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St. Joseph student advances to International Science and Engineering Fair | News, Sports, Jobs

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Photograph supplied, Kari Lane

Mercedes Randhahn, a junior at Saint Joseph Catholic Substantial Faculty, is a two-time winner at the College of Utah Science and Engineering Truthful. Right here, she poses for a photo in the school’s laboratory on March 28, 2022, 17 times soon after winning initial area in her class at USEF, advancing her to the Worldwide Science and Engineering Fair.

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OGDEN — At the age of 16, Saint Joseph Catholic Substantial College junior Mercedes Randhahn is building big strides in her tutorial career. On March 11, Randhahn took household 1st location in the medication, wellbeing sciences and biomedical engineering classification at the College of Utah Science and Engineering Truthful, advancing her to the Global Science and Engineering Honest.

Randhahn is one of 5 college students in Utah to advance to ISEF in Atlanta, Georgia. On May 9, they get started a weeklong party presenting their research in the competition of 1,600 pupils from about the planet.

According to Randhahn, approximately 800 contestants gain every yr.

Acquiring created a cost-helpful extract from the Centella asiatica plant, indigenous to Central Asia, with the potential to induce toxicity to triple-unfavorable breast cancer cells, Radhahn stated she hopes at the very minimum to have her study released.

Randhahn is a two-time winner at USEF, Utah’s most significant science reasonable. Following winning at USEF in the eighth grade for her exploration in deactivating opioids with at dwelling answers, she competed in the countrywide middle college STEM opposition known as Broadcom MASTERS.

“You’re not equipped to utilize for it willy nilly,” Randhahn claimed of Broadcom MASTERS, the place she placed next in the engineering award.

In addition to taking to start with spot in her classification at USEF this year, she obtained the Regeneron Biomedical Sciences Award and the Yale Science and Engineering Award.

Randhahn is regarded by her lecturers and mentors as remaining definitely gifted. Kory Ulle, former mentor on a science good job, stated Randhahn is a single of the brightest, toughest functioning college students he has ever encountered.

Saint Joseph Principal Clay Jones mentioned the college has had a great deal of sensible kids, but Randhahn’s difficult perform and resolve is not the norm.

“Kids are sensible, but they are smart for them selves,” Jones stated, praising Randhahn’s willingness to collaborate with her schoolmates.

According to Ulle, Randhahn sets an illustration for peers and many others of the great lots of items one can complete when they set their intellect to it.

While Randhahn stated she usually savored science, she viewed science fairs as much more of an tutorial obligation rather than a distinct desire right until she recognized she could gain.

“It grew into an obsession,” she claimed.

Saint Joseph’s Advancement Director Kari Lane said Randhahn is extremely aggressive on an educational amount.

With a want to significant in chemistry and earn a Ph.D. from an Ivy League school, Randhahn applied activities private to her to guidebook her research in alternative treatment plans to breast most cancers as effectively as the suitable disposal of opioids.

Thanks to her age at the time and the supplementation of opioids with caffeine capsules, she chose not to patent her opioid deactivating concept. She did say, however, her research this calendar year on the cytotoxicity of Centella asiatica methanolic leaf extracts on human breast most cancers cells is likely to be published.

Saint Joseph biological sciences teacher Patricia Godoy explained Randhahn impressed her from the initially day she taught her in State-of-the-art Placement investigation 3 decades ago. “Most of the concepts appear from her brain, it’s outstanding,” Godoy explained.

When the 16-year-previous Randhahn graduates future 12 months, owning expended her whole academic occupation at the institution recognised for its academics, she will be viewed as a Saint Joseph “lifer.”

“Yes, we have a phrase, it’s a issue,” Lane said.

In accordance to Lane, Randhahn will be implementing to Ivy League universities. As to wherever she will be implementing, Randhahn mentioned it’s private.

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April 7, 2022
Durham Queer Health Fair serving LGBTQ NCians
By Elizabeth Thompson

It was only about a decade ago when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first medication that provided pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to lower people’s risk of catching HIV, Truvada.

Scotty Elliot still remembers the stigma that followed people who chose to get on the medication.

