CRESTVIEW — Speedee Printing and Lou Lou Beans will host a Relay for Life fundraiser.

The companies will sell lunch plates 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at 961 Ferdon Blvd. S, Crestview.

Donate $5 or buy a lunch plate and receive a Lou Lou Beans coupon for 40 percent off. The coupon is valid Nov. 3 and 4 only. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lunch plate benefit to boost Relay for Life

CRESTVIEW — A number of residents say their medical doctors have left the North Okaloosa area, and they are wondering why.

Many shared their experiences with the perceived specialist shortage on the News Bulletin's Facebook page.

“[My] wife's neurologist left. Now we have to play the games with the insurance company to find a new one; all the while she is without,” Gary Jacobs of Crestview said. “She finally got approved for a new one but [we] have to wait until December for an appointment because they are so backed up.”

Jazmine Jones of Crestview said, “I have several specialists, none of which are in Crestview, though it wasn't always that way."

Rick Burkart said that his wife’s gynecologist quit or retired. Burkart said he believes doing so was preferable to the alternative: "deal with 'Nobamicare.'”

That's a commonly held perception, but does it match reality?

Before the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — was passed in 2010, many Americans believed doctors would leave their practices or take early retirement because of the new law. However, this was not the case, and the country gained nearly 100,000 doctors since Congress passed the law, Forbes reported in 2016.

“For the first time, the number of U.S. physicians in their mid-50s (or older) has outpaced the number of physicians between the ages of 35 and 54,” the magazine stated. “Not all of these older doctors are still in practice, but a surprising number have stayed in the workforce.”

In fact, the study found that doctors were reluctant to retire for one major reason — money.

“The sunk cost of being a doctor — the years of training; the enormous student loans — also can take decades to pay off,” the article said. “And physician reimbursement has steadily tightened in recent decades, forcing older doctors to work harder and stay longer if they want to maintain their earlier standard of living or fund ambitious retirement plans.”

So, some doctors are sticking around longer than expected, but some are leaving.

According to a 2011 survey, 70 percent of doctors said they planned to work longer because of the recession; however, now that the economy is in recovery, more of these older doctors are leaving, sparking a jump in retirement rates.

Whatever the reason, residents have noticed that some of their favorite doctors are no longer available, and have tried to come to terms with the possible circumstances.

“Micro-management,” Julie Floyd-Richburg said on the News Bulletin's Facebook page. “Independent physicians [are] either retiring or joining a corporation to get out of paying high overhead.”

Arturo Ojeda said it may be because North Okaloosa Medical Center is one of the most expensive hospitals in Florida. In fact, according to a Forbes study, NOMC is the most expensive hospital in the United States.

Twenty of the 50 U.S. hospitals that charge the most for their services are located in Florida, according to a 2015 study. NOMC is the first on the list, followed by Fort Walton Beach Medical Center at No. 6 and Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville at No. 17.

Has this fact, which some residents have said influences their decision to use the hospital, affected staffing? It doesn't seem so.

"Over the past two years we have recruited 10 new providers to our community covering medical specialties that include pediatrics, family medicine, orthopedics, urology and pulmonology. We have also extended our footprint in the community by adding two additional outpatient clinics to serve the patients in our city,” a statement from NOMC said.

“Like with other industries, the medical field experiences normal attrition due to retirement or relocation. We are fortunate to have an attrition rate that is low and that we can maintain the level of expertise and resources our patients have come to expect.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Retirement or relocation

The National Association of County and City Health Officials honored health departments across the United States for their outstanding achievements demonstrating innovative ways to improve public health and safety.

Among  Model Practice Awards Winners is Okaloosa County Health Department for its program of "Integrating Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Services into a Clinical Work Environment for HIV Prevention."

NACCHO President Umair A. Shah recently presented the organization's awards during its annual conference.

Shah said, “We applaud the passion, ingenuity, and success of this year’s award winners. They exemplify what’s best about local health departments around our nation. These dedicated professionals help millions of Americans live safer, longer, and healthier lives.”

