Healthy Happenings A monthly publication of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
June 2015
Centennial Park Saturday, June 13th 9am-1pm Details Inside
Youth Wellness Camps 2015 BY: NANCY O’BANION, DIRECTOR, HEALTH EDUCATION & WELLNESS
Native Strong (Notah Begay III Foundation) Grant BY DEB STARNES, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
The IHCRC Native Strong program, funded through a one year grant from the Notah Begay III Foundation, works to reduce the number of youth with diabetes and the number of youth who become adults with diabetes. The program began in September 2014 and has already has a significant impact on the lives of Native youth and their families. Native Strong activities include: (1) exercise classes for Native youth ages 10-17; (2) monthly cooking and nutrition classes for Native youth, and; (3) the voucher program for the YMCA. The Family Fun and Fitness Day on Saturday, June 13th was made possible in part from funding provided by this grant.
“At the beginning of January my family joined the YMCA through your grant program. I wanted to let you know what a positive move this has been for our whole family. The first positive is our weight loss for the month of January. [Weight loss for the family of five totaled 47 pounds in one month.] One of our son’s grades have increased as his weight has decreased. I can’t thank you enough for the changes you have brought to my family!”
A Hero Among Us
other large healthcare facility. Therefore one might ask, why limit oneself to a very specialized, very specific BY: EDWARD E. ROGERS, group of individuals? In the end it all comes down CREDENTIALING COORDINATOR to the “who” and the “what” of his value system. To understand his goals one must first understand his past. Merrill proudly comes from a military family. His father served in Vietnam. His uncle was captured during WWII in the Philippines and was forced to participate in the Bataan Death March. This was a 65 mile march from Mariveles on the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula to San Fernando. His brother in law served in the Army, and two nephews currently serve in the Army. Another nephew serves in the Marines and a niece in the Navy. Merrill completed basic training in 1997 as the distinguished honor graduate of his cohort, and he earned the distinction of “Master Gunner” during Military Occupations Specialty training (MOS) or “AIT” (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Sill located in Lawton, Oklahoma. His first deployment was for security operations at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He provided security coverage at security check points. This assignment came with some perks. He got to meet President Bush, Willie Nelson, and other famous entertainers and athletes. Merrill Jones, M.S., is completing his doctoral His second deployment was for Operation internship in psychology in the Behavioral Health Enduring Freedom (2003) after the 9/11 attacks on Department at the Indian Health Care Resource the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and Center of Tulsa through the Northeastern Oklahoma the plane targeting Washington, D.C., that crashed at Psychology Internship Program (NOPIP) and Utah Shanksville, Pennsylvania. He and his peers mobilized State University. Upon completion of the internship to Fort Carson, Colorado. However, there were too in August 2015, he will be on track to complete all many units attempting to deploy at one time to requirements for his Doctor of Philosophy degree in effectively coordinate transport, and therefore, his unit Clinical Psychology. Merrill previously earned a Master was rerouted to serve as a trainer for ROTC of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Cadet Training. Utah State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Merrill’s third deployment (2005 – 2006) was Psychology from Southern Utah University graduating overseas to Iraq where he was assigned to Marine Magna Cum Laude. command in the south-west arm of the SUNNI triangle On a surface level, Merrill is a young, unassuming west of Fallujah. He served in artillery support, road family man on the brink of a very promising career patrol, and base defense. When Merrill was en route to in psychology. His options are wide open. However the Iraqi base for the first time, his convoy encountered his interests lie in a career geared at helping Native an IED roadside bomb. Hours after arriving, an American men and women currently serving in or who insurgent rocket exploded right next to the building in have previously served in the United States military which he was sleeping. Rockets (self-propelled, trigger who are experiencing combat stress or post-traumatic devices) and mortars (devices with a single charge at stress disorder (PTSD). This is a man who could easily the bottom of tube) would land inside the base almost join the faculty of a prestigious university, go into daily. “After a time, you become desensitized to it all,” private practice or join the active staff of a hospital or
said Merrill. During his tour of duty in Iraq, Merrill’s primary assignment was in Cannon Fire Direction Control with the operation of Field Artillery Automated Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). AFATDS utilizes mathematical calculations to figure distance of targets from guns, changes the angle of the guns, air temperatures, the rotation of the earth, wind speed, etc. All of these were calculated by hand until a computer system was implemented in 2001. It was during his deployment to Iraq that Merrill met his wife. He was on leave for a ruptured appendix when he met her in May 2006. They were married in December 2006 just before separating from the military in January 2007. “There was a real sense of camaraderie. A true band of brothers. We made it through because we had each other. A lot of units are pieced together. Our National Guard Unit was comprised of members who at home, went to school together, worked together, trained together. We knew each other before being deployed. This gave us a unique bond other units may not have,” Merrill explained.
