Health & Wellness

A year ago, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution to participate in the Stepping Up initiative. The initiative, signed by two hundred fifty counties, has one lofty goal: reduce the number of adults with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

What has changed in the last year?

BARTON EDUCATION: MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Tuesday, May 31, 8:30am-4:30pm
Course Tuition: Free
Barton Health Main Classroom, Room 101
1111 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe
This course introduces common mental health challenges, different stages of mental health issues, and how to help people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. The course is free and open to the public. Sign up at education.bartonhealth.org under Mental Health First Aid.

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All sports athletes in the Tahoe area can receive a free pre-participation physical on Wednesday, May 25 in the South Tahoe High Blue Gym starting at 5:30 p.m.

Athletes need to show up at the following times:

5:30pm: South Tahoe High & Middle School athletes
6:00pm: Pop Warner & LTCC Soccer athletes
6:30pm: Whittell High & Middle School athletes

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The common stressors of everyday life can result in feelings of sadness. But if a person feels sad more days than not and it causes a difference in social, academic, and occupational functioning, it may be signs of a depressive disorder. The day may feel heavy or overwhelming, a person may lose track of time or forget what is important, and things that used to cause joy and pleasure no longer bring happiness. The steps to feel better may seem impossible, but it’s never too late to get support.

Commonly reported signs and symptoms of depressive disorders include:

There are negative health complications that are a result of bad posture, so the month of May has been deemed "Posture Awareness Month."

In response to this focus, Dr. Joshua Welch of South Lake Tahoe is offering free posture screenings thru May, 2016 at Safe Haven Chiropractic. Included is a free report and exercises to reverse poor posture in young children and adults.

“Maintaining correct posture and correct alignment is one of the foundations to healthy living," said Welch. "It can reduce injuries, decrease flare-ups and allow athletes to maintain elite performance.”

The American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has identified Barton Health, in conjunction with their Lake Tahoe Sports Medicine Fellowship program, as an accredited Graduate Medical Education institution.

A very energetic and outgoing volunteer team from Vail Resort’s Retail Group joined the Bread & Broth volunteers to donate their time to serve the April 11 evening dinner at St. Theresa Grace Hall. With funds provided by the Vail EpicPromise Grant program, Heavenly Mountain Resort sponsored the Monday meal and had Retail Group Store Managers Ryan Olm, Heather Searcy, Amy Grannick, Josh Bastille and Marcie Canale team up and participate in the evening’s dinner event.

The third annual Mental Health Forum in South Lake Tahoe today brought together almost 60 people who are dedicated to helping the mental and behavioral health in the community.

Hosted by Barton Health, this year's forum participants shared the progress they've made on strategies for mental health and local service gaps that were generated during the 2015 event.

Jeanne Nelson from the South Lake Tahoe chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) was very pleased with the outcome Thursday.

Amanda Weavil, MD collected her third victory this month when she was voted Barton Health’s 2016 Doctor of the Year.

Dr. Weavil is a board-certified OB-GYN for Barton Women’s Health. In early March, she won the Dancing with the Tahoe Stars competition and received the people’s choice award. Now, in honor of national Doctors Day, Barton Health physicians and staff voted Weavil as their favorite physician.

A six-week educational series that will provide support for people who care for, or plan to care for, a family member of friend over the age of 60 will be presented by El Dorado County starting April 18, 2016.

The "Aging & Caregiver" series will be held on Mondays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe.

The series topics will include the following:

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department is offering American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Training. Participants must register for this class by March 14th at www.cslt.sportssignup.com. The class is conducted by American Red Cross Certified Instructor Liz Terzian and will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will be trained and certified to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illness until EMS (emergency services) take over.

Women of all ages – mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and sisters – are encouraged to attend. Yoga class starts at 8:00am. Other complimentary activities start at 9:00am and include coffee and brunch, wellness booths put together by local businesses, health presentations, and a Zen room with complimentary pampering and massage services.

