August is Immunization Awareness Month
COVID 19 rates are once again on the rise in nearly all Kentucky communities, and across the country. The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants have taken the lead among most prevalent strains of the virus. Prevention measures include: wear a mask, get tested, stay home if you feel sick, and most importantly, stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines for preventing the virus in children now 6 months to 5 years old; the final age group to have needed vaccine authorization.
Parents interested in vaccinating their children should check with their pediatrician, family doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if they have questions specific to their child’s health or the vaccine in general. Families ready to schedule a pediatric vaccination for their child(ren) may also visit vaccines.gov where you can search by zip code and locate the vaccine of preference and schedule an appointment.
U.S. News & World Report Recognizes Lexington Hospital
Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East have been named High Performing Hospitals for 2022-23 by U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
Saint Joseph Hospital has again earned a “High Performing” rating for colon cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure procedures. Saint Joseph Hospital also received a “High Performing” rating for stroke care for the first time this year.
Saint Joseph East has again earned a “High Performing” rating for hip replacement, knee replacement, kidney failure and pneumonia care. For the first time, Saint Joseph East also earned a “High Performing” rating for pulmonology and lung surgery.
Both hospitals are recognized for patient care significantly better than the national average, measured by factors such as patient outcomes.
“We are honored to be recognized again by U.S. News & World Report for the excellent quality of care provided at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East,” said Dan Goulson, MD, Senior Vice President/Chief Medical Officer for CHI Saint Joseph Health. “We are incredibly proud of our team members who have gone above and beyond for our patients, providing them with outstanding care in all facets. Without their hard work and dedication, we wouldn’t be receiving these accolades.”
‘Yes Mamm,’ ‘Yes Cerv’
The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, on behalf of the Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! programs, has received a $261,384 grant that will be used to help increase the early detection of breast and cervical cancer for patients across Kentucky. The funding comes from the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program. The grant will help the program continue to serve cancer patients of CHI Saint Joseph Health’s hospitals, its medical group and clinically integrated network of providers.
“With this grant, the Yes Mamm! Yes Cerv! programs will continue to serve women across Kentucky in need of assistance for access to critical breast and cervical cancer screenings,” said Leslie Smart, CFRE, president, Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation. “We know that early detection saves lives of women faced with a cancer diagnosis. Thanks to the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program, we continue supporting women’s health across the commonwealth.”
The Yes, Mamm! program was created in 2012 and provides mammography screenings and diagnostic services, such as biopsies, to low-income, uninsured, underinsured, or medically underserved men and women. The program collaborates with a variety of nonprofit organizations and health care providers to identify individuals needing these services and receives referrals to the program. Approximately 10% of the patients referred for this program require a follow-up biopsy or diagnostic screening.
The Yes, Cerv! program was created in 2020 and aims to prevent cervical cancer by promoting pap smears and HPV vaccinations to providers and patients. The program also helps provide patients with cervical cancer screenings, early-stage diagnoses, and oncological pelvic treatment.
