2021 Annual Guide of Medical & Health Care Professionals
MEDICAL GUIDE 4 Capstone continues to lead COVID-19 response 6 Alaska Heart Institute adds new physician 12 OPA opens doors to new facility in Wasilla 16 Northern Edge Physical Therapy: Prepare for winter
2
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Rated
#1
Physical Therapy Clinic in the Valley
Redcord Training For any age group and skill level. Strengthen and balance without pain.
Anti-Gravity Treadmill “Like walking on the Moon!� Walk and run without pain.
Hands-on Care Drive needling, spinal manipulation, Graston techniques & much more!
984 N Meridian PI, #A Wasilla AK 99654 907-631-4029 northernedgept.com
3
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Lebron McPhail, Board Chair
Mary Olson, Board Vice-Chair
Greg Jones, Board Member
WE’RE FREE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Members of the Mat-Su Health Foundation Board of Directors have banded together to help keep our community safe. It takes just three simple steps: wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands often. You, too, are free to do your part!
Philip Licht, Board Member
We’re all free to choose. Why wouldn’t we choose to help?
Please, join us in expressing your freedom to make a difference. Sammye Pokryfki, Board Member
www.healthymatsu.org
Lisa Wade, Board Member
4
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Capstone continues leading statewide COVID-19 response right out of the Valley BY JACOB MANN FRONTIERSMAN.COM
C
apstone Clinic has been on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic since the onset, providing a range of services to Valley residents in addition to countless others across the state. From rapid, onsite testing to developing an all new app already in use across the country, there’s no shortage of COVID response coming from Capstone. Capstone founder Dr. Wade Erickson said there’s currently two rapid testing units in the Valley, one in Wasilla outside their clinic and another in Palmer. He said the Palmer unit recently reopened and is being used exclusively for medical workers, district staff and local students. He said they will open Palmer’s rapid test unit back up to the public when they receive their shipment of 11 additional
units. He said the new units will be set up across the Valley and surrounding state, able to service 52 patients an hour. He said they should be in soon and to contact them for updates. “It’s just a matter of how fast that barge can get up here I guess,” Erickson said. “It’s gonna open things wide open for our community. That’s really gonna streamline things.” Erickson said they offer rapid testing out of their specialized COVID response center located within their parking lot at the Meridian Medical Plaza. It’s open seven days a week, offering drive-through testing for coronavirus. Patients visiting for coronavirus are asked to call ahead of time. They will have a designated parking area and can expect the process to take about 30 to 45 minutes depending on their symptoms
and risk level. Erickson talks to patients in real time from inside their vehicles. The staff are dressed head to toe in protective gear whenever they venture out to a person’s car or work inside the isolation room inside the mobile unit. Capstone’s coronavirus efforts don’t stop there. They recently launched a homegrown mobile site slated to become a full-fledged smartphone application called COVID Secure, which was designed by medical clinicians across the state. COVID Secure allows advanced patient testing, notification, and observation tracking with advanced reporting tools. The site was designed to suit real-world healthcare needs, offering an array of tools to track and report COVID-19 cases. Erickson said they’ve been working on the
5
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
project since April and he’s excited about the widespread capabilities of this new platform. He said the implementation of this technology fits in nearly all work and government applications, which will be particularly convenient for schools, health care facilities, and travel sectors.
“This is probably the most important year for that,” Erickson said.
strained time.
Erickson expressed a lot of optimism when talking about the coming months, believing that the last year has taught most people to take public health precautions more seriously.
“If you are able to maintain your immune system… The disease is actually mild. If we improve our immune systems with good sleep, diet and exercise… Those things are actually really important for immune boosting,” Erickson said.
“Especially with flu season, that’s gonna be important again,” Erickson said.
“We’ve got more people getting vaccinated than ever before… I believe our flu levels will be lower,” Erickson said. “The Valley is doing well… We’re very, very fortunate out here.”
Valley residents looking to be tested for COVID-19 can call Capstone at 907864-4642. The clinic is located inside the Meridian Medical Plaza at 3122 East Meridian Park Loop.
With flu season underway, now is the time to get vaccinated, according to Erickson. He said that cross infection can be especially dangerous, especially for those more at higher risk levels like seniors and those with underlying health issues.
Erickson said Capstone is always accepting patients for flu shots. He said people can help fight off the flu, COVID and other illnesses by improving their overall health; which benefits overall public health during an especially
He said all of Capstone’s efforts help reduce Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s overall burden.
The coronavirus testing unit is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@ frontiertsman.com
6
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute welcomes Dr. Herman Feringa BY JACOB MANN FRONTIERSMAN.COM
Feringa stated that he was motivated to join Alaska Heart because they provide “cuttingedge care to make tangible differences in patients’ lives.”
