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Westside Healthcare Advisory Taskforce
The Westside Healthcare Advisory Taskforce is a public/private/non-profit consortium of interested healthcare proponents on the westside of Stanislaus County and northern Merced County. The Communities of Gustine (Merced County), Newman, Patterson, and Crows Landing (Stanislaus County) are actively participating in this on-going healthcare dialogue.
The mission of the Healthcare Advisory is to foster a richer communication between westside healthcare providers and communities and by so doing - better identify service gaps and potential opportunities to improve.
The Advisory is facilitated by Stanislaus County Supervisor Jim De Martini (Westside District Five) and meets on a bi-monthly basis rotating meeting locations between the three incorporated jurisdictions of Gustine, Newman, and Patterson.
For more information on how you can participate in this discussion - please contact:
Keith D. Boggs
Deputy Executive Officer - Economic Development
Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office
209.652.1514
boggsk@stancounty.com
Latest Updates
The Taskforce is once again surveying West Side residents. The simple 17 question survey is available at multiple locations in Gustine, Newman and Patterson. You can also complete the survey online in English or Spanish. The survey will help the Taskforce gauge the overall health of the communities and will assist in developing appropriate programing for the region.
West Side Walks
, an eight week initiative held during June and July, was hosted in conjunction with the school districts in Gustine, Newman and Patterson. The purpose of the West Side Walks program was to encourage West Side residents to become active through walking in a fun, safe and social environment and to promote the many healthy benefits associated with walking.
Every Wednesday evening during June and July (starting June 9 and ending July 28), all three of the high school tracks were made available, complete with field lights, between 7PM and 9PM for the community walking parties! A big thank you goes out to all three school districts for making these family friendly locations available.
See what participants had to say about the program!
The West Side Healthcare Advisory Taskforce will host a series of group hikes in Del Puerto Canyon and a series of group bicycle trips through scenic Patterson starting in March. The program, Hikes & Bikes for Your Health, is being hosted in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation programs in Patterson, Newman and Gustine.
Read articles about the event featured in the Patterson Irrigator and the West Side Index.
The purpose of the Hikes & Bikes for Your Health program is to encourage physical activity in West Side residents of all ages while promoting the health consequences of proper exercise. The program is open to all Gustine, Newman and Patterson residents (minors need to be accompanied by an adult). Pre-registration is recommended. Call for 895.8080 for more details.
Bikes (Patterson City Hall) - 3rd Saturday of the month (view routes)
March 20 Easy, Moderate & Strenuous
April 17 Easy, Moderate & Strenuous
May 15 Easy, Moderate & Strenuous
Meet at Patterson City Hall at 10 AM (unless otherwise noted). These rides will take you from downtown Historic Patterson to the beautiful agricultural farmland to the south of Patterson on Ward Ave. up to Diablo Grande nestled in the foothills. Each date will offer all three levels of ability: Easy, Moderate & Strenuous. All riders are required to wear a helmet. It is suggested to wear comfortable clothing and shoes and to bring water and sunscreen. Bicycle trips lead by Patterson Parks & Recreation Commission Lennox Harris.
Hikes in Del Puerto Canyon (Minnear Day Use Area) - 4th Saturday of the month (view routes)
March 27 Easy
April 24 Strenuous
May 22 Moderate
Meet at Minnear Day Use Area in Del Puerto Canyon at 10 AM (unless otherwise noted). See some of the most beautiful scenery located right in your own backyard. Del Puerto Canyon is featured on the Wild, Wild West Side self-guided drive tour and now you can hike it. Limited transportation to Minnear Day Use Area is available. Hikers should wear proper shoes and may wish to employ a walking stick for added stability while hiking.
The West Side Healthcare Taskforce hosted a health and safety business breakfast with Keystone Business Park. The event took place February 18th from 7:30-9 AM at the Villa Del Lago hotel in Patterson. The keynote, Safety Smarts for an Improved Bottom Line, was given by Diane Bush, coordinator of the Small Business Safety Training Program at UC Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Program. Event Flier
The 1st annual essay contest for youth attending school in Gustine, Newman and Patterson came to a close shortly before the end of the year. Students could write on one of two prompts: 1) Explain what the statement meant by the terms physical, mental and social well-being? Why is it important to be well in these areas? and 2) List three things that could be done to improve you community’s well-being? How would these changes improve the overall health of the community?
Four winners were selected. Read the winning essays (in prize order) to see what they had to say.
1st Place – Kyndell Paige Peer, 11th grader at Gustine High
2nd Place - Kollin Mendoza, 8th grader at Creekside Middle School (Patterson)
3rd Place – Carlos Ortega, 6th grader at Creekside Middle School (Patterson)
3rd Place – Chelsea Gregory, 6th grader at Creekside Middles School (Patterson)
The Taskforce recently surveyed West Side residents on health related topics and that data is now available. The data collected will help us to improve our outreach efforts so that we can continue to improve information sharing to all citizens on the West Side. The data summary can be viewed here (raw data for English and Spanish respondants is also available).
Meeting Minutes:
May 31, 2007
July 19, 2007
September 6, 2007
November 08, 2007
February 7, 2008
March 13, 2008
Monthly Newsletters
Westside Healthcare brochure (Spanish verison here)
West Side Healthcare Taskforce Project Wheel
Westside Healthcare Service Development Model
Westside Healthcare Services Map
Del Puerto Health Care District
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Westside Healthcare District [currently no web presence exists, call 209.862.2951 for assistance]
Swine Flu Information:
Click here to view a list of locations throughout Stanislaus County where free H1N1 vaccinations will be available.
Helpful Links
WebMD is a great on-line source for infomation about prescription drugs, diseases, and other health related issues. It also offers many interactive tools.
Health has excellent information about healthy foods and exercise. The site is great for those looking to tips and tricks to stay healthy.
More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers from Mayo Clinic share their expertise to empower you to manage your health. Check out the expert content.
Medicine Net provides information on a wide range of health related topics. Very interactive. Site includes a medical term dictionary and more.
Find resources and information about many different health issues at Everday Health
Health.gov is a portal to the Web sites of a number of multi-agency health initiatives and activities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal departments and agencies.
My Fitness Pal offers a free calorie and exercise counter. Keep track of your weight loss progress and find meal plans to fit your needs.
The University of Maryland Medical System's site offers various health calculators so you can determine everything from your protein intake to your heart diease risk.
Health Tip of the Month
March 2010
