Diabetes Month Kicks off with Free Screenings, Cooking Demonstration and Education Seminar

On November 1, Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, People Centre’d on Diabetes and the Penn State Institute for Diabetes and Obesity will kick off November as Diabetes Awareness Month with “An Evening on Diabetes.” This evening will start with free diabetes screenings for the community, a cooking demonstration and a presentation by Melinda Maryniuk, MEd, RD, CDE, FADA, Director, Clinical Education Programs, Strategic Initiatives at Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Maryniuk recently received the prestigious ADA Medallion award from the American Diabetes Association.

The screenings will assess A1C levels, or the amount of glucose in the blood screening. Normal glucose levels for this type of test are between 70 and 125mg. Levels may vary according to food intake, the type of glucose test and other factors. Knowing your numbers is an important first step in identifying pre-diabetes or diabetes.

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Mount Nittany Medical Center Extends Insurance Programs to Include Freedom Blue

Mount Nittany Medical Center and Highmark Blue Shield are pleased to announce their formal relationship to extend care to patients with Highmark’s Medicare Advantage Program, including, but not limited to Freedom Blue.

This agreement also includes participation with physicians in Mount Nittany’s physician group. The contract with Freedom Blue will take effect on January 1, 2011.

Committed to continually improving access to care, the Medical Center bills more than 200 insurance plans each year. For more information about insurance plans accepted by Mount Nittany Medical Center, visit www.mountnittany.org or call the business office at 814.234.6171 or 866.686.6171.

Penn State Hershey Selects Marsh to Lead Regional Medical Campus

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine has chosen Dr. E. Eugene Marsh, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences at the University of Alabama and associate dean of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Campus since 2004, to lead the development of its Regional Medical Campus in State College.

Effective Jan. 2, 2011, Dr. Marsh will become the inaugural senior associate dean for the Penn State College of Medicine Regional Medical Campus as well as associate director of the Penn State Hershey Medical Group in State College, which includes four outpatient medical practices.

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A Message From the Hospital Association of PA: Vote on November 2

Pennsylvanians will soon go to the polls to cast their votes for our state’s next governor, US Senator, members of Congress and a number of state lawmakers. The outcomes of the races are important to our future. One race—for our next governor—impacts the future of healthcare across the state.

Go to the CareforPA.org website today to learn about the candidates’ positions on important healthcare issues and please spread the word to family, friends and coworkers. Get informed, tell a friend and vote on November 2.

Mount Nittany Employees Raise More than $11,000 for Heart Walk

Every minute, someone dies from a heart disease-related illness, making it the number one killer in America. On October 16, more than 100 employees of Mount Nittany Medical Center took the first step to a healthier heart by participating in the Centre County Heart Walk and raising more than $11,000 to support it.

“Every day, Mount Nittany Medical Center employees personally see community members suffering from heart-related illnesses, which is why we find it important to participate in the walk each year,” said Gail Miller, vice president for quality at Mount Nittany Medical Center. “Community members can receive a full range of cardiac services at the Medical Center, but prevention is key to ensure you don’t suffer from the severe risks associated with heart disease and failure.”

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For Teens, Great Skin Care Should Start Early

It’s hard enough to be a teenager these days without battling that unkind, age-old issue of unsightly breakouts and acne. However, there are some things young adults can do that will help develop good habits—and the clearest skin possible—for their entire lives.

1. Use good products. While some over-the-counter products work okay, some teens need a stronger treatment than what’s available in the local drugstore. A physician’s office can provide products that are backed with scientific evidence, not just marketing claims.
2. Benzoyl peroxide products work by introducing oxygen into the skin’s pores and killing the bacteria responsible for breakouts. It also helps remove dead skin cells, which can block pores and create more breakouts.
3. Salicylic acid products work in a similar fashion, sloughing away dead skin cells but also penetrating through to the follicle, keeping pores clearer. Typical over-the-counter treatments range from .5 percent to 2 percent in strength.
4. Use sunscreen. Make this a daily habit early in life. This simple routine is a huge step to maintaining great skin as an adult.
5. Some of the best results seen with younger skin have come when parents bring kids for a total skin care analysis. After a thorough hands-on analysis, a licensed aesthetician assess what will work best and provide the best results.

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Code Word Adds Safety to Hospital Patients

Many times a patient at the hospital would like information shared with those closest to them such as grown children, church friends or other family members. Because of patient privacy and safety concerns, it has been impossible for the Medical Center to provide any more than a one word condition to those who call the Medical Center seeking information about their loved ones.

In addition, many people have the same name, birthday and other pertinent identifying information. This also presents a unique challenge to clinical staff trying to connect the patient with their family and friends. Beginning November 2, family and friends will have greater access to their loved ones through the use of a code word. A “code word” is a special word that patients give their friends or family members allowing them to call the Medical Center and receive pertinent information about their loved one.

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Flu Facts: Answers to Common Flu Questions

Why should I receive a flu shot?
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each season.

Tell me more about the vaccine
The flu vaccine is highly effective, and adverse side effects are rare. Protection usually develops within two weeks of vaccination. There are two types of flu vaccines:

• The flu shot: an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The seasonal flu shot is approved for use in people six months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine: a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. This vaccine is approved for use in healthy people, ages 2-49 who are not pregnant.

Does it contain H1N1 vaccination?
The seasonal flu protects against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). Visit Mount Nittany’s new fan page on Facebook to post your photo on the Medical Center’s Strive for 95 Campaign. The campaign displays those who are showing off their band-aided arm proving they are committed to health this flu season. www.facebook.com/mountnittany.