D
r. Herman Feringa recently joined Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute’s team of providers. The freshly hired cardiologist said that he moved to Alaska two months ago, expressing a lot of excitement for his new life in this new position. “It’s a beautiful state, just the natural scenery and wildlife. It’s definitely been a dream for me coming here and working here. So, it can’t get any better,” Feringa said with a laugh. According to a recent press release, Feringa is a registered physician in vascular interpretation, and he’s board certified in cardiovascular medicine, internal medicine, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and cardiovascular computed tomography. Feringa stated that he was motivated to join Alaska Heart because they provide “cutting-edge care to make tangible differences in patients’ lives.” He said that his main hope is to decrease the burdens of heart disease experienced by Valley residents out of Alaska Heart’s new clinic coming to Wasilla. Alaska Heart partnered with Orthopedic Physicians Alaska, and they’re moving to OPA’s new, three-story facility within the Meridian Medical Plaza, located off the Seward Meridian Parkway. The new clinic is expected to open by the first week of December.
DR. HERMAN FERINGA
“We definitely want to have a presence here… I think that will be a really good thing for the Valley,” Feringa said. Another important focus of Feringa’s practice is forming long-term clinical relationships with his patients while developing personalized plans of care that’s unique to each patient. “I’m just looking forward to being a part of this community,” Feringa said. Feringa studied in the Netherlands, where he received his medical degree from University of Groningen in 2003, and his PhD from Erasmus University in Rotterdam in 2007, according to the release. His combined residency focused on Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine at the Yale-Griffin Hospital, and he received a Master of Public Health degree from the Yale School of Public Health in 2011. He moved to the Yale New
Haven Hospital to continue his training in Cardiovascular Disease, with a focus on Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging. “I do think we see heart disease is a big health burden… It’s still the number one cause of death,” Feringa said. The Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute offers an all encompassing range of cardiology services, including clinical cardiology consultation, diagnostic cardiovascular testing, peripheral artery disease and vein services, invasive and interventional cardiovascular testing and therapy, electrophysiology services, research studies, as well as cardiovascular prevention counseling. The Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute is based out of Anchorage. Their main office is located at 3841 Piper Street. For more information, visit alaskaheart.com. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@ frontiertsman.com
7
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
/greenjarak . Lic
@greenjar.ak
08
00
#1
We are passoniate about providing the Matanuska Valley with the highest quality of tested CBD products along with the finest cannabis flower Alaska has to offer.
2017, 2018, 2019
Open 7 days a Week from 9am-9pm 4901 E. Blue Lupine Dr. Ste. E Wasilla, Alaska 99654 907-631-3800 | www.GreenJarAk.com MARIJUANA HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA IMPAIRS CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGEMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER ITS INFLUENCE. FOR USE BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA. MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
8
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Mat-Su Regional honored for work with organ donations BY KATIE STARK
M
at-Su Regional Medical Center was honored with two awards for exceptional work and collaboration in organ and tissue donations by LifeCenter Northwest, Sept. 8. The hospital earned the “Collaboration Achievement Award” and the “Donation Achievement Award” for furthering organ and tissue donations from the State of Alaska in 2019. LifeCenter Northwest (LCNW) is an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) based out of Washington and Montana that works with more than 200 partner hospitals throughout Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington to facilitate donation opportunities and support donor families.
“Across Alaska, we have a few hospitals now and then that share these awards, but I would say Mat-Su has consistently been there to facilitate this process in supporting families,” said Ashley Ring, Hospital Development Program Manager and spokesperson for LifeCenter. One donor can save the lives of up to eight people through organ donation, and help upwards of 100 more through tissue and cornea donation, but the criteria to be an organ donor is very rare. A person must be on a ventilator and either diagnosed brain dead or face a grave prognosis where a meaningful recovery is not viable. In the latter cases, a patient is removed from the ventilator and [then] donation can occur after cardiac death. If a patient meets these requirements, they are referred to an organ
procurement organization by hospital staff who are trained to recognize a possible candidate for organ donation. In 2019, Mat-Su Regional had three potential organ donors. All three became actual donors. In 2020, the hospital has been involved in the donation of ten organs, including the first heart donation at the hospital. LifeCenter representatives emphasized the importance of teamwork between a hospital and the OPO in working with an organ donor’s loved ones and making the process timely. “There’s so many working pieces and I’m continuously just impressed at how effective staff is at communicating both urgency and relative clinical information,” Barrett Campbell, RN, Organ Recovery
9
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Coordinator from LCNW said. Once a person is declared a potential donor, a team of nurses and staff fly to the location to run blood tests and find organ recipients as well as surgical teams to recover each donation upon the day of surgery. When the organs are removed, they are rushed by ambulance to the airport then flown to transplant centers across the nation. It is an intense around-the-clock process for the entire team as they work to ensure that the donated organs are safely delivered to those who are awaiting them. Before a donor is taken into surgery, their bed is wheeled from the Intensive Care Unit to the Operating Room in a respectful ceremony called the Hero Walk or Honor Walk. During this acknowledgement, it is common for loved ones, friends and hospital employees to line the halls and pay their respects to the patient as they pass by. In 2019, more than 300 people attended the Hero Walk for Staff Sgt. Chris Enns who had suffered an idiopathic cardiac arrhythmia, otherwise known as a spontaneous irregular heartbeat. After the family says their
parting words, the donor is taken into surgery where multiple teams are waiting to operate. “The Honor Walk is a powerful testament to the sanctity of life that acknowledges the sacrifice a family makes to help other families as they simultaneously say goodbye to their own loved one. It is an emotional, remarkable expression of love and generosity,” said Alan Craft, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the hospital. Four to six weeks after the operation, the donor’s family will receive a letter in the mail containing the basic information from the organ recipients such as age, gender and a recovery update. At that point both parties may choose to meet – an occasion that can create a life-long bond. For those who work at the hospital, a Hero Walk is unforgettable, even for staff who do not work in direct patient care. “Being able to observe and participate in these incredible moments of sacrifice has been life-changing for every person at our facility,” Dave Wallace, CEO of Mat-Su Regional said.
