Assessment urged during diabetes awareness month

YMCAs to focus on screening, prevention at branch events  November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley is encouraging residents of Chester County to learn their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to take preventive steps to reduce their chances of developing the disease, a YMCA news release said. Currently one in three Americans – 79 million people...

Take a shot at staying healthy this winter

Register to receive free flu vaccines on Friday Protect yourself against the pesky flu by taking advantage of the free vaccines offered by the Chester County Health Department in Coatesville on Friday, Nov. 8. Advance registration and an up-to-date immunization record is required for the shots, which will be administered from 9 a.m. to noon at the Coatesville Center for Community Health, 1001 E. Lincoln...

Brandywine Hospital named ‘top performer’

 High ratings from accrediting agency attributed to superior staff The leading accreditor of U.S. health care organizations has recognized Brandywine Hospital for exemplary performance, a Brandywine Hospital news release said. The Joint Commission named the hospital one of the nation’s “Top Performers on Key Quality Measures,” one of 1,099 hospitals earning the distinction for attaining...

County reminds residents to change clocks, batteries

End of daylight saving time provides chance to check detectors Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 3, and county residents are reminded when turning clocks back an hour, change and test the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. “This one simple step can help save lives,” said Chester County Chief Fire Marshal Harrison “Digger” Holt in a county news release. “Each year...

Brandywine Health Foundation announces fall grants

Awards to nonprofits serving area bring total to nearly $12 million The Brandywine Health Foundation recently announced grants totaling $1,051,000, bringing the foundation’s total giving since it began awarding grants in 2002 to over $11.8 million. “Residents of the Coatesville area have had a higher than average incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke and heart disease,” said Elizabeth...

Saturday sale to buck trend of high prices

 At Brandywine Consignment Shop, tent items will all be priced at $1 When was the last time you were able to purchase something substantial for a dollar? Well, the Brandywine Consignment Shop is offering an opportunity to do exactly that. As a “way of giving back to the community,” it is hosting a Buck$ for Brandywine Tent Event at its store at 368 West Uwchlan Avenue, Downingtown, on Saturday,...

Creating a sense of community through collaboration

Working together can build more than success By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times In this article we will explore the concept of creating community in the hopes of achieving a greater sense of connection and sustainability. As with any goal, we need to start with the end in mind. To do so, we must first define what it is that we are after. Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others,...

Obamacare – what patients are asking

When patients ask, I answer and share them with you By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD, FAGD, Columnist, The Times As a practicing dentist I have a ringside seat to the healthcare industry.  I get asked a lot of questions about the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare – and I thought I would share some of these questions and my take on them. Since this law is so flawed should we just ditch it and start over?...

Use Fire Prevention Week to stay safe all year

Observance offers ideal time to take precautions, state commissioner urges HARRISBURG – State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann today urged Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent fires in their homes and businesses during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6 through Oct. 12. “This year’s theme is ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires’,” Mann said in a news release, adding that “kitchen fires are the leading cause...

County marks week for mental-health awareness

Annual national observance offers time to learn about local resources  To mark National Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) – held the first full week in October for more than two decades ­- Chester County Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MHIDD) is working to increase awareness and understanding among all residents, a county news release said. The observance, which...