April 3: Student Grief Support Groups at both Crook County Middle School and Ochoco Elementary School begin. These run for eight weeks. Robbin Foster, LCSW, facilitates the group at the Middle School; Patrick McCullough, MSW, facilitates the Elementary School group. Call Pioneer Memorial Hospital Hospice office at 447-2510 for more information and to register your student.
April 7: Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Monday evening. Call 416-2017 for directions and information. April is Alcohol Awareness Month.
April 8: First part of the four-session, two week tobacco cessation workshop, “FreshStart.” The American Lung Association approved course meets at 6 p.m. in the Juniper Conference Room, Pioneer Memorial Hospital . Cost is: $20 with $15 returned to participants who complete all four sessions. Call 447-6254, ext. 352 to enroll.
April 14: National Moment of Laughter Day. No referral or pre-certifications are needed to enjoy the benefits of laughter. For many years scientists and lay persons have done studies, research, and performed experiments concerning the effects of laughter on one's physical and mental health. These studies have proven that when we laugh, there is an actual chemical change in our bodies that helps to ease pain and release stress. Laughter is a coping mechanism for the normal stress of life. As Mark Twain once said, "The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that's laughter. The moment it arises, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
April 17: Internet Safety is this month’s installment in the Guiding Good Choices workshop series for parents. This workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. at Crook County Middle School . Call Cindy Brockett at 416-8392 for more information.
April 19 – 26: National Infant Immunization Week. The Crook County Health Department has a wonderful packet of information they give to all children (and their parents) who come in for their first series of shots at two months old. The packet is available in English and Spanish, and is put together by our own Crook County Library.
April 25: Circles of Care, a bereavement support group open to anyone in our community who has lost a loved one. Begins at noon, with a light luncheon provided, along with sharing and caring, in the Cascade Conference Room, Home Health wing at the hospital. Call Patrick McCullough, MSW, or Brenda Wilson for more information at 447-2510.
April 20—26: National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is observed. Last year, the hospital’s three laboratory locations performed a combined total of over 89,100 testings and screenings on orders from medical care providers, by request from the public and from area employers.
April 20—26: National Healthcare Administrative Professionals Week. We set aside a week each year to recognize the behind-the-scenes efforts of our administrative professionals in the hospital and clinics. Their organization makes for seamless care for our patients. Be sure to say, “Thank you!” for all they do.
April 27 – May 3: National Healthcare Volunteer Week. A heartfelt thank you! for all the support our hospital and auxiliary volunteers provide all through the year.
In April: Caregiver Support Group for caregivers taking care of people with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia. These meet every other Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Community Room. Call Patrick McCullough, MSW at 447-2510 for more information.
Camp Sunrise is accepting applications for the summer session. A camp for grieving children takes place June 20 through 22. Contact Patrick McCullough, MSW, for more information: 447-2510.