Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Grab your agenda, take some time and read through the entire newsletter! (It's a long one!) We have a month filled with clinics, programs and events! To reserve, or for any questions for any of the activities, please send an email to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We have some "very pink" activities planned and we look forward to your participation and attendance. See more information below.

We welcome back our "snowbirds" as many begin arriving this month. We hope that you had a happy and healthy summer "Up North."

I have had many requests for flu vaccines. At this time, they have not yet arrived to our area. If you would like a flu vaccine and would like to be notified when they arrive, please email me and I will put you on the list. (If you need other vaccines, we are able to obtain most, so let me know if you are looking for a particular one.)

October Health Clinics

We are very proud of our monthly clinics! All clinics are screening clinics at a discounted price. Procedures are not performed at the clinics. Beginning in November, we will also be adding some new clinics (and we are excited about this!) They will include a Knee Clinic, Thyroid Clinic, Chest/Lung Clinic, Pediatric Clinic and Dental Clinic! Any and all appointments must be made through HealthCare Resources.

Skin Clinic
October 14 & October 23, 2014
Cost: $300 pesos – PLUS members pay $250 pesos
Performed by an oncologist (not a dermatologist), he will examine your skin from your scalp to your toes looking for skin cancer.

Mammogram Clinic
October 15 and October 22, 2014
Cost: $920 pesos - PLUS members pay $820 pesos
Digital Mammogram, Ultrasound (if deemed necessary) and a manual exam. We work with a breast specialist (radiologist) and an oncologist. We will completely review your mammogram studies with you – so you are able to understand everything!

Ear Clinic
October 16, 2014
Cost: $375 pesos – PLUS members pay $325 pesos
Performed by our ENT doctor, he will "look inside" your ears with his specialized equipment. He will also clean your ears if necessary.

Cardiology Clinic
October 17, 2014
Cost: $550 pesos – PLUS members pay $500 pesos
A cardiac evaluation (including an EKG) and consult. **We recommend specific lab work prior to the clinic which we have a very good discount. Time to check that cholesterol!

Women's Clinic
October 21, 2014
Cost: $775 pesos – PLUS members pay $690 pesos
Pap smear and pelvic exam along with consult performed by our female gynecologist. **Optional lab work prior to the clinic available (hormones/thyroid) if you want to do that at a very discounted price.

Vascular Clinic
October 24, 2014
Cost: $400 pesos – PLUS members pay $350 pesos
Have your blood flow evaluated by a vascular specialist including specific evaluation of legs (varicose veins, clots, etc.)

Eye Clinic
October 27, 2014
Cost: $400 pesos – PLUS members pay $375 pesos
Vision evaluation, eye pressure check (for glaucoma) by an ophthalmologist.

Foot Clinic
October 29, 2014
Cost: $300 pesos – PLUS members pay $350 pesos
Performed by a podiatrist, a complete evaluation of your feet.

We are very proud of the physicians we work with. All are board-certified in their specialty, are (for the most part!) completely bi-lingual. They are honest, caring and kind. If you would like me to attend a consult with you with any of our physicians, just let me know. (No charge.) We have all specialties available. And now – we have an Immune Disease Specialist! This is a huge PLUS for the Vallarta area! We are now also working closely with Mari Torres who handles complimentary medicine including acupuncture (needle-less!), acupressure, hypnosis, facial laser rejuvenation and much more. She specializes in pain control so if you have pain issues, please contact me for more information.

If you'd like, we can set up a time to meet, one on one, and go over general healthcare information in the area. Whether it is insurance questions, choosing a physician, a particular medical issue – just send me an email and we will schedule. Of course, there is never a charge to do this.

We are pleased to begin our weekly "Hot Topic" programs once again! These are held at Hospital Amerimed (across the street from Plaza Marina), 3rd floor meeting room. There is no charge for these programs. Space is limited, so an RSVP is mandatory. We begin promptly at 11:15 am.

Monday, October 13, 2014
Dra. Claudia de Moral
"Breast Cancer – Myths and Facts"
Dra. Claudia is a radiologist and breast specialist. She will speak on current trends/treatments in breast cancer. She will also dispel many "old wives tales" and myths regarding breast cancer. Knowledge is power!

