JACKSON, Miss.—If thunder is crashing, you better be dashing inside.
Outdoors is no place to be during a dangerous lightening storm, says Lauren Fairburn, coordinator of Think First, Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s statewide injury prevention program.
“When a thunderstorm approaches, many people wait until it begins raining to take shelter and that delay could prove deadly,” she says. “According to the National Weather Service, most people struck by lightening are not in the rain.”
FLOWOOD, Miss.—As summer temperatures rise, physicians at Methodist Rehabilitation Center are reminding all Mississippians to limit their exposure to intense summer heat.
“Exposure to extreme heat can be dangerous and potentially life threatening”, said Dr. Rahul Vohra, medical director at Methodist Rehab. “There are several heat-related illnesses that can occur, such as sunburn, cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death.”
JACKSON, Miss.—Methodist Rehabilitation Center employees will strive to donate 55 pints of blood this Thursday, July 29, a mission that hospital volunteer Jerry Bowles helped inspire.
That’s exactly how much blood it took to keep Bowles alive after a traumatic accident in 2000.
Even before his accident, Bowles was a regular blood donor and is one of nine Mississippians featured in an advertising campaign for Mississippi Blood Services.
JACKSON, Miss.—After bicycling 1,370 miles across Europe this spring, Brad Kennedy declared his artificial left leg no worse for the wear.
The Methodist Rehabilitation Center prosthetist wishes he could say the same for his God-given body parts. Turns out that pedaling from Glasgow, Scotland to Venice, Italy can leave a guy with a continental pain in his southern hemisphere.
“I went through quite a few Advils,” he says. But now that his muscles are less sore and he has started to regain the 25 pounds he lost, Kennedy calls Discovery Tour ’04 “a wonderful experience.”
JACKSON, Miss.—William R. “Randy” James has been named chairman of the board of trustees of Methodist Rehabilitation Center. James, a member of the board since 1992, has served as vice chairman since 2001.
James serves on several boards and donates freely of his time and business expertise. “It is our duty and responsibility to serve our community,” he said. “I became involved with the hospital because I believe in its mission. This hospital has a great cause. We rebuild lives here.”
James is president of Pruet Production Co. and manager of Pruet Oil LLC.
JACKSON, Miss.—Playing with toys teaches children how to share, encourages imagination and fun, as well as promoting life skills necessary for proper development. But before purchasing the latest trend, Methodist Rehabilitation Center physicians and staff urge parents and caregivers to ensure toys are safe and age appropriate.
“Despite the efforts that manufacturers, retailers, safety inspectors and others make, it is impossible to examine every toy,” says Lauren Fairburn, coordinator of Think First, Methodist’s statewide safety and injury prevention program.
JACKSON, Miss.—Methodist Rehabilitation Center lost an ardent supporter on June 20, when Arthur Daniel Breland of Crystals Springs died at age 87. Breland was one of the original members of Methodist’s Board of Directors and continued to faithfully serve the hospital for 25 years.
JACKSON, Miss.—Fireworks vendors are predicting booming fireworks sales this Independence Day, a trend fueled by increased patriotism and a growing number of states that permit pyrotechnics.
To prevent a corresponding rise in Fourth of July injuries, holiday revelers are being reminded that incorrect use of fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a dangerous event.
JACKSON, Miss.—Before lighting up the grill or packing a picnic this Independence Day, Methodist Rehabilitation Center urges families to think first about safe outdoor cooking and to follow proper cooking guidelines to assure food is properly thawed, fully cooked and bacteria free.
“Handling food properly, frequently washing hands and sanitizing utensils and platters is very important in maintaining food safety,” said John Pelton, director of nutrition services at Methodist. “Keep hot food hot and cold food cold and when in doubt, throw it out.”
JACKSON, Miss.—Physical therapist Allison Fracchia feels frustrated every time she sees a power wheelchair sitting on a Mississippi porch.
She knows that the owner probably ordered the chair off the Internet or TV and didn’t realize it wouldn’t fit through the door.