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is a 125-bed healthcare facility providing advanced surgical service, including robotic-assisted partial and total knee and total hip replacement, cardiac care, emergency services, diagnostic imaging, sleep studies, inpatient behavioral health, advanced wound care, three urgent care centers, the Family Birthing Center and is home to the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center was recently honored with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines — Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award and is accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology, as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital by The Joint Commission. In 2019, Mat-Su Regional received the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association’s patient safety award, “High Reliability: Persevering in the Pursuit of Zero Patient Harm.” To learn more about Mat-Su Regional, go to MatSuRegional.com.
10
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Mat-Su Regional nurses receive Daisy Award for providing excellent care BY KATIE STARK
M
at-Su Regional Medical Center celebrated two extraordinary nurses who were nominated for the Daisy Award for the exceptional care they provided patients and their patients’ families. Kayla James, RN, from the Intensive Care Unit, and Rebecca Rathbun, RN, from the Family Birthing Center, were both honored May 28. James was nominated for her work in caring for an organ donor patient and family, and Rathbun for how she cared for a patient during her first moments as a mother. The Daisy Foundation has been recognizing extraordinary nurses all over the world since 1999 when the award was established by the family of Patrick Barnes, who spent eight weeks in hospitalization before passing away
from the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. “Our goal was to ensure that nurses know how deserving they are of our society’s profound respect for the
education, training, brainpower, and skill they put into their work, and especially for the caring with which they deliver their care” said Mark Barnes, father of Patrick Barnes.
11
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Rathbun has been working at MatSu Regional for six and a half years. Her journey into nursing began when her sister, who was a Type 1 Diabetic, received subpar care at the hospital she was being treated at. The experience was enough for Rathbun to change her major from Criminal Justice to Nursing. “I kind of looked at that and thought ‘I can do better,’� she said. She was nominated for the Daisy Award by the mother of an obstetrics patient who was impressed by the compassion Rathbun gave her daughter. “As a first-time mother, my daughter was confused, scared, unsettled, and uncertain. Scared to sleep, not qsure how to breastfeed and certainly unfamiliar to motherhood,� the nomination letter read. “As I watched this nurse interact with my daughter and grandson I began to weep. A light of assurance washed over my daughter that was unbreakable.� Rathbun enjoys her job for the help she can provide mothers and their families.
She especially loves working with new mothers and being an advocate for them during labor. “I like seeing families being born, especially when it’s the first time,� she said. James, a lifelong Alaskan and a Mustang from Chugiak High School, has been working at Mat-Su Regional since she became a nurse five years ago. She compared her early days before nursing to the Adam Sandler movie “Water Boy� when she was the manager of her high school football team. Most of her job involved providing first aid to the players, which combined her two loves: football and caring for people. James was instrumental in helping her donor patient’s family through the process of saying goodbye to their loved one. She believes the Honor Walk is a vital part of giving the patient respect and the family closure. “They’ve lost their loved one, but at the same time it’s such a giving act,� James said. “I work really hard to make sure the Honor Walks are as big and as important
as they are.� James was nominated for the Daisy Award by Life Center Northwest, a nonprofit organ procurement organization who operates throughout Alaska, Washington, Montana and North Idaho. Life Center Northwest’s nomination letter read: “As a direct patient care RN, Kayla showed extraordinary compassion and patience to the family of our organ donor. She went out of her way to ensure they understood the process and every step of the way she made sure they were cared for. She was tender with their loved one and made changes to the room to make the family more comfortable. She supported them in their grief and laughed with them to ease their pain.� Rathbun and James are among a handful of Mat-Su Regional nurses who have been nominated for the Daisy Award since it was implemented at the hospital in 2019. If you are a patient or a patient family member who would like to nominate a nurse for the care you have received, visit matsuregional.com/daisyaward-nominations for more information.
