Mark Valentine, a resident of Genoa, Ohio, is in need of a liver transplant due to his diagnosis with Alpha-1, a rare genetic condition. Valentine, a father and long-time employee at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, has been undergoing medical tests and procedures at the University of Michigan in preparation for the transplant. Two of Valentine’s childhood friends, Joyce Harrison and Coral Long, have set up a fund at GenoaBank to help with his medical and living expenses during his treatment and recovery. Donations to the “Support Mark Valentine Fund” can be made at any GenoaBank branch.
The Eastern YMCA in Ohio is offering two courses in April to promote health and wellness. The “Healthy Weight and Your Child” course, starting on April 15, is an eight-week nutrition and activity program for children with a BMI in the 95th percentile. A six-week Diabetes Management Program will also begin on April 23, providing support and education for individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Registration for both programs can be done by calling 419-725-7844.
To assist dementia caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter is hosting a support group meeting on April 11 at the Oregon Senior Center in Oregon, Ohio. The support group provides a space for caregivers to discuss the challenges of caregiving and share information and support. In Ohio, there are 236,200 individuals aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease, and 414,000 caregivers providing unpaid care each year. The Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter offers care consultations and connects individuals to local resources.
In preparation for the April 8 solar eclipse, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) have collaborated to introduce LightSound technology at Ohio state parks and wildlife areas. The LightSound device, developed in 2017, allows individuals who are blind or have low vision to experience the solar eclipse through sound. The device converts light intensity data into audible tones, enabling users to perceive changes as the moon eclipses the sun. LightSound devices will be available at various locations, including East Harbor State Park, Maumee Bay State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Visitor Center, and Kelleys Island State Park. The ODNR is also promoting the Eclipse Soundscapes app, which provides an inclusive multimedia experience of eclipses for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit will be making several stops in April throughout the region to provide mammograms to women aged 40 and older. Equipped with 3D technology, the unit offers the option of self-compression, allowing patients to control the compression once positioned. Appointments for mobile mammogram screenings can be made by calling 833-MAMM-VAN.
On March 15, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center Graduate Medical Education (GME) program matched 67 incoming physician residents across 13 programs as part of the National Resident Matching Program Match Day. Mercy Health’s GME program has a long history of training physicians, with about 25% of the residents remaining in the region to provide care. Mercy Health offers accredited residency programs in various fields, including Cardiovascular Disease, Hospice and Palliative Care, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and more.
Hospice of Northwest Ohio is inviting community members to attend a support group called “Walking through Grief.” The interactive group aims to help adults adjust to the loss of a loved one and will be held twice a month from May to October. The sessions will provide support, coping skills, and an opportunity to explore healthy ways of adapting to life-changing events. The support group is free and open to anyone in the community, with advance registration required.
To make health and wellness topics more accessible, Mercy Health is hosting a monthly virtual “Ask the Expert” series. On April 18, the series will focus on Minority Health, with Cheyenne Nawrot, minority health program coordinator for the Lucas County Health Department, discussing minority health and wellness and the services offered by the health department. Participants can join the session via Zoom or by phone without pre-registering.
These news pieces highlight various community initiatives and events in Ohio that provide support, education, and resources on a range of health-related topics.
