Page 8
The INDEPENDENT, June 5, 2003
Public Health offering free HIV testing
Health Notes
ByAudeen Wagner
By Pam Rahn, HIV Counselor
Columbia County Public Health
Summer safety
With families on the move, as they al
ways are during the summer with vacations,
sports activities, bonfires, etc., this is a good
time to think about keeping your family safe
during this fun time. During the summer,
Vernonia Family Medicine sees many pa
tients with injuries related to summertime
activities. The clinic hopes that their patients
have a wonderful summer without the heart
break of injuries. A few precautions:
• Don’t swim or dive alone.
• Be sure to have an up-to-date first aid kit along on your outings.
• Always supervise young children, but especially around water.
• If a family member is allergic to bee stings, make sure you are
prepared.
• Make sure children use helmets - for biking, skateboarding and
inline skating.
If you have any questions about any aspect of summer safety,
the clinic can answer them. They have a number of helpful pam
phlets on such subjects as poisonous plants, air bag safety, even
a hand-out on how to plan a family disaster kit.
Have a wonderful summer, but stay healthy!
A note to high school seniors:
Congratulations! We hope that you all take part in the drug-and
alcohol-free party being planned in your honor. Sue Robertson,
Chairman of the Parents Committee, says she is very excited
about the prizes offered this year. In addition to piles of great food,
there are some very valuable door prizes. Sue says, “We have
two goals for the party: One is to congratulate the students on
their 12-year accomplishment, and the other is to provide a safe
environment that is really fun.” I think that the parents have as
much fun as the seniors. What a great way to celebrate, and avoid
all those drug- and alcohol-related accidents. Along with congrat
ulations, the Clinic extends best wishes for a safe and fun cele
bration!
Mammovan schedule:
The next visit of the Mammovan will be June 18. Call 429-9191
for an appointment for a mammogram.
Free HIV testing will be
available Friday, June 27, Na
tional HIV Testing Day, at Co
lumbia County Public Health,
2370 Gable Rd. across from St.
Helens High School. Public
Health will stay open for ex
tended hours, from 4:00 to 6:00
p.m., for the tests. People are
welcome to drop in, or call 503-
397-4651 for an appointment.
HIV testing and counseling
are routinely provided on a slid
ing fee basis at Public Health,
and no one is turned away. It is
anonymous, and results are
kept in a locked file. All health
providers in the county, includ-
ing Public Health, can do HIV
testing and help people who
test positive. If a person tests
positive for the AIDS virus, they
may be referred to doctors out
side the county who have ex
pertise in AIDS treatment.
Public Health plays a 3-part
role in the fight against AIDS.
Beside testing, prevention is
very important. Prevention ac
tivities include educational pre
sentations, talks at local
drug/alcohol programs, distri
bution of condoms and printed
materials at various sites and
events, and newspaper arti
cles. When people are in
formed about how to prevent
infection, they are more likely to
sexual partners, etc. If they use
injection drugs, they can learn
to properly clean their needles
and equipment to avoid con
tamination.
The third service offered
without charge by Public
Health, is case management
for people with AIDS. A coun
selor can help clients access a
variety of services - housing,
medications, social support,
transportation, etc.
Protect yourself, and know
your HIV status by getting test
ed. Testing is available every
Wednesday at Public Health.
Call 503-397-4651 for an ap
pointment.
the gift of a lifetime — healthy vision
This Father’s Day, give a gift
that will last a lifetime - healthy
vision. The EyeCare America®
Seniors EyeCare Program
(SEP) may be the best Father’s
Day present of all.
The SEP is available to
those 65 and older who have
not seen an ophthalmologist in
the last three years. By calling
800-222-EYES (3937), the
SEP will match those eligible
with an ophthalmologist in their
area who will provide medical
eye care at no cost to seniors.
Happiness is good health and a bad
memory.
— Ingrid Bergman
“By age 65, one in three
Americans has some form of
vision-threatening disease. Un
fortunately, many aren’t aware
they have a disease, or believe
poor vision is a natural part of
the aging process,” said B.
Thomas Hutchinson, MD. “We
need to reach seniors with the
message that proper eye care
is a significant component of
their overall health care.”
In Oregon, there are 105 vol
unteer ophthalmologists who
have agreed to accept Medi
care or other insurance as pay
ment in full, with no out-of-
pocket expense to the patient.
Individuals without insurance
receive care at no charge. The
SEP, which began in 1986, has
helped more than 635,000 old
er Americans.
ECA is a public service foun
dation of the American Acade
my of Ophthalmology. The SEP
is co-sponsored by the Knights
Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
Family Practice Clinic
"Medical Care For the Entire Family"
Gardner ’s
Your Home Town Store for All of Your Animal and
Pet Needs, Farm Supplies...and Bark Dust,Too!
NOW STOCKING...
n bt h •• n !«•<•
mmm
Jr
•
L to R: Barb Fulmer R.N., Roger Reynolds D.O.,
Douglas Holmes D.O., Walter Hardin D.O., Cris RettlerP. A.,
Conley Lynch M.D., Michelle Stewart P. A.
ó
ountr ®
c fcLENJB!
Taking N ew Patients
Age 1 to TOO
HOURS:
Tue-Fri 10-6
Sat 10-4
Closed Sun-Mon
1-1/2 MILES NORTH OF VERNONIA ON HWY 47
RICK & GALE GARDNER
503-429-6481
19340 BIGGS ROAD
VERNONIA, OR 97064
c Maple Street Clinic
3
Clinic Hours
Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Sat 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
P.C.
1825 Maple Street • Forest Grove • 503-357-2136
A c c e p tin g M o s t In s u ra n c e s