St. Bernards Expands Dermatology Services

Dr. Mallory Hurst
Dr. Mallory Hurst recently joined the new St. Bernards Dermatology Clinic, located at 800 S. Church St.

Dr. Hurst is accepting patients of all ages and treating every variety of dermatologic conditions. Her special interests include pediatric dermatology, pigmentary disorders, cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease and skin cancer prevention.

To make an appointment at St. Bernards Dermatology, please call 870.336.0277.

Prostate Screening Event Next Week

One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. 
 
The St. Bernards Urology team is helping men beat the odds by hosting a prostate screening event on Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 7 to 10 a.m. The event will be held at the St. Bernards Auditorium. 
 
The first 100 men who get screened  will  receive a free ticket to the A-State vs. Miami game on Saturday, Sept. 9. All participants will be entered to win an A-State prize package.

No appointments are necessary for the screening. First come, first served. Check out this video to learn more about why prostate screenings are important.

For more information, please call the St. Bernards Healthline at 870.207.7300. 
Back to School Kids Color Run: Saturday, Sept. 16
 
Ready, set, get colorful!

Join the St. Bernards Women's Council at the annual Back to School Color Run, set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.

This two-mile fun run will begin and end at the St. Bernards Auditorium. Kids in kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to participate.

Registration is $10 per child, and adults can participate for free. Sign your child up today!

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Willie Hurst

Dr. Willie Hurst has made it his life's work to improve the lives of families in Northeast Arkansas.

Dr. Willie Hurst
He serves as medical director for the Jonesboro Church Health Center, a clinic for low-income uninsured individuals. With his wife, Honey, he founded a non-profit organization called Kids at The Cross to support children and teens in the area.

He also serves as a primary care physician at First Care on Parker Road and a part-time faculty member at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Northeast Arkansas.

"I see parents and individuals experiencing 'economic bondage,' where they struggle to overcome the socioeconomic place they are in," said Dr. Hurst. "These individuals are trying to improve their lives, but it isn't easy. Being able to help people has been a blessing to me."

Through the Jonesboro Church Health Center, individuals without medical insurance are able to receive healthcare at reduced fees. The program is funded through the group's annual Peach Drive, as well as grants.

"Through the Center, people who don't have access to medical care are able to see a physician, APN or specialist, based on the patient's need," said Dr. Hurst. "It's amazing to see the ways the facility has improved the access to care in this area."

Six years ago, Dr. Hurst saw children in challenged family situations and witnessed the impact this could have on the child's life.

"Honey and I wanted to help any way we can," said Dr. Hurst. "Through Kids at the Cross, we strive to stand in the gap for these kids and do what we can to improve their lives, whether it's mentoring, tutoring, buying new shoes or school supplies, or simply sharing God's love with these individuals."

Dr. Hurst also maintains a full practice at First Care, where he has served since completing the UAMS family practice residency program in 1992. 

To learn more about Dr. Hurst, please visit the Blog from the Heart. To make an appointment with Dr. Hurst at the  First Care  clinic at 1001 W. Parker Road, please call 870.972.8181.

Five Worst Habits for Mental Health

According to Health.com, depression is usually brought on by factors beyond our control -- the death of a loved one, a job loss or financial troubles.  But it also can be brought on by small choices we make every day that suck the happiness out of daily life, choices that we may not realize are impacting attitudes. 

Luckily, these behaviors can be changed! Here are five of the worst habits impacting your mental health: 

    You slouch when you walk.
How we feel can affect the way we walk. Researchers found that when subjects were asked to walk with shoulders slouched, hunched over and with minimum arm movements, they experienced worse moods than those who had more pep in their steps. Walk happy...and you might just feel better, too!

You take pictures of everything!
Haphazardly snapping pictures may hamper how you remember those moments. Focus on your subjects when taking pictures -- or, better yet, just sit back and enjoy yourself. Soak up the beauty and participate in the action. These are the things that will make you mentally stronger.

You don't exercise.
If you become more active three times a week, your risk of being depressed decreases 19%, according to a new study in JAMA Psychiatry. People who were depressed were less likely to be active, while those who were active were less likely to be depressed. Just get out and move. It doesn't need to be for long -- walking to errands if possible, taking the stairs -- but any activity will help keep your mind moving.

You procrastinate.
If you're avoiding the task because it makes you anxious or because you're afraid of failing, then procrastinating just makes it more nerve-wracking. Before you finally tackle your problem head-on, do something that helps you ease stress. This way you can insert a bit of fun into it.

You take life too seriously.
You trip on a crack in the sidewalk, and instead of shrugging it off, you cower with embarrassment. If that sounds like you, it's time to find some ways to laugh more. Laughter is the fast (and best) medicine for anxiety and depression.

For five more tips affecting your mental health, check out the Blog from the Heart. If you would like to talk with a mental health professional, contact the St. Bernards Counseling Center at 870.930.9090.


St. Bernards Named One of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas
Our employees are at the heart of what we do, and St. Bernards is thrilled our employees once again have helped recognize us as one of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas.

For the fifth consecutive year, St. Bernards has been recognized in the program. We are the only hospital in the state to receive this honor five years in a row. It means a lot to us that our employees enjoy where they work!
Companies across Arkansas entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work. The first part consisted of evaluation of each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. 
The second part, worth approximately 75 percent of the total evaluation, consisted of an anonymous employee survey across all hospital departments to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determine the top companies and the final rankings. 
St. Bernards joins 35 other businesses in the state and will be honored at a special luncheon Sept. 20 in Little Rock. 
To learn more about the selection process and requirements for the program, please visit the St. Bernards Newsroom