Health

Molokai Fitness: Free Classes

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do you struggle with your workout plan? You don’t know what you need to do, or you just get bored of doing the same every day? Do you need some inspiration?

Science shows that the best way to get motivated is to work together in a community. Let’s do workout together, and support and push each other!

Doing exercise is not always just to lose weight — it’s for feeling healthy and happy. Being healthy means that you’re not carrying extra pounds on you, you feel energized, you have no pain and you don’t need to take prescription drugs.…

Molokai Fitness: Are Soft Drinks Healthy?

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Wherever I go in Molokai, it seems that 80 percent of us  — especially kids — drink soda. The other day, a couple of kids asked me “You don’t drink soda, do you?” I asked how they knew that! And their reply? “You look healthy!” This got me thinking more about it. They know that drinking soda is not healthy… so why do they drink it?

I think we need to educate ourselves more about what we’re eating and drinking so that we can choose a healthier option. Remember — your kids or grandkids may not listen to you, but they watch you and they copy you!…

Preventing Falls as You Grow Older

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Whether it simply bruises your ego or breaks a bone, taking a fall is no fun. Each year, one in three seniors 65 and older experiences a fall—a number that has grown in recent years. For people in this age group, falling is the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths.

Whether due to concerns about independence or worrying others, however, fewer than half these people tell the doctor about their falls. But that could add insult to injury because one fall may lead to another fall.

Don’t keep it a secret.…

Health Center Begins CEO Search

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is in search of new leadership.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Desiree Puhi stepped down last Friday after seven years at MCHC, leaving for “a mellower part-time job” and to take care of her father.

“I am happy to pass the baton and let the younger generation build the future,” said Puhi. “I believe all nonprofit CEOs should leave after five to ten years to infuse new ideas and energy into the company.”

In the meantime, MCHC’s Board of Directors has chosen Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Andrea Trenner to fill in as interim CEO of the organization, which opened in 2003 and offers multiple healthcare services, including medical, dental and behavioral health.…

Molokai Fitness: Ready for Paddling Season?

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do you know how you can improve your endurance? Yes, you need to do cardio. But more than that – you need to work on your core, your lower back and especially you need to stretch your spine and improve your strength. If you’re a paddler already or want to get started, here are some ideas to get ready for the season. If not, these are also helpful suggestions for getting back in shape.

First you need a plan, and you need to write it down. Why? This will keep you motivated, and you’ll be able to see how you improve after each training. …

Urgent Care Comes to MCHC

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) has added services that they hope will lower patients’ healthcare costs and reserve the island’s only emergency room for more acute patients. On March 1, the health center began a one-year pilot program that offers urgent care-like services to the community.

Since MCHC doesn’t have an official urgent care designation, they will offer “urgent care-like” services and will consider getting an official certification if the program does well.

“Urgent care is a little bit above primary care, which is what most walk-in clinics do, and a lot below the emergency room,” said Dr. Christina Economos, MCHC’s medical director.…