“Guys who took it were called ‘Truvada whores,’” said Elliot, an infectious disease social worker at Duke Academy for Health Professions Education and Academic Development. He said the disparagement was “just a horrible way to start a movement of getting care with people, so they are protected from HIV.”

That stigma against people with HIV and members of the LGBTQ community, which was disproportionately impacted by HIV, still exists, Elliot said.

However, as he stood holding a sign of two men kissing with big bold letters saying “DON’T WAIT, GET PrEP TODAY” in the heart of downtown Durham, Elliot marveled at the progress.

Scotty Elliott poses with a sign promoting PrEP to prevent HIV. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson

“The last five people that have come up, I said, ‘Do you know about PrEP?’” Elliot said, “and they said, ‘Yeah.’”

Elliot was out and about downtown as the LGBTQ Center of Durham held a Queer Health Fair on Sunday in an effort to bridge gaps in health care across the community. Advocates ranging from community workers in HIV and AIDs prevention, to yoga teachers, to culture-specific LGBTQ organizations came to represent how the LGBTQ community can access all aspects of health.

Reducing the stigma around STIs

From information on PrEP and a rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing booth, the fair was full of resources to reduce stigma around STIs.

Also available at the Queer Health Fair was free rapid HIV/STI testing. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson

Having information out in the open is key to reducing stigma, said Matt Martin, grassroots advocacy manager at the NC AIDS Action Network.

“I think events like this are a huge way [to reduce stigma] by just normalizing it, talking about it openly,” Martin said. “I think that we’re taught, especially here in the South, to not talk about these things and they become taboo.”

One common misconception about HIV is that it only affects gay men. A 2018 CDC study found that 24 percent of new HIV diagnoses were among heterosexual people and 7 percent were among people who inject drugs. The rest, 69 percent, were among gay and bisexual men.

The NC AIDS Action Network is trying to raise awareness that women are also greatly impacted by HIV, and they can also access PrEP. Black women, in particular, are disproportionately impacted by HIV and make up nearly 60 percent of new HIV infections in U.S. women.

Conversations about health equity for people with HIV are about more than just their treatment, said Janeen Gingrich, interim executive director at NC AIDS Action Network.

“Folks are so much more than just one singular diagnosis,” Martin said. “We have to take care of the person and their full health, mental health, physical health, not just their HIV.”

Expanding health conversations

Education about STIs is just one part of the health conversation for the LGBTQ community, Martin said, and the fair was a great way to see the full spectrum of health needs.

LGBTQ people have been historically marginalized in medicine, and to this day, health isn’t as accessible to the LGBTQ community compared to other groups. Within the LGBTQ community, some people have easier access to the care they need than others.

Organizations such as El Centro Hispano have programs to give support to LGBTQ people in the Latin community. Their programs include Mujeres en Accion, a program for lesbian and bisexual Latina women, Entre Nosotr@s, a social group for transgender Latina women in North Carolina and HOLA Latino, a program for gay and bisexual Latino men, said Oscar Pineda, El Centro Hispano’s community director.

El Centro Hispano has programs for LGBTQ North Carolinians in the Latinx community. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson

Transgender people can also be left out of healthcare when they have to fear being misgendered at the doctor’s office.

Something as simple as providers asking people their pronouns makes health just a little bit safer and more accessible for the LGBTQ community, said Tatiana Cambio, a UNC Chapel Hill dentistry student at the fair’s UNC LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Booth.

UNC Dentistry students help make oral health more accessible at the school’s Pride Clinic, Cambio said.

“We really work with our volunteers to make sure that they’re using current pronouns,” Cambio said, “and that’s something that people who are not super well connected with the queer community need to use a lot more practice on or be more aware of.”

Health is about more than physical health, which is why mental and spiritual health advocates were also present at the fair.

Durham-based Global Breath, a yoga studio, offers free drop-in classes to Black, Indigenous and people of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people in order give promote more accessible self-care and healing, said yoga teacher Devon Pelto, who is also part of the studio’s leadership team.

Devon Pelto, yoga teacher and member of Global Breath’s leadership team. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson

“Any opportunity we have to practice slowing down is really helpful,” Pelto said. “I teach trauma-informed yoga, so it’s just to help people be back in their bodies and feel their bodies and create that safe place feeling again, because a lot of us, that has been taken away.”

