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Imagine a Place
Salem Hospital’s new Community Health Education Center will inform, empower and connect people with accurate health information and resources all in one location. Trained healthcare professionals will also be on hand to help you find the information you need.
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“After my husband’s heart attack, one of my biggest fears was that I would do something wrong. I was taking care of someone just out of the hospital, and I didn’t have a nursing background. The unfamiliar terms, equipment, information and instructions were overwhelming, and it was critical for me to understand all of it.
A resource like the Health Education Center would have been extremely helpful. Imagine having quick answers to important questions from trained medical professionals, as well as support for dietary and lifestyle changes.
The Center will be a wonderful
benefit for future patients and
their families.”
– Nancy Fiskum
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“Health education has always been important to me because it’s important to my patients.
Access to accurate information at a time when a patient is ready to hear it is crucial. And sometimes that happens long after they’ve left their physician’s office.
Patients can get frustrated as
they try to sort through the often
conflicting things they read on the
internet. When the Center opens,
it’s going to be helpful for people
to be able to talk with
professionals who can help them
find valid information from reliable
sources. People will be able to
research medical topics, take
classes to learn about medical
conditions, or share experiences
with patients in support groups.
Other classes will emphasize
wellness, nutrition and disease
prevention. The Center is going to
be a wonderful resource for the
entire community.”
– Robert Ponec, M.D.
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“Learning that your seven-year-old son is a diabetic is hard news to hear. While our pediatrician was great, there wasn’t any information that said call us anytime, or stop by if you have questions. We were really on our own. It would have been helpful to have a resource to turn to when we were emotionally ready to deal with the fact that both Tyler’s life, as well as ours, was about to change dramatically.
Today more information and
resources are available for children
with diabetes, and their parents,
but it would still be wonderful
to have one place to go or call
and be able to talk with people
who understand what you’re
going through.”
– Mary and Tyler Reid
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In addition to the classes and activities you’ll find within the Community Health Education Center (CHEC) on the hospital campus, a number of programs will be offered in the community.
The hospital’s education staff will work with local agencies and businesses to provide services at various locations throughout the region such as:
- Smoking cessation or stress management classes for local businesses
- Education activities in the schools such as the Committed To Kids™ obesity prevention program, and exploring health careers
- Partnerships with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club to provide nutrition instructions and health screenings
- Kiosks placed at locations throughout the city such as the public library, senior centers and county health department that link to the Center’s electronic resources