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Did you know one person can save eight lives and enhance 50 others through organ, eye and tissue donation? Anyone can become a potential organ donor regardless of age, ethnicity, or medical history. Sign up or check and see if you are registered in the organ donor database on April 15.

All who sign up April 15 (or are already in the database) can receive a 20% discount on their gift shop purchase (exclusions apply). 530.543.5927

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BARTON WELLNESS LECTURE: How Supplements Can Complement Traditional Medicine
Presented by: Amy Smith, FNP - Barton Family Practice

Attend any four of Barton’s 2016 Wellness Lectures and be entered into a drawing for a $150 gift certificate to a South Lake Tahoe business of your choice. Questions? Call 530.543.5615. Visit bartonhealth.org/lecture for the most up-to-date lecture information.

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Presented by: Jessica Perasso, RD & Dana Dose, RD, CDE - Barton Nutrition Services

-Discover potential complications of diabetes
-Learn why blood sugar control is important
-Understand the effects of exercise on diabetes management
-Know routine care and how to stay healthy and partner with your healthcare team

Attend any four of Barton’s 2016 Wellness Lectures and be entered into a drawing for a $150 gift certificate to a South Lake Tahoe business of your choice. Questions? Call 530.543.5615. Visit bartonhealth.org/lecture for the most up-to-date lecture information.

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All community members are invited to become an American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard through their training at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex in March.

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department the class with instructor Liz Terzian who will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will be trained and certified to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illness until EMS (emergency services) take over.

Barton Health was selected as one of 100 new Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), providing Medicare beneficiaries with access to high-quality, coordinated care across the United States, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced. That brings the total to 434 Shared Savings Program ACOs serving over 7.7 million beneficiaries.

Lake Tahoe Community College faculty member Dr. Walter Morris will give a talk on what science has revealed about exercise during the school's next featured lecture, “Exercise: A Potent Medicine?” on Wednesday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board/Aspen room.

Barton Health is hosting an open enrollment working session on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Lake Tahoe Community College from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

During this session, individuals can apply for health coverage and have access to certified representatives for any needed assistance. The deadline to sign up is January 31, 2016.

They are reminding people to bring their picture identification, social security number and household income to the enrollment session.

Mobile applications are one of the newest methods available to help elevate your mood. If you have a smart phone or tablet, mobile applications are convenient, entertaining, and inspiring. They don’t take a lot of time and are often free of charge.

Here are some of my favorite apps that provide mood-lifting tips and entertainment. All are free to download and available on multiple phone platforms, unless otherwise noted.

Barton Health has expanded their OB-GYN practice with the addition of Dr. Lisa Carbonell who is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist who studied medicine at the University of Puerto Rico. She completed her residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona and is currently in the board certification process. Dr. Carbonell is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Barton Health's Certified Enrollment Counselors are available to help community members enroll in Covered California insurance or Medi-Cal plan from now until January 31.

One-on-one enrollment sessions are available the follow days and times:

Tuesday, December 8- 3:30-6:30pm
Wednesday, January 20 - 3:30-6:30pm

Both sessions will take place at Lake Tahoe Community College in Computer Lab D123. Enrollment counselors will help individuals and families walk through the process of signing up and selecting a health care plan.

Stop by the new Barton Pediatrics office between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on November 19 to meet and visit with pediatricians Dr. Jennifer Ehmann, Dr. Kawika Lu, and Dr. Tracy Protell and pick up some snacks and goodies.

Free flu shots will be available for children ages 3 to 18 – no appointment necessary. New patients welcome.

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Get help enrolling in health insurance or MediCal with Covered California. Barton Health’s Certified Enrollment Counselors are available to assist in English and Spanish.

Barton Health will host two open enrollment working sessions during which individuals can apply for health coverage and have access to certified representatives for any needed assistance. Please bring your picture ID, social security number and household income to the enrollment session:

December 8, 2015 ~ 3:30-6:30pm at Lake Tahoe Community College, Computer Lab D123

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