Having a health fair devoted to LGBTQ people gives them a seat at the table, Martin said.

“Queer folks are often left out of health conversations,” Martin said. “So I think it’s really important for the community to take control of their own personal health.”

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by Elizabeth Thompson, North Carolina Health News
March 8, 2022

<h1>A seat at the table for LGBTQ North Carolinians at Durham Queer Health Fair</h1><br /> <p class=”byline”>by Elizabeth Thompson, North Carolina Health News <br />March 8, 2022</p><br /> <br /><br /> <h4 id=”h-by-elizabeth-thompson”>By Elizabeth Thompson</h4><br /> <p>It was <a href=”https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/hiv-treatment-history”>only about a decade ago</a> when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first medication that provided pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to lower people’s risk of catching HIV, <a href=”https://www.truvada.com/”>Truvada</a>. </p><br /> <p><a href=”https://dukeahead.duke.edu/members/elliott-scotty”>Scotty Elliot</a> still remembers the stigma that followed people who chose to get on the medication.</p><br /> <div class=”wp-block-image”><br /> <figure class=”aligncenter size-full”><a href=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/donate”><img src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/COVID-Donate-Ad-NEW-April-2021.png” alt=”” class=”wp-image-33559″ /></a></figure><br /> </div><br /> <p>“Guys who took it were called ‘<a href=”https://khn.org/news/stigma-surrounds-truvada-and-prep-2/”>Truvada whores</a>,’” said Elliot, an infectious disease social worker at Duke Academy for Health Professions Education and Academic Development. He said the disparagement was “just a horrible way to start a movement of getting care with people, so they are protected from HIV.” </p><br /> <p>That stigma against people with HIV and members of the LGBTQ community, which was disproportionately impacted by HIV, still exists, Elliot said. </p><br /> <p>However, as he stood holding a sign of two men kissing with big bold letters saying “DON’T WAIT, GET PrEP TODAY” in the heart of downtown Durham, Elliot marveled at the progress.</p><br /> <div class=”wp-block-image”><br /> <figure class=”aligncenter size-full”><img src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PrEPSign-scaled.jpg” alt=”Man with a mask poses with a sign that says "one pill a dat to prevent HIV (919) 385-0436. Don’t wait, get PrEP today." with two men kissing” class=”wp-image-37996″ /><figcaption>Scotty Elliott poses with a sign promoting PrEP to prevent HIV. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson</figcaption></figure><br /> </div><br /> <p>“The last five people that have come up, I said, ‘Do you know about PrEP?’” Elliot said, “and they said, ‘Yeah.’”</p><br /> <p>Elliot was out and about downtown as the <a href=”https://www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/”>LGBTQ Center of Durham</a> held a Queer Health Fair on Sunday in an effort to bridge gaps in health care across the community. Advocates ranging from community workers in HIV and AIDs prevention, to yoga teachers, to culture-specific LGBTQ organizations came to represent how the LGBTQ community can access all aspects of health.</p><br /> <h4><strong>Reducing the stigma around STIs</strong></h4><br /> <p>From information on PrEP and a rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing booth, the fair was full of resources to reduce stigma around STIs.</p><br /> <div class=”wp-block-image”><br /> <figure class=”aligncenter size-full”><img src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/HIVSTITesting-scaled.jpg” alt=”Sign says "free rapid HIV/STI testing." In the background is a busy park.” class=”wp-image-37997″ /><figcaption>Also available at the Queer Health Fair was free rapid HIV/STI testing. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson</figcaption></figure><br /> </div><br /> <p>Having information out in the open is key to reducing stigma, said Matt Martin, grassroots advocacy manager at the <a href=”http://www.ncaan.org/”>NC AIDS Action Network</a>.</p><br /> <p>“I think events like this are a huge way [to reduce stigma] by just normalizing it, talking about it openly,” Martin said. “I think that we’re taught, especially here in the South, to not talk about these things and they become taboo.”</p><br /> <p>One common misconception about HIV is that it only affects gay men. A 2018 <a href=”https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/overview/ataglance.html”>CDC study found</a> that 24 percent of new HIV diagnoses were among heterosexual people and 7 percent were among people who inject drugs. The rest, 69 percent, were among gay and bisexual men. </p><br /> <p>The NC AIDS Action Network is trying to raise awareness that women are also greatly impacted by HIV, and they can also access PrEP. Black women, in particular, are disproportionately impacted by HIV and <a href=”https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778348″>make up nearly 60 percent of new HIV infections in U.S</a>. women. </p><br /> <p>Conversations about health equity for people with HIV are about more than just their treatment, said Janeen Gingrich, interim executive director at NC AIDS Action Network.