Petersen Medical Joins in the Festivities at the Utah State Developmental Center

Summertime–blue skies, warmer weather, outdoor festivities, and parades.

What happens when you can't go to the parade?  Then someone needs to bring the parade to you.  That is what the Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork, UT decided.

The Utah State Developmental Center (USDC) is a state operated Intermediate Care Facility for people with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID). The Developmental Center offers 24 hour supervised residential and day training/employment services as well as community outreach services. Approximately 235 individuals, many in wheelchairs, reside at the Developmental Center.

Waiting for Parade to Start

Staff at the center decided to put on a parade for its residents and asked some of community members to participate. Firefighters and police from American Fork, UT, a local boy scout troop, Timpanogos High School band from Orem, Utah, and several local companies, including Petersen Medical jumped on board.

On June 23rd, the residents lined up on the parade route around the facility and patiently waited for the parade to begin.   The parade began with all the proper bells and whistles--or at least honks and sirens--from the fire engines and police cars.

Some Petersen Medical Employees Volunteer to Take A Big Climb for the American Lung Association

Twenty Three Stories, Five Hundred Ninety Eight Steps–On February 26th, 2011, more than 500 climbers, including a team from Petersen Medical, braved the snow to tackle the twenty three stories, five hundred ninety eight steps of the Wells Fargo Center Tower in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah for the 6th annual Fight for Air Climb hosted by the American Lung Association of Utah.

Petersen Medical's Stair Steppers

Petersen Medical—A Proud Sponsor of BYU

Company and employee support of our "Serve Others First" core value has been achieved in a variety of ways.  Obviously, taking the best possible care of our patients is our main focus.  But, we also "Serve Others First" by contributing time, money, and support to a variety of different causes.

One of the ways we determined that we could serve others and give back to the community at the same time was to become a corporate sponsor for Brigham Young University's Athletic program for the 2010-2011 year.

Football season provided us an opportunity to give t-shirts at the home football games; we even organized a tailgate party offering free food, prizes, and fun prior to the BYU-San Diego State home game.

Our most fun activity, though, has been the mobility races we organized for time-outs at some of the home game basketball, including the game between #4 ranked San Diego State and #9 ranked BYU.  Even more fun was running our mobility race at the rivalry game this past Saturday between BYU (currently ranked #7 ) and the University of Utah, before a sell-out crowd, which included Deron Williams and CJ Miles of the Utah Jazz.

Two volunteers were taken from the audience, given a 30-second training on how to operate the Jazzy scooters, and told that they would race each other (while riding on the scooters).  The race consisted of racing to and around walkers placed almost at half court and back again. The first one to make a basket, while still sitting on the scooter, would be the winner.

Check out the photos from of one of our races:
BYU Mobility Race

Though our mobility racing days are over for this year, we still are proud fans of BYU athletics. Good luck to the basketball team!

The Pulmonary Press

Jean Landon

Marketing Coordinator

www.petersenmedical.com

Medicare Update for 2011

Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 or $110.50 premium amount in 2011.  Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium in 2011.

For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $115.40 in 2011, which is a 4.4% increase over the 2010 premium.  The Medicare Part B premium is increasing in 2011 due to possible increases in Part B costs.  If your income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $115.40 per month.  

Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for 2010, Part B: (covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment):  $162.00 per year. (Note: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after you meet the $162.00 deductible.)

Petersen Medical Donates Books to the Reach Out and Read Program

Jean Landon
Marketing Coordinator
www.petersenmedical.com

After the hectic times of the holidays, many find January dull and bleak.  For me, however, I grab a good book and take advantage of the spare time by reading.

It is not a surprise, then, when I discovered through the Reach Out and Read program that 34% of children enter kindergarten without the basic language skills they will need to learn to read that I thought gathering preschool books for the local medical offices supporting the program would be the perfect service opportunity for January.

The Pulmonary Press

MedGroup

January 2011

Help Yourself Overcome Grief

Recovering from the loss of a loved one takes more than time. It helps to understand what happens when people grieve.

Many grievers go through stages similar to those a dying patient experiences when coming to terms with the prospect of his or her own death. These stages, as identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, include denial, anger, bargaining for more time, depression, and finally, acceptance. The following suggestions offer good places to start on the road to recovery:

  ►  Write a farewell letter that highlights your loved one’s strengths and weaknesses. Gaining a realistic picture of your relationship may help you let go.

  ►  Develop a personal tribute to your loved one. If he or she liked to garden, for example, plant a favorite tree that will continue to serve as a symbol of your love.

The Pulmonary Press

MedGroup
December 2010

Happy Holidays
We wish you twinkling lights, and light snows,
A home alive with cookie smells,
A child to play with,
A dog to pet,
And the hope of answered prayers.

The Six-Second Quieting Response


When you feel tense, annoyed, or upset—recognize the beginning of a negative reaction to stress. As soon as you recognize these feelings are getting started, make yourself smile and imagine that your eyes are sparkling. A smiling face can’t send negative signals to your brain. If you are in a situation where smiling outwardly would be inappropriate, you can always smile inwardly.  You certainly can keep yourself from frowning.  In order to counteract the negative thoughts and perceptions that contribute to stress, say to yourself, “Alert, amused mind; calm body. I am on top of this situation.”

Take two slow, deep breaths, counting to four each time you inhale or exhale. Imagine the air slowly filling your lungs from the bottom to the top. As you exhale, keep your jaw loose and relaxed, your tongue resting on the lower part of your jaw, and your shoulders limp and relaxed. Imagine a wave of warmth and heaviness flowing from your head to your toes and relaxing every muscle in your body. Say to yourself, “I can allow myself to relax and handle this situation better.”  From Dr. Charles Stroebel, The Six-Second Quieting Response

Medicare put oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, walkers and other ‘durable medical equipment’ out to bid in nine cities (Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh and Riverside) with expansion of the same program into 91 additional cities next year.

A limited number of medical providers in each city are now contracted to provide these products after January 1, 2011.  A staggering 93% of local providers were NOT awarded contracts, and it is estimated that 39% of all suppliers in a competitive bidding area will likely go out of business.

If you live in one of the above named cities, and have Original Medicare coverage, in most cases, only contract suppliers can provide you items included in the program in order for Medicare to pay for these products.