Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Well, my big plan of having a three month calendar ready didn't happen. Yet. It was a busy summer for HealthCare Resources. There are so many folks now living here full time and they keep us hopping! Now we look forward to the rains and the heat to subside and our winter/snowbird friends to return to the area.

We have a full calendar of screening clinics for the month of October, and will be adding a few new ones come November. Take your time, read through the entire newsletter and then send on your requests, questions, comments, and suggestions.

October Clinics
Please remember that each clinic requires a pre-scheduled appointment via HealthCare Resources. Just send an email to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com, and be sure to include the name of the patient, email address, phone number, and preferred time. (We do our best!)

Vascular Clinic
October 11, 2012
$400 pesos (PLUS members pay $350 pesos)
Includes: Evaluation by a vascular specialist, checking your legs/pulses/carotids - see how well your blood is flowing! You will receive a complete report with recommendations.

Mammogram Clinic
October 16, 2012 & October 30, 2012
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
$920 pesos (PLUS members pay $820 pesos)
Includes digital mammogram, ultrasound (if deemed necessary), manual exam. We now have a female radiologist who is a breast specialist!

Ear Clinic
October 17, 2012
$375 pesos (PLUS members pay $325 pesos)
This is one of our most popular clinics. Complete evaluation of your ears by an ENT and cleaning, if needed. Note: This is NOT a hearing test! If you need a hearing test, we have an audiologist that comes from the United States once a month. It's amazing the gunk that builds up in our ears here!

Skin Clinic
October 18 and October 25, 2012
$275 pesos (PLUS members pay $225 pesos)
Another one of THE most popular clinics - these fill up quickly! Have your skin checked from scalp to your toes by an oncologist.

Foot Clinic
October 19, 2012
$300 pesos (PLUS members pay $250 pesos)
Includes a review of your feet and toes, pulses, balance and recommendations by a super podiatrist. Bad pedicure? Corns? Hammer toes? This clinic is for you.

Eye Clinic
October 22, 2012
$400 pesos (PLUS members pay $350 pesos)
Complete vision exam, pressure (for glaucoma) by an opthamologist.

Women's Clinic
October 23 and October 30, 2012
$775 pesos (PLUS members pay $690 pesos)
Includes consult, pap smear, pelvic exam with a wonderful (female!) GYN.

Cardiac Clinic
October 24, 2012
$550 pesos (PLUS members pay $500 pesos)
Includes EKG, Blood Pressure Check, Consult/Interview with a cardiologist and their recommendations. (We recommend prior to the appointment, you have a cholesterol profile. We are offering a very discounted price for this at $322 pesos.)

Men's Urology Clinic
October 26, 2012
$700 pesos (PLUS members pay $650 pesos)
Includes: Consult/Interview, ultrasound of kidneys, bladder and prostate, measurement of residual urine. (We recommend prior to your appointment a PSA and Urinalysis. We are offering a very discounted price for these of $470 pesos.)

Ongoing:
• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Men's Check Up
• Women's Check Up

If you have not yet had one of the "medical pedicures" offered via our podiatrist - you must! Absolutely heavenly and only $250 pesos! (PLUS members receive a 10% discount.) Send email for info.

What is the PLUS membership? Click HERE to learn everything you need to know. (Prices are in pesos.)

It is SO very important to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage here - whether it be an international policy or a local Mexican policy or traveler's insurance policy. We do not sell insurance, but we work with a wide variety of representatives. There is no such thing as free medical care here in Mexico, so contact us for information. We are here to assist you with any and all of your health care needs. Plan ahead!

A couple of great events...

On Monday, October 22, 2012 at 9:00 am, HealthCare Resources & PVSleepWell invite you to join us at the fabulous River Café for a "Let's Kick Off the High Season" breakfast. Information on health services, meet some of our physicians, mix, mingle and NETWORK! Let others know of your services, charities, businesses. The River Café has a super breakfast buffet and they are giving us a discounted price of $115 pesos (including tip.) This is your chance to get your info out there! RSVP please. We do request that if you have information to share, you do purchase breakfast to participate.

On October 26, 2012 from 10 am until 4 pm, we invite you to stop by Amerimed as we host an Open House for Breast Cancer Awareness. Meet our radiologist who is a breast specialist, our mammogram technicians, our oncologists. Learn how the mammogram machine works. Pink lemonade! Pink cupcakes! Pink things! Spread the word! (Amerimed is located across the street from Plaza Marina. There is valet parking.)

Bits-n-Pieces...

• From MailBox Etc:
As MailBoxes, Etc in Zona Romantica (at Aquiles Serdan and Ignacio L. Vallarta at Rivera Molino Plaza) prepares to move into the high season, they just want to remind you that they pick up and deliver mail for mailbox renters in Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta de Mita, Bucerias, and Nuevo Vallarta. If you or someone you know is interested in this convenient, economical, and secure service, please write to them at mx0137(at)mx.mbelatam.com, or call (322) 222-2252. You can also follow them on facebook.

• Brits in Puerto Vallarta
Are you a British Citizen? If so, please contact Philippa Vernon-Powell, as she and a couple of others are putting together a social group. pvp(at)newlifemexico.com

• Los Mercados re-opens October 3, 2012
Mikey's has expanded its pantry and hard-to-find gourmet items to include more of what you asked for at very competitive prices. Cork + Bottle reopens with a new 99 Peso wine selection featuring sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Plus new spirits and wines at reduced prices. k'rico:) has expanded their pastry and dessert selection and will carry pantry items for your baking needs. Look for baking chips and chocolate, vanilla, flours, brown sugar and decorating supplies plus many more items. Don Fresco re-opens with a bounty of fresh produce and a new pantry area that will carry seeds, nuts, dried fruits and grains. Fireworks! is the place to unleash your creativity with their "paint your own pottery" projects, where everything is included in one price. Go see all of the new bisques, new glaze colors and finishes! Los Mercados is conveniently located just a half-block East (Inland) of MailBoxes Etc. and Timothy Real Estate / Molina De Agua Plaza on Aquiles Serdan 265. Same block as the old Rizo's.

• Becas Breakfasts return in November. If you would like a schedule, please send an email to Polly Vicars at phvicars(at)gmail.com.

• The Saturday Market Co-op has been running successfully all summer. November 3, 2012 begins the "high season fall-winter market" with anything and everything imaginable being offered from fruits and vegetables to purses to yummy baked goods. Location: Paradise Community Center, Pulpito #127, between Olas Altas and Amapas. Come Hungry!

• Hacienda Jalisco
The perfect getaway in San Sebastian del Oeste, an easy drive from Puerto Vallarta, high in the Sierra Mountains. And remember, we grow, process and package our very own coffee! Available through me and as well at the Saturday Market Co-op.

Wish Lists
• School Supplies
• Adult Diapers
• Baby Wipes
• Gloves

If you are able to assist with any of the above items, please let me know. Desperately needed!

Soon, that extra buzz of energy will be in the air as friends return for the winter and the social whirlwind begins. HealthCare Resources will have some new clinics and a lot of topic-appealing speakers programs that we hope you will attend. I am happy to set an appointment time to sit down and have a chat with you regarding your "health care plan" while in the area. Just shoot me an email.

For all of the latest news, look for HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta on Facebook.

Here's to a super and very healthy fall!
Pamela Thompson
HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta
Cell: 044-322-107-7007
Blog: PamPV.wordpress.com

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Pamela Thompson has lived and worked in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.

Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta.