HERMISTON, Ore.-Dozens of people attended Paint and Connect: Women’s Night, a free women’s health event on May 5 at OMG! Burgers and Brew in Hermiston.
“If you’re trying and having fun, then there’s no such thing as bad art,” said Tina Ridings, who led the evening’s painting activity for a friend who was out of town, but regularly conducts painting activities to help students raise money with Explorica World Strides student tour club in Umatilla.
Attendees were also able to create their own customizable, unique, and personalized pieces of claspless jewelry, with Summit Fern Permanent Jewelry, and everyone in attendance took home a women’s health goody bag and had the chance to win Mom to Be or Pamper Yourself gift baskets.
OMG! Burgers and Brew provided hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and attendees had the opportunity to connect with new Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) providers now serving the community during a meet-and-greet.
“I’m going to give the painting a shot and maybe talk to a few of the new providers and see what they have to offer,” said Tina Trana, who has lived in Hermiston for 42 years and had previously attended a few painting activities in Umatilla.
Multiple GSHCS providers attended the event, including Nurse Practitioner Ivy Cameron with the Good Shepherd Women’s Center.
“I’m from Tri-Cities, so I’m anxious to meet everybody,” said Cameron, who has been with GSHCS for 14 months. “So far it has been a really good experience. I spent many years at Lourdes before choosing to practice at Good Shepherd, and everybody here is friendly and outgoing.”
Whether they came for the painting, jewelry, or to connect with a health care provider, the evening was an opportunity for women to unwind, get creative, and connect in a welcoming and relaxed setting.
“I’ve been off work for a while after giving birth and haven’t gotten out much,” said Leeann Wornell, of Hermiston, who came across the event while looking online for CPR classes. “This looked like something fun and organized.”
Dermatologist Dr. Wendy Roberts, the Medical Director of Good Shepherd Dermatology, and Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon Dr. Nazanin Kaatz, also attended the event.
“Our skin is a canvas, and everyone’s tells a story,” said Dr. Kaatz. “Dermatologists try to read that story and guide patients in a healthy direction.”
Good Shepherd Dermatology opened a month ago and treats skin, hair, and nails, and all dermatological conditions, big or small, from acne to skin cancer, according to Dr. Kaatz.
Dr. Roberts highlighted how GSHCS Dermatology is serving a need in the Hermiston community and throughout Eastern Oregon by allowing patients to receive specialized dermatological care without driving hours away.
“The time has come,” Dr. Roberts said of GSHCS Dermatology. “Small community events like this have huge health impacts as we come together to share commonalities.”
More information about GSHCS is available online.
