This newsletter is brought to you by the
Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce |
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
| _______________________________________________________________________ | |
| Outdoor Exercise to Cure Spring Fever
by Jennifer Sampsell, PT
 Now that the weather has taken a turn for the better, it's time to get outside and shake off the cobwebs of winter. I'm hearing more and more that many of us are Vitamin D deficient, and getting outside is a great way not only to burn calories, but to increase our levels of Vitamin D. Below are some great activities that people of all ages can participate in during the spring season and beyond.
Walking is the best form of exercise for the general population. It's low impact, which is easy on your joints. It's a weight-bearing exercise, which is going to aid in bone remodeling and strength and help to ward off osteoporosis. Depending on your fitness level, you can walk as fast or as slow as you want, you can stay on level ground or you can hike the hills. Walkers have been shown to have fewer incidences of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. Grab a buddy and get some great exercise and friendly conversation at the same time.
Another great outdoor activity is biking. This is a low impact exercise, but is not considered a weight-bearing activity. If balance is an obstacle, choose a three wheeled bike to help stay upright. Recumbent bikes have gained popularity for older individuals. Instead of sitting on a typical bicycle seat, you're sitting in a chair with back support and your feet are extended in front of you instead of below. Most gyms have recumbent stationary bikes that you can try before purchasing one for the outdoors.
Swimming is another fun activity that you can do even when the thermometer keeps creeping up. Tread water, lap swim, or race the clock with 25 yard sprints. If you want to exercise in the pool, but don't want to get your head wet, walk laps in the pool or join a water aerobics class. The water decreases the impact on your joints, while also providing resistance as you move your limbs. Weights or floats can be added to increase the resistance.
After you have received approval from your doctor, take a look at the list, grab a partner, and pick a few activities to get yourself moving. Having an exercise buddy will make you more likely to continue exercising in the long term. Cross-training, varying your mode of exercise, will decrease your risk of injury, so walk one day and bike or swim the next. Now pick some activities that you will enjoy and I'll see you outside!
Here is a list of activities and the approximate number of calories burned, based on a 175 pound person performing the activity for 30 minutes:*
Walking (at 3 mph)-131 � Jogging-278 � Bicycling-318 � Swimming-239 � Basketball-318 � Gardening-159 � Mowing lawn-219 � Golf-179 � Tennis-278 � Raking Leaves-159
*Figures obtained from Washington County Hospital's Activity Calculator.
Photo above: Jennifer Sampsell, PT teaches patient, Virginia Wytko how to negotiate the uneven sidewalk outside her home, making it easier for her to get to her physician appointments. |
|
Greetings from our Executive Director
Home health care is one of those services that you don't think about until you, or someone you love, need the services. You don't want to need it, but it's a relief to know this type of care is out there. As we enter into the summer months, Panhandle Home Health, Inc. would like to provide you with some information about our great team, volunteers and donors, and also give you tips about the benefits of getting outside and enjoying the great weather.
We've experienced a great deal of growth and change in the last several months, most notably our new office building. We hosted a ribbon cutting and unveiled our donor wall, which gives special recognition for gifts made in memory or in honor of a loved one. Our fundraising and volunteer programs have grown in the last year, as well as hosting our first [soon to be annual] miniature golf tournament.
Whether you're a former patient of ours, a donor, or a stakeholder in some other way, we encourage you to talk with your neighbors and friends about the services provided by Panhandle Home Health. You never know when someone will need home health care services. Our patient profile ranges from infants to the elderly and everyone in between. Our goal is to get our patients on the road to recovery from the comfort of their own home.
Lisa Bivens, RN
Executive Director
|
Spotlight on our Staff 
Panhandle Home Health, Inc. employs an incredible staff that includes healthcare professionals, office staff and more. We are pleased to introduce DONNA MCDONALD, RN, our 2008 Employee of the Year. This is the third time Donna has been awarded this honor by her colleagues!
How long have you been with Panhandle Home Health? Twenty-eight years! For the first 16, I was a part-time field nurse and found that to be very rewarding. Now that I've joined the supervisor ranks, I'm indirectly involved with patient care. Our administrative team works earnestly to provide the most up-to-date tools for our clinicians to use in the field. As Information Systems Clinical Manager, I'm mostly responsible for educating staff on our new clinical documentation software, which enables staff to share patient information among all disciplines in order to provide the best healthcare possible to our patients.
What was your reaction when you were named Employee of the Year for a third time? I'm so blessed to be part of the PHHI family for over twenty-eight years and most appreciative of this honor. I've developed special relationships with some of the most caring and thoughtful people here. There is a common respect for each other and for each other's jobs. I'm so proud of our entire staff for the achievements they have displayed and the effort they have put forth during our most recent implementation of new clinical and billing software. We still have new adventures to explore as we strive daily to improve our methods of providing the best healthcare to our community.
Tell us about your life outside of work.
