Healthy Connections joins its Community Health Network communities in honoring the critical role of Nurse Practitioners, who are championing the health of our patients, as part of this year’s annual recognition of National Nurse Practitioner week (NP Week).
This year’s NP Week theme is “NPs Moving Forward: Today, Tomorrow, Together.” The 2020 commemoration occurs as NPs combat Covid-19 and the nursing community celebrates the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightengale’s birth.
Healthy Connections utilizes Nurse Practitioners at all of our clinics. They assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses, and provide treatment — including prescribing medications. Across the state and nation, NPs practice in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, nursing homes, and private practices across the country.
Nurse practitioners blend expertise with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs offer a comprehensive perspective to health care. They are the health care providers of choice for millions of people.
Healthy Connections joins the AANP and many others grateful across our communities in recognizing nurse practitioners for their leadership, putting the health of patients ahead of their own. This National Nurse Practitioner Week, we salute you.
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Maureen Keese, who was a devoted and cherished Board of Directors member for Healthy Connections, Inc., passed away this week. Maureen dearly loved our organization and mission and much of what we are today, and what we are trying to become, is a tribute to her and the work she did with our board over the past eight years.
“Maureen Keese was an amazing individual who helped so many in the community. She will be seriously missed and leaves a huge void,” said Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro. “She was one of our strongest supporters and biggest advocates and we will miss her presence within our Healthy Connections family.”
Maureen grew up in Newark, N.J., and attended Rutgers University before moving to California. She earned degrees from California State University Long Beach, Pepperdine University, and Azusa Pacific University, and began a career in education. In 2003, she and husband Dr. Hector Costamagna relocated to Arkansas. She began work at the University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain where she served as Director of Lifelong Learning and Program Development.
She joined the Healthy Connections, Inc., Board of Directors in 2012 to complete the term of a departing member. She stayed on for two additional terms on the board. Her experience in education, and healthcare marketing and administration, gave her a unique perspective in working to improve the quality of healthcare offered to our communities.
“What we had with Maureen was the epitome of an interested, enthusiastic volunteer. She served admirably, trying to make a difference in our community – both as a volunteer at Healthy Connections and through her job at UA-Rich Mountain,” said Derwood Brett, Chairman of the Healthy Connections Board of Directors. “We added several clinics when she was on the board. She never lost her excitement to make a difference. We are going to miss her.”
Maureen Keese was 69-years-old.
Our September 2020 Healthy Connections employees of the month were super in every way. Presenting our winners:
- East: Andrea Pilcher
- West: Charlotte Craig
Throughout September, both Andrea and Charlotte exemplified our Healthy Connections three pillars of Excellence, Compassion, and Community. As winners, they are entitled to a $50 gift card or one day off.
Charlotte is a billing clerk in Mena and works with medical insurance payments for all clinics and work delinquent claims. Her nomination mentioned that she was “always willing to help everyone and she has the best customer service.”
Andrea is a LPN at the Hot Springs Central clinic. Her co-workers say that she is a “wonderful pediatrics nurse” and “patients always ask if she’s there for their kids.” She is also “always willing to help out and she always has an upbeat attitude.”
Each month, Healthy Connections chooses one employee of the month for both the East and West communities. Do you know who should be our next to be recognized? Nominate by visiting www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.
Do I have seasonal flu or Covid-19? Or is it just the common cold or allergies? It’s a question our Healthy Connections providers are frequently asked – especially right now.
Similar symptoms exist for all four conditions – especially Covid-19 and flu – making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with a cold, the flu, Covid-19, or just experiencing seasonal allergies.
Call 888-710-8220 to make an appointment with a Healthy Connections primary care provider. Find a central or western Arkansas location near you by visiting www.healthy-connections.org/locations.
Similarities
Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
Differences
The differences are slight but can be telling. Flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness, including common signs and symptoms associated with both. Covid-19 can differ from the flu with other signs and symptoms that include a change in or loss of taste or smell.
Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death. Learn more about the flu at www.healthy-connections.org/flu.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Learn more about Covid-19 at www.gettestedfree.com.
If you think you may have either the flu or Covid-19, Healthy Connections can test you at any of our central and western Arkansas clinics. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments. Or visit www.healthy-connectons.org/locations to find the clinic nearest to you.
The common cold also has some similar symptoms to Covid-19 and seasonal flu. Cold symptoms include a mild cough, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, short fever period, and body aches and pains.
Allergy symptoms may have some of those symptoms but rarely include a cough.
Flu Vaccination
At this time, there is no vaccine for Covid-19. But there is a seasonal flu vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your friends, and your family. It could also help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flu shots are now available at the Healthy Connections clinic location near you. We’ve taken steps to make your visit safe and convenient, so you can feel good about protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Your flu shot may be done at no cost to you. If you are insured through the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Part B, or most other health insurance plans, you should be able to get your flu shot for free. However, before you go, remember that you may still have to pay for the office visit, depending on your coverage. Call 888-710-8220 for more information.
It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season (with rare exceptions). Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from the flu.
The flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and death.
The lantern shines bright for our August 2020 Healthy Connections employees of the month:
West: Carolyn Alexander
East: Kristen West
As Employees of the Month, they are entitled to either a $50 gift card or one day off.
Throughout August, both Carolyn and Kristen exemplified our Healthy Connections three pillars of Excellence, Compassion, and Community.
Carolyn is a patient care coordinator with Evolve Behavioral Health and Medication Management and is based in Mena. Kristen is a patient care coordinator with the Healthy Connections pediatrics clinic in Hot Springs.
Check out what Carolyn’s co-workers had to say about her:
- “Carolyn volunteers to help in any way she can and always gives her best effort to do a great job and serve our patients well. Carolyn always has a positive attitude and is pleasant to work with.”
- “She works so hard to make sure everything and everyone is taken care of and then on top of that she helps out in other areas in Healthy Connections. We, the Evolve Behavioral Health team would not know what to do without her.”
And Kristen’s co-workers said this about her:
- “Kristen always greets patients with a smile and helps them feel welcome. She works hard making sure that all of pediatrics runs as smoothly as possible. She always takes care of whatever is needed for each of her providers. She is a great coworker and is a pleasure to work with.”
- “Kristen has proven over and over to be a team player. Patients frequently comment to me about how kind and helpful she was when they called or needed something, or when she checked them in. We’re all so blessed here at Central to have a “Kristen” on our team.”
Do you know who should be our next Healthy Connections Employees of the month? You can nominate them at www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.