Monday, October 20, 2014
Dras. Leslie Swindle, Dr. Adolfo Curial & Nathalie Bazillion
"Let's Talk About Cholesterol"
Our cardiologists will discuss what cholesterol is, what's good and what's bad, how it is treated (among other things.) Our dietician will discuss dietary tips on lowering cholesterol. Our challenge to you? Let's try to get you off of those cholesterol meds!

Monday, October 27, 2014
"Twenty Things You Need to Know Regarding HealthCare in the Area"
How much do you know? Or how much do you THINK you know? This is a fun presentation/gathering as you take a quiz and then we go over the answers. Check your knowledge of the facts. Prizes! Fun! Learning!

Note: Please feel free to send us ideas for future speakers.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• October 7, 2014 7:00 pm - "Pink" Cocktail event at Hospital Amerimed. We invite you to help us kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by stopping by the lobby of Hospital Amerimed which will have been transformed for this lovely event. Have a pink cocktail and a pink snack; pick up some pink ribbons and other breast cancer information. Meet many breast cancer survivors. Please help us to raise awareness, remember those we have lost to breast cancer and cheer on the survivors! This is not just for ladies - we want guys there too!

• October 10, 2014 - Join us at Barra Bar as The Rocktors (some of our local doctors who have a fabulous Rock and Roll band) perform and we have a Pink Party! This is going to be a rockin' night, lots of fun, music and dancing with a lot of oldies but goodies! We hope you'll put on your pink dancing shoes and attend!

• October 13, 2014 – See above information on the talk being given by Dra. Claudia de Moral, our breast cancer specialist.

Note: I will be sending out very detailed "flyers" for the above events soon!

Please! Do not leave home without it! We do not sell insurance, but we do work with a variety of representatives offering different options. There is no such thing as "free" healthcare in the area. Do your homework! Plan ahead! Email me for information.

What is the HealthCare Resources PLUS Program? Click HERE to learn all about it! I am in the middle of updating the chart – there are other added benefits! Prices are in pesos. Note: You do not need to be a PLUS member to receive our services. Please email me for further information!

Wish List

We have our ongoing "Wish List" which includes items for the Regional Hospital (the hospital for the poorest of the poor) and we need receiving blankets, baby booties, "onsies", medical supplies, hotel size soaps/shampoos. We work with New Life Mexico and they need school supplies, backpacks, bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant. We also attempt to assist those folks who have "fallen through the cracks" with gently-used clothing items, all ages and sizes. HealthCare Resources also participates with Cheryl's Shoe Box. We have a box in my office (at Amerimed) where you can drop off shoes. We do not ask for money. We only ask for physical items. These can be dropped off at my office at Amerimed or Mailbox Etc. (Southside Vallarta). I have a more extensive Wish List and if you'd like a copy, let me know.

And speaking of charities, Marilyn Kahn says: PuRR Project is planning a huge garage sale on Sunday and Monday, October 26-27 at a home in the Marina, and they're looking for gently-used household items - furniture, appliances, clothing (especially baby clothes), toys, etc. If you have items to donate, please contact Marilyn Khan at exkhan(at)usfamily.net, and put the dates on your calendar — lots of good buys and all proceeds go to the care and feeding of the cats at the PuRR Project shelter!

The "high season" is now upon us which brings every imaginable type of social event, charity event, gatherings of all kind. The beauty of Vallarta is that there is something for everyone. Whether it is a lazy day at the beach reading a book, or volunteering with the Garden Club, choose your passion and participate! Whale watching, power walks, opera, farmer's markets, the Botanical Gardens, cooking classes – feel free to send an email if you are looking for something in particular. After 25+ years in the area, I have a lot of reliable contacts/information, and I am more than happy to share!

And last but not least – a "plug" for the Hacienda Jalisco in San Sebastian. If you've not visited San Sebastian, it's time! Crisp, cool and fresh air, along with some very important Mexican history. Spend the night at the Hacienda Jalisco to truly get away from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta. As well, we have a marvelous day tour there so you can have a "taste." Those dates and details will be available soon at HaciendaJalisco.com (although be aware, we are in the middle of re-doing the website so many changes soon.)

Thank you for reading through all of this! It's a long one! We are excited for the upcoming fall/winter months where we will be featuring many new items and programs! We would love to hear from you with your suggestions!

Here's to a fantastic "high season" Animo!
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.