Health Matters: Getting Real About Wellness

E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere, offering a fun and convenient way to get around. But as their popularity grows, so do serious injuries, especially among kids and teens. In this episode of Health Matters, Enloe Health trauma experts and the Chico Police Department discuss the crashes they're seeing, the laws every rider should know and the simple safety habits that can help prevent life-changing injuries.If you would like to offer suggestions for safety measures, you can email Jocey at [email protected] more resources here. 

Hernias are common, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. In the newest episode of Enloe Health’s podcast Health Matters, James Partridge, M.D., from Enloe Health & Wellness General Surgery explains what hernias are, what causes them, and when it may be time to seek treatment. We also hear from patient Andrew Kinley, who lived with a hernia for years before pain began affecting his fitness goals. Kinley shares his experience with robotic hernia repair and how surgery helped him get back to the activities he enjoys.

Organ donation can save lives, and it can also bring meaning and comfort in the midst of loss. Danielle Coleman, a mother of two organ donors, joins Health Matters to share about the heartbreaking loss of her sons, Lewis and Garrett, and the decision to say “yes” to donation both times.Jaclyn Manzanedo, Senior Director of Hospital Development at Donor Network West, joins the conversation to explain how donation works, who can register, and to clear up common myths. 

Since 1985, Enloe Health’s FlightCare air ambulance service has transported more than 25,000 patients, playing a vital role in emergency medical care across the North State. In this episode of Health Matters, flight nurse Pete Davis joins the conversation to share insight about a significant enhancement: FlightCare now carries lifesaving blood on board its aircraft. This advancement enables caregivers to administer immediate blood transfusions to critically ill or injured patients, whether at the scene of an emergency or in rural hospitals. 

Enloe Health’s popular Bittie Baby & Me class series is for mothers who have babies up to 3 months old. But it’s more than just a class. It’s also a nurturing environment that often blossoms into lifelong friendships.Enloe Health’s Mother & Baby Education Center has offered the Bittie Baby & Me class for decades, providing a supportive and safe space for mothers to connect while also providing education.Janessa Valine and Jean Teesdale are new mothers who met in Enloe’s Childbirth Class, then signed up together for the Bittie Baby & Me class. Kim Hicks, a labor and delivery nurse, teaches the course and joins the conversation to share what parents can expect when they sign up for the class.  

April is National Donate Life month, a time to spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation, as well as honor those who gave the gift of life.Claudette McCarthy became a donor mom in 2018 when she unexpectedly lost her daughter, Shannon.Claudette shares her story about how she became a Donate Life ambassador to heal and spread awareness about organ donation.Sarah Harris, Director of Donation Development for Donor Network West, also joins the conversation. She shares insight about the non-profit organization responsible for facilitating organ, eye, and tissue donation in Northern California and Northern Nevada. 

Chico Project SAVE, a nonprofit organization, provides a crucial service to patients locally and around the world. The organization accepts donated medical equipment and delivers the much-needed supplies to communities in countries where health care resources are limited.The partnership between Enloe Health and Chico Project SAVE has spanned many years and has made an impact far beyond the North State.Bill Seguine, Enloe Health’s Director of Property Development and Facilities Management. Janice Walker, Director, of Chico Project SAVE, and Lisa Williamson, former General Manager, join Health Matters.

Recuperative Care provides short-term residential care for patients experiencing homelessness who need time to heal. Through this free program, patients receive free temporary housing, medical care, meals and more, so they can continue getting well following their hospitalization at Enloe Health. A partnership between Enloe Health, the Jesus Center, and Butte County’s Department of Employment and Social Services, the program began in 2022 and helped 49 patients in 2023. Learn more about this initiative and the impact it’s having on the community.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors but beware of ticks. These tiny creatures can carry harmful diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from tick bites from Enloe Health Prompt Care physician John Gunel, D.O., on this episode of Health Matters.

Food can be considered a universal language. Everyone enjoys food whether it’s a meal with close friends and family or enjoying your favorite comfort dish during a stressful time. It’s a big reason why food and health care can go hand-in-hand.Alison Patt, CEO of Thomas Cuisine, Enloe Health’s foodservice partner, and Ali Christensen, Enloe Health’s Director of Food & Nutrition Services, join Health Matters to talk about food and health care.