Blog – Here for Life

Viruses do what they do. That’s why we need to be ready.

February 8, 2021

“Mutating viruses” sounds like a punk-rock band from the 1980s or the subject of a sci-fi movie. But it describes the very nature of viruses, also known as obligate intracellular parasites (which really does sound like an alien life form).

Viruses don’t thrive when they stay the same, so they will change to improve their chances for survival within their cellular host. This occurs with Influenza and that’s why we need new flu vaccines every year to cover new strains, and it’s why not surprisingly, we’re now seeing variants (mutated or new strains) of the COVID-19 virus popping up around the globe. (more…)

Staying Healthy…While Staying Inside

February 2, 2021

With many of us staying inside most days, especially during the winter months, managing a healthy weight can be more challenging than ever. We asked Dr. Galloway-Gilliam from our new Comprehensive Weight Management Clinic about some of the best ways to manage our weight when we’re spending most of our days indoors.

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Go red for women or just wear red day, which is it? Either way, February 5th wear red! Here’s why:

January 29, 2021

Remember when the first Friday of February, during National Heart Month, was designated as Go Red for Women and they had the little red dress pin? ( I still have and love that pin!) And now we are asked to wear red on the same day to raise awareness of heart disease for all? (more…)

Moving beyond opioids to complementary and integrative services for chronic pain care

January 28, 2021

In 2018, two million people in the US suffered from an opioid use disorder and more than 130 people died every day from opioid-related drug overdoses. This remains an ongoing problem and as a result, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a plan to combat the opioid crisis. This plan focuses on prioritizing the advancement of better practices for pain management and improving access to these therapies and services. (more…)

New faces in Hennepin EMS

January 28, 2021

Because of a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics on a state and national level, Hennepin EMS has had to get creative to recruit. The new Hennepin EMS Paramedic Training Program has recruited 24 EMTs (the path to becoming a paramedic starts as an EMT), which started in mid-December, to embark on the rigorous seven month training program. (more…)

Speech therapists (speech-language pathologists) on the front lines

January 18, 2021

Front line workers are overwhelmed treating our COVID afflicted patients. But it’s not just doctors and nurses that are on the front line. Assistants, environmental services and many other specialists are busy treating these patients. Transportation is moving them from one area to the next. And speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are also right there in the thick of things. (more…)

I’m pregnant. Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

January 6, 2021

The information here is about the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These are also called “mRNA” vaccines.

For most people, getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible is the safest choice. However, trials testing the vaccine in pregnant and breastfeeding individuals have not been completed.

This information will help you to make an informed choice about whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine while you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

You have two options:

Get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available
Wait for more information about the vaccine in pregnancy

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How to cope with grief during the holidays

December 18, 2020

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv encourages us to practice the 3 C’s during the holiday season: Choose, Communicate, Compromise. Choose what you want to do this holiday, where you want to be. With a pandemic around us, choosing is even more important. Saying no to larger family gatherings can be painful and is a loss we also grieve. How will we choose to celebrate, keep distance and remain safe? (more…)

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