Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 3 www.desertcarenetwork.com/strokequiz Nursing students at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus (CSUSB) are stepping into leadership roles through a new Nursing Peer Mentoring Program designed to inspire and support local high school students interested in pursuing health care careers. The mentorship and career guidance program is part of OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Regional Healthcare Initiative to increase access to health care locally. The program is funded by the Inland Empire Regional K-16 Education Collaborative. Program highlights include: Strengths-based mentorship. Each participating high school student completes the CliftonStrengths assessment to identify their unique talents which serve as a foundation for career planning and leadership development. Engaging mentoring sessions. Students take part in three structured mentoring sessions, one in-person and two via Zoom, within small cohorts of 5-10 students. Each cohort is led by a trained CSUSB nursing peer ambassador. Expert guidance. Mentoring sessions are supervised by OneFuture Coachella Valley staff and CSUSB nursing faculty with health academy teachers welcome to join. Mentor training. CSUSB nursing peer ambassadors undergo mentor training; their own strengths are assessed and they receive guidance on how to support mentees. Resource accessibility. Participants have access to shared program materials and assessments via a digital platform. Career readiness. By the end of the program, high school students will gain valuable insights into patient care, college readiness and career pathways in health care. The program is already making an impact, with two mentoring sessions completed at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal and Cathedral City High School. “This is a fantastic opportunity for both current nursing students and high school students interested in a career in nursing,” said Justin Schneider, assistant professor, CSUSB Department of Nursing. “Nursing is a demanding profession, and admission to nursing programs is highly competitive. Through this mentorship, nursing students are developing leadership skills, while high school students gain insight into what it takes to succeed in a nursing program.” Schneider adds that it was inspiring to see their nursing students effectively leading discussions with high school students, engaging them and asking thoughtful questions. “I can’t wait for the day when one of our mentees steps into my classroom as a nursing student.” In November, the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Department of Nursing and OneFuture Coachella Valley hosted a dinner and college night to further support aspiring health care professionals. The evening offered high school students and their families the opportunity to explore the CSUSB nursing program, tour state-of-the-art labs and engage with faculty and enrolled students. Micheal Singer is a communication specialist with CSUSB Palm Desert campus. For more information about CSUSB’s nursing programs, visit www.csusb.edu/nursing. www.DesertHealthNews.com May/June 2025 Nursing peer ambassadors meet with students at Cathedral City High School. College Nurses Inspiring Health Care Careers Through Mentorship By Michael Singer If you have been keeping up with the news, then you have heard that there have been over 700 cases of measles across several states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been spreading mostly in people who are unvaccinated. How serious is contracting the measles? Two children have died in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. How contagious is measles? Very. As an airborne virus, it can spread when those infected breathe, sneeze or cough. Is the measles virus here in California? Yes. The Los Angeles Public Health Department has reported five cases which appear to have come in through the Los Angeles airport.1 What are the symptoms? Measles starts in the upper respiratory tract with runny nose, cough, watery eyes and high grade fever. It is followed by a rash that appears three to five days later. The rash starts on the face then spreads to neck, trunk, arms, legs and then the feet. Fevers can reach as high as 104 degrees. While most can recover from measles, it can lead to pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and even death. There is no specific treatment for the disease, other than treating the symptoms and being prepared for possible complications.2 The best way to avoid the measles is with the MMR vaccine (measles-mumpsrubella). The CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccines starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at four through six years of age.3 Here are some interesting facts: • If you were born prior to 1957, you do not need a booster. •If vaccinated between 1957-1962, check with your doctor and have a titer drawn (a blood test that measures the concentration of antibodies in a sample). •If born between 1963-1967, you need a booster as the measles vaccine at this time was considered ineffective. • If born between 1968-1989, check with your doctor as you may or may not need the booster. • If you were vaccinated after 1989, you do not need the booster. • If you received two doses, your vaccines are considered effective.® With the ongoing influx and outflux of visitors to the Coachella Valley from other states and countries, protecting yourself from illness and disease is imperative. Make sure to ask your doctor if you should get an MMR booster. Please make sure to have your child’s vaccines up to date, as they are our most vulnerable population. Jeanne Perafan is a board certified family nurse practitioner with Ruiz Family Physicians in La Quinta. She can be reached at (760) 564.9205. References: 1) https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health-wellness/measles-california/3651807/; 2) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/ data-research/index.html; 3) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/; 4) https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/21/nxs1-5304458/measles-vaccine-booster-health MMR Booster: Facts and Recommendations By Jeanne Perafan, RN, MSN, FNP-bc When every second counts, the team at Desert Care Network is ready to provide stroke care close to home. Combining speed and expertise, we o er fast diagnosis and treatment of stroke to help minimize disability and help you get back on your feet. Our Comprehensive Stroke Services Include: • Accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center at Desert Regional Medical Center • Accredited Primary Stroke Center at JFK Memorial Hospital • Neurological critical-care unit • Minimally invasive technology • In-patient and outpatient rehabilitation Providing an advanced network of when every second counts. Stroke Care Take a quiz about stroke and your possible risks. Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera or visit DesertCareNetwork.com/StrokeQuiz When every second counts, the team at Desert Care Network is ready to provide stroke care close to home. Combining speed and expertise, we o er fast diagnosis and treatment of stroke to help minimize disability and help you get back on your feet. Our Comprehensive Stroke Services Include: • Accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center at Desert Regional Medical Center • Accredited Primary Stroke Center at JFK Memorial Hospital • Neurological critical-care unit • Minimally invasive technology • In-patient and outpatient rehabilitation Providing an advanced network of when every second counts. Stroke Care Take a quiz about stroke and your possible risks. Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera or visit DesertCareNetwork.com/StrokeQuiz When every second counts, the team at Desert Care Network is ready to provide stroke care close to home. Combining speed and expertise, we o er fast diagnosis and treatment of stroke to help minimize disability and help you get back on your feet. Our Comprehensive Stroke Services Include: • Accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center at Desert Regional Medical Center • Accredited Primary Stroke Center at JFK Memorial Hospital • Neurological critical-care unit • Minimally invasive technology • In-patient and outpatient rehabilitation Providing an advanced network of when every second counts. Stroke Care Take a quiz about stroke and your possible risks. Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera or visit DesertCareNetwork.com/StrokeQuiz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy