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Bear Lake Memorial’s Physical Therapy Sports Medicine and Rehab’s Justin Brunner, PT shares with hospital employees tips to avoid injury in the winter months. Follow this link to watch https://youtu.be/guna6CT6lPw
164 South 5th Street
Montpelier, Idaho 83254
(208) 847-1630
The Bear Lake Valley Health Care Foundation and the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Auxiliary have started fundraising for a mammography suite at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. It is estimated that a new digital 3D mammography machine and suite renovations will cost just over $400,000. We will be one of two 3-D machines in Idaho. Plans are to secure the equipment in the Fall of 2016 and take appointments in November.
Currently, the only mammography services available to the residents of Bear Lake Valley is a mobile unit that comes once each month. For the past twenty years, this service has been provided by Portneuf Medical Center. While Portneuf Medical Center has been good to work with and very accommodating, the fact is that one day per month does not fit all schedules. The mobile unit that we have been using has equipment that is outdated and will be discontinued in the near future. This will leave Bear Lake Valley with no local mammography services.
Idaho women are among the Nation’s lowest obtaining annual mammography screenings. Bear Lake County is ranked 34th out of the 44 counties in Idaho.
Bear Lake Memorial Hospital feels confident that making this service available on a full-time basis could significantly increase the number of women getting their annual scans performed. History shows when a neighboring hospital opened their in-house mammography unit their utilization more than doubled.
Let’s work together to catch breast cancer early!
Being a Fellow of the American Board of Abdominal Surgery and a General and Bariatric Surgeon, people come to me with the perception that surgery is a risky decision that should be avoided at all costs. But when it comes to treating obesity, the benefits far outweigh the negative long term effects obesity places on an individual. Obesity has a major effect on a person’s quality of life such as immobility, high blood pressure leading to heart disease, and diabetes. With both the LapBand and Gastric Sleeve procedures, there are risks involved, but these procedures are both performed laparoscopically, which means the incisions are fewer and much smaller than in past techniques with abdominal surgeries.
Some additional advantages of these procedures include: They both promote weight loss through restricting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The process of the digestion system is not altered and will continue to function normally. There are differences that can help make the choice between LapBand vs. Gastric Sleeve. First, the cost on average for a LapBand procedure is around $16,000 while the Gastric Sleeve is around $12,600. Another thing to consider is the LapBand is reversible and adjustable. While on the other hand, the Gastric Sleeve is a permanent alteration to the stomach, which means part of it is removed completely. With that removal the hormones that produce the feeling of hunger are reduced as well. While both have success rates of approximately 40% weight loss after two years, the LapBand does initially have a slower weight loss rate than the Sleeve.
To get started on the process the patient would need to schedule a consult appointment with their physician/surgeon. Then, they would want to contact their insurance about payment options and coverage. Note, some facilities offer cash price discounts which could result in a quicker pre-surgical process. At the consult appointment, they will review the patient’s health history and assess their eligibility for surgery. They will also go through a mental and physical health assessment. A goal setting session with the nurse and registered dietitian may be required as well. Every surgeon and facility has a slightly different approach to the weight loss surgery process but the end result speaks volumes to the impact and increased quality of the patient’s health and life.
Donating time or resources benefits both the giver and the receiver. Studies have shown that giving releases similar chemicals to when you eat a great meal or falling in love. Other benefits include: Developing new skills and experiences (especially if you have been out of the workforce for a while), keeps the mind and body active and occupied warding off effects of age, and finally can make you feel wealthier and like you have more time.
No one ever regrets time spent serving others. Though giving often goes unrecognized, those that freely share their talents with others see that being acknowledged and praised isn’t why they do it. Patience and kindness go a long way in helping others. Through serving others, we gain understanding; we concentrate less on our own short comings; and we have more opportunity to grow as individuals. Here are a couple ways you can start:
Service is simple. It can be challenging to get motivated but like many things it takes time and practice to develop. For opportunities and more information about volunteering locally contact Lott Crockett, Director of Volunteer Services for Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at 847-4445 or apply online at http://goo.gl/mQKxih.
Alex‘s practices medicine at
and Bear Lake Physician’s Clinic
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