–Â
Â
… †
Â
Â?Â? Â? Â Â? Â
�  € ‚
Â?
ƒ
„
… †
 � � � �   € � ‚
 �� �
‡ ˆ ‰ Š ‹ ŠŒ Ž ‘’ “ ” ‰
‡ ˆ ‰ Š ‹ ŠŒ “ ‘’ “ ”Œ
•
•
Œ ” “ – — … � … … – ˜ ™ � – ‚ — �… – ˜ … š ˆ ˆ Ž Œ “
Œ ” “ – — … � … … – ˜ ™ � – ‚ — �… – ˜ … š ˆ ˆ Ž Œ “
12
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
OPA opens doors to new facility in Wasilla BY JACOB MANN FRONTIERSMAN.COM
O
rthopedic Physicians Alaska recently opened the doors to their new, three-story medical facility to the public, ready to serve a range of orthopedic needs right out of the Meridian Medical Plaza. “We’ve been really fortunate,” OPA CEO Rick Watson said. The new facility is located off the Seward Meridian Parkway, moving from Bogard. It opened to the public Oct. 12. According
to Watson, a separate physical therapy unit is coming to the building in January of 2021. Watson said they used a local building contractor, Todd Nugent, Howdy Construction to construct the new building that came in at just just under 45,000 square-feet. OPA partnered with Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute who’s moving their new Mat-Su clinic to the second story of the building. Watson noted the new clinic will feature
OPA is a versatile group of orthopedic and rheumatology specialists who offer both surgical and nonsurgical services for bone, muscle and joint conditions for patients of all ages.
13
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
a state of the art MRI and CT imaging service that will be utilized by OPA and Alaska Heart, starting Feb. 2021. OPA is a versatile group of orthopedic and rheumatology specialists who offer both surgical and nonsurgical services for bone, muscle and joint conditions for patients of all ages.On top of their adult orthopedic services, they also offer pediatric fracture, spine and congenital scoliosis and hand care. OPA started in Anchorage in 1966, later expanding to Eagle River and the Valley. Watson said they’re in network with most major insurance providers. He said they’re the largest comprehensive orthopedic group in Alaska and offering all encompassing care. “Our mission is to provide the best possible care to all Alaskans... We do it at
the lowest possible cost,” Watson said. Watson said they’ve been offering strong telehealth services since the outbreak. They also introduced new screening procedures and numerous other steps to meet patients’ needs in a safe environment. “People love that it’s saving the trip, and it really helps them answer their questions quickly,” Watson said. OPA follows CDC and State guidelines, so all patients, visitors and staff are screened before entering the clinic, and masks are required to enter. They also provide on-site Abbott ID Now COVID-19 rapid testing for patients before surgery. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Orthopedic walk in hours are Monday through Saturday
Watson noted the new clinic will feature a state of the art MRI and CT imaging service that will be utilized by OPA and Alaska Heart, starting Feb. 2021. from 12 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 907-907-3572267 or visit visit opalaska.com.. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@ frontiertsman.com
14
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
‘The Healing Power of You’: Local physical therapist publishes book to promote lifestyle changes for improved wellness BY JACOB MANN FRONTIERSMAN.COM
N
orthern Edge Physical Therapy owner and physical therapist Keith Poorbaugh recently published his first book, “The Healing Power of You” aiming to empower people to learn how to heal themselves with lifestyle changes. “There’s a lot of things out there that we can heal if we have the tools,” Poorbaugh said. “The Healing Power of You” came out June 24 and is currently available for shipping from Amazon and Archway Publishing. People can also pick up the book at the Northern Edge office, located off the Seward Meridian Parkway. Poorbaugh said on top of healing whatever ails them, readers will be able to use the lasting changes to bring balance and improved wellness to their overall health. “I try to do healing of movement,” Poorbaugh said. He said part of his motivation to publish the book comes from how vastly physical therapy can heal people without wasting years with ineffective treatment. “Part of it was frustration from the typical approach… You can’t fix structure with surgery or drugs,” Poorbaugh said. “It points out the difference between exercise and skilled movement, taking movement and prescribing it like a medication.” So many people who haven’t tried exercise or changed other habits for their overall wellness experience chronic pain, according to Poorbaugh. “There’s just an imbalance... between the joint and the muscle... then everything requires a heavier load... then comes then pain,” Poorbaugh said. “There’s a reason why I’m dealing with your hip even though you’re here for your neck. You can’t treat
Northern Edge Physical Therapy owner and physical therapist Keith Poorbaugh recently published his first book, “The Healing Power of You” aiming to empower people to learn how to heal themselves with lifestyle changes. JACOB MANN PHOTO
and isolate one part, you have to treat the whole body from head to heel.” If people simply adjust and monitor their daily movements, they’ll attain lasting relief and experience higher qualities of life, according to Poorbaugh. “You have to put some skilled movement into the process. This book helps point out if you want healing to work, you can’t just wing it. You do have to do something right with movement,” Poorbaugh said. “If only you make some small changes to the functions your pain will go away. If you have good function you can overcome bad structure.”
Poorbaugh said people can stop by during normal business hours for signed copies of the book at the office. “We’ve had a good response so far,” Poorbaugh said. “My goal is not to have a best seller. My goal is to build a following both on the client and caregiver side.” The book can be ordered online by visiting amazon.com or archwaypublishing.com. For more information, call 907-631-4029 or visit northernedgept.com. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@ frontiertsman.com
15
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry aims to serve a special population BY JACOB MANN FRONTIERSMAN.COM
L
ocal pediatric dentist Chris Rosenvall and his family eagerly watch the progress of an exciting and new chapter of their lives built within the Wasilla City Center, Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry. Rosenvall said this is his first time running a practice of his own, and he’s looking forward to the chance to give back to the community with specialized care with a strong emphasis on supporting local children with special needs or disabilities. “I kind of want this to be something more than a dental office, something bigger, something more meaningful,” Rosenvall said. Rosenvall said that he’s partnering with Backcountry Therapeutics to help local
families with children with special needs or disabilities. He said for every new patient that visits Molar Bear, they will sponsor therapy for a child that doesn’t have insurance or would otherwise be unable to afford it. “We’re thrilled to partner with Backcountry Therapeutics, which provides therapy of all kinds to children with special needs in the Valley,” Rosenvall said. “They’re a really cool organization... They help a lot of families.” Rosenvall said that his youngest brother has Down Syndrome, and had a very positive impact on his life. He said that he’s grateful for all the programs and organizations that have helped his brother over the years. He said that he simply wants to give back to the community with his new practice. “We’re just excited to be here and
help, and be a part of the community,” Rosenvall said. Rosenvall has been practicing since 2013. He said that he studied in Texas and Ohio before making the trek to Alaska right after school in 2013 for “some adventure” and wound up moving his family to Palmer. “We were looking for a good place to raise our family... we really liked the location and schools, just a beautiful place,” Rosenvall said. “We really like it here. We’re gonna be here for good.” Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry is located within the Wasilla City Center at 609 S. Knik-Goose Bay Rd. For more information, call 907-376-6527 or visit akmolarbear.com. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@ frontiertsman.com
16
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Surf’s up Alaska: How to prepare your body for the winter ahead BY CARLOS GLINES
G
rowing up in Huntington Beach, California, it was practically a right of passage for me to learn how to surf. The two most important lessons I learned were how to read the waves and to recognize my limits. Unfortunately, those lessons didn’t carry over to the ski slopes. Last winter while snowboarding I crashed into a large aspen tree that left me with 5 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Now going into my first Alaskan winter, I am considering how to safely participate in Alaska winter activities such as skiing, snowshoes, and snowmachining. As a physical therapist, I value staying active. Nothing boosts vitality or wards off depression like maintaining an active lifestyle. The cold, dark winters are no excuse to hibernate. Instead, I encourage everyone to get out and find the activities that they enjoy and will keep them healthy. So how can you prepare your body for the winter ahead? Prepare Your Body The vast majority of musculoskeletal injuries I see at Northern Edge Physical Therapy are a result of being physically unprepared for activity. Strapping on the skis after a long off season without properly preparing yourself is a recipe for disaster. Don’t let your first day in the backcountry leave you recovering for weeks, or worse out for the rest of the winter with a season ending injury. To identify if you are unprepared to tackle winter activities follow our W.I.S. guidelines. W.I.S. stands for weakness, instability, or stiffness. If you have an impairment of one of these categories you may be at a higher risk for injury. You must have adequate mobility and core strength if you want to tackle your favorite winter sports without putting yourself at significant risk. Try implementing these movements into your daily routine as you watch the forecast and prepare to play in the powder. Know Your Limits Unfortunately performing the above
The human body craves variability in movement. Repeatedly performing the same activity is another mistake that can lead to tissue overload. This rule explains why runners tend to get overuse injuries. exercises won’t turn an average skier into a professional shredder overnight. It is important to be aware of what you are capable of and plan your outings accordingly. Start the season off with shorter less intense activities and build to full day epic adventures as the season progresses. Overdoing it early can lead to excess fatigue and leave your body more susceptible to those long term injuries that can ruin your winter and winters to come. Tissue overload is a common cause of injury. Pacing
your activity is crucial to avoid some of the more common injuries including tendinopathies, stress fractures, or muscle strains. Try New Activities The human body craves variability in movement. Repeatedly performing the same activity is another mistake that can lead to tissue overload. This rule explains why runners tend to get overuse injuries. Without training all three planes of motion (sagittal, frontal, transverse) you run the risk of causing excess stress on the musculoskeletal system. The best way to offer variability in movement is to learn new activities that incorporate 3D movement. Great activities that challenge the body to move in three dimensional planes include rock climbing, nordic skiing, or ice skating. Be sure to include exercises that incorporate rotation and lateral movements into your exercise program to prepare for the new challenges inherent in these sports. Stay pitted Alaska! Carlos Glines DPT, CSCS Northern Edge Physical Therapy
17
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
What is health: A deeper look BY TERI PETRAM
M
any components impact a person’s overall well-being. Where we live, learn, work, and play all play a part in the big picture. The environment we live in, access to education and healthy food, financial stability, and good relationships or connections in our homes and community all impact our health. When you look up the word health in a dictionary or google the definition, the standard answer will be similar to this: health | helTH | noun the state of being free from illness or injury: he was restored to health | [as modifier]: a health risk. This is the typical western definition of health to which we’ve all grown accustomed. If you don’t have a disease, illness, or injury, you are healthy. But… that definition is evolving to include a more comprehensive picture.