Serving as an enlisted soldier from the age of 17 to 27, Merrill emphatically said he would do it all again. “It was a great experience. I would do it again. After all, I was just doing my job.” He hopes to one day re-enter the military and use his psychology training to help with combat stress and PTSD. Ideally he would like to work with Native American groups and assist in their healing progress, both physically and mentally. During his military career Merrill was recognized for his outstanding service. These include, in part, SE Asia – Operation Enduring Freedom (2003), Operation Iraqi Freedom, overseas training ribbon for his training in Germany and other basic service ribbons and awards. Without question, Merrill is a man that served freely and proudly for ten years of his life. He continues to challenge himself as he earns a doctoral degree in psychology. He is an example to all individuals for his courage, his drive, and his pursuit of excellence. In short, Merrill Jones is a hero not only for his accomplishments in the military, but also for his accomplishments as a citizen and as a mental health professional.
Merrill holding shrapnel of the rocket that exploded next to his sleeping quarters during his third deployment.
June is Men’s Health Month
Men’s Health: Building a Healthy Diet
BY DENNIS THOMPSON JR. | MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY NIYA JONES, MD, MPH
These days, it’s not always easy to follow a healthy diet. There are so many fast food and junk food options out there, a guy is tempted to just shrug, eat what he likes, and leave his health up to fate. But that’s not the smart way to go. Eating a nutritious diet with proper portions can improve men’s health and help them maintain a healthy weight. There are also specific foods that don’t just improve men’s health generally, but also help stave off cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease, and boost overall energy. Eating right for men’s health means putting together a daily diet with these choices: • Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. They’re high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and low in calories. Be sure to eat a variety of vegetables of all different colors — think green, orange, yellow, red, even purple. Avoid vegetables cooked in fat, like fried zucchini or onion rings. • At least six servings of whole grain breads, cereals, and starchy vegetables. Whole grains contain added fiber to help lower your blood cholesterol and make you feel full. Choose unrefined whole-grain breads and cereals over those that contain refined white flour. Starchy vegetables include peas, corn, potatoes, and dried beans like pinto or kidney. If cooked without a lot of added fat, these vegetables will help you feel full with relatively few calories. However, if you are trying to lose weight or have a history of prediabetes or diabetes, you may need to limit your intake of starches in general. • Two or three servings of low-fat dairy products. Choose skim milk, fat-free or 1 percent yogurt, and low-fat cheeses. • Two or three servings of lean meat, chicken, and fish. You should pick cuts of meat with little to no visible fat, and remove the skin from chicken and other poultry. Avoid fried or breaded dishes. • Cut back on sweets. To optimize your health, cut back on sugary foods full of refined carbohydrates like pastries, other desserts, and sweetened cereals. They are high in calories, but provide little or no nutritional benefit. • Limit your sodium intake. Use herbs to season your food instead of salt and minimize your intake of packaged foods. • Skip the saturated fats. Butter, cheese, and lard can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. On the other hand, unsaturated fats like olive oil, walnuts, and avocados, in moderate amounts, can actually help raise your level of the “good” cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or HDL) that protects against heart disease. Original article can be found at www.everydayhealth.com/mens-health/building-a-healthy-diet.aspx.
IHCRC Events June-August JUNE Cooking Class: Summer Side Dishes – June 10, 11am-12pm – Come prepare seasonal and delicious side dishes to bring to the next barbeque. Instructed by Alison Forsythe, RD. Family Fun and Fitness Day - June 13, 9am-1pm at Centennial Park – A day at the park with games, food, music, and a fun run/walk for the entire family. Men and Diabetes – June 18, 5:30–6:30pm – What men need to know about how diabetes and high blood sugar can impact their life! Instructed by Bev Ansorge, Nurse Educator, and Stacy Berg, LPC, Certified Diabetes Educator. Cooking Class: Cooking with Cauliflower - June 25, 5:30–6:30pm. As part of a vegetable class series, we will focus on recipes that feature several ways to prepare this highly nutritious vegetable. Instructed by Katie Snyder, RD. Wellness Adventure Camps - See www.ihcrc.org for details and dates. Youth Cooking Class: Snack in the Park- June 26, 3:30-4:30pm. Learn how to make a quick healthy snack and enjoy some games and activities. JULY Cooking Class: Cooking with Spaghetti Squash - July 23, 5:30 – 6:30pm. As part of a vegetable class series, we will focus on recipes that feature this delicious and nutritious alternative to pasta. Instructed by Katie Snyder, RD. Stress-Free Diabetes – July 30, 1 –11am. Is the everyday stress of diabetes getting you down? Come learn how to manage your diabetes so it doesn’t manage you! Instructed by Stacy Berg, LPC, Certified Diabetes Educator. Wellness Adventure Camps - See www.ihcrc.org for details and dates. Youth Cooking Class: Snack in the Park- July 31, 3:30-4:30. Learn how to make a quick healthy snack and enjoy some games and activities. AUGUST Sit Less, Move More, Learn Better Training -August 7, 9:00am-3:30pm at the Sequoyah Elementary School - A free training for anyone who works with children, to help kids increase their health knowledge, fitness, and academic achievement, through physical activity, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary learning. Register at www.ihcrcsitlesstraining.eventbrite.com. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUPS Tobacco Cessation- Every Wednesday, 4:00-5:30pm. Sign up at the Behavioral Health reception desk or call 918-382-2209. Anger Management Classes - Adults Only - Thursdays, May 28 - July 16, 5:30-7:00pm. Is anger controlling your life? Did someone say you need anger management? Come join us! Sign up at the Behavioral Health reception desk or call 918-382-2209.