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Year: 2016

Look Into an Eye Exam

Fri, December 16, 2016 Published by

When was the last time someone sat you down, looked deep into your eyes and measured your intraocular pressure?

That’s the pressure inside your eye. Measuring it can find early signs of glaucoma, one of several common eye disorders that can appear without much warning.

Like many health conditions, eye diseases often are easiest to treat when found early. It’s one reason why eye experts suggest regular eye examinations—and why it might be time for you to schedule one.

A good look at your eyes

A comprehensive exam at an ophthalmologist’s office can be an eye-opening experience in many ways.

People often aren’t aware that their vision could be better than it is, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). You may be surprised at how much more clearly you could be seeing.

You also might undergo some testing that literally widens your eye—or your pupils, at least. Called a dilated eye exam, it uses drops to enlarge your pupils so the doctor can more easily spot damage or eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Keep in mind that the test can leave your vision blurry for a few hours.

Other testing you can expect during a complete eye checkup:

  • A visual field test to measure your peripheral—or side—vision.
  • A light beam shined into your eyes to check pupil constriction.
  • A visual acuity test to assess how well you see at different distances.
  • A test to check for glaucoma by measuring eye pressure.

When to schedule eye checkups

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends vision exams for children:

  • At birth. All newborns should have a basic exam. Some newborns may need additional exams based on risk factors.
  • Between 6 months and 1 year of age.
  • Between 3 and 3 1/2 years of age.
  • When they start school and any time after that when a problem is suspected.

For adults, the AAO recommends comprehensive exams to screen for eye disorders at the following intervals:

  • At least one exam between ages 20 and 29.
  • At least two exams between ages 30 and 39.
  • A baseline screening for age-related disorders at age 40. (Your eye doctor will tell you how often to come in between ages 40 and 64.)
  • A complete exam at least every two years after age 65.

The above schedule is in addition to updates for lens prescriptions or treatment for eye injuries or ongoing problems.

Your eye doctor might suggest more frequent checkups if you:

  • Have a family history of eye problems.
  • Have high blood pressure or diabetes.
  • Had a previous eye injury.
  • Are an African American over age 40, which puts you at higher risk for glaucoma.

Keep your eyes healthy

There are a number of steps you can take between exams to keep your eyes healthy, according to the NEI. These include:

Ban rays. Wear protective sunglasses when outdoors. Look for shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

Go for goggles. Wear the appropriate protective eyewear when working around the house or playing high-impact sports.

Look away. Give your eyes a rest after staring at the computer or focusing on anything for a long period of time. The NEI suggests looking away into the distance for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

For more information log on to www.azblue.com.

Birthdays – December 4-17

Fri, December 9, 2016 Published by

Kirsti Rusanen 12/4

Lodelyn Galin 12/4

Reyna Valenzuela 12/4

Debby Bonnell 12/7

Angela Yepez 12/7

Judy Orlando 12/9

Mahree Morin 12/9

Susana Villalobos 12/9

Michael Ford 12/10

Alma Cruz 12/10

Isabella Mendoza 12/10

Angel Enojos 12/11

Joe Lowe 12/11

Sateva Rigdon 12/12

Princess Anyanwu 12/13

Richard Abrokwa 12/14

Mary Shannon 12/15

Olywayemisi Okon 12/17

Jim Brown 12/17

Congratulations – Jessica Rojas

Fri, December 9, 2016 Published by

Congratulations to Jessica Rojas (Housekeeping) for her recent transition to the Floor Tech position. Jessica joined the campus back in December of 2013 in our Housekeeping department. She now wanted to learn more to help with the needs of the department. She’s happy to join the floors team and we wish her the best of luck in her future work!

 

P.S. Do you have a personal milestone (weddings, babies, graduations, etc.) to share with us? We want to know about it! Please send a brief description and a photo/video to Kevin Morrison, HR Coordinator, at [email protected] or contact him at 602-995-6118.

Congratulations – Deana Mendoza

Fri, December 9, 2016 Published by

Deana Mendoza (Housekeeping) has transferred to the Floor Tech position! She joined the campus in November of 2014 as a Housekeeper and now is looking for ways to expand her knowledge and skills for her department. The current floors team is glad to have her and we know she will do great there!

 

P.S. Do you have a personal milestone (weddings, babies, graduations, etc.) to share with us? We want to know about it! Please send a brief description and a photo/video to Kevin Morrison, HR Coordinator, at [email protected] or contact him at 602-995-6118.

Employee Wellness 2.0

Fri, December 9, 2016 Published by

Wellness, schmellness, what’s the big deal?  Well, if I offered you a raffle ticket for a free iPad before Christmas, could I get you to read a little more about wellness?  That’s my hope…  With the help and support of our fabulous CEO, Michelle Just, and our partners at Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and JP Griffin Group, we are going to amp up our wellness game this plan year (10/1/16-9/30/17).

Many of you attended the Employee Health Fair and kept your biometric screening information (hopefully) and here’s what you need to do now and some tips for success.  Get your BCBS member card, your biometric information, and find 20 minutes of time to sit at your computer or smart phone.  Use the attached instructions to complete your My BluePrint (which is what BCBS calls their health risk assessment).  To thank you for investing the time, we’re offering the following incentives during the follow time frames:

Staff and Covered Spouses/Domestic Partners:

  • Complete the My BluePrint by December 18, 2016 and get a $50 Sprouts Gift Card (from HR office) AND a raffle ticket for a new Apple iPad (winner drawn 12/21, just in time for the holidays!).
  • Complete the My BluePrint by January 15, 2017 and get a $50 Sprouts Gift Card (from HR office).
  • Complete the My BluePrint by July 31, 2017 and get a $25 Sprouts Gift Card.

