Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - We've heard it has been a record "high season" so far which sure is reflected in our numbers in the health care area. With a record attendance at this year's Medical Matters Conference in February, with approximately 2,000 attendees, we are so very proud of the event and are already planning for February 2015!

Please take your time and read through this newsletter. It's a long one (didn't get one out in February!) with a variety of information. Adelante y Animo!

March 2014 Clinic Schedule

All of our clinics are screening clinics. There are no procedures performed at the time of the clinics. They fill very quickly and most will end up with a waiting list. If you would like to participate in one (or more), please send an email to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com with the person's name, email address and phone number. You will receive an email confirming your appointment with complete details. We DO have a penalty for no-shows!

Eye Clinic
Monday, March 10, 2014
$425 pesos (PLUS members pay $400 pesos)
Vision test, pressure test for Glaucoma and evaluation by an ophthalmologist.

Skin Clinic
Tuesday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 19, 2014
$375 pesos (PLUS members pay $325 pesos)
Performed by an oncologist who will check your skin for skin cancer from the top of your head to the bottoms of your feet.

Ear Clinic
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
$375 pesos (PLUS members pay $325 pesos)
Have your ears checked (and cleaned if necessary) by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. One of our most popular clinics!

Foot Clinic
Friday, March 14, 2014
$300 pesos (PLUS members pay $250 pesos)
Complete evaluation of your feet by a podiatrist. Check for fungus, bunions, balance and much more!

Cardiology Clinic
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
$550 pesos (PLUS members pay $500 pesos)
Consult and EKG by a cardiologist. *Labwork suggested prior to the clinic at a special discounted price.

Women's Clinic
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
$775 pesos (PLUS members pay $690 pesos)
Pap smear, pelvic exam and consult by female GYN. *Labwork recommended prior to the clinic at a special discounted price.

Mammogram Clinic
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
$920 pesos (PLUS members pay $820 pesos)
Digital mammogram, ultrasound (if needed) and manual exam along with a review of the mammogram.

Vascular Clinic
Thursday, March 27, 2014
$400 pesos (PLUS members pay $350 pesos)
Blood flow evaluation of the vascular system (legs and carotids) by a vascular specialist. Do you have varicose veins? Leg pain? Spider veins? This clinic is for you.

Men's Urology Clinic
Monday, March 31, 2014
$700 pesos (PLUS members pay $650 pesos)
Bladder, prostate and urinary evaluation by a urologist. *Labwork recommended prior to the clinic at a special discounted price.

What is the PLUS program?You can see the benefits HERE. Sorry - I am far behind in updating the benefit chart! Prices are in pesos. For the next few months, we will be offering a 25% discount on renewals and new sign-ups and we will carry over your "months". For example, if you sign up in April and you are leaving for the summer months, to return in November, your membership will be "suspended" while you are gone and pick up again when you return. In order to do these renewals/sign-ups, we must schedule an appointment to meet in person at my office. Email me for further information. Note: You do not need to be a PLUS member to receive our services but the complete medical record that we keep for you is a big "plus" as well as the discounts along with some "extra hand-holding."

Audiologist: We have an audiologist that comes from the United States once a month to do hearing tests, check hearing aids and do consults. She is here for only a few days and her agenda fills up quickly! If you would like an appointment for this month, she will be here March 28, 29 and 30th. Please email me for an appointment.

Ongoing: Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Men's Check Up, Women's Check up (different than the clinics listed above), physician consults.

Insurance: Please! Do your homework and have proper medical coverage! There is no such thing as free medical care here! I am happy to communicate with you regarding your specific situation and make recommendations. Email me for more information. (I do not sell insurance.)

One-on-One Chat: If you'd like to schedule a time to sit down and have a chat about anything and everything to do with health care in the area and make your own personal healthcare plan, I am more than happy to do this (no charge). Just email me and we can set a time to meet at my office.

Hot Topic Mondays
These are no-charge speakers programs on (most) Mondays. They begin at 11:15 am and are held at Hospital Amerimed (across the street from Plaza Marina), 3rd floor meeting room. Space is limited so an RSVP is required!

Monday, March 10, 2014 – The speaker will be me. This will be a casual discussion regarding what happens if you have Medicare/Medicare supplement along with some options for you. You might have coverage via your Medicare supplement and not even know it. How about air evacuation? Let's make a plan for you!

Monday, March 17, 2014 – Dr. Javier Diaz-Nuñez (ENT) will speak on vertigo and dizziness, how to identify it and what to do about it. So many people suffer from this and do not even know what it is. This will be a very interesting talk!

Monday, March 24, 2014 – Dr. Miguel Saldaña will repeat his Medical Matters talk (which was VERY popular – fabulous feedback!) "An Overview of Our Plastic Surgery Practice." Dr. Saldaña is a well-respected, professional and board certified plastic surgeon in the area. Rather than focus on one specific type of surgery, he will be covering the general practice of plastic surgery, and his in particular. There is everything from body sculpting to a face lift, mole removal to an arm lift. Learn what to look for in your pursuit of plastic surgery.

Monday, March 31, 2014 – Another repeat of a Medical Matters talk (that was filled to over-flowing and again, fabulous feedback!) as Licensed Dietician Nathalie Batilliot presents "Elements of a Healthy Diet." There is a barrage of information on nutrition, fad diets, vitamin supplements and it is often confusing. Who and what to believe? Nathalie, who is a Licensed Diabetic Instructor, will speak on "the basics." She'll tell you what should be included in your diet, and what is unnecessary. She will also cover "preventative" type diets, specifically for pre-diabetics as well as other disease. You might be spending a lot of extra money on items that you don't need. Basic and simple. Again – a RSVP is required!

Miscellaneous

The Becas Ball is right around the corner! This elegant event is one of "the" social events of the year and a chance to really get dressed up and strut your stuff! Becas is one of the most well-respected and well established charities in the area, as they focus on education for young people who might not otherwise be able to afford it.

Wish List: So many "physical" items are needed for those less fortunate than ourselves. Here is a list of some of the most needed items. They can be left at my office at Hospital Amerimed or at Mailbox Etc (Southside Vallarta): Bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, receiving blankets, onsies, hotel soaps/shampoos, school supplies, crayons, color books, craft supplies. Thank you!

Do you live in the Nuevo Vallarta area? A special friend of mine has put together a wonderful "guide" to that area and I am happy to share that with you. Just send an email to me at pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com!

Updated daily, Banderas News is the best way to keep up with anything and everything going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Bay of Banderas.

Are you here year-round? If so and you'd like to be on our "summer" activities list, please let me know. Last summer we were so busy, we didn't do much but this summer I am determined to do this as in past summers. Movies, speakers programs, breakfasts, painting on Fridays at Fireworks – let's make some plans!

No, I do not make a commission on physician consults, hospital admissions, referrals. Sometimes the things I hear via the Jungle Drums floors me! I have individual contracts with "my" physicians, that includes a vast amount of work that I do for them and as well for the hospitals I am contracted with. Enough said.

I truly hope that this whirlwind winter season has been a good one for anyone reading this. And it is certainly not over yet since Easter comes late this year. We have a lot more beautiful weather in store, loads of events coming up, great restaurants to enjoy, markets to visit – so much to do! Enjoy every minute of it! For that perfect escape, come see us at the Hacienda Jalisco!

Thank you for reading this! Here's to a marvelous March!
Pamela Thompson
healthcareresourcespv.com
pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com
Phone (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.