BY KAREN BOSSICK

St. Luke’s is resuming its Brown Bag Health Talks. But, for the time being they’ll be virtual, meaning you can access them from your kitchen table eating a lunch you didn’t have to bag.

The series will kick off fittingly enough with a Tuesday, Oct. 27, learn how to access health care through myChart, telemedicine and video visits.

Such virtual and electronic communication mediums have become a way of keeping patients and providers safer during the pandemic while improving access to care for those with transportation barriers, disabilities and scheduling challenges.

All Brown Bag presentations take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on their respective Tuesdays. The talks are free, but registration is required at www.stlukesonline.org/brownbag.

Questions? Call St. Luke’s Center for Community Health at 208-727-8733.

THE SCHEDULE:

• Tuesday, Oct. 27. “Health Care through MyChart, Telemedicine and Video Visits.

  Courtney Christenson, patient access administration manager for St. Luke’s Health System, will walk people through how and when to   use electronics and video to message or visit your provider, check on test results and schedule appointments.

• Tuesday, Nov. 17: “Dermatologic Manifestations of COVID-19”

  Dr. Garrett Coman, a dermatologist who recently joined St. Luke’s Wood River’s team of medical providers, will talk about the       dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19, including COVID toes.

• Tuesday, Nov. 24: “The Facts You Should Know About Vaping: What’s So Cool About Juul?

  The presentation will explain the basics of nicotine delivery system devices known as electronic cigarettes or e-cigs. Presenters are Vicky Jekich, CPH, St. Luke’s Community Health, and Athena Evans-Campbell, RN and certified tobacco treatment specialist through Mayo Clinic.

• Tuesday, Dec. 1: “Palliative Medicine: A Caring Team Approach for Serious Diagnoses”

  Dr. Daniel Preucil, director of St. Luke’s Magic Valley Palliative Care Program, will explain the approach of palliative care in managing serious and long-term illnesses.

• Tuesday, Dec. 8: “Know the Five Signs.”

  Laurie Strand, a mental health therapist for the Blaine County Schools, will discuss signs of emotional pain often exhibited by those in deep despair and offer resources to help them.

• Tuesday, Dec. 15: “Healing Touch and Self Care”

  Mary Kay Foley a physical therapist and certified Healing Touch and Feldenkrais practitioner, will demonstrate skills for self-care     including Healing Touch, Feldenkrais movements, breath and meditation and energy-based exercises.