagon. (Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt that day.)
Now that the 10th anniversary of that horrible day is almost here, we decided to ask a handful of RMH employees to tell us where they were, what they remember, and how they will honor that day.
Diane Ray, HR Employment Specialist—I was on the phone conducting an interview with a candidate. The candidate made me aware of what was happening. I will be honoring this event with a moment of silence.
Robin Martin, Manager of Chaplain Services—In an effort to catch up with desk work, I had worked all night before a scheduled day off on the Sept. 11, 2001 and I left RMH just as everyone else was arriving to work. I drove home to Fairfax, and sat in my car in the driveway, in a bit of a stupor, but enjoying the cool crisp air and crystal blue skies on that gorgeous Tuesday morning. I finally went into the house, full of gratitude for creation. A few minutes later my sister-in-law called saying “turn on the TV!!” and I spent the rest of the day trying unsuccessfully to reach my husband and wondering when & if he would make it home from where he worked in southeast DC. This year I will take time in prayer to connect again with God who holds my heart in peace.
Maria Hostetter, RN, Heart Health Navigator—I remember standing mid morning at the second floor window in the old hospital’s cardiac cath lab room recovery area, looking to the sky watching a lone airplane jet fly across Harrisonburg. The thought struck me that all planes were supposed to be “grounded”. I felt vulnerable, then pondered about who might be in that plane. It must have been an authorized flight. I thought about how quickly life changes. I will be honoring this day by volunteering at my church’s outdoor “Summer’s End Festival”.
Labreeska Long, Medical Necessity/Physician Coordinator—I was at the cancer center working. I remember a flurry of activity and someone told us to come to the chemo treatment area. They had all the TV’s on and pointed towards us so we could see. I remember us holding hands and praying and crying together as we watched the events unfold. It was a very emotional day. I still tear up thinking about it. My heart goes out to all the victims, the hero’s, the ones left behind……The flag will be hanging from my front porch this weekend.
Kay Harrison, VP of Business Development—I was in San Diego on business (so it was 5:45 am) and remember feeling very disconnected from home. Carter (Melton, former RMH President and CEO) called to make sure we were OK and to discuss our travel plans. He told us he would support us getting home any way we had to. I remember feeling much more secure after his call and realizing again, why I love working for RMH so much.
Judi Getz, Rehab Services—When the first plane hit, I was standing near the television in the Wellness Pavilion getting ready to go to a joint staff meeting of Rehab Services. We were all together that day watching as the towers fell and getting word of the Pentagon and the crash in the field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania. I am going to spend time on Sunday with my son, an Iraqi Freedom veteran.
Sandy Tusing, Foundation Executive Assistant—I was working in my office when another employee came by and told me what happened. As a mom, the first person who came to mind was my son, Matthew, who serves in the USMC. I knew at that very moment his job was about to change. On 9/11 I’ll be remembering those who lost someone on that tragic and very sad day.
Neil Mowbray, Publications Specialist—I will remember that morning–indeed, that entire day–as long as I live. I was preparing to go into my classroom at JMU to teach, when our department director told us to come to her office and watch the news on the small TV she kept tuned in to CNN. We all stood in stunned silence as we watched the plane hit the second tower, and then saw the two towers come crashing down. I’ll never forget the sight of people literally jumping to their deaths rather than be burned up in the melting towers. I made it to my class, and in broken speech told them to go home and watch this event. “You’ll remember this for as long as you live,” I told them. Then I went home and stayed glued to my TV set for days.
Where were you on September 11? Post your comments below – we love to hear from you.
The Anatomy of a Fair
August 23rd, 2011If you stopped by the RMH Healthcare booth at the Rockingham County Fair last week, then you saw something like this:
The booth crowded with people receiving all sorts of free health screenings, giveaways, bottles of water, and overall general merriment.
But before the screenings, before the handouts, and before the mayhem of thousands of fairgoers stopping by our booth, there was…..the set up.
If you had been at our booth space the Friday before the fair began, you would have seen our space looking like this:
(Let me just pause for a moment to toot the horn of our Marketing and Communications departments. We have the fair down to an art. Picasso would be so proud. We are a fine-tuned machine that can get this bad-boy booth set up in under 3 hours! Amazing!)
Here’s how the set up happens (I know you’re just DYING to know):
First, the truck arrives with all the goodies. Carpet, displays, tables and chairs, giveaways, two cats, a baby elephant and a skyscraper.
That’s Linda in the picture. Hi Linda!
So, as the guys unload everything, we start moving all the boxes into their proper location behind the curtain. We sort all of our giveaways into days—Monday, Tuesday, and so on. That way, we are assured to have plenty of handouts all week long. Look how the booth changes once we’ve sorted everything and taped down the carpet.
Next comes setting up our two big displays, which frame our booth space on either end. We always have fun coming up with our theme for the fair and designing the big displays. This year, our theme was a line taken from our hospital’s vision: every person, every family, every day.
After the displays are up, lights checked, tables in place, we put the finishing touches on the booth and ta-da! A masterpiece is created.
I know. You’re super impressed. But perhaps you’ll be more impressed when I tell you exactly what’s behind that curtain:
Not impressed yet? What if I told you that in this space, we completed 380 free cholesterol screenings and THOUSANDS of free blood pressure screenings?
But perhaps most importantly….I finally got my funnel cake. Yum.
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