Physical therapists Chris Cooper and Laura Cooper recently completed a course in manual therapy in Seattle. The course, Manual Therapy for the Myofascial System, concentrated on using a therapists hands in working with the muscles and fascia, connective tissue that surrounds the muscles. The course explored how the fascia can impact muscle dysfunction, as well as various treatment techniques. Both Coopers work at Therapeutic Associates in the Athletic Club of Bend.

Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Tumalo, was recently inducted into the Oregon Nurses Associations Nurse Hall of Fame. He and Sen. Alan Bates (D-Ashland) were named co-legislators of the year for their work on the 2007 Healthy Oregon Act. The nurses association said that after nearly dying of lung cancer in 2003, Westlund became one of the most driven and effective advocates of health care reform and public health. He co-chaired the committee that produced the Healthy Oregon Act, which aims to lower health costs, improve health care quality and reduce the number of people who are uninsured.