The conference's theme was Operational Excellence in Public Health.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa recognized for HIV prevention efforts

CRESTVIEW — With folks hitting the streets in increased numbers in the morning and after work now that summer’s swelter is waning, drivers have observed some walkers putting themselves in possible harm’s way. 

Examples include not being aware of their surroundings, walking on the wrong side of the street or walking two or more abreast in the street.

The Crestview Police Department took the advice of local Realtor Carol Strom, who suggested sharing some tips on walking safety.

The Crestview Police Department joins the Florida Department of Transportation in offering these safe walking tips:

• Obey traffic laws, including pedestrian traffic laws.

• Use sidewalks when they’re available.

• Walk against the direction of traffic if no sidewalk is available so you can clearly see oncoming vehicles. Do not walk with your back to traffic.

• If walking with others, don’t walk two or more abreast in the street. Walk single file.

• Always use crosswalks if you’re crossing a street, especially a busy one. An intersection with a signal is the safest place to walk, provided you obey the signals.

• Look, then look again before crossing the street.

• Be visible. Wear bright colors and reflective accessories such as belts, clothes, wristbands and shoes.

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Since you know your neighborhood well, you can be extra eyes and ears for the Police Department. Call the CPD Dispatch Center, 682-2055, at once if you see anything unusual or suspicious.

The Florida Department of Health says that walking:

• Lowers blood pressure because it dilates your blood vessels, reducing the pressure on blood vessel walls

• Lowers cholesterol, which decreases risks to your heart

• Strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system, elevating your heart rate while you walk and lowering it when you rest

• Increases your body’s production of endorphins, which improves your mental and physical health because endorphins are your body’s natural way to decrease stress

• Makes you feel better and possibly sleep more soundly

• Helps you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight when you’ve reached your weight goal.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 8 walking safety tips

The Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System will have influenza and pneumonia vaccines available for veterans receiving VA care at all GCVHCS facilities.

Influenza vaccines are available at the following times through GCVHCS primary care walk-in flu clinics, Monday through Friday:

•Eglin Air Force Base VA Clinic: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Joint Ambulatory Care Center, Pensacola: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

•Biloxi VA Medical Center: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Mobile VA Clinic: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Panama City Beach VA Clinic: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Both vaccines are available in all primary, specialty and behavioral health care areas through scheduled appointments.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Flu, pneumonia shots available for veterans

CRESTVIEW — Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds, 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd.

Multiple bouncy houses for different age groups, laser tag, rock painting, vendor booths and fire truck tours are some of the day's activities.

Admission is free for children ages 2 and under, and $5 each for older children. Barbecue lunch plates will be served for $5 each as well. Other foods for sale include Boston butts, snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn.

Previous fun days took place at the Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion in Crestview.

"We kind of outgrew that location," one of the event's organizers, Ashley Baxley of Crestview, said.

Ashley and her husband Matthew began the fun day a few years ago to support one of their children, Madison, who has Turner syndrome, a genetic chromosome disorder that affects females.

Doctors diagnosed Madison before birth as having the syndrome and "multiple heart defects at 20 weeks gestation," her dad stated in an email. She had her first heart surgery to repair a coarctation — or narrowing — of the aorta later that week. The aorta is a large blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. Matthew Baxley said the condition is frequent in people with TS.

After six years of multiple appointments the valve that she had fixed as a baby began to narrow again. In February of 2015 Madison had an angioplasty to open her aorta back to an acceptable limit.

"Madison still has multiple doctors and will more than likely have to have another heart surgery in the future but for now she is a happy spunky 8-year-old," Matthew Baxley stated. "After tackling all of the unknowns that my wife and I went through, we knew we needed to do something to help spread awareness for Turner Syndrome. Four years ago we started the Turner Syndrome family fun day with the goal of spreading awareness."

TS is a genetic condition that causes such characteristics as "short stature, ovarian failure, heart defects, and normal intelligence with possible learning disorders, kidney abnormalities, lymphedema, frequent ear infections, hearing loss and visual and spatial difficulties," according to an event media release.

