UPDATE YOUR LISTING: To update information, resubmit your health notes by email to tmunnell@tribtoday.com.

MENTAL WELLNESS ART FUNDRAISER: Mental Health is Vital, a multi-faceted campaign of Alta Care Group that is committed to raising awareness of mental wellness throughout the Valley, has partnered with The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation of the Mahoning Valley for its Annual Art Fundraiser.

This year’s event will be a hybrid event with a public viewing followed by an online art auction and raffle. Art to be auctioned will include this year’s Mental Health is Vital Art Contest submissions.

The public art viewing will be 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27, at Alta’s newest location, the Mahoning Valley Campus of Care, 1960 East County Line Road, Building 6 (the former Youngstown Developmental Center).

All of the art for online auction, contest art and baskets for raffle will be on display at the public viewing. Visitors are asked to wear a mask and have their temperatures taken at the door.

Following the public viewing, the virtual auction for the art and sale of tickets for the baskets will begin at 5 p.m. Feb. 26 and close at 9 p.m. March 7. Links to the online auction will be made available online and across all social media closer to the auction.

All proceeds will go to support the work of the HELMS Foundation, an organization that uses art therapy to promote healing, expression and learning through art mediums.

For more information on Mental Health is Vital, visit mhisvital.com.

OAFP’S FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR: The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is calling for nominations for one of its most prestigious awards, the 2021 Family Physician of the Year.

This award recognizes an Ohio family physician who has exhibited extraordinary, beyond-the-call-of-duty merit, and encourages OAFP members and medical students to pursue the ideals of family medicine, and convey these ideals to the public.

To be nominated for this award, the family physician must: have 10 years post-residency (or equivalent) experience; be a current member of the OAFP for a meaningful period of time; and be currently a practicing physician.

Nominations can be made by any current OAFP member, a regional chapter, a family medicine residency program, departments of family medicine, or a community individual. Nominations are due by March 5.

To nominate your physician, complete the online nomination form or send a letter of recommendation to: OAFP Awards Workgroup, Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, 4075 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214-3296; fax: 614-267-9191 or email: lheberling@ohioafp.org.

To check if a physician is a member of the OAFP, contact Lauren Heberling at lheberling@ohioafp.org or call 800-742-7327.

TOWN HALL TO ADDRESS HEALTH EQUITY: The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a virtual statewide town hall March 3, assembling some of the nation’s top experts in the field of health equity and Alzheimer’s disease to discuss some of the latest research involving underserved communities.

Statistics point to African Americans and Latinos being disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia, which is why the Alzheimer’s Association is charting a course to strive for health equity in the delivery of service and research.

Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, and Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, president of the Gerontological Society of America, will host the event.

The Dr. James S. Jackson Seminar on Health Equity and Alzheimer’s Disease, which will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m., will have speakers from The Ohio State University, the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Just like COVID-19, Alzheimer’s and dementia disproportionately impacts communities of color. For example, according to the Alzheimer’s Association:

• African Americans are about twice as likely as whites to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s.

• African Americans are more prone to risk factors for vascular disease — like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol — which may also be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and stroke-related dementia.

• African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to have a dementia diagnosis.

• New research from Case Western Reserve University shows African Americans with dementia have close to three times the risk of being infected with COVID-19 as white individuals with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

To register for the Dr. James S. Jackson Seminar on Health Equity and Alzheimer’s Disease, visit alz.org/jackson-seminar.

VACCINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers with various medical licenses who are actively practicing or are retired with an active license are highly encouraged to support response efforts to the COVID-19 vaccination program by signing up for the Mahoning County Medical Reserve Corps. Non-medical adult volunteers are needed to assist and can sign up also.

To join, visit www.ohioresponds.odh.ohio.gov. Interested persons who live in a county that does not have an MRC unit may elect to register in a neighboring county.

Medical providers can enroll to participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Any facility licensed by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to administer or provide vaccination services is eligible to enroll as a potential COVID-19 vaccine provider. More information can be found at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/covid-19-vaccine-provider/ohio-covid-19-provider-enroll.ment

COVID-19 TESTING: Boardman Park, 375 Boardman Poland Road, Boardman, is a location for COVID-19 testing. The program is offered 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through March 6.

