Clark County health commissioner: Get screened — and save your life

I saved my life today. Well, not all by myself. I had help from many people. Dr. Alan Gabbard, his staff, and the helpful staff at the Springfield Regional Outpatient Center made my thoughts into reality. Let me start at the beginning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends: “Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer.” Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Most colon cancer begins as pre-cancerous polyps. If caught early, they can be removed prior to forming into cancer. Hmmmm? If you had a weird growth on your arm that would likely become cancerous, wouldn’t you have it removed before it got that far?

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Hundreds appears for Clark County Service Day

Hundreds of volunteers came together Friday to participate in the 2nd Annual Clark County Service Day. The day helped nearly 20 nonprofits in the area with cleaning, landscaping, organizing and painting projects.

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Jamie Houseman named President of Mercy Memorial Hospital

Jamie Houseman, who has served in various leadership roles in the Mercy Health system for more than 18 years, has accepted the newly designed position of President of Mercy Memorial Hospital in Urbana. After starting her career in Cincinnati, Jamie came to this region in 2004 to become Executive Director of Oakwood Village. In 2013 she added the role of Director of Operations for Senior Health & Housing in Ohio and Kentucky. She has been responsible for six senior housing campus operations with approximately 1,000 beds and 900 employees.

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Mercy Memorial Wound Care Center recognized with national award for clinical excellence

The Mercy Memorial Wound Care Center has been honored with the Center of Excellence Award for its high level of clinical care. The award was given by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.

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Skin cancer screening offered May 9

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Springfield Regional Cancer Center and Oakview Dermatology will present a free SPOTme Skin Cancer Screening event on Tuesday, May 9, from 4-6 p.m. at the office Dr. Shannon Trotter, Oakview Dermatology, 30 W. McCreight Ave., Suite 110, in Springfield. The screening event is part of the American Academy of Dermatology SPOTme Skin Cancer Screening Program. The screening is free, but appointments are required. Call Ann Hembree at the Springfield Regional Cancer Center at 523-8617 to schedule an appointment.

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Springfield hospital CEO discusses drug crisis, growth

The new CEO of Community Mercy Health Partners said Monday that his agency is trying to address issues in Clark County ranging from chronic health problems like obesity to an ongoing opioid crisis. Matthew Caldwell addressed the Springfield Rotary Club on Monday, one of his first public speaking events since he stepped in last year as CEO and president of Clark County’s largest employer.

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Wittenberg nursing program gains national accreditation

Wittenberg University’s nursing program was recently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, a nationally-recognized accrediting agency. The designation, which means the program has been nationally recognized for meeting the standards of its profession, also allows for more opportunities for students and adds prestige to the program which has been in place just a short time. Not all nursing programs that apply for accreditation receive it and for Wittenberg’s program, which began in the spring 2014 semester, it is especially gratifying for Beth Sorensen, Wittenberg nursing program director and professor of nursing.

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