Ashley said while some of the proceeds go toward Madison's medical costs, awareness of TS Syndrome has become their focus.

"It's becoming very crucial to her and our family to raise awareness as these events are becoming more and more important to her. She loves meeting people with TS," she said.

Because the event is indoors, it will be held, rain or shine.

In addition, support for those with TS extends beyond Saturday's activities.

"We have a support group in our area called the Northwest Florida Panhandle Butterflies, and there's about 10-12 ladies with TS in our group right now," Ashley Baxley said. 

"Each event we have, we meet more and more girls and women with TS."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview family boosts Turner syndrome awareness

FORT WALTON BEACH — Six Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Oct. 2.

Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island; Marler Park, Okaloosa Island; Henderson Beach, Destin; Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin; James Lee Park, Destin; and Lincoln Park, Valparaiso, failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.

Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 Okaloosa parks receive hazardous water advisories

CRESTVIEW — The Wingmen Motorcycle Club of Northwest Florida will have its third annual Emerald Coast Breast Cancer Awareness Poker Run.

It starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 14 at Hooters restaurant, 180 Cracker Barrel Drive, Crestview. The event is open to the public. Motorcyclists, car and truck drivers are welcome to participate.

Cost is a $20 donation and $10 per extra hand. Cash prizes will be awarded and a 50-50 drawing is part of the fundraiser. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Participants will also travel to The Edge in Niceville from 10 a.m. to noon; Crestview Amvets Post 35 from 1-2 p.m.; and Crestview Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 from 3-4 p.m. The final stop is 4 p.m. to midnight at the Wingmen's club house at 160 Cayson Ave., Crestview, where Juke Joint Willie will provide live music.

Contact Joe Hernandez, 910-689-6901, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Motorcycle club sets cancer awareness fundraiser

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Medical Center's Healthy Woman program will host "Paint the Runway Pink," a breast cancer awareness and education event.

It is 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 5 at FAMU College of Pharmacy, 153 Woodruff Ave. W., Crestview.

Attendees will receive a free professional bra fitting, breast self-exam education and enjoy a Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion show featuring Cato fashions. Refreshments will be served and event music provided by Cheryl Jones of Jones and Co.

Register at http://conta.cc/2fNCmW7.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Paint the Runway Pink' to include breast cancer education, fashion show

CRESTVIEW — Troop 30 Second Class Scout Kenneth Mayfield heard Shoal River Middle School, where he is a seventh-grade student, was being used as a Red Cross Shelter for people displaced by Hurricane Irma.

He visited the shelter and saw a need for help. He contacted Senior Patrol Leader Spencer Whitten, Scout Master Abe Rodriguez and Committee Chair Iris Valdez to ask if the troop was willing to help. Immediate needs included setting up the shelter, preparing meals and occupying the time of kids in the shelter; there were no activities planned for kids.

Troop 30 responded. Nearly two dozen Scouts, leaders and family members volunteered at the shelter on Sept. 9 and 10.

They brought balls, games, toys, movies and an X-Box game system. They organized games, prepared and served food, set up cots and helped evacuees get settled into the shelter.

Word of the need for assistance passed to other units. Scouts, leaders and parents from Troop 773, Crestview Cub Scout Pack 799 and Explorers from The Okaloosa County Sheriff Post, among others, also responded.

About 10 Troop 773 members and four of their adults spent hours at the shelter Sept.  9 and 10. They then returned Monday to help evacuees load items into their cars, break down shelter use items, sanitize cots and load everything into the Red Cross trucks, finishing up about 4 p.m. Monday.

There were at least two Cub Scouts from Pack 799 helping out, along with pack adults. A troop mom/Girl Scout leader was also assisting. A leader involved with both Pack 799 and Troop 30 organized a location to collect items for delivery to the shelter, including coloring books and crayons for the kids.

The shelter served more than 100 evacuees in the two days it was opened. The Red Cross, which ran the shelter, and the Crestview Rotary Club, which organized meals, as well as the residents praised the scouts for their consideration and efforts.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Scouts aid Irma evacuees