</p><br /> <p>“Folks are so much more than just one singular diagnosis,” Martin said. “We have to take care of the person and their full health, mental health, physical health, not just their HIV.”</p><br /> <h4><strong>Expanding health conversations</strong></h4><br /> <p>Education about STIs is just one part of the health conversation for the LGBTQ community, Martin said, and the fair was a great way to see the full spectrum of health needs.</p><br /> <p>LGBTQ people have been <a href=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2021/06/30/fixing-past-wrongs-nc-mental-health-advocates-reflect-on-lgbtq-discrimination-in-medicine/”>historically marginalized in medicine</a>, and to this day, <a href=”https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health”>health isn’t as accessible to the LGBTQ community compared to other groups</a>. Within the LGBTQ community, some people have easier access to the care they need than others.</p><br /> <p>Organizations such as <a href=”https://elcentronc.org/”>El Centro Hispano</a> have programs to give support to LGBTQ people in the Latin community. Their programs include Mujeres en Accion, a program for lesbian and bisexual Latina women, Entre Nosotr@s, a social group for transgender Latina women in North Carolina and HOLA Latino, a program for gay and bisexual Latino men, said Oscar Pineda, El Centro Hispano’s community director.</p><br /> <div class=”wp-block-image”><br /> <figure class=”aligncenter size-full”><img src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ElCentroHispano-scaled.jpg” alt=”Four people stand in front of a table with the name "El Centro Hispano." On the table are a rainbow flag and pamphlets.” class=”wp-image-37999″ /><figcaption>El Centro Hispano has programs for LGBTQ North Carolinians in the Latinx community. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson</figcaption></figure><br /> </div><br /> <p>Transgender people can also be left out of healthcare when they have to fear being misgendered at the doctor’s office.</p><br /> <p>Something as simple as providers asking people their pronouns makes health just a little bit safer and more accessible for the LGBTQ community, said Tatiana Cambio, a UNC Chapel Hill dentistry student at the fair’s UNC LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Booth.</p><br /> <p>UNC Dentistry students help make oral health more accessible at the school’s <a href=”https://www.med.unc.edu/urology/event/pride-clinic/2020-12-09/”>Pride Clinic</a>, Cambio said.</p><br /> <p>“We really work with our volunteers to make sure that they’re using current pronouns,” Cambio said, “and that’s something that people who are not super well connected with the queer community need to use a lot more practice on or be more aware of.”</p><br /> <p>Health is about more than physical health, which is why mental and spiritual health advocates were also present at the fair.</p><br /> <p>Durham-based<a href=”https://www.globalbreath.org/teachers”> Global Breath</a>, a yoga studio, offers free drop-in classes to Black, Indigenous and people of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people in order give promote more accessible self-care and healing, said yoga teacher <a href=”https://www.globalbreath.org/devon”>Devon Pelto</a>, who is also part of the studio’s leadership team.</p><br /> <div class=”wp-block-image”><br /> <figure class=”aligncenter size-full”><img src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/GlobalBreath-scaled.jpg” alt=”Person in a rainbow shirt and sunglasses sits at a table on a grassy lawn.” class=”wp-image-37998″ /><figcaption>Devon Pelto, yoga teacher and member of Global Breath’s leadership team. Photo credit: Elizabeth Thompson</figcaption></figure><br /> </div><br /> <p>“Any opportunity we have to practice slowing down is really helpful,” Pelto said. “I teach trauma-informed yoga, so it’s just to help people be back in their bodies and feel their bodies and create that safe place feeling again, because a lot of us, that has been taken away.”</p><br /> <p>Having a health fair devoted to LGBTQ people gives them a seat at the table, Martin said.</p><br /> <p>“Queer folks are often left out of health conversations,” Martin said. “So I think it’s really important for the community to take control of their own personal health.”</p></p> <p>This <a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2022/03/08/a-seat-at-the-table-for-lgbtq-north-carolinians-at-durham-queer-health-fair/”>article</a> first appeared on <a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org”>North Carolina Health News</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-favicon02.jpg?fit=150{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}2C150&ssl=1″ style=”width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;”><img id=”republication-tracker-tool-source” src=”https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=38002&ga=UA-28368570-1″ style=”width:1px;height:1px;”></p> <p>
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March 8, 2022
Health Notes: Presentations, Healthy Living Fair, more | Health
RBOI to host ‘We Can Week’

The Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute will be presenting the annual “We Can Week,” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8 to 12.

This interactive online experience promotes the health and healing of the cancer community with presentations every day. Presenters include physicians and other health care providers.

Get more from the Citrus County Chronicle

Each day will include door prizes, an activity to do at home and questions and answers. Dr. Joey Bennett will conclude the week’s event with a special presentation and plenty of time for questions.

Do not be surprised if you share your pets, artwork or special recipes with the group. Laughter and the importance of socialization and connection with others boosts well-being.

Before the event, visit the Lecanto RBOI office, 522 N. Lecanto Highway to pick up the bag of supplies needed to join the activities.

This is a free event, but participants must register. Contact Wendy Hall, cancer navigator, at [email protected] or 352-527-0106.

Attend the Healthy Living Fair

Join Citrus County Support Services for the 16th annual Healthy Living Fair from noon to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd.

Admission is free. There will be more than 50 vendors on site offering free information, health screenings, demonstrations, product sampling and door prizes. LifeSouth Community Blood Center’s Bloodmobile will be accepting blood donations.

There will be a grand prize drawing for a new flatscreen TV, donated by Home Instead Senior Care. Riviera Mexican Cantina will be on site providing food for purchase.

Proceeds will benefit the “No Seniors Left Waiting” program. For more information, call 352-527-5980.

Learn to build a better brain

Attend the “Building Better Brains: Healthy Brain/Healthy Body” presentation from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at the YMCA Healthy Living Center, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway in Lecanto.

The health of your body and brain depends on your lifestyle choices. A brain-healthy lifestyle depends on how you feed your brain, move your body, sleep, socialize, learn new things and create new memories.

Dr. Susan Zimmer will talk about the risks to brain health, cognitive side effects of common drugs and diet-related diseases. Learn ways to replace “brain fog” with “brain fit.” Brain health is mental health.

‘Beat the Holiday Blues’ with CMH

Citrus Memorial Hospital will present a mental health seminar at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway in Lecanto.

“Beat the Holiday Blues” will feature a presentation from Laura Sturdevant, licensed clinical social worker.

The seminar will focus on how to recognize symptoms of depression, seasonal affective disorder, loneliness and offer coping strategies. There will be a focus on advances in research and new treatment options. A brief question and answer session will follow.

Seating is limited so an RSVP is required to attend. To reserve a seat, call 352-637-3337 or visit citrusmh.com.

Health care enrollment assistance available

Open Enrollment for the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace began Nov. 1 and continues until Jan. 15. Those needing coverage beginning Jan. 1 must enroll by Dec. 15.

Health care navigators are a group of nationally recognized health professionals that assist Floridians in gaining health care coverage. Services are offered for free to all Floridians, including Citrus County citizens.

Suwannee River Area Health Education Centers (SRAHEC) is part of the Covering Florida program, where navigators deliver free outreach and enrollment services to any Floridian that needs to enroll.

Assistance is provided to consumers through telephone, in-person or virtual consultations. SRAHEC also provides education, outreach and enrollment services throughout central and northern Florida. Navigators are trained and certified to help consumers as they shop for coverage and can assist with completing eligibility and enrollment forms.

Contact SRAHEC at 386-230-9400 or [email protected].

‘Stepping Stones to Wellness’ meets weekly

Stepping Stones to Wellness will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday at the Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast Wings Grief Center, 8471 W. Periwinkle Lane in Homosassa.