Having easy access to primary necessities such as affordable food, green spaces like parks, and health care options also lead to a more favorable outcome. Health is not limited to the results of blood tests or images scanned through x-rays and MRIs, but instead, it is determined by complex interactions between several factors collectively known as the social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH affect a broad range of health risks and outcomes and include many parts of our lives such as our schools, workplaces, homes, and communities, access to social
and economic opportunities, available resources offered to us, the safety in our homes and workplaces, healthy food and water, clean air, local emergency health services, access to jobs, access to education and the nature of our social interactions and relationships with others. When a person is deprived of their essential needs such as food, shelter, income, or home and neighborhood safety, their stress level increases. They may appear to be healthy for the moment, but over time prolonged stress takes a toll on overall health with hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation, memory problems, and more. Family Nurse Practitioner Curtis Harvie says, “as a health care provider living in the community I serve, it is vital for me to address social determinants of health at the community and individual level.” The World Health Organization (WHO) continued on page 18
18
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
continued from page 17
These factors combined to affect the well-being of any given individual. When we strive to live our healthiest lives, it helps to understand these factors and how they currently impact our minds, bodies, and emotions… our overall wellbeing. “When a person comes to SCHC for healthcare, I not only look at their medical history, labs, and vital signs. I also want to know about their housing, food, financial security and support system, and education,” Harvie says. “I use this information to tailor a plan of care that involves our entire team at SCHC to optimize your health and the health of our community.” Income and Social Status The amount and dependability of income often go hand in hand with social standing and can significantly affect our health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services, a person’s
Quality support from family members, friends, and communities are associated with higher overall health for many reasons. health improves as income increases. Communities with higher average incomes experience fewer illnesses and a longer life expectancy. Income affects other determinants of health, such as food security and housing quality. Malnutrition isn’t just about being hungry – the lack of consistent, proper nutrition can lead to a host of physical problems and opens the door to disease. If there isn’t enough money to buy or rent a home in a safe neighborhood, people may be forced to choose a less secure area. An astounding amount of evidence shows that where you live actually affects your health, leading to the next discussion point – the physical environment. Physical Environment The physical environment includes air
Residents of neighborhoods with low crime rates are naturally encouraged to get out of the house and be more physically active, which is undoubtedly better for you than hanging out all day on the couch. On the other hand, neighborhoods with high crime rates are far more likely to affect you adversely, both directly and indirectly. Those with greater access to transportation options not only save time but improve their mental health by reducing stress through comfort and convenience. Walkability also plays a considerable part in one’s health. If a neighborhood actively enables the community to walk more, the need for motorized transportation lowers, potentially reducing both local pollution and waistlines. The physical environment can either promote or damage a person’s health, so it is essential to consider this factor when assessing our health status and potential.
Always On, With A Low Weekly Rate Of $1.99! Unlimited article access, anytime, from anywhere, on any device.
Already A Subscriber? Call Christy At 907-352-2252 To Activate Your E-Edition Access.
Call (907) 352-2252 or log on to www.frontiersman.com and click subscribe.
*Billed monthly for the first year after initial activation. Print subscribers get unlimited digital access at no extra charge.
309554
defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the definition of health goes one step further to include spiritual wellness.
and water, as well as homes, workplaces, schools, and surrounding communities. Whether these factors are high-quality or not certainly impacts your health. Having easy access to primary necessities such as affordable food, green spaces like parks, and health care options also lead to a more favorable outcome.
