Laney elected president of Mayo Clinic Alumni Association

Heartland Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Laney was recently elected president of the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association. He received this honor at the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association 66th Meeting. Dr. Laney completed his training at Mayo in 1989 in the field of child and adolescent neurology. He joined the Alumni Association board in 2003. In 2005, he was appointed vice president and in 2007, president-elect. Following Dr. Laney's tenure as president, he will serve two more years as past president.

The Mayo Clinic Alumni Association was organized to nurture positive relationships between Mayo and the individuals who participate in its education programs.

Heartland auxiliary honored

Heartland Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is among four hospital auxiliaries honored by the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries for their volunteer services to the health care community. These auxiliaries were recognized for outstanding service between June 1, 2008, and May 31, 2009. The 2009 Auxiliary of the Year awards were presented recently at a luncheon during the Missouri Hospital Association's 87th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Osage Beach, Mo.

The Heartland Regional Medical Center (HRMC) Auxiliary in St. Joseph received recognition for its exceptional efforts as an auxiliary. From June 2008 through May 2009, more than 625 volunteers performed 64,816 hours of work.

The volunteers' in-service activities throughout the hospital include the gift shop, administrative support and patient-centered functions. However, their main focus this year was raising awareness about breast cancer and fundraising for breast cancer-related projects. The HRMC auxiliary contributed $233,588 to hospital-related projects, including $172,165 to the Breast Cancer Assistance Fund. In support of health education, the HRMC auxiliary provided six $1,500 scholarships for individuals pursuing health careers.

Help choosing Medicare plans

If you are new to Medicare Part D plans or need assistance in comparing the 2010 plans (It is important to review and compare your plan annually), please plan on attending one of the following free sessions sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging. Bring your Medicare card or number and an accurate list of prescription medications that you take on a regular schedule, or bring a printout of your prescriptions from your pharmacy. A representative from the Social Security Administration will be available to discuss the Extra Help Prescription Cost-Saving Program.

Sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 2 at East Hills Library and from 7:30 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday through Dec. 29 at the East Hills Shopping Center.

For more information, contact Susan Moore at 273-2934.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.