Casey Cooper, chief executive officer for Cherokee Indian Hospital, will deliver Western Carolina University’s annual public lecture on Indian health at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Cooper will address the topic “The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Issues in Health” in a talk scheduled for the A.K. Hinds University Center theater.

The event is made possible through a $3,000 gift from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel to Western Carolina’s College of Health and Human Sciences to sponsor a public lecture series on Native American health issues offered through the university’s Culturally Based Native Health Program.

Southwestern Community College’s (SCC) Medical Assisting program has joined the national effort to celebrate National Medical Assistants Week Oct. 17-21. Since its inception four years ago, SCC’s Medical Assisting program has continued to grow and currently has a full enrollment of 18 students.

The theme for this year’s Medical Assistants Week is “Healthcare with a Human Touch,” which the students at SCC have fully embraced and are working to spread the word throughout the community.

Macon County commissioners unanimously voted to declare October Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Macon County. During October’s regularly scheduled board meeting of Macon County’s commissioners, Bonnie Peggs, Director of Marketing and Public Relations with Angel Medical Center presented commissioners with the proclamation which ultimately allows Macon County to join in the national effort surrounding the importance breast cancer awareness. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, and is the second leading cause of death in women (after lung cancer).

“Our goal is to eradicate death caused by breast cancer in Macon County,” said Peggs. “No one else needs to die from it, especially when it is treatable if found early enough — early detection is the key, which is what this month is about.”

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Macon County Public Health has scheduled a series of seasonal influenza vaccination clinics at locations in Franklin, Highlands and Otto. This year, seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against three strains of influenza, including H1N1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. Children under 9 years of age who haven't been vaccinated against the flu in the past will need two doses of flu vaccine.

Appointments are not needed for these clinics and vaccine will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Individuals unable to wait in line may have someone wait in line for them and a nurse will take vaccine to their vehicle.

At the present time, seasonal flu shot clinics will be provided by Macon County Public Health as follows: