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Cancer Sucks – These Affordable Screening Options Don’t

Cancer sucks- These affordable screening options don't

Debbie Schoonover, Chief Operations Officer has been a passionate advocate for women’s healthcare within Barbour County.

The month of October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is a campaign designed to increase awareness of the disease. Though it’s important every month of the year to be aware of the signs of breast cancer, October is a great time to remind yourself and the women in your life to get screened by a provider.

While getting a mammogram may seem intimidating and expensive, Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) offers several options for women who need financial assistance.

According to Debbie Schoonover, Chief Operations Officer, BCHA offers many affordable options for women to get screened annually, here are two:
One option is the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. Depending on their risks and age, most of these visits are free for our women,” said Schoonover. Through this program, women can be screened through a pap smear and a mammogram exam. The second affordable way women can be checked for breast cancer is through Bonnie’s Bus Mobile Mammography Unit, which visits two to three times a year. Bonnie’s Bus accepts most insurances, just like the WV Breast and Cervical Program, and has some private funding for women who qualify. “We’re able to bridge the gap between transportation barriers and affordable health screenings for women,” said Schoonover. “And it creates a better atmosphere for wellness here in Barbour County.”

October is the perfect time to get screened and raise awareness about Breast Cancer. It’s also a time to recognize those battling breast cancers, survivors, and those we have lost to the disease.

Check with your provider for screening options and information on financial assistance.

Why Consider a Physician Assistant for Your Primary Care Provider?

Why Consider a Physician Assistant for Your Primary Care Provider?

Jennifer Burner, PA at AB Wellness Center

October 7th through October 11th is Physician Assistant Week!

Here at Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) we have seven Physician Assistants (PAs) on staff at our varying locations. We are so thankful for them and all that they do to help and care for our patients and their families.

So why should you consider choosing a PA as your primary care physician?

What is a PA?

The role of a PA is sometimes misunderstood. At BCHA, we want our patients to feel comfortable that they are being cared for by a well-trained, proficient, certified professional. PAs are licensed and certified health care professionals who practice medicine in partnership with doctors and bring a breadth of knowledge and skills to patient care.

Certified PAs obtain medical histories, examine, diagnose and treat patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests and recommend and implement treatment plans for the wide range of human illnesses and injuries. They can perform minor surgery and assist in major surgery, instruct and counsel patients, order or carry out therapy and prescribe medications. Certified PAs work with doctors as an integral part of the health care team. The doctor is available to consult with the PA when needed and stays informed about the care you are receiving.

Are my family and I receiving the same level of care if we’re treated by a PA instead of a doctor?

Yes! PA training is incredibly competitive with a difficult academic and clinical course load.  Today’s PAs are educated in accredited graduate-level programs and trained in medical and behavioral sciences, completing rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine and geriatric medicine.

PAs are held to the same standard of care expected from doctors. Following graduation from an accredited PA program, PAs pass a rigorous national certification exam that tests them on everything from taking a patient history to diagnosing and treating complex medical issues.

The physician-PA team is an effective approach to the delivery of health care because it decreases your waiting time, increases your time with the health care provider and ultimately helps you and your family get the care and attention you need and deserve when you need it.

Call BCHA today to make an appointment with one of our amazing PAs! 

Preventing the Flu, One Shot at a Time

Preventing the Flu, One Shot at a Time

The season of autumn is known for its burst of reds, oranges and yellows, caramel apples, pumpkin patches, and spooky corn mazes. However, the autumnal temperatures tend to bring in something more daunting than a haunted house. The flu. That’s right, the flu brings in runny noses, sore throats, and aches.

Sallie Hamrick RN and Nurse Manager of Belington Medical Clinic.

Since the flu season is just right around the corner, Sallie Hamrick, nurse manager at the Belington Medical Clinic, provided some information on how and why it’s important to get vaccinated.

First, Hamrick describes a vaccine as material given to a person to protect them from the disease.

“Vaccines prevent both viral and bacterial infections that used to cause really serious complications and disease,” she said. “They can protect over 26 life-threatening diseases. In fact, vaccinations have saved 42,000 lives each year.”

Each year, the pesky flu makes its way into schools, workplaces, and communities causing the bug to be passed from one person to the next. Influenza is described by the Center for Disease Control as a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.

Because of the impact of the flu, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Once someone has been injected with the flu vaccine, the vaccine causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

Hamrick suggests that patients check with their providers for more information on the recommended scheduled vaccinations.

To prevent the spreading of the flu, wash your hands often and cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and/or coughing. Contact Barbour Community Health Association today to talk to your provider about getting your flu shot. 

5 STD Myths Busted

5 STD MYths Busted

For some, the college experience is more than just about education. The college years be a time of exploration, meeting new friends and finding oneself amongst the chaos that is sometimes higher education. As you pack up your childhood bedroom and move into a campus dormitory, prepare yourself for overpriced school books, a range of headaches during finals week and the benefits of practicing safe sex.
It might be surprising but 1 in 2 sexually active young adults will get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) before the age of 25. That’s why it’s so important that students educate themselves on how to safe should they engage in sexual activity. Keep reading as we debunk five myths pertaining to STIs:


Myth #1 – Birth Control Prevents STIS.
FACT: Many birth control prescriptions decrease your chance of getting pregnant, however, it does not prevent STI contraction as these infections are spread through physical contact and fluid exchange.
Condoms are effective at preventing HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, but don’t always work against genital warts or herpes.


Myth #2 – STIs are untreatable.
FACT: Many STIs are curable and most, including HIV, are treatable. The sooner you know that you have an STI, the sooner you can be treated for it and prevent it from spreading to another person.


Myth #3 – Only people who ‘hook up’ should get tested.
FACT: If you have had unprotected sex no matter the number of sexual partners, you are at risk for STIs. Because some STIs don’t have noticeable symptoms, it is recommended that individuals have an annual STI testing.


Myth #4 – The ‘pull out’ method prevents STIs and pregnancy.
FACT: This method is not effective at preventing STIs or pregnancy. Condoms and other contraceptives should be used to prevent the passing of sexual diseases to another and decrease chances of pregnancy.


Myth #5 – Symptoms will appear if you have an STI.
FACT: Folks can have an STI and not show any existing symptoms. Many STIs such as herpes or the human papilloma virus (HPV) can lie dormant for weeks or months before a flare-up. Chlamydia can develop slowly with little or even no symptoms. Though symptoms may not be noticeable, infections can still transmit to others and some individuals may suffer various complications including infertility if not treated in a timely manner.


Remember, be safe while you’re out enjoying college life! Should you have a concern about safe sex practices, pregnancy or any other sexual health-related question, stop by the AB Wellness to chat with a provider.

Options to Best Fit Your Preferences and Prevent Colon Cancer

Options to Best Fit Your Preferences and Prevent Colon CanceR

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both men and women combined in West Virginia. Early detection with screening is key in preventing and treating this disease as screening detects colon cancer in its early stages making it easier to treat and cure.

If you are age 50 to 75 or have a family history of colon cancer, you should speak with your healthcare provider about which screening option is best for you. There are several effective screening options to choose from that best fit your personal needs and preferences. But the best screening option is the one you select and complete!

Colonoscopy
The most well-known colon cancer screening option is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a screening test that requires a patient be sedated while a doctor uses a special type of tube with a flashlight on the end to look at the entire colon to see if there are any growths such as polyps or cancer. If the doctor sees any growths, he will remove them during the procedure. There is no discomfort during this procedure, but it does require bowel preparation, occasionally a pre-visit appointment before the procedure appointment and someone else will need to drive the patient home after the procedure.

CT Colonography or Virtual Colonoscopy
CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, uses a CT scan to view the colon and rectum to find polyps or cancer. Although this screening does require bowel preparation, no sedation is needed; it is less invasive than a colonoscopy, and it takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.  If polyps or cancer are found, the patient will need to be follow up with a colonoscopy so that the polyps or cancer can be removed. This option is newer than other screening tests and may not be covered by all insurance.

FIT Test

FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) kits look for hidden blood in stool. Blood in stool is a sign of colon cancer. A sample of stool is placed on a card or in a tiny tube and returned to the clinic or a lab so that the test can be resulted. FIT kits do not require bowel preparation or medication or dietary restrictions. The test is completed in the privacy and convenience of the patient’s home requiring no time off work. This is an affordable option even without insurance. However, if the FIT test has a positive result, the patient will be required to complete a colonoscopy to see what is causing the hidden blood. You can pick up a FIT kit the next time you are at your healthcare provider’s office.

Cologuard

Cologuard (FIT-DNA) is another take-home screening test that looks for both hidden blood and abnormal DNA in stool. This is a newer screening test, but most major insurers are covering the cost. Cologuard does not require bowel preparation or medication or dietary restrictions. This test can be done in the privacy and convenience of a patient’s home requiring no time off work. If this test has a positive result, the patient will be required to complete a colonoscopy in order to see what is causing the positive result.

For more information on Colon Cancer or to schedule a screening contact your BCHA healthcare provider today!

Be Summer Safe Barbour County

Be Summer smart Barbour County

School is out, and kids are more than ready to play all day and bask in the sweet sunshine. But while the kids are soaking up the warm temps, parents and guardians should be wary of the potential dangers that lurk within a perfectly sunny day.

Holly Holbert, Health Educator & BSN at Myers Clinic in Philippi, West Virginia.

Look at the tips provided by Health Educator, Holly Holbert, on how to keep your kids safe this summer.

  1. Protect your skin from the sun! The sun is a magnificent and vital source to the planet and humans; however, its rays can cause skin damage, sun burns and even puts you at risk of skin cancer.  The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.  That’s why sunscreen is your best friend during the summer months. Sunscreen is so, so important for anyone who ventures outside during a summer day.  Put-on broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before going outside, even on cloudy or cool days.  The higher the SPF number, the more protection provided by the sunscreen.  Lather up the sunscreen, with a thick layer on all exposed skin! Hats and sunglasses should also be a summer necessity. If possible, avoid going outside during peak times, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its hottest. Look for shade under a tree, under an umbrella or sun tent. 
  2. Keep an eye on your little swimmers! The perfect summer day is not complete until you’ve taken a dip in the pool or ocean. However, it’s crucial that parents/guardians keep a watchful eye on kids swimming or wading in the water.  Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 years.  Drowning can occur in as little as one inch of standing water.  Oftentimes drowning is silent, and it can happen in an instant. So, be sure to keep younger children and new swimmers at an arm’s length and under constant watch.  One adult should be assigned to pay constant attention to children in the water.  This means to put down the cellphone! Flotation devices can be helpful, but still accidents can happen. While out boating, make sure every individual on the boat is wearing a life vest. And, be sure the driver is knowledgeable on how to navigate the boat and safety features.
  3. Avoid Pesky bug bites and plants this season! When summer rolls around, so do the bees and the bugs. If your child is allergic to bees, it’s important they have an EpiPen on hand. Talk with them about not interacting with swarms of bees or beehives. If you are not allergic, but do get stung, be sure to wash the site with soap and water. Remove the stinger using gauze wiped over the area or scrape with fingernail.  Never squeeze the stinger or use tweezers.  Apply ice to the area.  Be sure not to scratch the sting. If your little one stumbled into a patch of poison ivy or poison oak, the first thing you should do is rinse the skin with rubbing alcohol or dish soap and lots of water. Scrub under the fingernails with a brush.  Rinse with water frequently.  Wash clothing and any items that may have touched the affected area. Though it will be tough, do not allow them to scratch the area as it can lead to infection. Consider applying calamine or hydrocortisone cream.  An antihistamine may be helpful to relieve itching, but only use this according to directions on the package.  In severe cases or if a rash is on the face or genitals, seek professional medical attention. 

With all that in mind, BCHA knows you want your children to have a fun-filled summer but following these tips will give you peace of mind and keep them safe. However, if you find yourself needing care or health advice this summer, contact BCHA for same day, Saturday and evening appointments.

4 Health Tips for the Men in Your Life

4 Health Tip for the Men in Your Life

As the days become longer and the temperatures get warmer, it can be difficult for the hardworking men in your life to remember proper habits to stay healthy. With June being Men’s Health Month, its critical to remind men that their health matters not just this month, but all year round. So, take a look at the tips below and be sure to pass along these helpful hints to the guys in your life!

