Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 1995)
EMT's need more responders, meet Sept. 13 HEPPNER e lmes VOL. 114 NO 38 6 Pages Wednesday. September 6, 1995, Morrow County Heppner, Oregon Rural lifestyle appeals to med student ¿4 * * * "Morrow County Sheriff's office to Heppner EMTs: please respond to ..." This is the call heard by Morrow County Emergency Medical Techni cians (EMTs) at dinner time, bedtime or anytime assistance is needed at a medical emer gency. These committed in dividuals come from diverse backgrounds and experiences but share a common desire to serve the citizens of Morrow County in the case of emergen cies. Delia Robinson and Mark Johnson, who currently cover call every other week with Rus ty Estes, have many reasons for devoting so much time to this worthwhile cause. Mark Johnson (I) and Delia Robinson, both E M T ’s discuss using Robinson, a long-time Hepp- the monitor. An informal class will be held Sept. 13 for anyone ’ ner resident, has been serving interested in being an EM T. as an EMT since 1988. She states, "It's great to be able to Blue Mountain Community The meeting will cover infor give back to a community that College. "It's a great oppor mation about the upcoming gives so much in return." tunity to learn an invaluable EMT-Basic class, which begins Johnson, who has lived in skill and also be of service to October 3. Heppner for two years, first those in need," says Johnson. Robinson and Johnson became interested in emergen The EMTs in Heppner cur strongly encourage all who are cy medical services as a rently cover call on alternating interested to attend this volunteer firefighter. There he weeks. lone and Lexington also meeting. Many EMTs have met veteran EMT and fire chief have many EMTs and First moved out of the area and this Rusty Estes who encouraged Responders who serve those has left the Heppner call area him to expand his interest in areas. strained and in need of more public safety by joining up as Anyone 18 years of age and persons to cover call, fill-in and an ambulance driver. With a older and is interested in serv occasionally transfer patients to bird's eye view of what EMTs ing as an EMT is invited to at other area hospitals. l do, Johnson quickly signed up tend an informal introductory Any questions may be ad to take the EMT-Basic class of meeting next Wednesday, dressed at the meeting or by fered last fall by the Morrow Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Pioneer contacting Carl Lauritsen, County Medical District and Memorial Hospital in Heppner. 676-9133. Health district to air programs on Ch. 3 The Morrow County Health District (MCHD) will begin air ing health-related programs on Heppner TV's public access channel as part of its communi ty health education efforts. Two half hour programs, "Looking for Dr. Right" and "Undermined by Over-the- Counter Drugs" will air back- to-back on on channel 3, Sept. 12 beginning at 7 p.m. Director of Pioneer Memorial Home Health Agency Molly Rhea said these programs will help viewers make better in formed decisions when choos- ing a physician and when pur chasing over-the-counter drugs. "When the Shoe Doesn't Fit" and "W hen the Ears Won't Stop Aching" will air Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. on channel 3. The first examines common foot problems and what view ers should look for when pur chasing appropriate footwear. Earaches plague many child ren, said Rhea, adding that the second video discusses inflam mation of the middle ear, in cluding symptoms, complica tions and treatments. According to MCHD ad- ministrator Kevin Erich, the district is committed to helping Morrow County residents lead healthier lives. "W e want to make it as convenient as possi ble for everyone to access im portant health information," he said, adding, "O ur programs emphasize wellness and pre vention. These are two impor tant keys to a healthier life." With the help of Heppner TV, the district hopes to air health education programs regularly on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. on channel 3. Kids and seniors enjoy ice cream social L-R: Dr. Ed Berretta, Dr. Ernie Atkins, Oregon Health Sciences University medicai student Megan Thygesen and Dr. Jeanne Berretta. By April H ilton-S ykes Not too many physicians want to come to Eastern O regon. Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) first-year med student Megan Thygesen is different. She specifically asked to come to the area for a summer program Aug. 23-30. Thygesen is one of 50 first and second year medical students participating in the week-long Summer Observer- ship, which provides an oppor tunity to observe medical care in a family physician's office. The program, in its ninth year, is sponsored by the Depart ment of Family Medicine at OHSU. Thygesen says that of the 50 med students participating in the program, only five ended up in the northeast portion of the state. In Heppner, Thygesen work ed with Dr. Jeanne Berretta, who volunteered her time as supervising physician, Dr. Ed Berretta and Dr. Ernie Atkins at Pioneer Memorial Clinic. It is no surprise that Thy gesen, Portland, wanted to try something a little off the beaten path. She has a voracious ap petite for knowledge and has packed a lot of life experience into her 32 years. Thygesen grew up in Pull man, WA, where her father is a professor of computer science at Washington State Universi ty. She received a bachelor of science degree in health educa tion at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. She spent six m onths in Kenya on an overseas sutdy program, unfor tunately just after a coup at tempt. She studied the health care system in Kenya, the language and economy. Thygesen has also toured northern Europe, but not by car, train or tour bus. She and her family bicycled through Scotland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. After graduation she travel ed to the Far East. She visited her mother, who was teaching English in China, and also traveled to Hong Kong and Japan. At one point she was the only Caucasian person in the area. Thygesen also worked as a VISTA volunteer, helping at a health clinic for people who were uninsured, and as a teen parent counselor. Thygesen also holds teaching certificates in science and health. The last two years she has worked as a medical assistant, getting a lot of hands-on experience in the field. '" I always had the goal in mind to go into medicine," says Thygesen. "I feel like it's the bringing together of everything I've wanted to do and have done. It feels right." Thygesen says that she is in terested in going into family practice, pediatrics or perhaps internal medicine. "I really like the variety of health care you see in family practice," says Thygesen, who adds that she was surprised at the amount and range of emergency room duty doctors have in Heppner. " T h a t's been really fascinating," she adds. Thygesen says she likes what she sees about a rural practice. " I like the close knit feeling of a rural practice. You get to see a patient for their lifespan, rather than just for a brief mo ment. I would prefer to have patients I have an ongoing established relationship with." Thygesen also has nothing but praise for the Heppner physicians and clinic and hospital staff. "Everyone has been generous, friendly and helpful. The clinic staff was very helpful and informative and the nurses included me in everything." During her experience here, she was also able to travel to Condon with Dr. Jeanne Ber retta. Thygesen said that she knew a little about the area because she had traveled to Fossil on a field trip years ago. While in Heppner, Thygesen stayed with Dr. Atkins and his wife, Susan and their daughter, Jenny. Back in Portland, Thygesen lives with her husband of nine years, who works in the real estate division of the Bank of America, and her "big fat" calico cat, Bonnie. Although Thygesen has lived in Portland "o ff and o n " since 1981, she adds, "m y soul belongs to a small tow n." Local children and their mothers joined in an ice cream social with the residents at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home recently. The children of Jacque Hedman, Amy Osmin, Rita Lovgren, Lori Straley, Betty Hcker- son, Cindy Brosnan, Bobbette Lovgren and Dawn Garrett visited with the residents and enjoyed ice cream. Friday school registration Sept. 8 Registration for Friday School, a Christian ministry co sponsored by All Saints Episcopal, Heppner United Methodist and Hope Lutheran churches, will be held Friday, September 8, at the Hope Lutheran church basement from 3-5 p.m. A suggested donation for the program is $10 per child or $20 per family. All registrants and their parents are urged to attend an orientation meeting on Mon day, September 11 at 7 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church. "Enrollment will be limited because of space and number of committed volunteers," said the Reverend Stan Hoobing, "so do come early and register on September 8 ." Community calendars being distributed The community birthday calendars that were sold this past spring by the Wildhorse Club have arrived and are now being distributed. Those who haven't received theirs yet should call the high school 676-9138. GRAIN SEED TREATMENT COATINGS New Dividend Seed Treat & Pro-sized seed Colarant Now available 1 gallon container Vitavax - RTU - Thiram Smut Control 3 oz.’s to bushel, 2 1/i gal. units Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 % • 1-800-452-7396 e»* v ) A *rir- •>
