This week's topic: brain function and exercise
 
Dr. Erica Norris and Nurse Practitioner Katrina Plassmeyer will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, July 21, at their regular noon meeting.  They will discuss how the brain functions when stimulated by exercise and what factors compose a healthy brain, as described by John Ratey, MD, in his book, “Spark.”
 
In addition, they will describe the connections between depression, anxiety, and addiction treatment modalities and exercise. 
 
Practical strategies will be presented for incorporating exercise into daily activity and how to set exercise goals.  Also, exercise appears to benefit the brains of children.
 
 
Dr. Norris, a Board Certified Family Physician, has been at Timberline Medical for the last 9 years.  Prior to that, she worked for Centro San Vicente in San Elizario, TX, Kaiser Permanente in Denver, and Wilbey Medical Clinic in Oak Harbor, WA.  She received her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed her residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver.
 
 
Katrina Plassmeyer, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, has worked at Timberline Medical for  the past 2 years.  Previously, she was employed by St. Luke’s Family Medicine in Hailey, ID and St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center in Ketchum, ID.  She earned her Bachelors and Master Degrees in Nursing from Idaho State University.
 
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.  There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.  Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century.  Rotary clubs, around the world, initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
 
The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Park Village Theater, adjacent to the Other Side Restaurant.  Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend.  Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m.