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Michael Millman was all set to move to Reno from the Bay Area when he noticed a pimple-like growth on his forehead, and he decided to get biopsied "just in case." It was July 2020, less than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, when Michael got the call that the biopsy came back cancerous. He was in shock. Still living in the Bay Area at the time, he immediately scheduled to have the basal cell carcinoma removed in August. After the removal, he thought he was in the clear, but a few months later, Michael noticed that his lymph nodes felt weird, and he even cut himself shaving because of some persistent swelling in the area. Given his recent history of skin cancer, Michael immediately scheduled an appointment with a specialist in the Bay Area. "I met with an ear, nose and throat doctor who suggested a fine needle biopsy of my lymph nodes, tongue and an MRI, both with and without contrast," Michael said. "I remember feeling dreadful and that I couldn't believe this was happening yet again." A Hard Decision Michael's squamous cell carcinoma, determined by the pathology report to be significantly influenced by the HPV virus, had metastasized to his lymph nodes on both sides of his neck, and his doctor said it could be stage four cancer. He remembers feeling like he was in quicksand, unsure if he should follow through with his move to Reno, or stay in the Bay Area for treatment. By now, it was early December 2020, and hospitals in the Bay Area and across the world were at limited capacity due to COVID-19. But, in what Michael describes as a positive twist of fate, the San Francisco ear, nose and throat provider he had seen about his biopsy results mentioned that he knew many providers in the oncology department at Renown, including Abhinand Peddada, MD. The San Francisco provider called Dr. Peddada's office with a referral, and Michael even remembers that Renown called him to hear more about his diagnosis before he even got the chance to call them "To be honest, I was feeling shut out in the Bay Area, and Dr. Peddada said he could help me expedite the treatment process," Michael said. "I finally felt a sense of relief." And so began Michael's 7-week chemoradiation cancer treatment program at Renown.

Read More About A Cancer Diagnosis and a Move to Reno

Did you know that members of Senior Care Plus, the largest Medicare Advantage Plan in northern Nevada, have access to an exclusive, senior-focused Renown Health primary care office right here in Reno? The facility – and the Medicare plan itself – are both designed with seniors in mind; this includes specialty staff, longer appointment times, on-site services, supportive furniture and more. 4 Benefits of an Exclusive Senior Care Plus Facility Centrally Located with Senior-Focused Staff The Senior Care Plus facility, located on Del Monte Lane, is only open to members of Senior Care Plus. This exclusive access means that the bilingual staff – including doctors, medical assistants, nurses and personal assistants – works daily with aging health needs. On-Site Services and Enrollment Specialists The Senior Care Plus providers understand that seniors often require complex care management and geriatric-focused services. That is why this location offers on-site lab draws, saving travel time and stress. Another essential service this location offers is longer appointment times, ensuring members don’t feel rushed when discussing their health needs with providers. Another perk of the Del Monte location – on-site enrollment specialists. Members, and potential members, can stop by this location on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to have their SCP-related questions answered. Furniture Designed with Seniors in Mind Senior Care Plus makes a doctor visit as stress-free as possible. The office has furniture that makes each visit more comfortable for members. All of the office chairs have armrests, so seniors can easily get in and out of them. Also helpful are the exam room chairs with remote controls for reclining the chair and lifting the patient’s legs. This makes exams, such as a diabetic foot exam, less of a strain. Community Rooms Social connections are an important part of health. That is why the Del Monte Lane office has community rooms used for informative seminars and as a gathering place for members to mingle. The seminars focus on many interesting topics for older adults, such as diabetes, COPD, asthma, weight loss, nutrition, yoga and chair exercises.

Read More About A Facility Designed with Seniors in Mind

Roughly 59% of eligible Nevadans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of mid-September. That number is up 9% from only a month ago, but our work is far from done!  One of the most powerful ways to convince someone to get vaccinated is for a person they trust and respect to take the time and have that complicated conversation with them.  We know these conversations can be daunting, so we consulted Marie McCormack, MD, Primary Care Division Chief at Renown, about the six best ways to approach and frame these conversations to be productive and effective.  1. Be firm, but not aggressive. 2. Listen to what they have to say, and don’t assume you know why they haven't gotten the vaccine yet. 3. Cater your responses to their concerns. The CDC even has a helpful reference table identifying main reasons people are not getting vaccinated.   If they are scared, offer to go with them.  If they are not worried about getting sick, explain that they are more at risk of infecting those around them who are more likely to have a severe reaction to   the virus.  If they don’t know how to make an appointment, help them find the most convenient time and place for their schedule.  If they are worried about how fast the vaccine was developed, remind them that the mRNA technology used in these vaccines has been studied for years.  If they are worried the vaccine will affect fertility, tell them that in August the CDC officially recommended that pregnant people can get vaccinated.  4. When in doubt, hit them with the stats!  1 in 500 Americans has died from COVID-19.  Vaccinated people are nearly five times less likely to get infected, according to the CDC.  Vaccinated people are 10 times less likely to get so sick they ended up in the hospital, according to the CDC. 5. Remind them of all the things they might not be able to do if they aren't vaccinated.  Attend concerts or sporting events  Travel  Potentially even keep their job 6. When all else fails, use the tough love approach. Tell these people you don’t feel comfortable meeting with them in person until they are vaccinated.

Read More About How to Talk to Your Vaccine-Hesitant Friends About Getting Vaccinated Against COVID-19