THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10

Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com

THE PRESCRIPTION
VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10


Presidents Message

























Table of Contents
Presidents Message Page 1
Fibromyalgia Page 2-3
Meeting Minutes Page 4-6




If you know of a member that
needs to be remembered, please
inform our chaplain;

Mary Cullipher, CMA
(AAMA)
mgcullipher@embarqmail.co
m
Fall greetings! Yes this weather has been lovely even with the
rain. This month we are looking forward to our workshop to be
held on the eighth. Looks like it will be a great event. This
month is also membership drive month so invite someone new
or someone that hasn't been in awhile! Also, our new slate of
officers will be presented this month. Lots of things going on!
-Sharon Godfrey CMA(AAMA)-CPC
Albemarle Area Medical Assistants President of 2014

NEXT MEETING INFO
Thursday October 2
nd
, 2014
PLACE:
ROOM 117
OWENS CENTER; YMCA
TIME:
7:00 PM
SPEAKER:
Rebecca Walker, CMA
(AAMA)

TOPIC:
Ready? Set. PRACTICE
DOOR PRIZE:
Sharon Godfrey


THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10
Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com













THE PRESCRIPTION
2
FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia syndrome affects the muscles and soft tissue. Symptoms include chronic muscle
pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points, which can be relieved
through medications, lifestyle changes and stress management.
People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:

Trouble sleeping
Morning stiffness
Headaches
Painful menstrual periods
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called fibro fog).
A person may have two or more chronic pain conditions at the same time. Such conditions can
include chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease,
interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and vulvodynia. It is not known
whether these disorders share a common cause.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown. There may be a number of factors involved.
Fibromyalgia has been linked to:
Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents
Repetitive injuries
Illness
Certain diseases.
Fibromyalgia can also occur on its own. Some scientists think that a gene or genes might be
involved in fibromyalgia. The genes could make a person react strongly to things that other people
would not find painful.
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It's important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder
and its treatment. Many family physicians, general internists, or rheumatologists can treat
fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that
affect the joints or soft tissues.
Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach. The team may include your doctor, a
physical therapist, and possibly other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be
a good place to get treatment.

(continued on page 3)
Pain is
temporary. It
may last a
minute, or an
hour, or a day, or
a year, but
eventually it will
subside and
something else
will take its place.
If I quit, however,
it lasts forever.

- Lance
Armstrong
THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10
Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com


THE PRESCRIPTION
3
Your pain is the
breaking of the
shell that
encloses your
understanding.
- Khalil Gibran

What Can I Do to Try to Feel Better?
There are many things you can do to feel better, including:
Taking medicines as prescribed
Getting enough sleep
Exercising
Eating well
Making work changes if necessary.
Who Is Affected by Fibromyalgia?
Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans 18 or older. Between 80
and 90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. However, men and
children also can have the disorder. Most people are diagnosed during middle age.
What Research Is Being Done on Fibromyalgia?
The NIAMS sponsors research to help understand fibromyalgia and find better ways to
diagnose, treat, and prevent it.
Researchers are studying:
Why people with fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity to pain.
Medicines and behavioral treatments.
Whether there is a gene or genes that make a person more likely to have fibromyalgia.
The use of imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to better
understand fibromyalgia.
Inflammation in the body and its relationship to fibromyalgia.
Nondrug therapies to help reduce pain.
Methods to improve sleep in people with fibromyalgia.
THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10
Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com

MEETING MINUTES
THE ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS SEPTEMBER MEETING WAS HELD ON
SEPTEMBER 4 2014 AT THE COLLEGE OF THE ALBEMARLE OWENS CENTER IN ROOM FC117.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT SHARON GODFREY AT 7:00 P.M.

CHAPTER CHAPLAIN MARY CULLIPHER, CMA (AAMA) GAVE THE INVOCATION.

PARLIAMENTARIAN GRACE OVERTON, LPN, CMA-C (AAMA) DECLARED THERE WAS A
QUORUM.

CINDY HALL INTRODUCED THE SPEAKER, ALETHIA KEATON. MS. KEATON SPOKE ON
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PERSONNEL RECORDS.

A MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES WAS MADE BY LOIS
GRAHAM AND WAS SECONDED BY REBECCA WALKER. MOTION WAS CARRIED. MINUTES
WERE FILED AS PRESENTED WITH NO CORRECTIONS.

THE TREASURERS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

APPOINTED OFFICER REPORTS:

CHAPLAIN [MARY CULLIPHER, CMA (AAMA)]: THE CHAPTER WILL SEND A CARD TO
SHAVONNA DUE TO HER HUSBAND BEING IN THE HOSPITAL. THE CHAPTER IS GLAD TO
HAVE DEBBIE JONES AT THIS MEETING AFTER HER STROKE LAST MONTH.

PARLIAMENTARIAN [GRACE OVERTON, LPN, CMA-C (AAMA)]: NO REPORT.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BUDGET AND FINANCE [SHAVONNA BOONE, CMA (AAMA)]: ABSENT, NO REPORT.

BYLAWS [STELLA GALLOP, CMA-AC (AAMA)]: THE STATE HAD TROUBLE FINDING OUR
BYLAWS, BUT THEY HAVE NOW BEEN SENT TO THE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION [CINDY HALL, CMA (AAMA), CPC]: CINDY IS WORKING
ON NEXT MONTH'S SPEAKER. THE TOPIC WILL POSSIBLY BE A MEDICAL ASSISTING
REFRESHER.

