Oak Ridge Today

ORAU receives $23 million contract for DOE worker screening program

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

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The Department of Energy has awarded ORAU a five-year, $23 million contract to continue managing its National Supplemental Screening Program. ORAU has managed this worker health screening program for DOE since 2005. The screening programs are free for former energy workers who may have been exposed to hazardous substances at work.

“We are pleased that DOE has once again entrusted us with this significant responsibility to provide a vital service for their former workers,” said Andy Page, ORAU president and chief executive officer. “Our team, including doctors and other medical specialists, understands the importance of this project and welcomes the opportunity to continue lending their expertise to this service for the former workers.”

To provide the NSSP services, ORAU partners with Comprehensive Health Services Inc., National Jewish Health, the University of Colorado, Denver Health Sciences Center, and Axion Health. [Read more…]

Roane State offers healthcare training

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Roane State Community College is offering a variety of healthcare training courses at the Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility.

  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), March 24-May 21, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4 p.m. or 6:30-9:30 p.m.—$550
  • Certified ECG Technician (CET), March 23-May 13, Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. or 6:30-9:30 p.m.—$400

[Read more…]

Walk for Parkinson’s research on April 25

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The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group of East Tennessee (PK Hope Is Alive) will host its fourth annual walk to raise funds for Parkinson’s Disease research on Saturday, April 25.

The walk will be held at A.K. Bissell Park at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Registration at the Pavilion will start at 9 a.m. The walk will take place between 10 a.m. and noon.

PK Hope Is Alive has raised an average of $20,000 in each of its three previous walks. [Read more…]

Free flu shots at ORUUC Free Community Meal on Friday

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Free flu shots will be offered at a free community meal on Friday, February 27.

The community meal will be at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Oak Ridge Turnpike. Everyone is invited, a press release said.

The Stone Soup Ministry team will be serving a homemade meal of minestrone soup, cornbread, cookies, and fruit. Dine-in or take-out will be available in the ORUUC Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Atrial fibrillation the topic of Health Night on the Town Tuesday

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Rakesh Vohra

Rakesh Vohra

Learn about atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia, during a Tuesday night lecture in Oak Ridge.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in adults, and it affects more than two million Americans and nine million people worldwide, a press release said. In fact, 15 percent of all strokes occur in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Cardiologist Rakesh Vohra, MD, will discuss atrial fibrillation and heart health during Health Night on the Town at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, which is at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Brian Ford named MMCer of the Month for January

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Brian Ford

Brian Ford

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Brian Ford, an attendant in the Transport department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge (MMC), was named the MMCer of the Month for January.

In his job, Ford transports patients to and from their tests, procedures, and rooms. He also assists with the “lift team,” which helps move patients in and out of their beds. He has been with Methodist since 2012.

Ford is described by manager Sheila Doughty as “compassionate and caring with all his patients.”   [Read more…]

February classes at Methodist Medical Center

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Whether you want to get in shape, prepare for the birth of a baby, or find support from others going through a similar experience, Methodist has a class for you!

Classes will be held at the hospital, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, unless otherwise noted. For more information and registration, call (865) 835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Open enrollment for health care plans ends Feb. 15

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David Vudragovich

With the changes to health care over the past few years, there are only certain times when you can enroll in or change health plans.

The open enrollment period, or OEP, ends February 15, which affects most people.

Special enrollment periods, or SEPs, can include the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, some job changes, or moving out of the service area, and they allow for a 30 or 60 day change of coverage.

But if you are not enrolled by February 15 and decide you want coverage at some other point during the year, you will need a SEP or you will not be able to enroll in a qualified health care plan.

If you do not have a qualified health care plan, you may have a penalty when you file your 2015 taxes in 2016. [Read more…]

Bursting the Blues Balloon Pop Concert to raise awareness of seasonal affective disorder

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Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers will play bluegrass and Americana music at the Bursting the Blues Balloon Pop Concert on Saturday. (File photo/submitted)

 

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee will host a Bursting the Blues Balloon Pop Concert on Saturday, February 7, to raise awareness of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

SAD is a subtype of major depression linked to seasonal changes, usually in fall and winter, but more infrequently in the summer, a press release said. SAD may account for one in five cases of depression, and three out of four cases affect women. An estimated 1.3 million people in the United States suffer from seasonal affective disorder, the press release said, citing a 2006 study. Some symptoms are depression, insomnia, weight loss, and anxiety.

“Commonly known as the ‘winter blues,’ SAD presents a serious health concern that, if left untreated, may lead to complications such as social withdrawal, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts and behavior, the release said, citing a 2015 study. [Read more…]

AC Senior Center about to become reality

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Office on Aging and the Council on Aging have found a location to open up an expanded Office on Aging and create a full-blown Senior Center serving Clinton and Anderson County.

The new location will be in the old Food Stamp building on Charles Seivers Boulevard, just west of the intersection of Clinch Avenue and Seivers. [Read more…]

Healthcare employers invited to participate in Roane State job fair

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Employers are invited to participate in a March 4 job fair for Roane State Community College students who are pursuing careers in health care and plan to graduate this year.

The fair is planned for Wednesday, March 4, from noon-3 p.m. at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue. The event will be held in the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. Setup begins at 11 a.m. [Read more…]

Haslam makes case for Insure Tennessee

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Bill Haslam during Presidential Visit at Pellissippi State

Governor Bill Haslam is pictured above during a visit by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College on Friday, January 9. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

Governor says his plan provides health care coverage to more Tennesseans at no cost to the state

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Govenor Bill Haslam on Monday evening addressed a joint convention of the 109th General Assembly as legislators began an extraordinary legislative session to consider his Insure Tennessee plan.

The proposal, a two-year pilot program to provide market-based health care coverage to more than 250,000 Tennesseans who currently don’t have access to health insurance or have limited options, does not create any new taxes for Tennesseans and will not add any state cost to the budget, the governor’s office said.

“Two years ago, the General Assembly made two requests of us,” Haslam said in a press release. “First, to bring a unique and specific plan to Tennessee that met the needs of our citizens and was financially responsible for our state and the country, and secondly, to bring that plan back to the General Assembly for a vote.

“I have done both of those things. This plan is overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats in our state. Tonight, I am asking for your vote to help Insure Tennessee.” [Read more…]