Completion of the My BluePrint assessment will be confirmed in weekly reports from our BCBS wellness representative.  The iPad drawing will be December 21, 2016 as soon as we get the report from BCBS.  Sprouts Gift Cards will also be available for pick up that day as well for those that have completed the assessment.  Thereafter, HR will request completion reports weekly from BCBS through July 31, 2017 and will provide the appropriate $50 or $25 gift card to you after review of the weekly report.

To assist you in your wellness journey, I am also attaching several documents that I hope you will review with your covered spouses/domestic partners at home to help you obtain these incentives:

  • Letter from our CEO, Michelle Just, affirming her commitment to wellness at the Campus
  • Instructions for completing the My BluePrint assessment in English and Spanish from BCBS
  • Screenshots for the BCBS website to assist you in completing My BluePrint
  • Form for your dentist to confirm you’ve had a basic cleaning or exam between 8/1/16 and 7/31/17.

I have already completed My BluePrint online and it was pretty easy!  I do have some tips to share though:

  • If you were on the BCBS with the Campus seven years ago, you are still in their system. Call their number at 602-864-4844 if you need a reminder on your username.  Have your Member ID number ready (the one on your card that starts with XBR).
  • If you don’t know your LDL or Triglyceride number (I didn’t, because it wasn’t part of the health fair screening), just leave it blank. You will be prompted to choose a follow up answer after each item that’s blank – I’ve been told my number in the past and it was bad, I’ve been told my number in the past and it was good, or I have no idea what it is/was.  That will let you proceed.
  • When you finish your assessment, you will receive a number and a report. Don’t send those to HR!  But do take some time to read your report and/or consider signing up for a health coach if that is recommended.  There might be future gift cards for those that sign up and successfully complete telephonic or online coaching in the future….  (BCBS only sends us reports with names of folks that completed, no personal or health information).

Will you join Michelle, myself, and countless others in continuing our journey to live healthier lives this year!  I hope you will.  If you have interest in joining the Campus Wellness Committee, let HR know, we meet bi-monthly on Wednesdays.

Wishing you a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy 2017!

HealthyBlue Easy as 123

HealthyBlue_Easy as 123_Spanish 12-09-16_

Wellness Letter from CEO

3-Dentist Verification 2016-2017

Third Class Ticket

Mon, November 28, 2016 Published by

Back when the West was being settled the major means of transportation was the stagecoach – we have all seen them in western movies. What you might not know is that the stagecoach had three different kinds of tickets: first-class, second-class, and third-class. If you had a first-class ticket that meant you could remain seated during the entire trip no matter what happened. If the stagecoach got stuck in the mud, or had trouble making it up a steep hill, or even if a wheel fell off, you could remain seated because you had a first-class ticket.

If you had a second-class ticket you also could remain seated…until there was a problem. In case of a problem, second-class ticket holders would have to get off until the problem was resolved. You could stand off to the side and watch as other people worked. You did not have to get your hands dirty. But second-class ticket holders were not allowed to stay on board. When the stagecoach was unstuck you would get back on and take your seat.

If you had a third-class ticket, you would definitely have to get off if there was a problem. Why? Because it was your responsibility to help solve the problem. You had to get out and push or help lift to fix a broken wheel or whatever was needed because you only had a third-class ticket.  I believe that God intended for us all to have 3rd class tickets because we all need to be a part in helping to solve the problems in this world.  Those who feel they have 1st class tickets can bemoan the state of our country and complain about what’s happening and they sit there watching everyone else do the work.  2nd class ticket holders can stand on the sidelines as well, passively marking the passage of time until the train starts again.  3rd class ticket holders are co-creators with God getting the job done. How are you participating in bringing heaven to earth?

‘Tis A Gift

Mon, November 28, 2016 Published by

Processed with MOLDIV

Gifts arrive on birthdays, at Christmas, on Hanukkah, anniversaries, retirements and on so many other beautiful occasions throughout our life’s journey.  We celebrate great events and individuals who are extra special to us by offering something of ourselves in the form of a gift that reflects our gratitude and appreciation.  Some of you might have figured out that I try to send a birthday card of appreciation to all of you and begin writing them just before the new month.  Not a card goes by that I do not find myself reflecting on what a gift to the Campus, and to me, the particular individual is to whom I am writing.  We give gifts, but the greatest gift is not the gift itself but the giver and receiver themselves.  They make for the true treasures in life. And like all gifts, with time, they are all meant to be shared and that is what makes our Campus so beautiful.  The sharing is abundant!

As the Holidays approach, and as much as gift giving is on many of our minds, it is a strange phenomenon whereby individuals forget just what an amazing gift they genuinely are.  This time of the year can be especially painful for the one who just cannot see the truth and beauty about themselves.  In that we shine when it comes to gifts that keep on giving, I want to encourage you to make an extra special effort to keep an eye out for a neighbor who might very well be struggling and needing a special word or a little affirmation from you.

You are a gift! There might not be a more perfect time than now to share the gift you are by inviting someone you have not seen for a while to join you for dinner or a Campus event.  Or when you notice that fellow resident a few tables down eating alone consider checking and seeing if they might be open to some company.  They will be gifted by the amazing individual that is in you and I am willing to bet you will receive a beautiful gift in return in the gift they are as well.