Click here to view previous issues of Parish Nurse News--->March 2002 Summer 2002 September 2002 Nov/Dec 2002 Jan/Feb 2003
Health Ministries News
Beatitudes Center D.O.A.R.
(Developing Older Adult Resources)
Nurse and Health Ministries Network
Volume 8, Issue 2 March/April 2003
Newsletter of the:
Nurse & Health Ministries Network
Phone:
(602) 274-5022
Fax:
(602) 274-6793
Email: nmn@centerdoar.org
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Note from the Director This is the time of year our annual report is prepared. Our Spring issue of DOARWays, our organization’s newsletter, is also laden with 2002 statistics. Many people do not like statistics. I find them fascinating! I like numbers and when I see how many people are impacted by health ministry, I am truly awed. As people of faith, involved in health ministry, we know the importance of health and healing. The cumulative effect of each parish nurse’s contacts, multiplied by the growing number of parish nurses and health ministry programs, just in Maricopa County, adds up to approximately 88,000 health interventions last year! Those are the kind of statistics that make believers and unbelievers alike aware of the importance of parish nursing and health ministry. We will be celebrating your successes with you and all those involved in health ministry, in lieu of our May support groups, at our annual Celebration Luncheon. This year the Beatitudes Campus of Care is again hosting us for lunch. We hope you can join us on May 21st. Thank you for all you do. Blessings, Sandy Somers, RN, MS
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Challenge, Change, Cheese, and Connection Rose Coulter, RN Assistant Director With the world in crisis we have an even greater challenge to stay connected with our faith and belief. In the midst of being bombarded with the grave sadness of violence and war, I find the challenge of being open to change even more difficult. I almost feel paralyzed in decision-making regarding the future, due to the daily reminder of the uncertainties we face. My desire is to stay strong, open and ready to change and yet I find I do so guarding each decision. I reflect on the Old Testament. Uncertainty prevailed each day for those wandering in the desert for forty years. Some made wise decisions based on daily circumstances, others did not. On the lighter side I have been reminded to reread, “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. This fun easy to read book is a parable about the truth of change. We meet four characters in the Maze of Life that daily hunt for the cheese that will nourish them and give them happiness. One day Cheese Station C is empty and that is when the fun begins. Two mice use their wit when their stack of cheese disappears. Hem and Haw, the little people in the book, are exact opposites from the mice, resisting change and insisting on staying put, even though the cheese is gone. Dare we explore and continue to grow even in the midst of war. May God guide each of us in this journey of change, challenge, and cheese.
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Information Overview
This section highlights some of the information we glean from parish nurses, health cabinets, healthcare institutions, community organizations, newsletters, conferences and periodicals. If you would like more information about any of these resources, please call us at (602) 274-5022.
Legacy Foundation Scholarships Available for Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Program
The BHHS Legacy Foundation has provided us with some scholarship funds for our Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Program. They want to assist nurses who wish to attend the program but find the cost prohibitive. The BHHS Legacy Foundation was established as a result of the sale of Phoenix Baptist Hospital and affiliates. Their main geographic focus of service is West of State Route 51 in Phoenix. Special consideration will be given to scholarship applicants in this area. Please consider utilizing this wonderful opportunity. If you wish to apply for some scholarship assistance for the Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Program contact us at the Nurse & Health Ministries Network, (602) 274-5022. The registration deadline for our May 3-9, 2003 is April 16, 2003. Recipients will be notified on April 21, 2003 for our May program. This offer will extend to our February 29-March 6, 2004 program as well.
Parish Nurse Position
Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church in Chandler has an opening for a part-time parish nurse. It is an eight hour/week position. If you are interested in exploring this ministry possibility, please contact the church office at: (480) 820-9944 and leave a message for Paul Bosch or Nelma Schearer or e-mail: nelma.shearer@asu.edu.
The Bottom Line on HRT
Tufts University, Health and Nutrition Letter, December, 2002, featured an article entitled, “Life After Hormone Therapy”. It was a question and answer piece with Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, MD, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and one of the principal investigators on the Women’s Health Initiative. Her bottom line about HRT currently is, “The lowest dose of hormones for the shortest period of time to treat symptoms of menopause that are severe enough to interfere with the quality of life. For avoiding chronic disease … the emphasis should be on lifestyle and, if necessary, other well-tested medications”. There was an additional sidebar of the article where Dr. Manson recommended some alternatives to HRT. She was cautious in her recommendations about Herbs because she stated they have been minimally studied and there is limited regulation for purity. She did suggest one to two glasses of soy milk/day or tofu along with Vitamin E may be beneficial. She also mentioned Clonidine and anti-depressants for mild to moderate relief of hot flashes.