19
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Social Environment Added to the already lengthy list of individual factors affecting your health is the Social Environment. This includes interpersonal support networks as well as broader social systems and community groups. Quality support from family members, friends, and communities are associated with higher overall health for many reasons. Creating more cohesive communities can lead to greater feelings of empowerment, which leads to a higher level of personal responsibility for healthy behaviors. Social support enables us to deal with problems and difficult situations in our lives by providing emotional guidance, additional information and perspective, and other forms of assistance. As a rule, high-quality social networks encourage people to make life-changing choices for the better and
maintain a healthy mental state. This is incredibly impactful for the underprivileged already struggling to overcome challenges that come with poverty. Patient Advocacy Many health care facilities now offer advocacy services to help their patients navigate the healthcare system. They provide assistance completing paperwork and help identify and connect people with services that improve overall wellbeing where that person lives, learns, works, and plays. For example, Patient Advocates at Sunshine Community Health Center help people with heating assistance grants, Medicaid, Medicare or Healthcare Marketplace enrollment, food stamps, senior benefits enrollment, farmers market coupons, and more. Lori Proctor, a Patient Advocate at Sunshine Community Health Center, says, “As I meet with patients and they present
their needs to me, they are so grateful to learn about available services that often didn’t know existed. It is a privilege to walk patients through the paperwork and to help them receive an outcome that improves the quality of their life.” Ask your healthcare provider about Patient Advocacy services and learn more about your community’s resources that can assist you with your whole health. Awareness of health determinants allows leaders and healthcare facilities like Sunshine to address public health issues more effectively. We can all help improve everyone’s health by voicing community needs and working together to change policies. By understanding and addressing social determinants, we can reduce health inequalities, enhancing all Alaskans’ welfare. Teri Petram is the Marketing Director at Sunshine Community Health Center
20
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Turn your brushing bears into Goldie Locks with these helpful tips BY TERI PETRAM
I
s getting the kids ready for bed a struggle, most notably when it comes to oral care? Save yourself from frustration and learn how to make your little ones enjoy brushing and flossing. Many things contribute to why your child tries to escape brushing and flossing. Here are some common issues that a parent can overlook: Pick delicious toothpaste Hundreds of toothpaste brands are available in the market. Don’t be fooled by a happy child’s smile in toothpaste advertisements. If your child is 1-2 years of age, begin with non-minty kinds of toothpaste. Children often get turned off from brushing when toothpaste is too minty because their mouths are more sensitive than adults. So, choose wisely and
start with a fun flavor like orange or strawberry. This way, your child can begin to enjoy brushing more and more. Use a soft brush Ask your dental provider to recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush. Sometimes, even when the label says “Kid’s Toothbrush,” the bristles can still be tough for a child. You may go over a couple of brushes before your child can find “the” one. Make up fun games Children love to imitate what grown-ups do. For this reason, it’s easier to teach proper and healthy brushing habits by showing your little ones how it’s done. So, play an imitation game. Join your child in brushing and flossing. You can start the game by allowing your child to copy what you’re doing. Next time, you can let your child start and be prepared to follow.
These serve and return, back and forth interactions not only build good dental habits but also a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and brain development. Rewards If your child catches up on the imitation game right away, you can take the game to another level by adding a reward system. Set a calendar or a notebook for your child’s achievement. Give your child stickers for every task completed. For example, your child flossed today, give him or her an appropriate reward. You can be creative by giving your child a chance to make decisions on family nights for a completed week of brushing and flossing. Teri Petram is the Marketing Director at Sunshine Community Health Center
21
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Physical activity guidelines for children, adolescents and adults
S
taying healthy is a full-time job for people of all ages. While it might not always prove so easy to exercise or eat right, the benefits of healthy living are undeniable. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, “prevention” refers to helping people avoid getting sick or identifying diseases early so treatment can begin. Immunizations and disease screenings are two vital components of preventive care, but children, adolescents and adults can take more active roles in preventive care by embracing physical activity. The Department of Health and Human Services notes that physical activity fosters normal growth and development and can help people feel better, function better, sleep better, and reduce their risk for a large number of chronic diseases. Reducing risk for chronic disease keeps people out of the doctor’s office, or even the hospital, and it also can help save considerable amounts of money. One report from the The Milken Institute estimated that high chronic disease and obesity rates are responsible for more than $1 trillion in lost productivity in the workplace every year. In addition, the National Commission on Prevention Priorities notes that increasing the use of five preventive services to 90 percent can save more than 100,000 lives in the United States each year. Such services include advising smokers to quit and offering medication or other assistance to help them and providing flu shots for people age 65 and older. In recognition of the role exercise plays in preventive care, the DHHS recommends children, adolescents and adults follow these physical activity guidelines. Children and adolescents The DHHS recommends that children and adolescents between the ages of six and 17 should get 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day.
• Aerobic: Most of the 60 minutes or more per day should be either moderate- or vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least three days a week. • Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity at least three days a week. • Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity at least three days a week. Parents can consult with their children’s physicians to determine age-appropriate muscle- and bone-strengthening activities for their youngsters. Adults The DHHS advises adults to make a concerted effort to move more and sit less throughout the day. Some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderateto-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.