All insurances are accepted, including Medicare / Medicaid. Uninsured are also accepted (bring ID), with no copay. A self-pay option is available.

No appointment is needed, but register in advance at www.VisitHealthcare.com and clicking on “Sign up for your Visit.” Results are available in 24 to 48 hours.

GLENBEIGH OFFERS FREE VIRTUAL SUPPORT: Glenbeigh Outpatient Center of Niles, 29 North Road, Niles, as part of its response to the limitations placed on social interactions, is offering its Bridges to Recovery discussions through a series of Zoom events.

Join Glenbeigh for online recovery support with other people in recovery with alcohol and drug addictions. These virtual sessions are free and open to the entire recovery community.

Connect for various topics, by linking through www.facebook.com/glenbeighhospital or by texting the word “Glenbeigh” to 41411 to receive meeting information. More information is available at www.glenbeigh.com/events.

PROGRAM TO DELIVER GOODS TO HELP: Local nonprofit Life Is Good No Matter What helps adults with cancer in northeast Ohio who may be unable to leave their homes for an escape.

Whereas traditional escapes have ranged from a weekend away or dinner and a baseball game, LIGNMW’s Good Delivery Program seeks to deliver goods in the form of the following options: dinner delivery; flowers / plants delivery; groceries delivery; craft beer delivery; and up to $75 toward bills.

Both traditional escapes and the Good Delivery Program are open to all adults battling cancer. Visit www.lifeisgoodnomatterwhat.org to nominate someone or learn more.

ADDICTION SCREENINGS: Narconon can help families take steps to help someone overcome addiction. Call 800-431-1754 for free screenings or referrals.

For information, visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/intervention-101.

PSYCARE OFFERING TELEHEALTH: PsyCare is providing phone-based or video-based mental health services through its clinics in Austintown, Boardman, Cortland, East Liverpool, Howland, Liberty and Struthers.

Visit the PsyCare website at www.psycare.com or call 800-242-4604.

ADDICTION THERAPY AVAILABLE: PsyCare Inc., 2980 Belmont Ave., Liberty, offers a clinical therapy program to treat individuals with substance abuse and drug addiction issues. Family members are also welcome.

Assessments can be scheduled by calling 330-759-2310.

ONE HEALTH OFFERS TELEHEALTH: ONE Health Ohio offers telehealth appointments to patients for medical, behavioral health, chronic care management, dietetics and medication-assisted treatment services. Call 877-722-3303 or visit www.onehealthohio.org.

Telehealth appointments for medication-assisted treatment and counseling are available through RISE Recovery by contacting 844-652-8219. RISE Recovery also remains open for in-office visits, dependent on appointment type.

FREE FITNESS PROGRAM: The Stepping Out Program, provided through a grant from the Mercy Health Foundation, offers free fitness classes and activities online and throughout the Mahoning Valley.

For information, call Doris Bullock, project coordinator, at 330-720-3293 or email her at dibullock@mercy.com.

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Family Recovery Center’s Oxford House (also known as Eloise V. Traina Center of Hope), 320 Benton Road, Salem, began a Families Anonymous meeting as fellowship for the family and friends of those individuals with drug, alcohol or related behavioral issues.

To learn more about the support meetings offered, contact 330-424-1468.

VALLEY COUNSELING OPERATING: Valley Counseling Services continues to provide mental health services to residents of the Mahoning Valley throughout the viral outbreak. Necessary precautions will be taken to keep clients and staff safe.

Most services will be phone-based or video-based. Clients do not need to cancel their appointment. Instead they will receive therapy, case management, nursing and psychiatry services in the safety of their home.

Visit the website at vcs.fcsserves.org or call 330-399-6451 for more information.

PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT: Domestic abuse support groups are available for all types of abusive relationships — emotional, verbal or physical.

For more information, contact 330-856-3463.

SUPPORT GROUP: For information about the Circle of Hope, a support group for those with a mental health diagnosis, call 330-502-8103.

LUPUS SUPPORT: For information about the Trumbull Mahoning Lupus Support Group, call Rhonda at 330-978-3749. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ALZHEIMER’S HELP: The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.