Meet exceptional providers of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit.
Carson Tahoe Health
Dedicated to health education and community outreach, employees at Carson Tahoe Health’s Center for Health Promotion are paving the way for proactive wellness solutions in the region and beyond. Initiatives include doctor talks, school visits, free and low-cost preventive screenings, exercise classes, diabetes and nutrition education, and more.
“Our focus at the Center for Health Promotion is always on our community,” explains Amy Hyne-Sutherland, Ph.D., director of mission integration at Carson Tahoe Health. “Right now, our community needs opportunities to connect with one another. We are social beings, and the pandemic isolated a lot of people, which was terrible for both physical and mental health. At the Center for Health Promotion, we have been focusing our efforts on building opportunities for social and community connection through the health services and education we provide. For example, every three years we conduct a community health needs assessment to inform our outreach, screenings, and services in the following years. This year we are expanding the assessment to include the entire region, working with agencies and not-for-profits across the region to do it, and trying to engage as many community members as possible in the process.”
Through the synergy developed in the CHNA process, employees at the health center plan to collaboratively develop community partnerships and programs for a more comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
“So much good health care happens outside of a clinical setting through connection to our families, friends, and communities,” Hyne-Sutherland adds. “[Being] proactive and [taking hold of your health] is what keeps you out of the hospital. Our goals are to help people stay well, get connected to their community, and give people opportunities to learn about how to be healthy.”
Mina Fiddyment, manager of the Center for Health Promotion, adds, “We offer educational programs, resources, and support groups to increase health literacy and encourage community members to connect.”
The facility offers low- or no-cost screenings for skin cancer, stroke, and vascular issues, colorectal cancer screening kits, and soon it will have lung cancer screening available. Exercise programs include yoga, cardio, and strength workouts, as well as a phase 3 cardiac rehab program for those who have had cardiac events and need support getting back to the gym.
Studies show social connections can have a tremendous impact on health. Employees at the Center for Health Promotion encourage people to get together with friends and family; get outside for a walk, a bike ride; or day at a local river, reservoir, or lake; or volunteer in their community.
“We have a strong focus on making connections and partnerships to spread the word of what we do and break down barriers to health,” Fiddyment adds.
For details, visit Carsontahoe.com.
UVAL Care
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According to UVAL Care founder Bianca Blesching, “Our products bolster our inherent self-healing process in response to the effects of stress, aging, and injury. As opposed to traditional medicine, which treats only the symptoms, CBD addresses these issues by returning the body to a balanced state.”
Although derived from the hemp plant, CBD is not intoxicating. UVAL Care products help you accomplish your everyday activities with a greater sense of equanimity. Experience less stress and more happiness with products found at Uvalcare.com.
Saint Mary’s Health Network
Having a baby can be one of the most magical, yet anxiety-inducing, experiences in one’s life. With that in mind, Saint Mary’s Health Network works to alleviate the worry with several services and amenities for expectant mothers, the individuals who support them, and newborn babies.
Saint Mary’s T.J. and Debbie Day Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a Level lll, 29-bed facility recognized and accredited by the State of Nevada as one of the area’s best in caring for urgent baby needs. With a perinatologist on staff to care for mothers in pre-term labor and dozens of doctors and nurses specializing in care for premature babies or infants facing critical conditions, the NICU is available to babies born on site or transported from surrounding areas.
“Our NICU is ready to care for those who need it most,” says Sheri Garland, director of nursing in the maternal child health services department at Saint Mary’s. “The experience of our staff, their longevity, and their expertise are assets in which we take great pride. Our community transport program allows us to care for babies in distress from [rural areas].”
In addition to a leading-edge NICU, Saint Mary’s offers a one-to-one nurse ratio for mothers in labor and newborns.
“We provide exceptional care for mom and the baby and are trained in different techniques to help labor and emergency situations if something goes awry,” Garland says.
Recently remodeled, the Family Birth Center features large private rooms, new equipment, and oversized bathtubs in each delivery room. “We also offer laboring alternatives to medication, including essential oils with a diffuser in each room, and we are working on getting a new program with nitrous oxide to relieve contractions. We have an anesthesiologist on site at all times to care for mothers. We’re about pain control; whatever parents want, we try to honor their birth plans.”
Following the birth and “golden hour” bonding time, a dedicated and passionate team of internationally board-certified lactation consultants is available to help with breastfeeding. Expert lactation consultants provide personalized assistance and information to be successful in learning this new skill. Patients receive at least one visit, or more if needed, during their stay, and support is available once families leave, including a weekly support group.
For details about Saint Mary’s Family Birth Center and NICU, visit Saintmarysreno.com/our-services/labor-and-delivery-mother-baby.
CoolSculpting by Marci
With CoolSculpting® Elite, you can target exact trouble spots where you’d like to reduce fat. The treatment is FDA-cleared in nine different body areas, from double chins to back fat. Losing weight doesn’t always lead to a more sculpted appearance, but eliminating treated fat cells can change the shape and contours of your body.
At CoolSculpting by Marci in Reno, your treatment is completely customizable, and they will work with you to create a plan that’s quite literally made for you.
For details, visit Bodysculptingbymarci.com.
Sierra Smiles
Dr. John Bocchi and the team of dental professionals at Sierra Smiles in Reno and Lake Tahoe encourage complete health. That starts in the mouth, and saliva tests help them understand risk levels and pathogens for disease. Patients use a quick oral rinse kit by OralDNA® in the office, and results are provided within a few weeks.
Saliva testing provides a comprehensive look at hidden pathogens that threaten oral and systemic health. Common pathogens can lead to gum disease as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, and birth complications. In addition to determining the presence of certain diseases, these tests can detect genetic markers associated with increased inflammation and provide a snapshot of HPV high-risk types associated with oral cancer.
“A quick saliva test allows us to determine risk levels for a lot of different conditions, allowing us to customize treatment plans for people based on their risk factors,” Bocchi explains. “We are a complete-health dental office, and we’re always looking for root causes. We want to help people understand what kinds of diseases they may be at higher risk for, and we want to treat or prevent diseases. It’s a simple saliva test to determine what kind of bacteria they have in their mouths, and their risk levels.”
The OralDNA® saliva tests look for different bacteria that cause inflammation, species of yeast (including Candida), genetic risk for periodontal infections, and more pertaining to mouth health.
“Some people are more prone to getting cold sores and herpes,” Bocchi adds. “There’s even a herpes simplex virus test we can do to see if that’s the case. We use lasers in the office to help decrease the time and pain associated with these viruses. Saliva testing is a really good place from which to start becoming aware of risk factors so that you can take control of your health. Your body has a threshold for how much inflammation it can handle; decreasing inflammation in the mouth can improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic illnesses.”
New patients at Sierra Smiles are given the option for saliva testing, as well as those who have family histories of certain conditions or exhibit signs of risk factors for the various ailments that can be detected.
For details about complete mouth health, visit Sierrasmiles.com.
Downtown Vision
During the sunny summertime in the Sierra, it’s important to protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation. According to the American Optometric Association, excessive amounts of UV rays can lead to photokeratitis, or “sunburn of the eye,” as well as cataracts, pterygium, and even skin cancer.
Painful eye conditions are alleviated by wearing quality sunglasses such as those found at Downtown Vision in Reno and Carson City. The doctors and opticians will help you find shades that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays; fit your eyes and head properly; and are the appropriate color for your favorite activities. Find your perfect pair today at Downtownvisionnv.com.
