Although the job title “administrative professional” is an umbrella term for numerous positions, RRHC would like to thank our Executive Assistant in Administrative, Morgan Lowther! From answering the phones to various clerical duties, Morgan is an essential part of RRHC’s day-to-day operations.

Always celebrated on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, National Administrative Professionals Day is a time to recognize all the effort and hard work of administrative professionals. The holiday was first created in 1942 by the National Secretaries Association which was formed to recognize the contributions of administrative personnel.

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Charles W. Sawyer, commemorated the holiday as National Secretaries Week, held from June 1 through June 7. However, in 1955, Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April, with Wednesday becoming Administrative Professionals Day. In 1981, the name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week but, in the year 2000, it became Administrative Professionals Week to include the wide range of responsibilities and job titles of administrative staff in the modern economy. The day has undergone many name changes but the initial goal to show gratitude for all that administrative professionals do has remained.

Stress Awareness Month has been recognized every April since 1992, but with everything going on in the world, this year seems particularly important.
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Stress can be debilitating and can cause and/or aggravate health problems. Long-term stress can prove to be more than just a mental issue. From headaches to stomach disorders to depression – even very serious issues like stroke and heart disease can be caused from stress.

Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life.

The CDC suggests the following health ways to deal with stress:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed but hearing about the traumatic event constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple of times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
• Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out.
• Take care of your body.
  1. Take deep breaths, stretch, or mediate.
  2. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  3. Exercise regularly.
  4. Get plenty of sleep.
  5. Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
  6. Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Talk to others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.
• Connect with your community - or faith-based organizations.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These may seem to help, but they can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.
• Recognize when you need more help. If problems continue or you are thinking about suicide, talk to a psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor.

We all experience stress. It’s a natural part of life but knowing when/how to talk to others about your stress is imperative. If you or someone you know needs to speak to a professional, please call or text 304-643-4005 today to schedule an appointment with Licensed Psychologist, Jasen Nichols, or Licensed Psychologist, Brenda Tebay.

Uninsured or underinsured? Don’t forget we offer the Sliding Fee Program.

DON’T LET STRESS AFFECT YOUR WELLNESS

Dental hygiene is a large part of any dental office setting, and a dental hygienist sits in the driver’s seat of dental prevention. Through his or her resources and education, a dental hygienist ensures that patients understand what is necessary to maintain proper oral hygiene. He or she is often the first impression of a dental practice and are responsible for making patients feel comfortable and have a pleasant experience.

Since the second week of April is Dental Hygienist Appreciation Week, Ritchie Regional Health Center would like to highlight their dental hygienist who exhibits all the qualities mentioned above, Sarah Bartley. 

Sarah, who currently provides squeaky-clean smiles to patients in West Union, WV, is a 2018 graduate from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and a minor in communication studies. She started her dental hygiene career in a dental office in Grafton for two years before joining the team at RRHC in May of 2020. She loves getting to know her patients and helping them with their smile! 

Appointments can be scheduled with Sarah at RRHC West Union Campus Monday - Wednesday, or at RRHC Doddridge School-Based Wellness Center on Thursdays. For more information, please call 304-873-1401 ext. 201.