HEALTH CAREERS [AMBER MEADS, CMA (AAMA)]: ABSENT, NO REPORT.

HISTORIAN [DEBBIE JONES, CMA (AAMA)]: DEBBIE WAS UNABLE TO GO TO THE SUMMER
SEMINAR, BUT REBECCA THINKS SARA TOOK PICTURES.

HOSPITALITY [DEBBIE ANDERSON, LPN, CMA (AAMA)]: THE MEETING WILL BE IN OC117
NEXT MONTH.

MEMBERSHIP [REBECCA WALKER, CMA (AAMA), CPC, BS]: REBECCA HAS ORDERED SOME
ITEMS TO PROMOTE MEMBERSHIP DURING MEDICAL ASSISTING RECOGNITION WEEK.

NEWSLETTER [SARA VANHORN, CMA (AAMA)]: ABSENT, NO REPORT.
4
THE PRESCRIPTION
THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10
Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com


MEETING MINUTES

NOMINATING COMMITTEE [ALETHIA KEATON]: THE COMMITTEE IS STILL WORKING ON A
COUPLE OF OFFICES. A SLATE WILL BE PRESENTED NEXT MONTH.

PUBLICITY [BETTY LILLY, CMA (AAMA)]: ABSENT. THE NOTICE FOR THIS MONTH'S
MEETING WAS IN THE PAPER.

WAYS AND MEANS [STELLA GALLOP, CMA-AC (AAMA)]: THE OCTOBER WORKSHOP IS
READY TO GO.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

T-SHIRTS: NO REPORT.

2015 WINTER SEMINAR: THE ONLY FACTOR REMAINING IS TO SECURE THE VENDORS.
ALETHIA WILL BE CONTACTING POSSIBLE VENDORS.

OCTOBER WORKSHOP: THE WORKSHOP IS READY TO GO. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 9
REGISTERED. ALETHIA WILL CONTACT THE PAPER TO HAVE IT INCLUDED AS A FREE
LISTING. AMANDA WILL POST IT ON THE CHAPTER FACEBOOK PAGE AGAIN.

BLOOD DRIVE: IT WILL TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 11 FROM 10-3. PLEASE BE THINKING ABOUT
YOUR AVAILABILITY TO ASSIST WITH THIS EVENT.

NEW BUSINESS:

SUMMER SEMINAR REPORT: 4 MEMBERS ATTENDED FROM OUR CHAPTER, 106 IN TOTAL
ATTENDANCE. OVER HALF THAT ATTENDED WERE FIRST-TIMERS. THERE WERE GREAT
SPEAKERS AND THE STATEWIDE WAYS AND MEANS WAS SUCCESSFUL. THE COMMITTEE
APPROVED CHARGING AN EXTRA DOLLAR TO USE PAYPAL FOR THE 2015 WINTER
SEMINAR AND WE WILL WORK ON GETTING THE REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY GAVE US 100 NAMETAGS AND BUCKETS FOR TICKETS IN THANKS
FOR USE OF THE DECORATIONS CREATED
BY OUR CHAPTER FOR THE STATE CONVENTION. THE STATE BYLAWS COMMITTEE IS
HAVING TO START FROM SCRATCH IN REVIEWING EACH CHAPTER'S BYLAWS.

VIRGINIA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS HAS INVITED OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS TO THEIR
UPCOMING WORKSHOP. IT IS WORTH 9 CEUS AND WILL BE NOVEMBER 7 AND 8. IT WILL
COST $50 AND INCLUDES A BOXED LUNCH. SEE REBECCA FOR A REGISTRATION FORM.

REBECCA MADE A MOTION THAT THE CHAPTER GIFT TO THE STUDENTS FOR MARWEEK A
REAM OF PAPER FOR EACH STUDENT IN THE AMOUNT OF NO MORE THAN $50. STELLA
SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED.

DOOR PRIZE WAS WON BY GRACE OVERTON.

MOTION WAS MADE TO CLOSE THE MEETING BY LOIS GRAHAM AND WAS SECONDED BY
DEBBIE JONES. MOTION WAS CARRIED AND MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:12 P.M. WITH
THE READING OF THE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS CREED.

Submitted by: Amanda Everett, CMA (AAMA)

THE PRESCRIPTION 5
THE PRESCRIPTION ALBEMARLE AREA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS VOLUME 38 ISSUE 10
Sara VanHorn (252) 312- 5156 smvavrek@gmail.com

MEETING MINUTES

Members in Attendance
Debbie Anderson, LPN, CMA (AAMA)
Elizabeth Bunch, CMA (AAMA)*
Alex Bundy, CMA (AAMA)*
Mary Cullipher, CMA (AAMA)
Amanda Everett, CMA (AAMA)
Laura Farr, CMA (AAMA)*
Stella Gallop, CMA-AC (AAMA)
Sharon Godfrey, CMA (AAMA), CPC
Lois Graham, CMA ( AAMA), CPC
Cindy Hall, CMA (AAMA), CPC
Debbie Jones, CMA (AAMA)
Alethia Keaton
Deborah Lareva, CMA (AAMA)
Grace Overton, LPN, CMA-C (AAMA)
Rebecca Walker, CMA (AAMA), CPC

* denotes Student Member

Guests in Attendance
Paulina Davis
Rebecca Garrett
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