Insurance program to be discussed
The Citizens Health Advisory Council, League of Women Voters of La Plata County and Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center will sponsor an educational event about health insurance from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Eolus Room of Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.
Four representatives from local organizations will talk about Connect for Health Colorado, a way to purchase health insurance for individuals and families.
Linda Gann, Western Slope outreach coordinator for Connect for Health, will share information about choosing the best health-insurance option.
Also participating will be La Plata County Family Resource Center and San Juan Basin Health Department.
The event is free.
For more information, visit www.chaclaplata.org, call Jaynee Fontecchio-Spradling at 759-3751 or email jaynee@chaclaplata.org.
Spine surgeon to talk back pain at Mercy
Mercy Regional Medical Center fellowship-trained spine surgeon Dr. Jim Youssef will present “Back Pain Explained” at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
Youssef will explain causes of lower back and leg pain, numbness and weakness associated with degenerative changes in the lower spine.
He also will describe treatments and procedures that can provide relief.
Breast cancer awareness in October
The Women’s Wellness Connection and the American Cancer Society urge women ages 40 to 64 to talk with their doctors about screening for breast cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Women who can’t afford mammograms may be eligible for free screening from a local health-care provider.
The Women’s Wellness Connection offers free breast and cervical cancer screening to low-income women ages 40 to 64 through community providers statewide.
Providers in Southwest Colorado include Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Durango and Cortez, San Juan Basin Health Department in Durango and Pagosa Springs and the Dove Creek Community Clinic in Dove Creek.
If cancer is detected while enrolled in the program, treatment resources are made available.
For more information, visit womenswellnessconnection.org or call 356-5059. For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit /nbcam.org.
Neurobiology treatment training to be offered
The Violence Prevention Coalition, with help from the Ballantine Foundation, will sponsor a program called “The Neurobiology of Attachment and Trauma in Treatment – with Adults and Children” on Sept. 27 at Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave.
The training will be presented by Ruby Jo Walker, licensed clinical social worker, and Cindy Brush, licensed professional counselor.
Six hours of continuing education units will be provided.
Registration and breakfast will be held at 8:30 a.m. Training will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is included. This course will promote an understanding of the nervous system and its place in psychotherapeutic treatment as well as current attachment theory and its effect on treatment.
Current work in the field of neurobiology is underlining the importance of applying nervous system physiology and attachment theory to trauma treatment. There will be experiential exercises, demonstrations and case consultation.
Registration is required. The registration fee is $100 for coalition members and $110 for nonmembers. After Thursday, registration will increase to $120 and $130 respectively per person.
To register, email director@violencepreventioncoalition.org or call 247-2935.
Grief support group available for adults
Hospice of Mercy will offer a grief support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning Oct. 10 at First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, and continue for eight to 10 weeks.
The group is a safe, confidential, supportive place to find ways to cope with the experience of grief. Topics will include grief education, coping with grief, anniversaries and special days and normalizing feelings. Participation is free and group size is limited to 10.
To register, call Kati Bachman at 382-2032.
Acupuncture clinic available to veterans
A Durango Veterans Acupuncture Clinic will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 635 East Fifth Ave.
This is a free community-style acupuncture clinic for veterans and their families. The clinic is sponsored by The Durango Acupuncture Alliance.
For more information, call Vanessa Morgan at 403-4150
Herald Staff