The group is facilitated by yoga teacher Ellen Armitage. By combining walking in place, guided meditation/relaxation exercises and a process group, it is designed to help promote overall well being.

Provided as a community service, the class is offered at no charge. To reserve a spot, call 352-249-1470. For more information, call friendsofcitrus.org or visit Friends of Citrus on Facebook.

Wings Grief Center offers advanced yoga

The Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast advanced yoga group meets from 4 to 5 p.m. every Thursday at the Wings Grief Center, 8471 W. Periwinkle Lane in Homosassa.

The class is facilitated by Ellen Armitage, a yoga teacher with more than 20 years of experience helping others find their way to their highest self.

Sessions are provided as a community service and are offered at no charge. To reserve a spot, call 352-249-1470. For more information, call friendsofcitrus.org or visit Friends of Citrus on Facebook.

COVID-19 testing available with Nomi Health

Due to previously scheduled events at the Central Ridge Community Center, Nomi Health will not provide COVID-19 testing on select days in September, October, November and December.

The drive-thru site at the Central Ridge Community Center, 77 Civic Circle in Beverly Hills, will close early or be completely closed on the following days and times: Closed Nov. 14; Closes at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2

Additionally, the site may close due to intermittent weather. Individuals should call Nomi Health at 904-295-0562 or book their appointment online at testing.nomihealth.com/signup/fl to avoid confusion.

In addition, CVS, Walgreens and urgent care clinics provide testing in Citrus. They are listed on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 site at floridahealthcovid19.gov.

Free pregnancy testing, sonograms available

Citrus Pregnancy Center is offering free pregnancy testing and free early pregnancy sonograms at both locations: 726 NE U.S. 19 in Crystal River and 3185 E. Thomas St. in Inverness.

For more information, call 352-341-5176.

Senior Center offers low-impact Zumba classes

Zumba Classes with Certified Instructor Donna Scarpello are held from 11 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except holidays) at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court in Lecanto.

Classes are lower impact and geared toward seniors. Cost is $5 per class.

To pre-register, call 352-527-5993 or email instructor Donna Scarpello at [email protected].

Attend an ABC of Dementia workshop

Citrus County Libraries and Coping with Dementia LLC announced an expanded schedule of free ABC of Dementia workshops.

The workshops provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, how they affect the individuals and how their care partners can use this knowledge and techniques of voice, approach and appropriate touch to provide more effective care.

Citrus County’s Libraries provide this training for their personnel and encourage the public to attend. All workshops are from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Friday, Nov. 19, Coastal Region Library.
- Wednesday, Dec. 8, Lakes Region Library.
- Monday, Dec. 20, Central Ridge Library.
CDC guidelines will be observed and seating may be limited. To reserve seats, call 352-422-3663 or email [email protected].

Attend Dr. Bennett’s ‘Fireside Chats’

Dr. Joseph Bennett offers monthly “Fireside Chats” beginning noon the first Wednesday of each month at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute (RBOI), 522 N. Lecanto Highway.

Sessions often feature guest speakers, as well as open discussion regarding health and cancer care. A light lunch is provided, therefore RSVP is requested.

Bennett welcomes questions and open discussion, so bring your questions or email them ahead of time to [email protected]. Those who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination will be asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing inside the building.

Call Shawn at 352-527-0106 to make a reservation.

RBOI has supplies for cancer patients

If you are in need of scarfs, wigs, or other helpful items for those going through cancer treatments, call Medical Social Worker Wendy Hall, LCSW, at 352-527-0106. Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute in Lecanto has a resource room with more than 100 wigs available for free. Stop in the Lecanto office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call to make an appointment.

Medical Social Workers at RBOI will assist individuals needing support through the emotional turmoil caused by cancer with resources, including application for Citrus Aid Cancer Foundation assistance. Many services including Zoom meetings for support and education are available for patients with cancer, and their loved ones. Call 352-527-0106.

Free hearing screening available

Citrus Healing Impaired Program Services (CHIPS) is offering free hearing screenings for Citrus County residents at the old train depot, 109 NE Crystal St. in Crystal River.

Screenings are by appointment only. Low-income hearing aid assistance is available.

To learn more, call Maureen 352-795-5000.
November 8, 2021