Health briefs: Lubbock area medical news this week
TTUHSC hosts Latino Medical Student conference
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Office of the President and School of Medicine will host the 14th Annual Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Conference and 7th Annual Southwest Regional Conference March 22-23 at the TTUHSC Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St.
This year’s conference theme is "Todos tenemos valor: Building solidarity through health care.” LMSA is an organization founded to represent, support, educate and unify U.S. Latino medical students.
The purpose of the conference is to bring together high school students, premedical students, medical students, graduating physicians, residents, practicing physicians and other health professionals interested in service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Latino community.
The conference will include a series of workshops on the health care needs of the Latino community, student leadership training, clinical skills, medical school and residency application panels, networking, recruiting and health care policy.
TTUHSC hosts general eternal medicine event
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) will host the 11th Annual Update in General Internal Medicine March 20-30 at the TTUHSC Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St.
The goal of the conference is to provide health care professionals involved in primary care with knowledge in current, contemporary and common issues relevant to internal medicine and general practice. The conference is sponsored by the TTUHSC Department of Internal Medicine and the Office of Continuing Medical Education.
Topics include elder abuse and neglect, Medicare, preventative medicine, cardiology and other healthcare issues.
For more information, call the Office of Continuing Medical Education at (806) 743-2929 or email cme@ttuhsc.edu.
Grace Medical Center receives 5-star rating
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Grace Medical Center with five stars for overall hospital quality.
Grace Medical Center, part of Covenant Health System, was one of 293 hospitals in the U.S. that were awarded with 5- stars and was the only hospital in west Texas to receive this level of achievement.
“Our physicians and caregivers at Grace are honored to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to treating patients,” Grace Health System CEO Vanessa Reasoner said. “At Grace, we have been committed to providing our community with high-quality health care at a reasonable cost. We built our health system with a focus on the patient experience. I am so proud that the efforts of our entire team are being recognized.”
CMS compares more than 4,500 non-specialty hospitals nationwide and includes measures of mortality, readmission, patient experience and timeliness of care.
Parkinson's Aquatics class at Southwest Aqua Sports
Southwest Aqua Sports is offering a Parkinson's Aquatics class that is a suitable exercise for various stages of disease and eases symptoms of muscle spasms, contractures, rigidity, tremors, and postural instability.
The cost is $10 each class with the first one free. The class meets every Friday from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Southwest Aqua Sports at 3909 N. Frankford Ave.
Although the classes are held in the water, swimming skills are not necessary to participate.
Contact Sybille Neuber at 392-3860 or by email at sybille@ergotherapywellness.com for more information.
Support group offered second Tuesdays
A monthly support group meeting for people affected by stroke and brain injury is available through Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital of Lubbock.
Members meet the second Tuesday of every month from 4 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments are served.
Meetings are open to survivors, their family members and caregivers.
Call 749-2222 for additional information.
Clinic, health department offer free vaccinations
The Free Clinic and the Lubbock Health Department have formed a partnership to offer free vaccinations every third Wednesday at Lubbock Impact, according to a news release from the Texas Tech’s Health Sciences Center.
Vaccines including pneumococcal, hepatitis A and B, influenza, TdaP (for tetanus, diphtheria and adult whooping cough), Gardasil (for human papillomavirus), meningococcal (for meningitis) and Zostavax (for shingles) will be available, according to the news release. Vaccinations will be available from 3 to 5 p.m. every third Wednesday at 2707 34th St.
The Free Clinic is an urgent care clinic run by Texas Tech’s Health Sciences Center School of Medicine physicians and medical students. Free basic health care is provided for the uninsured, homeless and working poor populations every Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m., according to the news release. The Free Vaccinations Clinic Day will be open to patients 19 to 64 years old.
Those interested in receiving vaccinations are encouraged to take immunizations records, according to the news release. Call 799-4320 for additional information.