Health briefs: ‘Caring for Your Pet’ to be topic of discussion at Oregon dog park

        “Caring for Your Pet” will be the theme of a program to be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Jake & Cooper’s Dog Park, 2960 Pickle Rd., Oregon. An alternative location will be announced in the event of inclement weather.
        The program is part of the ongoing “Tough Topics in a Safe Space” informal discussion sessions. J&CPB board member Lindsay Schiavone, associate veterinarian at Owens Ark Vet Clinic in Genoa, will discuss flea, tick and heartworm prevention and how to best manage the pesky enemies that affect the lives of our furry family members.
        Dog park members may bring their dogs. Nonmembers are welcome, but no pups, please. Attendees should bring a lawn chair.
        For more information, email JakeandCoopersBarkPark.com.
 
Walk-in vaccine clinics planned
        The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is ready to keep the community healthy this respiratory virus season with the following public walk-in clinics:
        • Tuesday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., East Toledo Senior Center, 1001 White St.
        • Tuesday, Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Oregon Fire Station, 1040 S. Wynn Rd.
        • Saturday, Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tent City.
        Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be offered as supplies are available. More clinics throughout Lucas County may be announced through the fall season.
        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older, and able to be vaccinated, receive the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. TLCHD offers the high-dose flu vaccine to those 65 and older. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available for everyone 6 months of age and older.
        All insurances may be billed, including Medicare Part B and Ohio Medicaid.
        Vaccines are available to everyone, regardless of insurance status.
        To schedule vaccine appointment at the health department, located at 635 North Erie St., Toledo, call 419-213-4100.
 
OSHIIP Medicare update program set
        Magruder Hospital will host a Medicare Update educational program on Monday, Oct. 21 at noon. The hospital is located at 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton.
        Limited seating is available and RSVP is required by calling 419-732-4061 or emailing rfall@magruderhospital.com.
        At this program, the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) will present a Medicare Update for 2025. The program will go over Original Medicare (including Parts A & B, Supplemental Insurances and Part D) as well as Medicare Advantage plans.
        Trained helpers will be available to run comparisons while participants are in the program, so be sure to bring your Medicare card, list of meds (including dosage and frequency) as well as your Medicare.gov information if you have signed up on that site.
        Those who would like to fill out the comparison form in advance of the program may reach out to Rachel at the above email to receive an emailed form.
        Seniors who aren’t able to make the Oct. 21 event can always get help during open enrollment by contacting OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578, or OSHIIP volunteer Rachel Fall at rfall@magruderhospital.com or 419-732-4061.
 
Mercy mobile mammograms
        Mercy Health’s Mobile Mammography Unit will make several stops throughout the region in the coming weeks.
        The unit, customized for patient convenience, delivers 3D mammograms to women age 40 and older. Patients are offered the option of self-compression, meaning she will have the ability to control the compression once she is in position.
        Scheduled stops include:
        • Monday, Oct. 14, Mercy Health – Starbright Primary Care, 28555 Starbright Blvd., Perrysburg.
        • Wednesday, Oct. 16, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Locke Branch, 703 Miami St., Toledo.
        • Saturday, Oct. 19, Tent City, Jackson Street (between the Lucas County Jail and Toledo Police headquarters).
        • Monday, Oct. 21, Mercy Health – Perrysburg Primary Care, 1103 Village Square, Perrysburg.
        • Wednesday, Oct. 23, Dana Incorporated, 3939 Technology Dr., Maumee.               
        • Tuesday, Oct. 29, Norplas Industries, 7825 Cable Blvd., Northwood.
        • Wednesday, Oct. 30, Mercy Health – Maumee Primary Care, 1657 Holland Rd., Maumee.
        • Thursday, Oct. 31, Oak Street Health, 553 E. Manhattan, Toledo.
        Certified radiologists read all mammograms and because a second look can mean a second chance, all mammograms are double-checked with a computer-aided detection system.
        While mammogram screenings may be covered by insurance, for best coverage, patients should verify if Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital is an in-network provider with their insurance carrier. Financial need-based assistance programs are available for those who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles). Call 1-800-929-6626 for more information.
        Screenings at the Mercy Health Mobile Mammography unit are by appointment only. Call 833-MAMM-VAN to schedule.
        To view the full list of dates and locations, visit mercy.com/toledomobilemamm.
 
Ask the Expert
        Melissa Lanier, Childhood & Youth Wellness Manager, Lucas County Health Department, will discuss environmental toxins and how they can affect our everyday lives Oct. 17 as Mercy Health’s Ask the Expert virtual health series continues.
        The discussion will be presented via Zoom from 12:30-1:30 p.m. To join, participants can call 646-931-3860 or Zoom meeting ID: 975 5220 8436. The program is free and there is no need to pre-register.
        The one-hour, monthly Ask the Expert sessions are held the third Thursday of every month.
 
Stroke Day Halloween Party
        The ProMedica Stroke Support Group will host a World Stroke Day Halloween Party Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg.
        Join other area stroke survivors and caregivers for a night out with music, food and fun. Costumes are encouraged. This event is a potluck so attendees are asked to bring a favorite fall dish to share.
        There will also be information about area resources for stroke survivors and caregivers. Registration is not required.
 
Breast cancer quilt raffle
        Magruder Hospital is selling raffle tickets to win a hand-made breast cancer awareness quilt (39" x 50"). Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased in the Imaging Department, Oncology Department or in the Auxiliary Gift Shop, Mondays-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The drawing will be Friday, Nov, 1.
       
Hospice of NW Ohio establishes foundation
        A recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1979, Hospice of Northwest Ohio has created a foundation with the sole purpose of philanthropic support for the agency.
        The Hospice of Northwest Ohio Foundation was granted its own 501(c)(3) designation this summer.
        The newly established foundation will be overseen by its own board of trustees focused exclusively on philanthropy and not the operations of the organization. John Lechman, CFRE has been appointed foundation president.
        “The Foundation will allow Hospice of Northwest Ohio to hold and grow its own endowed funds, which will help secure financial stability into the future, while providing ongoing support,” he said.
        “Unlike other types of foundations, the Hospice of Northwest Ohio Foundation was established strictly to secure resources for the agency and will exclusively fund Hospice of Northwest Ohio. We hope our generous and faithful donors value the steps we have taken to deepen our philanthropic connections in the community and to protect the community’s investment in our mission well into the future,” he added.
        Learn more about Hospice of Northwest Ohio at www.hospicenwo.org.