1.       Schedule a routine check-up/screening: Remind all the guys in your life – no matter the age – that regular doctor check-ups are important to their health. Routine appointments can scan for any unsuspecting changes in a patient’s health that could lead to future health problems — body mass index, cholesterol and blood pressure. Regular check-ups are also helpful with identifying more serious health issues, such as certain types of cancers and diabetes/blood sugar levels. Regularly meeting with your doctor also gives you the opportunity to discuss changes or concerns you may have about your health.

2.       Put good, fresh foods into your body: Having a healthy, well-balanced diet can do wonders for your health. In fact, decreasing the amount of sugars and fats you ingest not only lowers your cholesterol, but can also lower your chance of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. And since it’s summertime, fresh fruits and vegetables are all around for you to gorge on and still be healthy!

3.       Get that body moving: Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity several times a week gets your body goin’ and strengthens your health. From walking, running, basketball, mowing the lawn, swimming or playing a game of badminton, the guy in your life is bound to find a physical activity he enjoys and that’s good for his health! But what if he doesn’t have the time? No worries and no excuses. Research shows that short bursts of exercise – 10 minutes multiple times a week — can help improve one’s health. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor to figure out the best exercise path for you!

4.       Do your best to de-stress: It’s summertime. And, while that may mean sunny skies and warm temperatures, work and bad news can come at any given time. The lawn needs mowed, but the pipes burst in the kitchen, and of course, household chores are piling up. Stop. It’s important to remind the men in your life (and, yourself included) to relax during stressful periods. Not only can stress take a toll on one’s emotional and mental health, but your physical health can also become affected. Notice the early warning signs of too much stress – teeth grinding/clenching, irritability and tension in the shoulders. Remember that summer is also the season for many to take a vacation or some extra time off to de-stress. 

Employee Spotlight: Jessie Massimino

Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) is thrilled to expand their Behavioral Health team with the hire of new Behavioral Health Case Manager, Jessie Massimino. Jessie has joined the team at Belington Medical Clinic and is excited about her future there. We caught up with Jessie to learn a little bit about her past experiences and why she’s excited to begin her new role at BCHA:

Q: What qualifies you for this position?

A: I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services from Davis & Elkins College in 2010 and have held many positions in the field since graduation.

Q: Are you from Barbour County?

A: No, originally, I’m from Kent Island, Maryland.

Q: How did you make your way to BCHA?

A: After graduating from Davis & Elkins College, I worked in an outpatient children’s mental health clinic while also providing related school-based services for four years.  After this, I worked closely with sexual assault and domestic violence victims for nearly three years before taking on a new role as an Advocacy and Prevention Coordinator.

Q: What do you hope to achieve through your role at BCHA?

A: I look forward to the opportunity to further my education and work with other trained mental health professionals who are and will be providing unique interventions to our community.

Q: Do you have any specialties or professional interests?

A: I enjoy empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential. I am always interested in learning new ways to engage people in healthy lifestyle change objectives.  

Q: What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

A: With this job in particular, I enjoy the diversity in our patient population, especially providing services to patients across the lifespan.

Q: What do you like to do outside work?

A: I spend a lot of time with my family and our dogs. We spend most of our free time enjoying each other’s company. Being a Maryland native, I enjoying venturing to the eastern shore to spend time with relatives coasting along the bay and crab dipping.   

For more information on Barbour Behavioral Health or to schedule an appointment with Jessie, please call 304-823-4000.

About Barbour Behavioral Health

Barbour Behavioral Health provides outpatient therapy and evaluation/assessment services for both children and adults and continues to grow with the addition of new accomplished staff members and specialized programs. Across the staff, there are therapists skilled in trauma, play therapy, parent-behavioral training, and substance abuse treatment among other specialty areas.

Employee Spotlight: Sallie Hamrick, RN

Provider Spotlight: Sallie Hamrick, RN

Hamrick visiting the Grand Ole Opry.

Belington Medical Clinic is excited to announce the new hire of Nurse Manager Sallie Hamrick, RN. After two decades of nursing, Sallie has the experience to ensure the clinic runs smoothly. We sat down to speak with Sallie and get a little bit more information on her past and why she’s excited to begin her new role with Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA):

Q: What qualifies you for this position?

