A very special thanks to Susan, Michael, Tiffany, Case and Gretchen -- St. Luke's extraordinary volunteers who lead our Elders through a range of exercises for body and brain as part of  Stronger, Longer, St. Luke's integrated approach to nutrition, exercise and mental development aimed at improving Elder health and well-being. As part of Stronger, Longer, Elders can choose from a range of exercise options offered five days a week. Monday Wellness with Susan (class pictured above) kicks off the week. Yoga, Tai Chi, memory health, stretching and balance classes each week. An active lifestyle is especially important for Elder health and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and reduce pain associated with arthritis. By improving balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength, St. Luke’s Elders stay healthier longer. In fact, guess how…

UA Students have taken the lead to continue the Inter-Professional Clinics offered through a partnership between the University of Arizona and St. Luke's. The clinics provide the opportunity for students to learn about Elder health in interdisciplinary student teams in Medicine, Pharmacy and Nutrition. The first clinic of 2019 was held February 16th at St. Luke's with a lecture on Emotional Health and Older Adults by Dr. Ole J Thienhaus, MD., FACPsych of the UA Department of Psychiatry. Afterwards, 24 students facilitated a clinic for the Elders who volunteered to share details of emotional issues they had experienced. Last year, over 150 students and 30 Elders participated in the Clinics. In addition to providing a hands-on and cross-discipline learning experience for the students, Elders thrive as volunteer mentors for the students.

We are so proud of  St. Luke's Board President Nancy Nagle who wrote a guest opinion that is featured today on the Opinion Pages of the Arizona Daily Star, above the fold! Full opinion follows below or click here to read on Star web site: https://tucson.com/opinion/local/nancy-nagle-recognizing-the-power-of-women-in-volunteering/article_7e7a50cc-7f27-5693-a6df-09a4e6f74cd4.html International Women’s Day, celebrated March 8, is a day of global recognition of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The first International Women’s Day launched in 1911, just six years before a group of women in the small desert town of Tucson joined forces with the Reverend Julius Atwood to open a community-care facility for tubercular patients. That facility has evolved over the last century to serve a range of populations in need. It stands today as St. Luke’s Home, a holistic assisted-living…