Preferred Benefits Services Employee Benefits

Enhance your employee benefits package through the OACHC! 

• 25% rate reduction to your current Basic Life program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with four face-to-face visits included at no charge
• Higher guarantee issue limits and plan maximums on Voluntary Life
• Reduced employee costs for Voluntary Life
• Spouse and child(ren) benefits available 
• No requirement to offer a new open enrollment period 
• April 1, 2018 effective date

For more information, contact: 
Brian Lenzo 

Group Benefits Specialist

Preferred Benefits Services, Inc.

1-800-558-5658 
brian@prefben.com

Have you gotten your flu shot?

National Influenza Vaccination Week

This week highlights the importance of getting your influenza vaccination. Flu season peaks between December and February but can last well into May! Each year, hundreds of thousands of people get the flu and many are even hospitalized. 

"While the impact of flu varies, it places a substantial burden on the health of people in the United States each year. CDC estimates that influenza has resulted in between 9.2 million and 60.8 million illnesses, between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually since 2010." - Centers for Disease Control 

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Those who are most at risk of contracting the flu are:

• individuals 65 or older           
• pregnant women
• kids
• people with asthma, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or cancer

For this flu season, it is recommended that you only get the flu shot to be sure that you are safe from the flu. However, other preventative measures you can take to stay healthy this winter include:

• avoiding close contact with sick people
• if you have flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours
• cover your nose and mouth when sneezing
• ALWAYS wash your hands! If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand-sanitizer.

For more information, click here!

To learn how you can spread more information about National Influenza Vaccination Week and information about the flu in general, go to the CDC's Influenza page here!

To find out where you can get a flu vaccine, go to https://vaccinefinder.org/ 

Project ECHO: ECHO Autism Collaborative

What is ECHO Autism?

• A series of virtual learning sessions for medical providers facilitated by autism and behavior experts
• An innovative system that allows professionals to:
• Increase confidence in identifying and treating autism symptoms
• Expand knowledge about behavioral treatments
• Participate in an Autism Intervention Research Network Project

How will ECHO Autism help me?

• Regular, convenient access to Nationwide Children's Hospital experts:
• Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician
• Child and Adolescent Psychologist
• Registered Dietitian
• Resource Navigator-Parent Advocate/Educator
• Increase knowledge about:
• Evidence-based practices for screening and treatment of autism
• Common medical and behavioral concerns in children with autism through case-based training
• Local programs and resources that may be of benefit to families
• Improve care for your patients in your own practice with the support of local autism experts

How does ECHO Autism AR work?

• Meets for two hours via web technology, twice a month for 6 months
• 2 CME credits per clinic provided at no cost
• Discuss complex cases in YOUR practice in real-time with experts

What do I need to get started?

• Internet access
• A front-facing camera on smartphone, tablet, or computer/webcam

Please keep a look out for upcoming information sessions via Zoom Video Communications

Join our team to bring the best autism care to primary care!

KAREN RATLIFF-SCHAUB, MD, MBOE DEVELOPMENTAL BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICIAN

Nationwide Children's Hospital

For more information please contact:
Natalie Ritter
Research Coordinator | Child Development Center | 

Nationwide Children's Hospital
187 West Schrock Road | Westerville, OH 43081
P: 614.355.7575 E: Natalie.Ritter@nationwidechildrens.org


Project ECHO: ECHO Autism Collaborative

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Thanksgiving is a special time when friends and family all come together to spend some quality time, enjoy each other’s company and give thanks. Every year, my family, friends and I like to give thanks in a multitude of ways. We also enjoy a healthy activity. We start the day off with a 10k so we unstuff before we stuff and are still able to donate to a charitable cause!” – Lauren Husein, Communication & Events Coordinator at OACHC 

Check out some Thanksgiving themed races near you:

• Thanksgiving Day Race
• Columbus Turkey Trot
• Cleveland Turkey Trot

If running isn't your thing, but you still want to give thanks in another way, there are so many food pantries in need of volunteers and donations. To find one near you, go to http://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks/ 

Thanksgiving dinner is something I personally look forward to ALL YEAR LONG! At the same time, its so easy to get carried away with trying 5 different kinds of stuffing, 7 different pies and oh the mashed potatoes and gravy. Yessss! For healthy ideas and alternatives to some of the classic foods, here are a few suggestions:

• A Dozen Trim Thanksgiving Recipes
• 500-Calorie Thanksgiving Feast
• Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
• Food Network Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
• 28 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes To Lighten Up Your Meal

Wanna try something totally new this year and have a new tradition? Here are a few ideas:

• Taking a walk after dinner
• Take time for yourself before and after dinner
• Have everyone write their "thanks" on a tablecloth
• Travel somewhere 
• Create a cookbook
• Anything that gets your whole group (no matter the size!) involved.

So, from our family to yours, have a happy and healthy holiday!

NEW GOLD CORPORATE PARTNER! 

Welcome Our Newest Partner Midway Dental Supply, Inc.

Midway Dental Supply is an independent dental supply company that services Indiana, Michigan and Northeastern Illinois. The company began in 1984 with the objective to provide exceptional customer service while building personal relationships with our customers. Midway Dental Supply is a family-owned, full-service dental distributor servicing the dental professional in every aspect of his or her business. Whether you are looking to setup a new dental practice, redesign an existing building, or simply purchase your weekly supplies, Midway Dental Supply can fulfill your needs. Questions? Contact Patrick Blanc

Learn more at http://www.midwaydental.com  

Generation Rx Grant Opportunities Now Available to Ohio Community Health Centers

The Cardinal Health Foundation is pleased to announce three new Generation Rx requests for proposals, targeting four of the states that have been especially hard hit by the opioid epidemic. We invite you to review these grant opportunities, and apply for one or more to address the needs in your community. Applications are due January 12, 2018.

To learn more about the grants, register for a webinar and dowload RFPs, click here.

American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month

With Halloween just passing us by, and Thanksgiving being around the corner, its time we all take a step back and make sure we are making healthy choices each and everyday. According to Healthfinder.gov, one in 10 Americans have diabetes, which is more than 30 million people. And, 84 million adults in the US are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who do not keep diabetes under control can be at risk of getting nerve damage, blindness and other disabilities. However, by incorporating daily exercise and healthy eating, these risks can be lowered in half. 

Those who suffer from type one diabetes, are often diagnosed when they are children and 40,000 new Americans are diagnosed each year. People who suffer from this form of diabetes can still maintain a healthy lifestyle by blood glucose control and insulin management, exercise, and good nutrition. 

• For more information on how you can maintain a diabetic lifestyle, go to the American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org
• To learn how you can spread awareness about American Diabetes Month, go to https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/NovemberToolkit.aspx 
• Tips on what not to eat after this years Trick or Treating festivities and ways to stay active instead, click here and here