hgazette.com, Haverhill, MA--Health

Pediatric Points: What is the 'choking game'?

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

I was working in the emergency room last week when a 9-year-old boy came in with difficulty breathing.
While nurses got his vital signs, I asked his mother the usual questions in a pediatric history: When did it start? Has this ever happened before? Any fever? I recorded the answers.

Health chart

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:59:00 EDT

Whittier Home Healthcare Agency recognized: Whittier Home Healthcare Agency was recognized by MassPro, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Massachusetts. The agency received its award for improving clinical care related to one or more target areas of care.

Church bulletin

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:57:00 EDT

Riverside Memorial United Church of Christ
Sunday morning worship and Sunday school at 10 a.m.
Penny sale on May 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. The drawing will begin at 6 p.m.

Senior snippets

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

Haverhill senior lunches
Monday: Chicken Marsala, cranberry sauce, scalloped potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes, chilled peaches, dinner roll.
Tuesday: Swiss steak, whipped potatoes, green and gold beans, fresh orange, whole-wheat bread.

Meal and pantry schedule

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:54:00 EDT

Haverhill Hunger Roundtable, 978-373-1971, ext. 237.
Weekly meals
Sunday
Haverhill Community Church, 17 Newcomb St., 978-469-1925, 8 to 9 a.m.
First Baptist Church, 217 Main St., open-heart meal, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call 978-374-7491.

Shoulders to lean on

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:53:00 EDT

Chronic illness/pain: Learn how to accept pain/illness and map out a personalized plan of action for dealing with it at Island Pond Baptist Church, 26 North Salem Road, Hampstead, N.H., on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 603-329-5959.

Helping hands

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:52:00 EDT

Hospice volunteer training each Friday from 9 a.m. to noon through Friday June 20 at the office of Rockingham VNA and Hospice, 137 Epping Road, Exeter, N.H. For more information, call 603-772-2981 or 800-540-2981 ext. 140.

Health chart

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital: Jennifer Sprague has been named director of nursing at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Haverhill. She has held the position of assistant director over the past two years and was unit manager from July 2004 through April 2006. Sprague obtained her LPN in 1989 and her RN from River College in 2003. She is a certified rehabilitation registered nurse, a specialty position which requires a nurse to prove expertise through up to two years of verified working experience in a rehabilitation nursing setting with good performance, and pass a difficult examination. Hyunok (Heidi) Do, RN, DSNc., former director of nursing, will continue as vice president of quality patient services. She is also a consultant for Joint Commission Resources. She will provide international consulting and educational programs to assist hospitals in improving quality and safety of patient care and help meet Joint Commission standards. She began her career at Whittier in 1992 as the director of nursing services.

Fitness Focus: Better late than never

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:57:00 EDT

The days are warmer and longer. Grass is green again, buds are blooming and the birds are singing — often at 5 a.m. Time to get to those New Year's resolutions.
That's right, it isn't too late to get to all of your resolutions, but especially your fitness resolutions. Be it losing 20 pounds, finishing a 5K, 10K or a marathon; it could be as simple as walking up a flight of stairs a little easier or being able to keep up (or keep up a little better) with your 5-year-old as she gets ready for T-ball.

Senior snippets

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

Haverhill senior lunches
Monday: Breaded pork chop with gravy, parsley-whipped potatoes, carrots, celery and turnips, chilled applesauce, dark rye bread.
Tuesday: Chicken fajitas with onions and peppers on a soft tortilla, Spanish style rice, corn, chilled diced pears.