WOW Tip of the Week-Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer ribbon

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Chances are pretty good that you know someone who has suffered from breast cancer or who is currently undergoing care for breast cancer.  Take time this month to support those you know in the fight against breast cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic:  The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages.  Create an early detection plan which should include regular self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history.  Talk to your provider about a plan that is best for you.  The key is to have a plan.

Some risk factors are not modifiable, such as age, sex, family history, early menarche, late menopause, etc.  But there are many steps you can take to help prevent breast cancer. You can start by adopting healthy habits.  Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women.  Here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:

  • Limit alcohol
  • Don’t smoke
  • Control your weight
  • Be physically active
  • Breastfeed if you can
  • Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy
  • Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution

Talk with your provider about your personal situation and preferences when it comes to detecting breast cancer.

Sources:  www.mayoclinic.org and www.cancer.org

 

Community Service Event – COIN DRIVE

Just a reminder that we have our coin drive going on right now through November 9th.  Money collected will be put toward the purchase of winter items for kids in the communities of:  Ogilvie, Mora, Pine City and Hinckley.  The community service committee works with schools in those communities to determine the greatest needs.

We have 442 employees in our organization.  If each employee donated just $1.13 in change, we would reach our goal of collecting $500.00!

Drop your change into any one of the cans and help keep kids in need stay toasty warm this winter!  Easy ways to do this?  Skip purchasing that scone, soda, or other snack just one day in the next couple of weeks.

Cans are located in the following areas and will be EMPTIED WEEKLY into one large container (with the exception of PC and Hinckley):

  • Pine City and Hinckley Clinics-by admitting or break room
  • Mora Clinic – Wendy Linder’s office
  • Locations at the hospital:
    • Rehab
    • Imaging
    • Surgery
    • Lab-by ice machine
    • Nursing floor-by water machine
    • Business Office
    • WellnessFirst Office

Keep a child warm can close up

Royce

and now?

What a Difference a Year Makes (Paul Gilbertson)

One year after miraculously surviving a car accident that left him spending 25 minutes submerged underwater in an SUV, Royce Rivera IV has managed to make a remarkable full recovery. Continue reading “Royce”

Community Service Event-Food Packing on Sunday November 1st

The Community Service Committee has an upcoming event for FirstLight employees and family members.  We will be participating in a food packing event through Kids Against Hunger at Calvary Lutheran Church here in Mora on Sunday November 1st from 1:00pm-3:00pm.  We can take up to 20 volunteers for this event.  The coolest thing about this event?  The food we pack will stay LOCAL and will be delivered to our local food pantries in Ogilvie, Pine City, Hinckley and Mora.  Please contact Deb Wright at *3586 or at dwright@welia.org if you are interested in volunteering!

Group Pic with DateKids helpingLabel on rice bagMeasuring-up close

 

Jodi Hackler

Meet Jodi Hackler
Position: Admitting
Start Date: 20151015
Birthday: 20151207
Background/Educations: B.A. Deaf Education/Communicative Disorders, Augustana College
M.A. Education - St. Mary's
1 Year Study Ultrasound - Argosy
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? Learning new things, meeting new people, and experiencing a new work environment
What are your three favorite movies? 1. RV 2. The Goonies 3. Footloose
What is your favorite color? Red
Do you have a nickname? No
What are your hobbies?: Scrapbooking, camping, cross-stitch, crafting, and watching my kids play sports

Mary Thomson

Meet Mary Thomson
Position: Registration
Start Date: 20151012
Birthday: 20151225
Background/Educations: Started out in elementary education and switched to x-ray technology. Ended up working as an administrative assistant for Honeywell, MCI, and Entegris. Worked at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ and Rochester, MN as a medical secretary and transcriptionist. Worked at a police department as a records technician and volunteered as a police reservist.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? Getting to know my co-workers and becoming proficient on my new job
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Christmas Vacation (National Lampoon) 2. Planes, Traines & Automobiles 3. Gone with the Wind
What is your favorite color? Blue
Do you have a nickname? None
What are your hobbies?: Raising miniature poodles, reading, gardening, traveling, camping, and motorcyle riding

Annual Benefits Fair

When:           Monday, October 19, 2015

Where:          FirstLight Health System Hospital Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

Time:              1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

FirstLight Health System’s Human Resources Department would like to invite you to come and meet our benefit vendors.

The following vendors will be on site:

  • BCBS of Minnesota
  • Delta Dental of Minnesota
  • Sand Creek – FirstLight’s Employee Assistance Program
  • 457b Plans (deferred compensation) – Three vendors available Ron Gloe, Bob Root and Scott Elwood.
  • Colonial Life – Voluntary Benefits
  • Assurant – Life and Long Term Disability
  • StarLight Committee
  • MMA (Marsh & McLennen Agency) – Broker for benefits administration * Based on feedback from employees, we have made a change to our benefits administration in an effort to streamline the billing process.  MMA will replace Hanratty & Associates as our broker effective 1/1/2016.  Plan details and design will be coming shortly.

There will be giveaways and popcorn!  We would really like to see you there!

Employees working at satellite clinics on October 19th will have goodie bags delivered on October 21st filled with benefit information and some treats.