Women's Health Night becomes evening in Paris

Odessa-area women were treated to their 12th annual evening of medical information, dinner and camaraderie on Wednesday, October 9, as the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center and Odessa Healthcare Foundation joined forces to put on an event dubbed “An Evening in Paris.” Odessa Clinic manager Barb Schlimmer spearheaded the event, and as in past years, the basement of Heritage Church was filled to capacity (attendance was 106).

Blood pressure checks were available, as were free items from various organizations and free literature on skin-cancer awareness, the evening’s primary medical topic.

Dinner was prepared and served by the students and their parents of the local Odessa High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter under the supervision of FBLA advisor Terri King. The main course consisted of three different varieties of quiche, along with a salad of mixed greens, dried cranberries and walnuts. A slice of brie and some crackers rounded out the offering. There were three choices of desserts to finish the meal.

After dinner several speakers provided information on skin care and avoiding skin cancer. Dr. Richard Sica, of Sica Family Dermatology in Moses Lake, gave an informative presentation on identifying different types of skin cancer and the treatments that are available.

Julie (Iksic) Johnson, an RN currently with Assured Health & Hospice based in Moses Lake, spoke on the provision of hospice services to area residents. The services involve in-home assistance provided by trained caregivers.

Haley Wagner of Odessa, who has a home-based business of providing skin care and European facials, spoke from the point of view of her own personal progression from a former sun-loving youth (frying in the sun, slathered in baby oil), to a mother of three battling the beginnings of fine lines and other sun-related conditions.

Dr. Linda Powell of Odessa was the final speaker, providing a lighter look at how anyone might find ways to do the things they have always wanted to do, marking items off their so-called ‘bucket list.’

Jolene Erickson, public health nurse from Davenport, was once again the announcer for the door-prize drawings that took place thoughout the evening. Prizes ranged from gift certificates and gift cards to baskets of items that would appeal to the women present.