San Andreas, CA…It’s a fact, most men do not talk about their health – with family, friends or especially with a physician. That’s changing in Calaveras County where four community-minded men are speaking out on the topic during Men’s Health Month in November. Bret Harte High School Coach Casey Kester, Calaveras High School Coach Jason Weatherby, firefighter and chaplain Dick Brown and businessman Mark Borchin are teaming up with Mark Twain Medical Center for the “Tackle Your Health” campaign. They are sharing their personal experiences to help other men realize the importance of taking action to live longer – and stronger – lives. “It is very exciting to have these community leaders working with us to tackle the subject of men’s health,” says Bob Diehl, MTMC President and CEO. “They each have a unique perspective to share on the topic.” “The community is invited to our “Tackle Your Health” workshop on Nov. 9,” Diehl adds, “and our spokesmen will be sharing their stories in a month-long public awareness campaign.” The workshop is from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 9 in the hospital lobby. There will be several presenters on a variety of topics relating to lifestyle choices and health resources. “Tackle Your Health” spokesmen share a common sense approach to their own health. They have taken action through stress relief, weight management and understanding the impact of family health history.

Their stories:

Coach Casey Kester – A life outside of work

“Men need to have a life outside of work. When I started out as a software systems engineer in the late 1970’s it
was sad to see that many of my older colleagues who retired would pass away within a short time. It was because
work was their life – they had no hobbies or outside interests. I knew then I had to stay active – that’s why I got
involved in coaching sports.”

Coach Kester has been the off-campus head football coach at Bret Harte for three years and at the same time works
from home continuing his 37-year engineering career with Lockheed. “Coaching keeps me physically active for
sure,” he says. “Along with taking care of our yard full of trees and lawn.” He started coaching to balance his
sedentary engineering lifestyle when his son signed up for youth football at age 9 and has continued ever since in
either football or soccer.

He and his wife Sally have two daughters, Katie Spear of San Francisco and Kylie,who will graduate from the Air
Force Academy in May.; their son Kenneth and grandson Jordan live in Pueblo, CO.

Coach Jason Weatherby – Weight management is vital

“I think managing your weight is the most important thing when it comes to good health – and, it is the hardest
thing for men. I’m part of a group of guys who call ourselves ‘Moke Hill’s Biggest Losers.’ We’ve been meeting
weekly for several years to play basketball; prodding each other to get more physically fit and lose weight. I just
started taking it seriously after I found out I had high blood pressure. I lost 50 pounds in the past year by just
counting calories…no more than 1,500 a day. I have more energy now than I did 20 years ago – I can really feel the difference and don’t need as much sleep.”

Coach Weatherby graduated from Calaveras High School in 1983 and from the University of California, Davis in
1987. He returned to CHS in 1989 as Agricultural Mechanics instructor and serves also as FFA advisor and
Career/Technical Education Director, as well as Redskins Head Coach. He and his wife DeeDee have three children, Austin, an ag teacher at East Union High School in Manteca; Logan,
17 and Colton, 12.

Mark Borchin – Picture of health wary of stress

Mark Borchin of Mokelumne Hill is the picture of health — blessed with low blood pressure and high metabolism.
To keep it that way he is an active runner, plays basketball every week and hikes with his wife. But, he is always
aware that stress looms as a big health threat.

“I stay active because it relieves stress,” he notes. “It’s the best thing men can do for themselves – run, play sports, keep moving. Be honest with yourself. You know when you are getting stressed out.” For Mark stress was building along with his business, which started as a windshield repair shop in his garage in 1987 and led to ABC Auto Glass, a regional enterprise with three locations which he turned into a thriving Glass Doctor franchise 11 years ago.

“I made a decision to cut back my business and spend more time with my family. “I finally realized you cannot
become a prisoner of your business. You worry about everything and it takes a toll in fatigue and loss of sleep.
Once you start raising kids you soon recognize you need to take care of yourself so you can be around to take care
of them.” Mark and his wife Eva have three children, Olivia,19; Lucas, 16 and Katarina, 14. All excel at Cross
Country, with their dad often running along with them as they train.

Chaplain Dick Brown – Family heart disease history cannot be ignored

A family history of heart disease has made Dick Brown of Rancho Calaveras pay more attention to his health than
most men. He says, “If I had ignored it, I would be dead by now.” His father passed away at the age of 57 after a
lifetime of cardiac issues, including four heart attacks. Dick sadly notes that his older brother did not take the
family history seriously and passed away three years ago.

One of their father’s heart issues was ventricular fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – and in 1976 he was part of a beta test at Travis Air Force Base Hospital pioneering Pacemaker technology. The device is implanted in the chest to provide an electric pulse to regulate the heartbeat. Ironically, 41 years later in mid-September, 2017, Dick had the same procedure with the latest state-of-the-art Pacemaker.

Even with his heightened awareness of probable heart issues Dick admits in his younger years he did not seek
consistent medical attention. “Like most men I just saw the doctor when I had a problem.” The family heart history
caught up with him 16 years ago through routine tests prior to knee surgery.

Dick and his wife Debbie have three adult children and six grandchildren.

Men’s health is the topic of a free workshop on Nov. 9 at Mark Twain Medical Center. “Tackle Your Health” is
the theme for the 10 a. m. to noon event focusing on lifestyle and health resources for men.

Speakers include MTMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lonnie Smith, who will discuss “Sleep apnea and how to live
a rested and healthy life” and ‘Hope for hearing loss and support devices.” Calaveras County District Attorney
Barbara Yook will take about grandparents’ rights and protecting yourself from criminals who target seniors.
Additional speakers are Dr. Andrew McCoy addressing colonoscopies and proper healthy maintenance and Dr.
Mark Faryan discussing health screenings that can save your life. Attendees will each receive a binder to fill with
materials from the speakers and participating local organizations

A variety of presenters and health resource organizations will be featured and lunch is included. There is limited
seating. Call 754-5919 for reservations and information.

“Tackle Your Health” is part of MTMC’s ongoing series of “A Plan 4 Me” free planning workshops.
It is co-sponsored by MTMC and the Mark Twain Health Care District.

“The district is providing a donated San Francisco 49ers DeForest Buckner laser-engraved football valued at $50
to be awarded at the workshop along with our slogan of Tackle Your Health tee-shirts,” commented Susan
Atkinson, Mark Twain Health Care District Board member. “The Mark Twain Health Care District is subsidizing
Common Ground Senior Services to help provide rides for men who have no other means of transportation to/from
the workshop. Vehicles will be available to begin picking folks up one hour before the event and returning them
up to one hour after it ends. Call 209-498-2246 to request a ride.”

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, the fifth largest not-for-profit healthcare system in the nation. For more information, please visit our website at www.marktwainmedicalcenter.org. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.