Grapefruit Juice & Medications
The January 2003 edition of the Harvard Health Letter discussed the effect of taking grapefruit juice with medication. It enhances the effects of many medications due to a binding effect on an enzyme that aids in digestion of medication. The article stated, specifically in regard to taking statins, separate juice and medication intake.
HRT Alternatives
HRT has been a popular topic in health newsletters of late. The University of California, Berkeley’s Wellness Letter, January 2003 had an informative listing of many HRT alternatives. They mentioned, along with the February 2003, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, that there is some current research that suggests Black cohosh may reduce hot flash frequency and intensity. “Known side effects include mild stomach upset, low blood pressure and in high doses headaches, vomiting and dizziness.”
A service of The National Council on the Aging, BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Visit them on the web at: www.benefitscheckup.org.
9-1-1 Cell Phones for Seniors
Senior Loan-A-Phone is a program of The Area Agency on Aging, Region One to assist seniors who would benefit from the ability to call 9-1-1 but find the cost too prohibitive. If you know of a senior who may have need for this service, please call (602) 264-4357.
Congregational/Community Events
(If you would like to announce events or support groups, please let us know and we will assist in spreading the word, as space allows.)
Ann Richards, “Taking Charge of Your Health”
May 13, 2003, 7p.m. , Phoenix Civic Plaza (North), Phoenix, AZ. This evening with the former governor of Texas, promises to be witty, wonderful and educational. Tickets-only $20.00, proceeds benefit Healthy Women for a Lifetime- a nonprofit agency dedicated to women’s health education. Call Phoenix Civic Plaza box office (602) 262-7272 or www.ticket.com.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3rd Annual Lenten Medical Series
April 6, 2003, 1:30-3:00p.m., Corpus Christi Parish Center, 3550 E. Knox, Phoenix. Dr. Chuck Mangubat, a hospital internist, will discuss Diabetes. For more information, please contact the parish nurse at 480-893-8770 or ccccparishnurse@aol.com.
Seventeenth Annual Westberg Parish Nurse Symposium
September 24-26, 2003, St. Louis, MO. Information is available from the International Parish Nurse Resource Center at www.parishnurses.org
Camp Candlelight
The Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona sponsors this camp for children with epilepsy. It is June 15-21, 2003 in Heber, AZ. To receive a camp application or for more information, contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona at (602) 406-3581 or visit their website at: www.epilepsyfoundation.org/arizona
Information about Veterans Services
Grace Lutheran Church, 1124 N. 3rd St., Phoenix has a social worker available every 3rd Monday from 9-11a.m. in Hope Hall. If you would like some more information please call (602) 248-1572.
Upcoming Support Groups
Parish nurses, health cabinet members, social workers, clergy and people interested in health ministry have an opportunity to meet together to learn about community resources, receive continuing education, celebrate their ministry successes and share problems unique to promoting health and wellness in a congregational setting. N&HMN-sponsored peer support groups meet each month and you are welcome to attend any and all support groups.
| East Valley
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12:00 Networking and Lunch 12:45 Joann Hurley, Arthritis Foundation, “Arthritis/Fibromyalgia Management Workshop 1:30-2:00 Tour of facility Place: Alterra Sterling House 2800 W. Ray Road Chandler, AZ 85224 480-855-7100 (East of 101, West of Dobson, North side of Ray) |
| Central Valley
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12:00 Networking and Lunch 12:45 Ellen Jost, “Her Second Half…Post Menopausal Health” 1:30 Networking and Closing Place: Church of the Beatitudes 555 W. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 (SE corner 7th Ave & Glendale) |
| West Valley
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12:00 Networking and Lunch 12:45-1:30 Cyndy Gates, “The Joy of Stress” Place:American Lutheran Church of Sun City 17200 Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, AZ 85273 (623) 974-2512 |
May 21, 2003
Nurse & Health Ministries Celebration Luncheon
Beatitudes Campus of Care, Phoenix*
May 3- 9, 2003
Basic Preparation Program for Parish Nurses, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree *
May 9 – 11, 2003
Spiritual Life through Journaling, Retreat led by Dr. Dosia Carlson at Picture Rock Retreat Center, Tucson*
*Please call (602) 274-5022 to register, for more information or a brochure.
Help support us by registering with www.escrip.com. A percentage of purchases to Safeway and other stores will come back to Center D.O.A.R. – at no cost to you. Visit the website & enter our group number (396019) or our group name (must be exactly Beatitudes Center D O A R – (note the spaces between the initials). Follow the prompts. You will be asked to enter your Safeway courtesy card number. That’s it!