Sacrifice

As I think about today being my daughter's 14th birthday, I am reminded of how she has doubled as my biggest fan and my greatest source of inspiration! This kid cleans, cooks, and takes care of Sasha (our 10 year old pomeranian) all while maintaining an athletic lifestyle.

It takes a strong family to support adult learners while they embark on this major challenge. It also takes strong kids to endure the time spent away from a loving father who is presently fighting a war in Iraq.

This photo was taken last year in our former home before my husband was deployed. He lacked one course from completing Union's BSOL program before being deployed. So much can change within a year. I have been blessed with a job in my field and we have been blessed with a beautiful, more spacious home. But with blessings have come plenty of sacrifices, ones that I know will make my family much stronger.

As I write this, I am reminded of my husband's favorite saying "There are no short cuts to success". He is so straightforward that he just tells me when we talk through skype, "Once I complete this mission, I will be back to complete the mission at Union." What can you say to that but respond like a military wife by saying "HOOAH"

Making a difference

Some of my best thoughts come when I'm commuting between Jackson and Memphis. Today I listened to a popular radio show discuss the need for mentors in many communities. The radio host was sponsoring a nationwide mentor tour where he and others were having town house-like meetings to inspire successful individuals to reach out to troubled and misguided youth and make a difference.

I thought about how important it is for youth to see people of all walks of life show their success, not so much through material things( such as money, cars, and clothes), but through service, education and discipline.

I thought about the importance of the idea "Each one, teach one" and the importance of continuous learning. As a teenager, I convinced myself that I knew everything; however as you become older and meet highly intelligent people (such as my college chemistry instructor), you realize there is a vast amount of knowledge that you could never tap into in 100 lifetimes!

So what am I saying....Everyone has their area of "expertise" and for that reason I believe everyone should humble themselves to become more educated and to educate. Youth are my passion particularly because I have 3 teenagers and honestly I'm still a kid at heart!

Oral Health

The importance of healthcare is that it provides treatment and prevention from diseases and other conditions. Though not always mentioned in overall wellness, oral health is an important part of overall health because the mouth is the gateway to the body's wellness. Many conditions of the body show first in the oral cavity; therefore it is imperative that routine dental visits be included in annual check=ups.

Dental hygiene is an essential part of healthy teeth. Although coated with the hardest substance in our body, enamel, teeth are susceptible to many conditions including: toothbrush abrasion, chipping, fracture and cavities. Many people fail to schedule routine dental visits and are eventually informed by their health care provider to receive dental care to reduce the signs of diabetes and or other systemic conditions. Dentistry is a great ally to healthcare because many serious oral signs can develop in the mouth. Early detection can give doctors essential decision-making information to increase success of treatment.

I take my contribution to healthcare seriously, because the body functions as a unit with each part performing an important job. Systemic diseases can manifest in the entire body from oral bacteria, therefore continuous removal of bacteria is imperative. Mature bacteria (bacteria that has been in the mouth for days) can lead to periodontal disease which is a disease that leads to the resorption of the gum and bone and can later contribute to the development of diabetes and/or a stroke.

Periodontal disease has also been related to heart disease; In fact oral plaque has been found in the walls of arteries suggesting poor oral hygiene may contribute to heart attacks.

I am excited about entering another branch of Healthcare- healthcare management, a rapidly changing and demanding field that will need bright and forward-thinking professionals to carry medical care into the next generation.

My hope is to make a difference in care that will impact people's lives in a strong way. I care about people and their wellbeing. I believe that all healthcare professionals must first care about people and see all patients as living, breathing humans who have loved ones.

As a professional, I know I must show patients and employees a perfect blend of honesty,competence and compassion to maintain solid relationships between patients and healthcare professionals.All people want to valued and cared for. Healthcare is one of the greatest avenues to meet people's needs.

I am looking forward to gaining pertinent knowledge to make the difference in many lives. I am most content when I am able to offer service. There is no greater reward than using our God given abilities to help others.