Radiance Integrative Health and Wellness Receives Patient Hero Award

By Lusijah Marx

When Wendy Neal and I first sought to establish our new wellness center, Radiance Integrative Health and Wellness, we approached an organization called Health Practices for funding. They provide support to medical practices such as ours, and raise funds for Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) medical-student run health programs.

On May 10th this year they held a Gala Masquerade Ball in Lake Oswego to raise funds and to recognize excellence in the field by presenting awards to physicians, clinics and providers. Wendy Neal and I attended from Radiance and were presented with a Patient Hero Award.

I’ve got to say that although I attended with a certain sense of dread – I’m not one to relish award ceremonies, costumed galas, and the like – the event came off without a hitch, and was quite delightful.

I’m Never Ready for Summer…

By Leana McClellan

I’m never ready for summer,
with its biting insects and feverish heat,
damp clothes fusing to your skin,
quivers of sweat beads snaking toward your waistband.
The squinting glare of sunlight
wags its fat fingers in your face,
with a dizzying dazzlement of harshness.
Parched creeks shrink inward,
only suitable for gangs of thirsty gnats,
that gallingly swarm you,
despite your frantic flapping.

But spring….
Spring is a jovial god,
Whistling through a giggle of pale new leaves
and blossoming branches,
making a sound so longingly sweet
it could call your childhood dog back home.
Earthy smells not yet baked away
carry on cordial breezes,
just chill enough to raise goose bumps
and sway greeting card clouds.
However brief, give me spring to hang on to
to get me through till fall.