Center for Health Information is a full-service library

Nestled in a room near the Doan Hall lobby is a library that holds the key to unlocking the door to medical knowledge.

Possibly one of the best-kept secrets on the Ohio State campus, the Center for Health Information is a free six-day-a-week service for OSU faculty and staff, University Hospital patients and family, and the general public.

Without an appointment, anyone can walk into the center and ask for assistance on locating "lay-oriented" health information on anything from cancer and diabetes to heart disease and diet and nutrition.

Medical librarian Becky Mehling and trained volunteers help visitors locate information in pamphlets, books, videotapes and files of articles that might help answer questions and quiet concerns. A computer with Internet access allows visitors to search for health information, while staff can prepare information packets on complicated subjects or topics that require in-depth searching. The center has access to more than 3,000 patient education handouts written by the clinical staff of the OSU Medical Center.

Health information also can be requested by calling 293-3707 or e-mailing health-info@osu.edu. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Additional information is available at nonstaffed satellite centers located in the OBGYN Clinic in the hospital complex and at JamesCare at the Stoneridge Medical Center in Dublin.

Mehling, who coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Doan Hall center, describes the facility as a "full-service library, like any other library but dealing with health-related information." She says the library averages 20 requests a day, with about 90 percent of them coming from people who visit the center.

"Yesterday, a person called and requested information on stomach cancer that had spread to the liver. This person wanted information about the latest treatment options, including information about clinical trials," Mehling said. "Some requests can be answered by providing a pamphlet or handout on the subject. Other requests can be very complicated and time consuming, requiring us to search a variety of sources including print and nonprint resources."

Mehling said OSU hospital staff visit the center to find less technical information to share with patients and their families.

But by no means is the center out to replace the advice of doctors or nurses or other health care professionals, Mehling said.

"We provide information. We do not interpret that information," she said. "We always tell visitors to the center that they need to talk with their health care professional if they have any questions about the information."

The center, which opened in 1996 and operates under the umbrella of the OSU Medical Center, relies on grant support for much of its funding. A recent $5,500 grant from OSU CARES/OSU Extension will help purchase and translate information on health concerns of the Somali community, considered an underserved population in the Columbus area.

Mehling, hired as a consultant during the early days of the center, has been working full time at the facility since 1998. One-third of the current 30 volunteers have worked with the Center for Health Information since it opened.

"It's a very interesting, challenging and very rewarding job," Mehling said, "because you feel as though you're really making a difference in people's lives."

-- By Bill Estep

A focus on fitness

Ohio State provides an abundance of fitness opportunities. Most indoor facilities are located in Larkins Hall or at one of the three Jesse Owens Recreation Centers. Larkins is the primary facility for recreational sports at Ohio State. It contains six gymnasiums; five swimming pools; four multipurpose rooms; 25 courts for racquetball, handball, squash or wallyball; three weight rooms; five classrooms; and the Department of Recreational Sports and other offices.

Larkins is available for use by students, faculty, staff and Recreational Sports Activity Pass holders with a valid OSU ID card. For more information, call 292-7671 or visit the Web at www.ohiostaterecsports.org.

Swimming

Swimming opportunities abound at Larkins. The eight-lane Meter Pool on the first floor is often used for recreational or lap swimming. Diving is available in the Diving Well, while water aerobics and instruction are part of the schedule for the Class Pool on the second floor. The Therapeutic Pool, adjacent to the Class Pool, is used for physical therapy, recreational swimming and instruction.

For details, contact Tim Hernon at hernon.5@osu.edu or Phil Julson at julson.1@osu.edu.

Adapted Recreational Sports

The Adapted Recreational Sports (ARS) program sponsors recreation and sport programs modified to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The ARS program attempts to enhance the individual's mobility and socialization through a broad spectrum of recreational and competitive sport and leisure education experiences. ARS programs are open to OSU students, faculty and staff, as well as individuals from the surrounding community.

For details, contact Cory Taylor at taylor.634@osu.edu.

Buck-I-Robics

The Buck-I-Robics Fitness Program is designed for healthy students, faculty or staff. Classes include WET (Water Exercise Training), yoga, kickboxing, body sculpting and circuit training. Spring quarter sessions start March 26.

For details, contact Amy-Jo Jesmer at 688-3636 or jesmer.1@osu.edu.

Family Recreation Instruction Program

Ohio State students, faculty, staff, Alumni Association members and their families can register for seven weeks of classes held each Sunday through the Family Recreation Instruction Program (FRIP). Classes include basketball, Buck-I-Gym for Tots, diving, gymnastics, martial arts, soccer, swimming, and introduction to t-ball and flag football.

Register for classes in 106 Larkins. For details, call 688-8787 or visit the Web at www.ohiostaterecsports.org/program/frip/frip1a.htm.

Informal recreation

Larkins has many opportunities for those interested in badminton, basketball, conditioning, indoor jogging, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball or weight training. Courts may be reserved in person at the sport shop or by phone at 292-8590. Racquetball equipment and eyeguards are available for checkout at the sport shop.

Intramurals

The Intramural Program offers more than 40 individual, dual and team sport activities for students, faculty and staff throughout the academic year. Registration for intramural activities begins the first week of classes each quarter in the north lobby of Larkins Hall. Call 292-5292 for more information.

Jesse Owens centers

• The Jesse Owens Recreation Center North is located at 2151 Neil Ave. near the Fisher College of Business. It has basketball and volleyball courts available for either drop-in or reserved recreational use. For information or to reserve a court, call 292-0696 or 292-7671.

• The Jesse Owens Recreation Center West is located at 1031 Carmack Road. It is the only facility on campus dedicated to indoor tennis. Court reservations are available. For information, call 292-0699.

• The Jesse Owens Recreation Center South is located at 175 W. 11th Ave. It features a conditioning area for weight training and aerobics, and two courts for basketball and Buck-I-Robics Fitness classes. For more information, call 292-7621.

Fred Beekman Park

Located at Lane Avenue and Kenny Road, Fred Beekman Park is one of the premier venues for outdoor recreation on campus. Recreational facilities include sand volleyball and basketball courts; diamonds for softball, baseball and flag football; and four multipurpose fields used for cricket, lacrosse, rugby, soccer and ultimate disc. The park also offers sheltered picnic areas, children's play areas and a one-mile path designed to accommodate joggers, walkers, roller bladers and cyclists.

For details, contact maurer.7@osu.edu or schmitt.57@osu.edu.

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