Counseling services

Counseling services

AKRON

Thanks to federal stimulus money, patients and families impacted by child abuse may now receive same-day, mental-health counseling from the Children at Risk Evaluation (CARE) Center at Akron Children’s Hospital. Previously, patient families were referred to other community agencies for counseling and often had to wait weeks for an initial appointment.

The $882,550 Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant enables the CARE Center to add four therapists, two support staff, and a part-time research associate. Three therapists will be based in Akron, and one will be at the Child Advocacy Center in Youngstown, which is part of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, said Dr. Daryl Steiner, medical director of the CARE Center.

High marks

SHARON, PA.

Sharon Regional Health System recently earned a total score of 97 percent in the Highmark QualityBLUE Hospital Pay for Performance Program. The score is the maximum achievement level for fiscal year 2010 and was achieved by all Heath System staff members’ commitment to supporting quality initiatives on a daily basis. Sharon Regional also met 100 percent of the Pennsylvania state averages for applicable Center for Medicare and Medicaid Quality Core Measure performance, said John Zidansek, president and chief executive officer at Sharon Regional.

Pool program

COLUMBUS

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson said that the state of Ohio plans to designate Medical Mutual of Ohio as the nonprofit entity that will operate the temporary high-risk pool program for Ohioans. The pool was created through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide uninsured people with pre-existing conditions the opportunity to purchase more affordable health insurance.

Medical Mutual estimated that with the available funding they could cover more than 5,000 Ohioans through the duration of the program, with individuals paying a standard-rate premium for their coverage. No state funds will be used to provide this coverage.

Award winners

YOUNGSTOWN

Western Reserve Care System (Northside Medical Center) Family Medicine Residency has received the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation 2010 AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award for increasing childhood immunizations rates in under served areas.

The residency program has achieved excellence in clinical practice by developing creative solutions that result in increased immunization rates in their communities. The awards provide grants and scholarships for residents to attend the AAFP’s National Conference, a three-day event during July in Kansas City designed for residents and medical students to share ideas with family medicine educators and leaders from across the nation.

OHAIS grants

SALEM

Salem Community Hospital is among nine Ohio hospitals to receive a total of $50,000 in grants from OHA Insurance Solutions (OHAIS) for patient safety and risk management projects. OHAIS is a hospital-owned medical professional-liability provider. Salem Community’s grant will be used for a catheter-associated urinary-tract infection prevention program.

Boardman Relay

BOARDMAN

The American Cancer Society’s 16th annual Boardman Relay on May 14 and 15, in which 72 teams and 200 cancer survivors participated, netted more than $220,000. In 2009, the Boardman Relay For Life was the second-largest in Ohio.

This year, Boardman Rotary was the top fund-raising team. Danielle Procopio and Cheryl Tarantino were chairwomen of the event.

Boardman and area business provided monetary or in-kind sponsorship.

At the top $5,000 level were: Boardman Local Schools, First Place Bank, Rising Sun, Town Crier, The Vindicator, Wendell August Forge, WHOT, Hot 101 Radio, WKBN-TV 27 Caring For Our Community Campaign.

To form a team in 2011, or to learn more about the American Cancer Society Boardman Relay For Life, call Bridgett Savage at 888-227-6446, ext. 2205.

Employee honors

YOUNGSTOWN

Humility of Mary Health Partners recently awarded Employee of the Year honors to five employees through the health-care system’s Spirit of the Mission program. They are:

Terri Garchar of New Springfield, a registered nurse in the coronary medical intensive-care unit of St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Lori Knorr of Warren, a perinatal educator and lactation consultant at St. Joseph Health Center.

James “Jimmy” Roland of Youngstown, a housekeeping porter at The Assumption Village.

Katrina Walker of Youngstown, a licensed social worker who is Hospice of the Valley’s outreach coordinator.

Leola White of Youngstown, an associate in the environmental services department at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Annual scholarships

YOUNGSTOWN

The Humility of Mary Health Partners Development Foundation presented 2010 scholarships at its 13th annual Nursing Scholarship Awards.

Since the original nursing scholarship program began in 1998, 232 scholarships totaling $329,750 have been awarded to students attending Youngstown State University or Kent State University pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate in nursing or health-care administration. In 2003, the foundation introduced a second nursing scholarship program for use at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio St. Elizabeth Campus. To date, 54 students have received scholarships in excess of $114,000.

This year’s scholarship winners are: Fifth Third Bank, LaKleesha Harris of Youngstown; Magyar Family Nursing Scholarship, Rebecca Powell of Youngstown; Florence Burke Scholarship, Thomas Boyer of Hubbard; Italian League Nursing Scholarship, Harris and Powell; Wolves Club Den VI Nursing Scholarship, Latarsha Carter-Robinson of Youngstown and Callie Howell of Boardman; Mended Hearts Nursing Scholarship, Amanda Niehorster of Berlin Center and Danielle Clonch of Newton Falls; Kay M. Hunt Memorial Nursing Scholarship, Kristy Globe of Warren; John and Lillian Newman Nursing Scholarship, Crystal Cook and Alexandra Niles, both of New Castle, Pa.

Free fraud workshop

POLAND

Learn how to protect yourself and your family members from fraud Tuesday when state officials come to Shepherd of the Valley-Poland, 301 W. Western Reserve Road, to present a free workshop about scams targeting residents of Ohio’s assisted-living communities. The workshop, “Plan Well, Live Well: Seniors Fighting Fraud,” covers the latest scams targeting seniors, tips to fight fraud and information on insurance, investments, consumer transactions and long-term care.

To register or for more information, call Shepherd of the Valley-Poland at 330-726-7110, ext. zero.

Health fair

CHAMPION

Otterbein United Methodist Church, 1128 State Road, is having a Health Fair on July 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be a one-mile walk for age 6-14, health screenings, games and drawings. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Call 330-847-7072 for more information.

Immunization clinics

NILES

The Niles Health Department is offering immunization clinics for children under 18 on July 7 and 21 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 34 West State St. in the City Building. No appointment is needed. There is a fee of $3 per shot, but no one will be refused for inability to pay. Children should be feeling well with no illness, fever or rash. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the child’s immunization records are required.

Money awarded

HOWLAND

The Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation recently awarded $3,000 to the Children’s Rehabilitation Center’s Children with Courage Fund, created in 1998 as a proactive approach to insure no child would be turned away from CRC’s doors because of the family’s inability to pay for services.