Page 8
The INDEPENDENT, May 6, 2004
HIV testing available at Col. Co.
Public Health to find out for sure
Health Notes
By Audeen Wagner
Farewell to Laura
A recognition party honoring Laura Nichols, recently retired Physician’s
Assistant at the Vernonia clinic, was held April 3 at the Scout Cabin. Friends,
associates and patients enjoyed an informal time of fellowship, conversation
and a bountiful buffet.
Entertainment was provided by Clark McGaugh, guitarist and vocalist, and
by the Vernonia Hands-On Art Orchestra. A special solo was written and sung
by Madeleine Gendron, which expressed the appreciation and gratitude of
everyone for the many years of dedicated service Laura gave to her patients.
Speakers for the program
included Priscilla Lewis, former
Director of Physician Services
and
Development
at
Providence; Mark Livingstone,
M.D., who was Medical
Director of the Vernonia clinic
for several years; and Carolyn
Keasey, Chairman of the
Vernonia Health Center Board
of Directors.
Laura Nichols Health
Information Resource
Center
The “Laura Nichols Health
Information Resource Center”
will be instituted at the clinic,
which will offer free information Laura Nichols with Mark Livingston, M.D., who is holding the
about health care issues. In picture of Nichols that will be hung in the new Laura Nichols
addition to brochures and Health Resource Center at Providence Medical Group’s office.
leaflets on a variety of subjects, patients who need further information may contact clinic manager
Cathy Rozinek. She will be able to help patients in getting medical information.
New Name:
Providence has recently made some departmental changes in their organization, and as a result,
the Vernonia clinic now has a new name – Providence Medical Group. “We’re the same clinic, with
the same staff and services, just a different name,” said Cathy.
Mammovan visit:
Mammogram Schedule. May 19 is the next visit of the Mammovan. As always, you may call the
clinic to schedule a mammogram–503-429-9191.
t
Ou
on a Li
mb
Evening Chat set
on sex and aging
Morning Mis t
Gif t s & More
All your
Mothers Day Gift
Needs Met Here!
Wed. - Sat. 11 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Sun 12 P.M. to 4 P.M.
919 Bridge St. • Vernonia • 503-429-7003
A free seminar titled Sex
and Aging: “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s
Over” will be presented
Thursday, May 27, from 6 to
7:30 p.m. at the Tuality Health
Education Center at 334 SE
8th Ave., Hillsboro. No registra-
tion is required.
Nina Davis, M.D., will help
dispel the myth that getting
older means losing out on inti-
macy.
The secret of health for
both body and mind is to
live in the present
moment wisely and
earnestly.
Buddha
The CDC (Centers for
Disease Control) estimates
that there are 40,000 new HIV
infections in the United States
each year, and a total of
850,000 to 950,000 persons
who are HIV positive (infected
with the virus that causes
AIDS). Even more alarming is
the CDC estimate that over
200,000 people – 25 percent of
those who are HIV positive –
do NOT know they are infected
with HIV.
While many HIV positive
people are able to live longer
due to new medical treatment,
HIV is still a very serious illness
with no known cure. Since
1981, more than 500,000 per-
sons with AIDS have died in the
U.S. HIV infection rates are on
the rise in women and men,
both
heterosexual
and
homosesxual, and in people
who share needles. A new
CDC initiative aims to prevent
new infections through HIV
testing, prevention education,
and increased access to med-
ical care and case manage-
ment services for persons with
HIV.
Knowing their HIV status
(positive or negative) gives
many people a sense of relief.
People who are positive can
then get medical care and
other services which can pro-
long and improve their lives. In
addition, when people know
they are HIV positive, they can
take steps to prevent spread of
the infection. People who test
negative learn how to decrease
their risk and prevent infection.
In Columbia County, your
public health district provides
HIV education, testing and
counseling on a sliding fee
scale, and is free to those who
cannot pay. You do not have to
give your name, and all records
are confidential. If a person has
a positive HIV test, assistance
is available through the Ryan
White Program, and a coun-
selor can help access a variety
of services, including health
care, housing, medication,
social support, partner notifica-
tion, and transportation.
Free education programs
include community presenta-
tions, distribution of condoms
and printed materials. When
people are informed about how
to prevent infection, they are
more likely to practice absti-
nence, practice safer sex,
and/or limit their number of
sexual partners.
You can educate and protect
yourself, and learn your HIV
status by getting tested. It
takes about 30 minutes. Public
Health is located at 2370 Gable
Road, St. Helens, across from
the high school. Please call
397-4651 or 1-800-244-4870 to
make an appointment. If you do
not want to give your name,
you will be given a number for
your test and results. For more
information, call Diana Boom at
ext. 212.
Welcome Additions
Aydan Matthew
Poetter
Aydan Matthew Poetter was
born April 15, 2004, to Matt and
Katie Poetter of Vernonia. He
weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces
and was 20 inches long.
He will join his sister,
Alleggra, at the family home.
Grandparents are Randy
and Sharon Parrow and
Steve and Lorna Poetter, all
of Vernonia.
Great-grand-
parents are
Enid Parrow
of Vernonia,
B i l l i e
Osgood of
Hillsboro, and
Gordon and Winnie Miller of
Montana.
Kellen Charles
Hanson
Kellen Charles Hanson was
born April 13, 2004, in
Pendleton, to Josh and Karen
Hanson. He weighed 5 pounds,
5 ounces and was 18-1/2 inch-
es long.
Grandparents are Terry and
Sandi Erickson of Prineville
and Dennis
and Joann
Buerge of
Indianapolis.
Great-grand-
parents are Adeline
Erickson Everman of Vale,
Ellen and Marvin Meyer of
Vernonia.