Valleywide health news, April 9-15, 2015

PAINT THE TOWN EVENT PLANNED APRIL 9

The Nevada Donor Network’s Paint the Town Blue and Green community outreach event is planned for 10:30 a.m. April 9 in downtown Las Vegas. In honor of National Donate Life Month, select streets and pre-paid parking meters are to be decorated in blue and green. Network staff and volunteers are set to distribute information on organ, eye and tissue donation and register people as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Event locations include: Container Park, 100 S. Seventh St.; in front of the Regional Justice Center, 400 S. Third St.; and UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

Local dignitaries and Nevada Donor Network representatives are set to be on hand to kick off the event with a short ceremony inside Container Park. Dignitaries and event attendees will have an opportunity to “paint” their names on a special canvas to celebrate the occasion and honor donors and their families.

Visit donatelifenevada.org.

BETTER BREATHERS CLUB MEETS MONTHLY

The Better Breathers Club is set to meet the second Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. This educational and social support group is for people with lung disease, their loved ones and caregivers. A light lunch and snacks are planned.

The April 14 meeting is set to feature guest speaker Eric Oneil from Philips Home Healthcare Solutions discussing therapeutic equipment for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Call Henry Clay at 702-835-9898.

HEART BALL PLANNED APRIL 11

The 25th annual Las Vegas Heart Ball is planned from 5:30 to 10 p.m. April 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The event is set to feature pop/country artist J.W. Cudd, and a reception, silent auction and dinner are planned.

The Heart Ball is a fundraising event benefiting research, public education and community programs of the American Heart Association. Corporate and medical sponsors, physicians and community leaders will be in attendance. Tickets are $250. Visit lvheartball.ahaevents.org.

DESERT SPRINGS HOSPITAL PLANNING WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

Desert Springs Hospital is planning a program for people seeking weight-loss options from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25 near the main lobby of the hospital at 2075 E. Flamingo Road.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults are overweight (approximately 78.6 million). In Nevada, an estimated 25 percent to 29 percent of adults are obese. Other medical conditions related to obesity include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

The event is set to feature three guest speakers throughout the morning: Dr. James Atkinson, from 9:45 to 10:05 a.m. discussing surgical treatments for obesity; Dana Trippi, from 10:05 to 10:25 a.m. discussing medical treatment options for obesity; and Physician Assistant Tammara Beeghly, from 10:25 to 10:45 discussing functional medicine. This option focuses on lifestyle modification and weight management.

Vendors who specialize in weight-loss products will be available to discuss their products before and after the speakers.

RSVPs are limited to the first 200 attendees; call 702-369-7560 to RSVP.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER ADDS NEW BEDS

Solutions Recovery, a licensed residential drug and alcohol treatment center, announced that the organization has added 20 new licensed beds to its facility at 2975 S. Rainbow Blvd.

With this addition, Solutions Recovery will offer 80 beds at its treatment center, which provides detox, counseling, residential and intensive outpatient services to patients experiencing chemical dependency.

Visit solutions-recovery.com.

PERRY FOUNDATION AWARDS LOCAL BUSINESSES

The Nevada Health Care Association Perry Foundation Endeavors awards ceremony recently recognized the state’s top-performing health care facilities working in post-acute care.

The Perry Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that works to improve the quality of care in Nevada’s post-acute care facilities and provides education and enhanced training to their providers.

Recognized entities include:

Gold Endeavors Award - For Quality of Care Excellence: Silver Ridge Healthcare Center, 1151 S. Torrey Pines Drive

Bronze Endeavors Award - For Quality of Care Excellence: St. Joseph Transitional Rehabilitation Center, 2035 W. Charleston Blvd.

Visit nvhca.org/perryfoundation.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDERS TO COMBINE FORCES

Matt Smith Physical Therapy announced it will be joining ATI Physical Therapy, a nationally known leader in the industry. Matt Smith will remain an owner within ATI, overseeing the Nevada market. Additionally, Lou Hillegass will serve as vice president of Operations, managing the clinical functions of MSPT. All clinics and MSPT personnel will remain in place, with the same dedication to patient care and the local community that has been the trademark of MSPT. The merger marks the first time ATI will enter the Nevada market.

BLOOD DRIVES PLANNED ACROSS LAS VEGAS VALLEY

The American Red Cross plans to host blood drives across the Las Vegas Valley. All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

To schedule a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

Upcoming donation opportunities are:

Las Vegas

From 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. April 9 at Milan Institute, 710 S. Tonopah Drive

From 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 11 at the Lone Mountain Stake, 8801 W. Alexander Road

From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 11 at Gaudin Ford, 6625 Roy Horn Way

From 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 13 at The Venue Apartment, 5035 E. Russell Road

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16 at the College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston campus, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

Henderson

From 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. April 16 at Service Master, 7380 Eastgate Road

North Las Vegas

From 3 to 7 p.m. April 14 and 15 at ITT Technical Institute, 3825 W. Cheyenne Ave, No. 600

MARROWTHON SET FOR APRIL 11 AT BRUCE TRENT PARK

Representatives from Be The Match On Campus plan to sign people up for the marrow registry at a 5K and tot-trot scheduled for noon April 11 at Bruce Trent Park, 8851 Vegas Drive. It is free to join the marrow registry.