For substantial health benefits, adults should get at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes to 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. An equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorousintensity aerobic activity can serve as a substitute. Ideally, aerobic activity should be spread throughout the week. Adults should do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups two or more days a week, as the DHHS notes these activities provide additional health benefits. These guidelines also apply to older adults, but older adults also should incorporate balance training into their exercise routines. In addition, the DHHS urges older adults to consult with their physicians about the appropriate level of effort for physical activity relative to their level of fitness. People of all ages should include physical activity in their preventive health care routines. More information about exercise is available at www.health.gov.
22
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
Take the time to check in with yourself when life is hard BY SARAH BLANNING
I
t’s okay to not be okay. Let’s face it, life is hard. Life in 2020 is extra hard. We are experiencing a global pandemic, civil unrest, and an economic recession. Our country has experienced all of these things before, just… not all at once. One thing we can be grateful for is that we are facing these challenges in a time when stigma around talking about mental health has lessened. This isn’t to say that we’ve won the battle but discussing our emotional wellbeing with our friends or family is more commonplace and more people access of mental health care. As with all things in life, this has its pros and its cons. Comfort in accessing counseling means many people receive the care, validation, and tools they need to improve their quality of life. However, we sometimes make the mistake in thinking there is something wrong with us if we are unhappy, worried, or stressed, when this may be a very natural emotional response to something upsetting. So how do we know the difference? When is it time to seek out professional care and when can we rely on our own tools to reduce our distress? A common phrase in counseling is “window of tolerance,” meaning to what extent can we tolerate distress. When something is within our window of tolerance, it may be unpleasant and we might prefer it go away, but we know it will pass and we know we can handle it. In some cases, focusing on your own selfcare might be enough to begin feeling better. Ask yourself what helped you feel better in the past when you felt down, stressed, or overwhelmed. Perhaps talking with a close friend helped you find a healthy and helpful perspective. Maybe practicing deep breathing or meditation calmed your anxious thoughts. (Tip: Breathe air into your belly rather than just your chest. Try breathing in for a count of four, holding for a count of 7, and slowly breathing out for a count of 8.) Physical activity, especially outdoors, is another strategy that many people find effective.
If you have trouble sleeping, find ways to implement a relaxing bedtime routine to help your brain slow-down in the evening. When something is outside our window of tolerance, it feels completely beyond all our coping mechanisms. Our quality of life is negatively affected, and it becomes hard to take care of things on a day to day basis. This may be an indicator that we need to seek some outside, professional support. Your Primary Care Provider can help you explore whether medications are a good choice to help reduce your symptoms. You may also consider meeting with a counselor to learn more about your symptoms as well as new strategies or skills that may help you start to feel better. If you’ve seen a counselor in the past, think about what was most helpful and whether you’d
like to work with someone that has a similar approach again. If you’ve never worked with a counselor before, or a past experience didn’t quite give you what you needed, remember there are many ways to provide and receive counseling and it can always be adapted to focus on your specific needs and goals. You might also want to consider receiving care at a clinic that offers both medical and behavioral health care as a part of an integrated care team. It’s important to take the time to check in with yourself when life is hard. It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to need a little extra support. Above all, be gentle and kind to yourself; you deserve it! Sarah Blanning, LCSW, is the Behavioral Health Manager at Sunshine Community Health Center.
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
TEENY INCISIONS
NO BIGGER THAN THIS Comprehensive Surgical Care in the Mat-Su Valley Imagine surgical procedures performed with a few small incisions. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s robotic-assisted program gives surgeons the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, which helps many patients experience less pain and less time away from their family, friends and life.
Learn more about robotic-assisted surgery at MatSuRegional.com.
23
24
MEDICAL GUIDE 2021
We are pleased to announce the addition of
Lauren Goslin O.D. to our team!
· Comprehensive Eye Health Exams for the Entire Family · Infant screening and testing · Dry Eye/Glaucoma/Macular Disease Treatment and Management · Ocular Foreign Body Removal · Urgent Care - Same day appointments · Lasik consultation and referral · Largest selection of Frames to meet all budget needs in Anchorage and in Wasilla · Specialty Contact Lens Fittings · Nutritional Health - Vitamins · Ocular Hygiene Products · State of the Art Technology · On Site Lab in Anchorage
Two Convenient Locations: Anchorage 1345 W. 9th Ave 272-2557 or 800-478-2557 Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00, Sat 8:30-4:00 Wasilla 1700 E. Parks Hwy 376-5266 or 800-478-5266 Tues-Fri 8:30-5:30 Sat 8:30-4:30
www.alaskaeyecare.com • 2018 •
Voted Best of Al AlA AskA since 2007!