Thursday, September 30, 2010

Front Desk Reflections

So Lindy has been on vacation all week and I'm doing my best to fill in for her. This is a daunting task. It seems as though every third or fourth phone call I answer has one question. "Is this Lindy?" And then the disappointed momentary silence when I answer, "No, it's Bibi. Lindy is on vacation." Similarly, then,  other phone callers ask "Is this Robin?" And I have to answer "No, it's Bibi. Robin is with a patient."
I offer my help, but very often, it's often Robin or Lindy who hold the answer. When some people walk into our office, they may only perceive two women answering our very busy phones, and doing things on the computers in front of them. What they will learn as they visit us, or call us, is that these two care very deeply about our patients. They also have very specialized knowledge about how to wend their way through the byzantine labyrinth of insurance referrals, what to tell a mom who is worried about the proper dosage of ibuprofen for their child, and how to say just the right thing to a woman newly diagnosed with cancer. This is amazing to me, as I sit trying to figure out how to book an appointment while 2 other calls are holding, and a patient is standing in front of me at the check-in desk. I smile at the phone, and ask the patient in front of me if he would mind being placed on hold... I realize it takes a very special kind of person to manage this job day in and day out.

Most of the time I'm in the back office, saying bad words about Carefirst and trying to get a patient's claim paid for. Having the chance to see our patients out front, greeting them by name and getting to know them, is a real treat, despite the stress. I love seeing the kids come in and look at the photographs taken by local artists and recognize a scene from the C&O Canal, or read one of the books I've left in the waiting room. My heart melts when a daughter brings in her ailing elderly mother, and I see how they care for each other. I realize we have our own little community right here in this office and I am so happy to be a part of it.

Before I forget, here's a link to a nice story that mentions the Walk Across Maryland and our upcoming Baby Talk! Thanks, Anne Weatherholt.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Health Olympics sign-ups going strong!

2010 Health Olympics sign-ups are under way, and continue for another 2 weeks, through Friday, October 8. At the time of this writing, close to 90 participants have registered, and picked up their free tee shirts. Sign-up locations for the 2010 Health Olympics include, in Hancock, the offices of Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine; and in Morgan County, Rankins Fitness Center.


Participation in the 2010 Health Olympics is easy. Participants make a simple plan that includes: one food to avoid; one unhealthy eating habit to avoid; and a daily exercise goal. They are then asked to maintain a daily calendar to track and record when they achieve their daily goals. Participants are weighed at the beginning and end of the program.

Free tee shirts will be available for the first 200 participants who register for the 2010 Health Olympics. This year's shirts are kelly green, and are provided by Washington County Hospital.

Exercising daily is a key component of the Health Olympics approach to weight control and healthy living. Many Health Olympics participants get their exercise by walking or using home exercise equipment. Rankins Fitness has also become a popular spot for Health Olympians. Not only is Rankins a sign-up location for the 2010 Health Olympics, but Rankins has regularly promoted the Health Olympics by providing discounted memberships to Health Olympics participants, as well as free memberships to the top Health Olympics weight losers each year.

For more information regarding the 2010 Health Olympics, please contact Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine at 301-678-7007, or email through the hahnandnelson.com website.
 
And keep watching our blog for exercise ideas, inspiration for healthy meals, and ongoing information about the Health Olympics.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Thanks to our the walkers!

 Thank you everyone who walked on Saturday! The Walk was a huge success. People often ask "What's the cause?" since so many walks and runs are to benefit organizations (and that *is* wonderful!). We are just as proud to say, "The cause is YOU." It's to remind ourselves that our area is rich in fitness resources. Not only do we have the C+O Canal and the Rail Trail right here in Hancock, and beautiful hiking trails available within a short drive, we have talented fitness instructors such as Rene Kesecker teaching Zumba, Angela Petry teaching her Bellysima, and Boomtown Hoops offering workshops in hula-hooping. As the Health Olympics begins, we'll be reminding you to get off the couch and partake of any/all of this, and letting you know of other exercise opportunities available in our area. Please let us know of any of your favorites so we can share with all.
Thanks to John Harper for these beautiful images! There are more pictures on our Facebook page. I cannot get the captioning to work well here, so here goes, clockwise from top right: Dr. Matt Hahn gets the walkers round up for the start of the Walk; and they're off!; the walkers enjoy some hoops; Angela Petry in her Bellysima splendor; and finally, the end brought about in style by Brice Williams, Walker Williams, Aiden McDaniel, and Mike Cligerman
What a day!










Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Childrens cold medicine... really?

Did you know that there are new FDA guidelines for kids' cold medicines? Bottom line: Never give cold medicine to children under 4. And, this little nugget:
"The good news about colds? Children get over colds and coughs as quickly without cold medicines as with them."
Read more and decide for yourself. Spend money on medicine that probably does nothing, or maybe just a spoonful of honey!? Remember to consult your medical professional if you have any questions!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Walk Across Maryland on Morgan County USA

Check out the video on Morgan County USA!
And for your reading pleasure, our latest press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Matthew Hahn
voice: 301-678-7007
fax: 301-678-7009
mhahn@oxbowemr.com



2010 Walk Across Maryland This Weekend; Sign-Ups for Health Olympics Begin

Maryland's skinniest town, Hancock, will play host to the 4th annual Walk Across Maryland, this Saturday, September 18, starting at 9 AM (participants should arrive at 8:30 AM), at the Maryland-Pennsylvania border on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Participants will walk across the entire state of Maryland (1.7 miles), along the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the MD-PA border to the C & O Canal. Local police will serve as escorts. Parking will be available at the Hancock Assembly of God, which is a short distance from the starting line.

The first 200 participants to arrive will receive free 2010 Walk Across Maryland tee shirts, provided by Washington County Hospital.

One of the event organizers, Dr. Marilyn Nelson, commented, “Everyone is welcome. Walking is a form of exercise available to almost all people. Regular exercise is a necessary part of a prescription for good health. We hope people will use the Walk Across Maryland to jumpstart their fall exercise programs.”

There will be entertainment throughout the Walk Across Maryland. There will be musicians, cheerleaders, hoola hoopers, skaters, bellydancing, and a Zumba demonstration. Local media and politicians have been invited to participate as well.

The Walk Across Maryland will also serve as the first official sign-up day for the 2010 Health Olympics. A sign-up table will be located outside Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine offices, along the Walk Across Maryland route, at 131 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

For more information, call Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine at 301-678-7007 or email mhahn@oxbowemr.com.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Ready, Set, GO!


For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. Matthew Hahn, Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine

2010 Walk Across Maryland – An Entertaining Affair

What has 400 legs, 200 free tee shirts, cheerleaders, marching bands, belly dancers, country music, and amazing feats of endurance?  Is the circus coming to town?  No!  It's the 2010 Walk Across Maryland. 

The 2010 Walk Across Maryland will be held on Saturday, September 18, at 9 AM, in Hancock.  All are welcome to participate.  Participants are challenged to walk across the entire state of Maryland, along the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the MD-PA border to the C & O Canal (1.7 miles).  Local police will escort the walkers.

This year's event will feature more entertainment than ever before.  “People had so much fun last year with the entertainers, that we decided to bring even more this year,” commented one of the event organizers, Dr. Marilyn Nelson.  “It's great to make exercise fun, and this year's event may seem as much a parade as a hike.”

The Walk Across Maryland will also kick off registration for the 2010 Health Olympics The Health Olympics, the Tri-State area's popular annual community health program, will take place this year, October through November.  Sign-ups for the Health Olympics continue through Friday, October 8.  Participants can register at Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine in Hancock, and also in Berkeley Springs, at Rankin Fitness Center. (Note that you can also use this link to download the forms you need to get started!)

For more information regarding the 2010 Walk Across Maryland or the 2010 Health Olympics, contact Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine, at info@hahnandnelson.com or call 301-678-7007.

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JUST ANNOUNCED! Boomtown Hoops will be demonstrating this fun way to exercise. Also, look for the Zumba class, taking place outside of the Community Center. Information about both will be available at Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine's office.