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ecognizing G.R.E.A.T. Ambassadors w m Work in a hospital setting often holds deep and personal meaning with compelling reasons as to why people have chosen the field of healthcare. Houston Healthcare was proud to participate in this year's G.R.E.A.T. program, which stands for Giving Recognition for Excellence, Advocacy and Teamwork, as an opportunity to recognize dedicated healthcare employees and share their inspiring stories to the community. Houston Healthcare recognized 40 employees during a special luncheon for the G.R.E.A.T. program, sponsored by the Georgia Hospital Association to celebrate the pride that healthcare employees have in their work and the contributions that they make to their patients, their hospitals, their community and their profession. I.aurie Darsey, RN, Houston Medical Center Emergency Department, and Patricia Dent. RNC, Perry Hospital Outpatient Surgery, were selected as Houston Healthcare's G.R.E.A.T. Ambassadors. H County Teens Attend Educational Health Forum M ore than 2.(XX) eighth grade students from the Houston County School System, The Westfield Schools and Sacred Heart School attended the 16 th annual Teen Health Forum on May 11 where they learned life-altering information about the effects of alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse, as well as the dangers of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Sponsored by Houston Healthcare with funding from Community Health Works and the Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, the goal of the forum was to educate students about making important life choices and the consequences of making the wrong ones. “We are a sponsor of the Teen Health Forum each year because we want to promote wellness in our community through preventive health education,” explains Beth Jones, RNC, Director of Community Education and Health Services for Houston Healthcare. "It is important to start educating children when they are most influential so as to encourage them to have healthier lifestyles as adults by avoiding unhealthy risk factors." According to Frankie Ross, coordinator of health and physical education for the Houston County Board of Education, the students need to know this information before entering high school. “We feel they are mature enough at this age to realize how poor decisions can affect the rest of their lives or even end their life,” she explains. “/ thank God everyday for the career he has guided me to and for the blessings it has brought me in my life. The experience has been worth more than any paycheck / have ever received. 1 have laughed, cried and felt every emotion possible - sometimes all within one shift. It is a privilege to work side-by-side with some of the best people on Earth, people with character, people with standards of respect and dignity for life. Also, some of the patients for whom I have cared will forever be etched in my memory ... some good and some heart wrenching. I have been fortunate enough to witness miracles and strong enough to carry tremendous grief. Although, it has been tiresome at times, I would not trade one memory." - Laurie Darsey. RNC. Houston Medical Center Emergency Department "Nursing is more than medicine. Nurses observe more than medical needs and have the privilege of ministering to unspoken needs. Nurses listen, touch and encourage. We are therefor very private, intimate and vulnerable moments. Nursing is a great responsibility as patients trust their nurses who are really strangers. When I was working labor and delivery, my mom told me how, after years, she still remembered the kindness of her delivery nurse. Patients and family members make me so proud and grateful when they remember or thank me for making them feel cared for. ” - Patricia Dent. RNC. Perry Hospital Outpatient Surgery "We want them to have factual information in order to help them make wise decisions." Gayle Bina, Executive Director of the Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, agrees. "The decision to use tobacco is made when people are teenagers," she explains. "The Teen Health Forum provides students and teachers with great information that will help them make the decision to stay tobacco free." Ross believes that the Houston County community benefits not only in health status but also economically from this type of health education. "Students who make wise decisions based on facts are healthier, happier and more productive citizens.” she states. "They are more likely to finish high school and go on to college. They are less likely to be victims of alcohol and drug related accidents; they are less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease or become pregnant as teenagers; and they are less likely to suffer from diseases related to tobacco use. All of this definitely makes an economic impact on our community ... now and in the future.” Guest speakers at this year’s Teen Health Forum included Dr. Harold Katner, an infectious disease specialist with the Mercer University School of Medicine, who speaks to community groups and schools about HIV and AIDS. He attends the Teen Health Forum each year with his graphic slide presentations showing the devastating effects that HIV and AIDS can have on a person. Richard Gillespie from Wapakoneta, Ohio, spoke to the students from his wheelchair about the consequences of driving drunk and not wearing a seatbelt. He was paralyzed 29 years ago at the age of 17 when he crashed his car into a telephone pole at 100 mph. Jason Respert, former University of Tennessee football player from Northside High School where he is now a coach, told the students how his dream of playing college football at the NCAA level was almost ruined by one night of drinking while on a recruiting trip to the University of Florida. As a result of his drinking that night, he was accused of sexual assault, his reputation and character were questioned, and he lost full football scholarships from two major universities. George Crawford of the Georgia Department of Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program reminded students about the dangers of smoking and the need to be aware of marketing tactics RE used by tobacco companies when advertising to teens. He said that tobacco companies frequently use images and celebrities from the hip hop culture in their advertising to make tobacco products more appealing to teenagers. "The Teen Health Forum is just one of the many community health education programs Houston Healthcare offers." says Jones. "We feel it is important to the overall health of our community that we educate people of all ages about the benefits of good health and the means of achieving and maintaining a lifetime of good health.” The annual Teen Health Forum is a community effort supported by the Area Health Education Center, American Cancer Society, Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, Houston County Board of Education, Houston Healthcare. Peachbelt Medical Alliance and the North Central Health District. EDtiCuti’. A Service of Houston Healthcare Annual Prostate Cancer Luncheon Don't miss our annual prostate cancer luncheon. Lee Brown. RNC. FNP. will discuss the prevention and early detection of prostate/testicular cancer, the most common cancer found in men. Pre-registration is required. Thursday. September 14 Lunch served from 11:30 am to noon Guest speaker at noon Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center Call 023-9771 to pre-register. Annual Family Fair Join Houston Healthcare for this annual event, offering health screenings and information for the entire family. Saturday. August 5 10 am - 2 pm Galleria Mali Centerville Call 023-0771 for more information. The Diabetic Foot The number one complication of uncontrolled diabetes is foot problems. Dr. Evaristus Oshiokpekhai. podiatrist, will discuss the diagnosis and treatments for this common problem. Thursday, July 13 7 pm Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center Call 023-077! to pre-register. Ankle Replacement Dr. Daniel Wagner, orthopedic surgeon, will present a program on ankle replacement. Breakfast will be served. (This is the regular arthritis support group meeting.) Wednesday, August 16 Warn Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center For more information call 923-9771. Congestive Heart Failure Dr. Rahil Kazi, cardiologist, will present a program on managing congestive heart failure. Lunch will be served. Must pre-register. Thursday, August 24 Lunch served from 11:30 am to noon Guest speaker at noon Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center Call 923-9771 to pre-register.