In my "free" time - I love spending time with our six grandchildren, going to the gym, going shopping (grandchildren put a new twist on shopping now), spending time by the pool during the summer, watching food network to discover a new recipe for our Sunday family dinners, and reading.
Any work stories you would like to share? I've often said "we need to write that one down" because I'll never remember! I once knocked on a patient's door and walked in, as I had been there before, only to find out that the patient did not live there anymore and the house was being renovated. I eventually found their new location, but that was a bit embarrassing. Most of my stories would be heartwarming, especially with the very young patients whose brave parents had to learn to give their daughter an injection or learn to administer tube feedings, or how to manage and cope with a dying child. Our patients range in age from the very young to the very young at heart, and they all have their own stories that mean very much to each of our clinicians. Our patients make us who we are, which is why we strive to provide them with the absolute best home health care. |
|
|
|
A Special Thank You to Our Donors
Being a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of others. To those who have donated to our agency, we would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you."
Alice C. Smith � Amvets Post 38 of Berkeley County, Inc. � Amy and Joseph Watring � Andrea Scappini � Anonymous (4) � Antietam Tractor & Equipment, Inc. � Arlene LeMaster � Ash Creek Farm Market � Auto Electric, Inc. � Brad Bury � Bradley & Susan Snowden � Brenda Kish � Brenford Sergent, OT � Brown Funeral Home, Inc. � Calvin Grove � Carol L. McDonald � Carl & Beverly Howard � Catherine & Jim Reifer � Cathy Largent � CB Pennington, Inc. � Christina Johnson � City National Bank � Colleen Coleman � Craig A. Potter � Crystal Harris � Custom Cabinetry & Flooring, LLC � Daily Grind � Dave Roth � Deb Miles � Deborah Klewe � Dr. & Mrs. C. Vincent Townsend � Dr. & Mrs. Frank A. Hamilton, Jr. � Eastern Panhandle Anesthesia Associates � Eastern Panhandle Board of Realtors � Eastern Panhandle Medical Society � Eastern Panhandle Pediatrics - Edward F. Arnett, MD � Eckenrode Nationwide Insurance � Elizabeth S. Scott � Ellen Clark � Employees of HCR Manor Care, Inc. � Fitness Pathways, LLC � Frances Proctor � Fred B. Hess � Garnett Heer � Ginn's Water Pump, Inc. � Glenn P. Hare � Glenna Sisk � Heather Eckenrode � Honnor W. & R. Meade Dorsey � J.C. Kunkle & Associates � Jack Shamblin, MD & Danilo Gervacio, MD � Janet D. Fellers � Jennifer Sampsell, PT � Jim Rodgers � JSB Enterprises, Inc. � Joan Verhoff � Judy Ehret � Judy Savene � Julie Everhart � Karen J. Rudolph, MD & Jesse B. Jalazo, MD � Karen Kisner � Kathy Stilwell � Kay Pool � LDH Electric, Inc. � Linda & Henry Eccard � Linda A. & Gary A. Coffman � Linda Barney � Linda L. Jacobs � Lisa R. & Scott C. Bivens � Lisa Bockbrader � Louise Plowman � Lynne Bauerschmidt � Martin Allen � Mary Alice & Timothy Bowers � Mary C. & Ralph C. Myers � Mary D. McDonald � Mary E. & David A. Miller � Mary K. Hayward � Melanie Oliver � Melissa Boyer � Michele Maguire � Michelle Ruffner � Minghini's General Contractors, Inc. � Miriam Brancato � Morgan Financial Group, LLC � Mr. & Mrs. Billy G. McKinney � Mr. & Mrs. Guy Chicchirichi � Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kovalski � Mr. & Mrs. Russell Sheetz � My Bank! First United Bank & Trust � Myka Sidow � Orgill, Inc. � Orsini's Appliances � Patricia Anderson � Patricia Heck � Patricia Lawrence � PHHI Employee "Spare Change Fund" � Platinum PR, LLC � Quad/Graphics, Inc. � R.M. Roach & Sons, Inc. � Rebecca Madigan � Records Management Solutions, Inc. � Robert L. & Cynthia A. Keller � Robin Hicks � Sallie Shepherd Spaulding � Sandra LeMaster � Scott McMann � Shenandoah Valley Physical Therapy � South Berkeley Pharmacy � South Berkeley Wrecking Service � Stephen D. & Robin J. Nye � Steptoe & Johnson, P.L.L.C. � Susan Linton � The Columbian Club � The Poland Family Company, Inc. � Tim Eichenauer � Total Health Services of WV, Inc.� Ursula S. Staples & Frank M. Gutekunst � Valerie Moreno � Velma P. Gageby � Vicki Choka � Vicki R. Jenkins � Vicki Rohrer � Wal-Mart Foundation � Wells Fargo Insurance Services of WV � Wilma Moler � WVU Hospitals-East
DONATIONS MADE IN MEMORY OF Katherine P. McKee by Anne M. Keller � Neva
V. DeHaven by Anonymous � Lloyd R. Sampson by Ruth P. Sampson � Betty Jackson by Berniece & Craig Collis � Gary R. Bowers by James A. & Judith Butler � Arther R. Emery by R. Wayne Emery � James R. Potts by Virginia L. Potts, Wilma