Race registration costs are $30 for adults, $24 for teens and $12 for children. A discount of $4 for adults, $3 for teens and $2 for kids will be offered when registering for the run.

Doctors request donors in the 18-to-44 age group more than 90 percent of the time. Youths of diverse racial and ethnic heritage are needed. Visit bethematchfoundation.org/lvmarrowthon.​

PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION PLANNING FUNDRAISER

The American Parkinson Disease Association of Southern Nevada, Emeritus at Las Vegas, and Spotlight Senior Services Las Vegas have announced their upcoming fundraiser event, Shake, Rattle, and Roll, set from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 24 at Emeritus at Las Vegas, 3025 E. Russell Road. Tickets are $25 per person and include wine, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment, followed by a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the APDA of Southern Nevada.

Emeritus at Las Vegas is an assisted living and memory care community serving 90 seniors. The Spotlight Program, developed by Customized Marketing Solutions LLC, provides a resource program and support system for professionals who assist senior adults.

Email apdasouthernnevada@gmail.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN CREATED FOR PEOPLE WITH RENAL DISEASE

VillageHealth, the integrated kidney care division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., and Humana Inc. announced that they are partnering to create a special-needs plan for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease. The program, called Humana Kidney Care, will target end-stage patients in Las Vegas.

HealthCare Partners Nevada practices the Total Care Model, which means primary care providers are supported by an entire network of nurses, specialists, care managers, diagnostic team members and others, all working in sync to help patients. The interdisciplinary care team will coordinate the patient’s total care and help the patient navigate the various care settings such as hospitals and physician offices. Plan members receive their entire Medicare professional and hospital services and their prescription drug benefit through Humana Kidney Care.

Visit humana.com.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SEMINAR PLANNED

A free weight loss surgery informational seminar is planned at the Surgical Weight Control Center, 3802 Meadows Lane, at 10 a.m. April 11.

Registration is required by calling 702-313-8446. Anyone considering weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve, lap band or gastric bypass, or who would simply like to learn more about the various surgeries, is invited to attend.

SEMINAR TO ADDRESS SURGERY FOR KNEE AND HIP PAIN

A seminar focusing on surgical options for knee and hip pain is planned from 6 to 7 p.m. April 13 in conference rooms 1 and 2 at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. It will cover procedures for partial knee resurfacing and total hip replacement using the specialized MAKOplasty technology available only at Centennial Hills Hospital.

To register, call 702-388-4888. Visit centennialhillshospital.com.

POWER OF LOVE GALA TO BENEFIT KEEP MEMORY ALIVE

Keep Memory Alive’s 19th annual Power of Love Gala is set for June 13 to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. The event is set to feature Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and friends and include live auctions, wine and cocktails, and cuisine by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

Tickets are on sale at keepmemoryalive.org/pol. Call 702-263-9797 or email events@keepmemoryalive.org.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP PLANS MEETINGS

The Stroke Support Group is set to meet from 3 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. It meets in Conference Room B, first floor past the cafeteria.

Call 702-233-7061.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS TO BE OFFERED FRIDAYS

Free blood pressure checks are set to be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays at the Southern Nevada Health District’s main facility, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.

Visit southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.

SOUTHWEST MEDICAL ASSOCIATES TO HOST WEIGHT MANAGEMENT GROUP

The HEW/Weight Management Support Group is planned from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. Discuss nutrition and exercise and get tips for weight loss.

To register, call 702-877-5356.

MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS PLANNED FOR STROKE, BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS

Monthly support groups for survivors of stroke and brain injuries are planned at Centennial Hills, Desert Springs, Summerlin and Valley hospitals. The meetings offer education, encouragement and resources from other survivors and are facilitated by the stroke coordinators at each hospital.

Support groups are open to all survivors and their spouses/partners/caregivers. All four hospitals are Primary Stroke Centers and are committed to providing a continuum of care through diagnosis, intervention, treatment, acute rehabilitation and ongoing recovery.

Groups are planned at:

— Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, 6900 N. Durango Drive, from 3 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month in Conference Rooms 1 and 2 on the first floor near the cafeteria. Call 702-629-1309.

— Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, 2075 E. Flamingo Road, from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of every month in the South Magna Conference Center in the black building south of the main entrance. Park off Bruce Street. Lunch is provided. Call 702-369-7560.

— Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, from 3 to 4 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month in Conference Room B on the first floor past the cafeteria. Call 702-233-7061.

— Valley Hospital Medical Center, 620 Shadow Lane, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month in the fourth-floor acute rehabilitation unit in the dining room. Light refreshments will be served. Call 702-388-8441 or 702-388-4619.

SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL TO HOST STROLLER STRIDES CLASS

A new Stroller Strides Fit4Mom class is planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays on the campus of Summerlin Hospital Medical Center at 653 N. Town Center Drive.

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms do with their babies. Activities include power walking/jogging and intervals of strength and body toning exercise using exercise tubing, a stroller and the environment. The class is taught by certified fitness instructors with specialty training in the pre- and postnatal woman. Instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to engage and entertain the babies.

Registration is required. To enroll, visit lasvegas.fit4mom.com.