LOURDES LIVING
Download the latest issue of our newsletter Lourdes Living below. You may also view past issues. You will need the Adobe Reader® installed to view these files. If you do not have version 7 or higher, you may download it from adobe.com

View the latest issue Spring 2010 Winter 2009 Fall 2009 Summer 2009 Spring 2009 Winter 2008 Fall 2008 Summer 2008 Spring 2008 Winter 2007 Summer 2007 Spring 2007 Winter 2006 Fall 2006 Summer 2006 Spring 2006


2010 - NEWS

January





PARAGLIDING IN MEXICO
Follow Dr. Shallman's latest adventure as he leaves the inverted gray skies of the Mid-Columbia and scurries off to the delightful sub-tropical pilot's paradise, Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

2009 - NEWS

September
FLU SEASON IS HERE
Flu Season is here. Prevention is key. Get your flu shot, wash your hands frequently, and stay home if you are sick. For more details about the flu, visit the Benton Franklin Health Department, the Center For Disease Control and for the Tri-City Herald's flu update.

Visit www.flu.gov for complete information about flu viruses, treatment and possible pandemics.

H1N1 (SWINE FLU) INFORMATION
10 Ways You Can Stay Healthy at Work
As we face this extraordinary flu season, consider these ten things you can do to protect
yourself and others:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after
coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
2. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow.
Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
4. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer
keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
5. Do not use other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and
equipment. If you need to use a coworker’s phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first.
6. Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms
of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache,
chills, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. CDC recommends that people
with flu-like illness stay home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without
the use of fever-reducing medicines. If supervisors or employees have questions about
use of leave for illness or to care for an ill family member, please contact your local
Human Resources office or your office’s leave administrator.
7. Get vaccinated against seasonal flu. It can protect you against seasonal influenza
viruses, but not against 2009 H1N1.
8. Ask your doctor if you should get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. People
recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in
October are health care workers, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic
medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). People living with or
caring for infants under 6 months old should also be vaccinated to protect these children
who are too young to be vaccinated. For more information about who should get
vaccinated, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 page.
9. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, and exercise.
10.Learn more. Visit www.flu.gov or contact CDC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
• 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
• TTY: (888) 232-6348
• cdcinfo@cdc.gov

One of the new features is an H1N1 Resource and Materials page; check here for the latest publications and translations (as well as instructions on how to order materials).

August
LOURDES WEST PASCO - NOW OPEN!
Lourdes West Pasco Women’s Health is a group of medical professionals committed to providing a high standard of healthcare for women. Our staff is dedicated to open communication, mutual respect, education and understanding and will support each patient’s care. We believe that all patients should be a part of the clinical decisions that surround their healthcare.

We will strive to communicate with you and your family in the most caring and effective way to ensure that you are as informed as possible about your care. As such we encourage you to contact us at any time if you have questions or concerns. Find out about our services here



March
SISTER ESTHER POLACCI CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
Sister Esther Polacci, Vice President of Mission Integration for Lourdes Health Network is celebrating 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet – the founders of Lourdes Health Network. Sister Esther will celebrate her years of service with a Jubilee Celebration with other Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who are celebrating milestones of 50, 60 and 75 years.

Sister Esther has devoted her life to service and giving of herself. She has bound herself like threads of lace to patients, students, the poor and the homeless. She has companioned persons searching for God and those searching for healing in body, mind and spirit. Like the One she has set out to follow, she has laid down her life in love.

Sister Esther said of her experiences, “For my entire life as a CSJ (Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet), God has led me in ways that I could never choose or imagine.” Introduced to the Sisters of St. Joseph as a student at Star of the Sea, Sister Esther responded to the “call of community to serve identified needs and to serve in the spirit of gentleness, peace and joy.”

Over the years she has transitioned from education, embraced multiple administrative roles in the Los Angeles Province and earned her certification as a retreat/spiritual director from Creighton University. Currently, Sisters serves as Vice President, Mission Integration for Lourdes Health Network where she is grateful to “minister with dedicated, compassionate persons who truly believe we are extending the healing ministry of Jesus every day.”

February
FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES - Patroness of Lourdes Health Network - February 11th, 2008
When the Sisters of St. Joseph opened the first hospital in the Mid-Columbia region in 1916, the title Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was given, placing the organization under the patronage of Mary, the Mother of God. It was a fitting title for an organization dedicated to the care of the sick.

On February 11th, each year, the Catholic Church celebrates World Day of the Sick to remind us to pray intensely and sincerely for those who are ill; to reflect and respond to human suffering; and to honor and recognize all persons who minister in healthcare organizations and serve as caregivers.

Lourdes Health Network will participate with Holy Mass throughout the week to pray for the sick, vulnerable and disenfranchised, especially those persons served within Lourdes Health Network and for all who minister at Lourdes.