C. Elliott, Phillip W. and Lynn C. Turner, Staff of South Jefferson Elementary School, Staff of Glenville Elementary School, Mary L.Watson, Susie Potts, Bobby Potts, and Betty Potts � Edward S. Moler by Mrs. Edward S. Moler, Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Moler, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Collis, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Collins, Mr. & Mrs. Clark Deahl, Employees of HCR Manor Care, Inc., Mr. & Mrs. John Partlow, Ms. M. Elizabeth Oates � Charles W. Appell by Violet M. & Charles A. Jewell � Adam Mooney by M. Elizabeth Oates � Francisco and Priscilla Sabado by Dr. & Mrs. Francisco Sabado, Jr. � Forney and Myrtle Adkins by Dr. & Mrs. Francisco Sabado, Jr. � Evelyn M. Reid by Wanda Lewis, Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie McDonald, Charlotte & Jim Roberts, Mr. & Mrs. G. Leroy Shade, Peking Restaurant, Inc., Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rigot, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Kish, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Corbin, Mr. & Mrs. Glenville Saylor, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Eccard, Ms. Agnes M. Copenhaver � Guy Miller by Mr. & Mrs. James Glassford � Elizabeth Watson by Arlene Fellers
DONATIONS MADE IN HONOR OF Debora Henry by Kenneth & Dorothy Corbin � Staff of Panhandle Home Health by Margaret Cogswell
Every effort was made to ensure this donation list is complete. We apologize for any omissions.
|
PHHI News
Honoring Social Workers
At Panhandle Home Health, we recognize the importance of social workers and the role they play in our organization and our community. On March 25, we hosted a Social Work Breakfast to honor our social worker, Glenna Sisk; Donna Cobean, our consultant medical social worker; and others from the area for their work to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families and our community. Some of the agencies represented were: Berkeley Senior Services; Cardinal Lady, Inc.; VA Hospital; Region 8 Planning & Development Council; Senior Life Services of Morgan County; FMC of Martinsburg; Hospice of the Panhandle; City Hospital Social Work Department; Heartland of Martinsburg; and Willow Tree Manor. Each attendee was given a potted pansy and coaster as a token of our appreciation.
Scholarships
 Panhandle Home Health scholarships are made available by individual donor designations. Recipients of the 2009 Panhandle Home Health Scholarships are Mary Davis (left) from Shepherd University and Crystal Huddelson (right) from James Rumsey Technical Institute, pictured with Lisa Bivens. Not pictured: Michelle Blauch, scholarship recipient from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
New Faces at PHHI
Erin Varner - Certified Home Health Aide
 Erin's background includes time at Carehaven Nursing Home. "I like knowing that I can provide each patient with individual time and attention," Erin said about being a Home Health Aide, a field she's worked in for just over a year. When not working with patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, Kaylee and twin girls Payge and Pailyn. Home Health Aides provide personal care services, such as bathing, shampoo, skin care, and assistance in exercises and mobility with regular supervision.
Karen Thompson, RN - Registered Staff Nurse
 Karen has been a nurse for the past 11 years and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending church activities and playing with her daughter, Hannah. "I'm excited to work at PHHI, because I will have more one-on-one time to develop a relationship with my patients," Karen said. Our nurses provide teaching to patients and their caregivers, observe the patient for progress and perform procedures that require the skills of a nurse;and are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CHP's Puttin' for Panhandle Home Health
The first ever CHP's Puttin' for Panhandle Home Health was a success! We've even heard that some people are going to start practicing now for next year's event! Over 125 people braved the questionable weather and joined us at JayDee's Family Fun Center, raising approximately $8,500 for our agency. Following the tournament, a delicious meal was catered by The Purle Iris and prizes were awarded. Click here for additional details and to view photos of the event! |
The Spirit of Volunteerism
� Friendly Visitor: Share time and friendship with a patient confined to home.
� Friendly Helper: Lend a hand to a member of our community who needs
some temporary help after surgery.
� Special Projects Volunteer: Assist with community education, outreach programs and networking.
� Administrative Volunteer: Assist with office tasks, such as mailings, copying, phone surveys, inventory, and newsletters.
Volunteers pictured with Jerry are : Pat Clower and Angela Payne (back row) and Daisy and Angela Lang (in front.) Not pictured: Mary Pearl Weakley, Heather Eckenrode, Eva Marshall, and Varun Menon. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talents, please contact Chris Johnson at (304) 263-5680 x122.
|
COST EFFECTIVE � ACCESSIBLE � CONVENIENT
208 Old Mill Road � Martinsburg, WV 25401
| |
|
|
|
