Steamboat Springs — Yampa Valley Medical Center announces alignment with cardiology practice

William B. Baker, MD, FACC, joined Yampa Valley Medical Center in the opening of YampaCare Cardiology on May 5. This well-known cardiologist will continue to serve the Steamboat Springs, Craig and Granby communities. His practice location will not change and remains at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 290, in Steamboat Springs.

While still affiliated with University of Colorado Health, this closer working relationship with Baker builds on the established foundation of excellence and integrates services across the continuum.

YampaCare Cardiology will continue to offer cardiology services previously provided to the surrounding communities in the same locations. To make an appointment, call 970-870-1035.

Immunizations week is May 18 through 22 at Steamboat Springs High School

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will provide routine immunizations for all ages from noon to 4:30 p.m. May 18 through 22 in the Steamboat Springs High School Commons. Vaccines will be available for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), pneumonia, HPV, meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (Tdap) and hepatitis A and B. Please bring your insurance card. Immunizations are $21.50 for those without insurance. However, no one will be refused a vaccine due to an inability to pay. Cash or checks will be accepted. Bring vaccine records if you have them. For more information, call 970-879-1632.

VNA advises awareness during tick season

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association advises residents be aware of ticks and tick-borne diseases during spring and summer months, when ticks are most active. Tick bites in Colorado can result in Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tick-borne Relapsing Fever. Ticks should be removed from the skin as soon as possible. People who remove ticks from a person or a pet need to wash their hands immediately. If you become ill after a tick bite or exposure to ticks, seek prompt medical attention. Ticks are commonly found in wooded or brushy areas with tall grass. They may also inhabit rustic mountain cabins where chipmunks and other rodents may have visited. Wear protective clothing — long-sleeved shirts and long pants — and do thorough tick checks after being in areas where ticks may be present. For information on how to safely remove a tick that has settled into the skin, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ticks.

Anytime Fitness hosts free workouts

Anytime Fitness of Steamboat Springs is hosting free workouts Saturdays during the month of May at 10 a.m. at Whistler Park.

The workouts will be led by certified personal trainers and are designed for people of every fitness level. They are open to all adults, not just Anytime Fitness members. The concept, inspired by grassroots efforts of a few Anytime Fitness clubs that regularly offer free outdoor boot camps, has grown into a nationwide campaign to promote physical fitness.

“We want our community to be as healthy and active as possible — and we hope that the Free Workouts Saturdays will show folks that exercise can be fun,” said Guy Coffey, owner of Anytime Fitness, Steamboat. “We hope this is the jumpstart and motivation to continue their own personal healthier lifestyle journeys.”

Anytime Fitness personal trainers Brady Worster, Becky Heath, Jim Gregoire and Jennifer Garrett will lead the workouts.

People of all ages and every fitness level are welcome to participate, and they should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes and bring a water bottle to the sessions.

VNA reminds residents to protect themselves from Hantavirus

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association advises precautions when cleaning areas inhabited by rodents. Hantavirus is a serious, potentially fatal respiratory illness carried primarily by deer mice. People can be infected by breathing in dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse urine and feces. Most cases occur in the spring and summer. The illness can begin one to six weeks after exposure. Early symptoms are fatigue, fever and muscle aches and may also include headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. If a person experiences these symptoms and has potentially been exposed to rodents, they should seek medical attention immediately. Hantavirus can be prevented by cleaning up possible rodent food sources and nesting sites around the home, work area or campsite. For information about safely cleaning rodent areas, go to http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/.

Support groups meeting this week:

• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.

• A Parkinson’s support group meets at 4 p.m. Mondays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, 736 Oak St. For more information, call 970-875-1088.

• A domestic violence support group for women is held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.

• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group also has a recovery-based yoga beforehand at 4:30 p.m. The group will explore recovery through meditation, book study and all open discussion. Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions. For more information, call 720-670-8642.

• A cancer support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for those with cancer to learn techniques to manage stress and create a holiday plan. For more information, call Sara Ross at 970-875-2731.