4J Licensed Newsletter #220

SICK LEAVE BANK MEMBERSHIP
BIKE HELMET ADDENDUM
2007/08 INSURANCE ENROLLMENT
NEW WELLNESS CLINIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
SHINGLES VACCINE
GRAPEFRUIT-MEDICATION DILEMMA

SICK LEAVE BANK MEMBERSHIP (back to top)
The EEA/4J Sick Leave Bank is an invaluable benefit that protects you and your family from loss of salary when an extended absence due to illness or injury exhausts your accumulated leave balance. Over the years of the Sick Leave Bank’s existence the generosity of the EEA membership, through its support of the Sick Leave Bank, has provided assistance to our colleagues whose health misfortune would have resulted in their financial difficulty were the Sick Leave Bank not in existence.

Unfortunately, the trend over the last few years has been to end each year with fewer hours than were available at the beginning of the year. Although the Sick Leave Bank’s current viability is not at risk, should the trend continue that could be the case in the future. We must increase the rate of donation if we are to maintain a healthy balance of hours and continue to meet all future needs of our members. Therefore, the following change to the membership policy will take effect beginning with the 2007-08 school year.

In past years, a minimum donation of one day has been required for permanent membership in the Sick Leave Bank. In the future, a minimum donation of one day each five (5) years will be required to maintain active membership in the Sick Leave Bank.

We continue to encourage members to donate more frequently if their sick leave balance allows. Remember, it is only through your generosity that the Sick Leave Bank exists and only through your active membership can you access this valuable benefit should you ever need it. If you have not donated within the last 5 years, be sure to renew your membership by doing so during next fall’s open enrollment period. A reminder of the new donation/membership policy will accompany the announcement of each semi-annual open enrollment period. It will be the responsibility of individual members to monitor their donation schedule and to maintain active membership.

Please call me if you have questions.

BIKE HELMET ADDENDUM (back to top)
A cyclist friend called in response to the bicycle helmet article I included in the last issue of this newsletter. His purpose was two-fold: First, he wanted to thank me for publishing the article and reminding all members to wear their helmets when riding; second, he wanted to implore me to include this addendum informing of the importance of not only wearing the helmet but in adjusting and wearing it appropriately. A helmet, no matter how well designed, cannot protect the rider from a frontal impact like the one I described if it is poorly adjusted and sitting back, rather than forward on the head. He reminded me that the helmet needs to fit snugly and that no more than one or two fingers should be able to fit between the front of the helmet and the eyebrows. This placement of the helmet will protect the head from frontal, side, or rear impact. Be smart and take full advantage of the protective design of your helmet by adjusting and wearing it appropriately!

2007/08 INSURANCE ENROLLMENT (back to top)
At the April meeting of the Joint Benefits Committee a proposal to make adjustments to the insurance open enrollment process and schedule was approved. Those changes are:

So, don’t look for the brightly-colored spiral-bound Benefits Overview booklets when you return in the fall. But all the valuable information will be readily available.

NEW WELLNESS CLINIC NURSE PRACTITIONER (back to top)
A new member has been added to the outstanding 4J Wellness Clinic staff. Angela Bradley is a Family Nurse Practitioner who is currently working for PeaceHealth Medical Group and has a special interest and expertise in diabetes care. Angela joins our current team of Nurse Practitioners, Phyllis Roberts-Temple, Marjorie Lynch, and Lisa Roberts. Angela will be seeing patients at our clinic on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.

SHINGLES VACCINE (back to top)
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often accompanied by blisters. It is also called Herpes Zoster. The rash generally appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. Its most outstanding symptom is severe pain. Most notably, 1 person in 5 with shingles continues to have a period of chronic pain after the rash has cleared up. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

The Vericella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, causes shingles. Only a person who has had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can contract shingles. The virus remains in the body and can reappear decades later as shingles.

A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006 and is indicated for adults, age 60 and older. Shingles vaccine is covered under the adult immunizations provision of the Preventive Care coverage on all of our plans. It will be available at the 4J Wellness Clinic. The vaccine has been ordered and should arrive sometime soon. If you are 60 or older and would like to be vaccinated, contact your physician’s office or the 4J Wellness Clinic (686-1427).

GRAPEFRUIT-MEDICATION DILEMMA (back to top)
Grapefruit is delicious, nutritious, and heart-healthy. Unfortunately, “…it can raise blood levels of certain drugs, and the effect can be dangerous”, according to the editors of the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 2007. The list of medications that can have problematic or dangerous interactions with grapefruit is long and I won’t include it. If you do take medications, and you like grapefruit, ask your physician or pharmacist about combining the two.

Michael Caley
Licensed-Staff Benefits Coordinator
Eugene School District 4J
200 North Monroe
Eugene, OR 97402-4295
Phone: W: 541-687-3244 H: 541-485-1493
fax: 541-687-3687 e-mail: caley@4j.lane.edu

4J Benefits and Wellness Newsletter