February 2021 Newsletter
February is all about the HEART- love, romance, and heart health! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there are many things that you can do to help prevent it including eating healthier and staying active. Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in the United States. Fortunately, high blood pressure is treatable and preventable. To lower your risk, have your blood pressure checked regularly and take action to control your blood pressure if it is high. Here are five facts that you may not know about high blood pressure.

  1. Recent studies show that high blood pressure is linked to a higher risk for dementia, a loss of cognitive function.2 Timing seems to matter. Evidence suggests that having uncontrolled high blood pressure during midlife (ages 44 to 66) creates a higher risk for dementia later in life.3 The takeaway? It’s never too early to start thinking about your blood pressure and taking steps to manage your high blood pressure.
  2. High blood pressure doesn’t just happen to older adults. Nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 44 have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke a condition that is on the rise among younger people. Experts think the increased risk for stroke in this age group is a direct result of the rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—conditions that are preventable and treatable.
  3. High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms. Because many people feel fine, they don’t think they need to get their blood pressure checked. Even if you feel normal, your health may be at risk. 
  4. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it and are not being treated to control their blood pressure. Even though most people with uncontrolled high blood pressure have health insurance and visit a health care team member at least twice a year, the condition is often not diagnosed.
  5. African American men and women have higher rates of high blood pressure than any other racial or ethnic group. These individuals are also more likely to be hospitalized for high blood pressure. Experts think these health disparities are tied to higher rates of obesity and diabetes.
For more information on hypertension visit www.heart.org!
Good Samaritan is so happy to have Louise Brown, Dietician and Diabetes Educator, on staff. Each month she will share a recommended heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly recipe. This one is just in time for Valentine's Day!
Warm Chocolate Souffles
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground hazelnuts (filberts) or almonds
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup 1 percent low-fat milk
  • 4 egg whites
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon powdered (confectioner's) sugar
  • 1 cup raspberries
This souffle recipe uses unsweetened cocoa instead of the usual rich chocolate, but the flavor is just as intense.
Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat six 1-cup individual souffle dishes or ramekins with cooking spray or coat a 6-cup souffle dish with the spray.
In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and hot water, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
In a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the canola oil and stir to combine. Add the flour, ground hazelnuts and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in the brown sugar, honey and salt. Gradually add the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir into the cocoa mixture. Let cool slightly.
In a large, thoroughly cleaned bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the granulated sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cocoa mixture to lighten it. Then fold the remaining egg whites into the cocoa mixture, mixing gently only until no white streaks remain.
Gently scoop the cocoa egg white mixture into the prepared dishes (or dish). Bake until the souffle rises above the rim and is set in the center, 15 to 20 minutes for individual souffles or 40 to 45 minutes for the large souffle.
Cool the souffles on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, dust the top with the powdered sugar. Garnish with raspberries and serve immediately.
*Recipe found at www.mayoclinic.org
During the month of February, the American Dental Association celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance reinforces the importance of oral health in children as well as helping parents with tips to keep their child’s smile on track! At Good Samaritan, our dental staff is taking this opportunity to share oral health tips and raise awareness of the importance of pediatric dental care at an early age. We recommend the following oral health tips to start your little ones on their journey to a lifetime of healthy smiles. 
  • Schedule routine check-ups
  • Clean your baby's gums daily
  • Start brushing with baby's first tooth
  • Brush twice each day for two minutes
  • Begin flossing once your child's teeth touch
  • Replace toothbrush every 3-4 months
  • Snack healthy and Keep hydrated!
Good Samaritan provides pediatric dental services as well as cleanings. To schedule your child an appointment, please call 706-253-4673.
Good Samaritan is a distributor of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and we are offering it to the community as it becomes available to us. Georgia is currently in Phase 1A+ of its vaccination plan. Those that qualify for this stage are:
  • Health care workers
  • Long-term facility staff and residents
  • Adults 65+ and their primary caregivers
  • First responders
If you qualify and would like to receive the vaccine, please use the link below to visit our website.
There are two COVID-19 vaccines, including the Moderna vaccine, that have been given emergency authorization and are recommended for use in the United States, and three other vaccines are currently in large-scale clinical trials. These COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a piece of a protein to trigger an immune response and build immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA, and the cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA as soon as it is finished using these instructions.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Watch the video below to learn more about the possible side effects of the vaccine.
Click here to learn more about the side effects of the vaccine!
Upcoming Events


Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and Thursdays at 12:00 PM - Addiction Support Group Meetings
February 15th - Clinic Closed for Presidents Day