A: I received my associates degree from Davis and Elkins College in 1997 for nursing, currently take online courses through WVU Parkersburg and will have my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in May.

Q: Are you from Barbour County?

A: No, I’m originally from the Coalton area in Randolph County where I still live.

Q: How did you make your way to BCHA?

A: Originally, I began my nursing career at Davis Memorial before working at Barbour County Good Samaritan. After that I taught nursing courses at Randolph Technical Center in Elkins. I was a board member for BCHA from 2014-2016 and because I live close to the Barbour County line, receive care as a patient from BCHA. I always thought it would be a great organization to work for because I love the small-town environment and that they really got to know patients personally.

Q: What do you hope to achieve through your role at BCHA?

A: I’m just here to make sure things go smoothly. The nurses and medical assistants here are great, I’m just here to make sure they have what they need!

Q: Do you have any specialties or professional interests?

A: I would say geriatrics and education. Especially after teaching for so long.

Q: What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

A: I like that I’m still able to interact with patients and sometimes I float around and work with patients. I especially like working with the elderly.

Q: What are things you do as a part of your job that people don’t see?

A: I keep things behind the scenes running smoothly. I make sure nurses have their supplies, medications, schedule, and cover gaps. I also attend a lot of provider meetings and conduct quality assurance. I also teach a CPR course.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I really love to travel. I recently went to Denver and Las Vegas and would really love to go to Ireland, Scotland or Japan soon.

Provider Spotlight: Jamie Wilson, LPC

Provider Spotlight: Jamie Wilson, LPC

Wilson hiking the Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, AZ

Barbour Behavioral Health continues to grow and develop to better serve the needs of Barbour County! In the past year programs such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Substance Abuse Counseling and our upcoming introduction of Neurofeedback Therapy have been expanding. To accommodate patients, we’ve also welcomed specialized and experienced team members to our Behavioral Health Program.

Enter our newest Behavioral Health team member, Jamie Wilson! Jamie has recently joined us here at BCHA as a counselor. We sat down with Jamie to get to know her a little better:

Q: What makes you qualified as a Licensed Professional Counselor?

A: I received my Bachelors in Psychology at the University of Maryland and got my Masters at WVU in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Q: Are you from Barbour County?

A: No, I’m originally from the Eastern shore of Maryland. Chestertown, it’s across the bridge from Annapolis.

Q: What drove your career decisions?

A: My mom lost her parents when she was young and spent time in foster care during her childhood which inspired me to start helping kids in Baltimore. Later I began taking interest in the mental health field when I was working with adults at Johns Hopkins. I made my decision to go to WVU, because of how much I loved West Virginia and the mountains here. It’s definitely different than living on the shore.

Q: How did you make your way to BCHA?

A: I was working at the United Summit Center in Preston County when I got my license and this opportunity came along. I love how progressive BCHA is and that they are working with neurofeedback. I am blown away with their focus on growth. My forty-five-minute commute from Reedsville to Belington is worth it!

Wilson hiking Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.

Q: What do you hope to achieve through your role at BCHA?

A: I look forward to being certified in neurofeedback because we are really hoping to introduce that to the school population. It’s going to give us real time neurofeedback in the interventions we’re performing with clients.

Q: What are your specialties and professional interests?

A: I would love to combine therapy and exercise in the outdoors and develop some sort of Wilderness Therapy program.

Q: What are things you do that are part of your job that most people don’t see?

A:Definitely cultural immersion. There is a bit of culture shock moving from the city of Baltimore to rural West Virginia. When I moved here I took a quilting class, learned how to can, how to grow a garden, and completely immersed myself in the culture of West Virginia to become closer to patients. The people in this area are some of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve ever met and I’m happy to get to know them.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I love to camp and kayak. I also love Irish Road Bowling. I’m actually the 2017 West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Women’s State Champion.

Barbour Behavioral Health provides outpatient therapy and evaluation/assessment services for both children and adults and continues to grow with the addition of new accomplished staff members and specialized programs. Across the staff, there are therapists skilled in trauma, play therapy, parent-behavioral training, and substance abuse treatment among other specialty areas.

For more information on Barbour Behavioral Health or to schedule an appointment with Jamie, please call 304-823-4000.