Author page: Abigail Smedly

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate our local public health system!  And, whether you consider yourself and the work you do as public health or not, the theme of this year’s National Public Health Week, observed April 1-7, 2024, is “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving:  We Are All Public Health.”  This includes you.  Throughout this week, public health…

Does a healthy workplace environment matter?  A 2022 Forbes article on the subject states:  “Studies have shown that happy employees are more productive, have lower levels of stress, and are more likely to stick around at their jobs. Conversely, an unhealthy work environment can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression.” Forbes interviewed Chris Goma and Jalal Ibrahimi, the founders…

In today’s world, healthcare systems are often complex, and medical information can feel overwhelming. In order to empower yourself, it’s important to learn how to take an active role in your own health. Being your own health advocate means actively participating in decisions about your well-being, having an understanding of your body, and learning to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.…

My name is Sophia Gibb. I am a two-time paralympic medalist and two-time world champion in the sport  of swimming. I was born with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. I was a 1 in 26,000 chance of  this occurring as both of my parents are of average height. October is National Dwarfism Awareness  Month, and I have so much…

I’ve always been the forever optimist. And while I am fully aware that my “sunshine and rainbows” approach to life is not always shared by those around me (and is probably annoying or overwhelming depending on where someone’s headspace is), happiness and gratitude have certainly helped me cope with some of the most dire situations I have faced in life.…

 In May 2022, Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) launched a pilot program called the Chaffee Community Clinic (CCC) in Salida and Buena Vista. The inspiration for this initiative came from the most recent Community Health Assessment, where access to basic medical and dental care and services for mental health and substance use disorders ranked high among concerned Chaffee County citizens. …

My name is Sophia Herzog-Gibb, and I am 26 years old. I have a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, and am excited to have the opportunity to share my story with you. I was raised in a family of two average sized parents in a small town called South Park, Colorado, with a population of 450. There were no tryouts…

Feeding children is one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. Not only does feeding your family take a lot of time, energy and money, it’s also rife with hard decisions.  How do I introduce solid foods to my baby?  Should I let my kid eat all that Halloween candy?  What do I do when my high schooler is making…

Be Human. Share Stories. Who doesn’t LOVE a great story?! Stories are much more than just a recitation of facts and events; they are central to human communication and cognition. Storytelling sparks a connection between human beings; you’ve all felt that connection, that power from a simple story. Inevitably we interpret the meaning in stories to understand others and ourselves…

During the month of February, we are excited to talk teeth. The Chaffee County Oral Health Program has been busy going to schools and providing dental services to students. We offer screenings, dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish and Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) applications. Sealants are a thin liquid resin dripped into the cracks of permanent molars to protect them from…