Diabetes health fair is Nov. 11

Northwest Health Services will present a Diabetes & Risk Factors Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at The Apothecary Pharmacy & North End Health Center, 1517 St. Joseph Ave. The fair will address hypertension, cholesterol and smoking cessation and will offer free information, free screenings and free door prizes. For more information, call nurse and diabetes educator Tara Stevenson at 901-1013.

Women’s Wellness Initiative is Nov. 14

Heartland Health will host its Women’s Wellness Initiative from 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 in the Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University. Admission is a canned food item, which will be donated to America’s Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph.

The initiative will include a presentation about women’s health issues and weight-loss success stories, as well as a physician panel discussion and free gifts. For more information or to register, visit www.healthychoiceshealthylives.com or call 271-4098.

Northwest Medical Center welcomes new CEO

Jon D. Doolittle has been named president and chief executive officer at Northwest Medical Center. He will succeed John W. Richmond, who will retire in September 2010 after a 29-year career with the hospital.

Prior to joining Northwest Medical Center, Mr. Doolittle completed more than 11 years in the healthcare industry with Kansas City-based Cerner Corporation. In his most recent role as senior manager with Cerner’s health division, he directed design, sales and delivery of Cerner’s wellness and condition management services.

This month, Mr. Doolittle begins an administrative fellowship assignment with Heartland Health in St. Joseph. In that role, he will serve as a member of the Heartland executive team while also working with Mr. Richmond and other members of the Northwest Medical Center team to ensure an optimal transition upon Richmond’s retirement in 2010.

Northwest Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital in Albany, Mo. It will host an open house for Mr. Doolittle and his family from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Pregnancy clinic seeks volunteers

Pregnancy Resource Clinic is looking for pregnant women, 6 through 22 weeks, to volunteer for free ultrasounds so the clinic can complete its medical conversion and nurse training. The ultrasounds will be performed under the supervision of a registered ultrasonographer and medical professional. Appointment times are available Nov. 10 through 13 and Nov. 18 through 21. To schedule an appointment, call 387-8090.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.