Executive Director's August 2023 Message

With the Hollywood writers and actors on strike, there’s a lot less new content to stream on TV. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the rest of the summer outdoors. I’m planning a trip to hike around the Columbia River up in Washington state. This trip has been on my bucket list, so I’m escaping the heat wave that’s taking over the south and heading up to Washington before their rainy season. The Bay Area has also experienced record heat waves, so be sure to lather up with sunscreen when you go outside, which can be purchased with your healthcare FSA account.

If you’re a parent with students at home, you are probably gearing up for back-to-school. This is the perfect time to take your kids to get an annual eye exam and new pair of glasses through your VSP vision insurance. One in four students can’t see the board at the front of the class, which is why August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. It’s a great time to have your whole family get their eyes checked together. When I was a young mother, I was always struggling to find time between my job and my sons’ school and sports teams practice and game schedules to get all their doctor’s appointments lined up. Eye exams often get overlooked in the back-to-school frenzy, but it’s extremely important. Your child will have a hard time learning if they can’t see the board.

As we wrap up another summer, please remember to take time for yourself. That’s what my Columbia River trip is about. I get to have a few days where I’m not strategizing for work, or answering calls or emails. I’m just focused on my breath and the next step until I finish my trek.

Be well,

Abbie Yant, RN, MA