April 2008 eNews

Should you consider your doctor part of your family? Absolutely! Most of us know who to call in an emergency, but is a physician on your list? Having a primary care doctor you can turn to when an illness or injury strikes is important. It’s also essential to maintaining good health.

A primary care physician is either a family medicine physician, a pediatrician or an internal medicine physician. These physicians specialize in the whole person and take care of many primary patient needs.

Sanford Clinic currently has over 220 primary care physicians across Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. These physicians offer a multitude of services including annual health check-ups for adults, breast health, gynecological care, maternity care, well-baby check-ups, pediatric illness, diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with aging, medication management and minor in-office surgery. They are also closely connected to some of the best specialists in the region if a referral is needed.

“When you don’t feel well, the first place many turn to is the warmth and care of your family and the comforts of your own home,” says David Ellerbusch, MD, a Sanford Clinic family medicine physician. “A primary care physician strives to give you this same compassionate care. At Sanford Clinic, you are treated as family by our family.”

If you have a primary care physician:
Your physician will be familiar with the physical, psychological and lifestyle factors that affect your life. The relationship you develop with your physician can be key to keeping illness away. He or she will have medical history information on your parents, grandparents and siblings. This history is vital to your health. Your primary care physician can send you to a specialist when needed.

“Often when I meet with a new patient and begin developing a plan for their care, I’ll find issues with their medications that may have been prescribed from a variety of sources,” said Randall Lamfers, MD with Sanford Clinic Adult Medicine. “For example, these medications may interact, they may be available in an equally effective generic equivalent or two medications may now be available in a combination pill. With some simple fixes, I can save the patient from potential negative side effects and also save them a significant amount of money.”

Having a primary care physician also means your medical records are in one place. Your medical record includes information about you, and it may also contain the history of any medical conditions that have involved your family. Having an established medical record is vital to your health. Your physician can and will refer back to it when needed.

Primary Care Physicians

Family Medicine
A family medicine physician specializes in providing continuing, comprehensive healthcare for the individual and family. It is a specialty that integrates the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both genders, each organ system and every disease entity.

Pediatrician
A general pediatric physician is concerned with the health of infants, children and adolescents. A pediatrician focuses on their patient’s growth and development along with their opportunity to achieve full potential as adults.

Internal Medicine/Adult Medicine
An internal medicine physician specializes in providing both general and specialized medical care for individuals over the age of 18.

Looking for a physician? Simply call any Sanford primary care location for your next appointment or screening and enjoy the peace of mind knowing you have finally found your medical home.

(Sioux Falls, SD) In his younger years, Liam Montgomery was always a little guy; he had a chronic cough and an incurable sinus infection. It wasn’t until the day after Christmas when he was five years old that his parents received the devastating news that Liam tested positive for cystic fibrosis.

Despite their devastation, the Montgomery family went straight to battle with this disease. They receive all of their care at the region’s only Cystic Fibrosis Clinic located at Sanford Children’s. At each visit, a team of specialists guide Liam and his family through their “CF” journey.

Over the last five years, Liam has grown up, filled out, and is learning the skills and discipline needed to manage his life long condition. His parents, Alan and Shawn, say they are proud of the person Liam has become. He is a curious and engaging child, a terrific big brother, and he is making a difference in the world around him. Liam is South Dakota’s 2008 Children’s Miracle Network Champion.

Mark your calendars for this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Celebration Broadcast LIVE on KELOLAND-TV on Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Sanford Children’s is the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

It’s a baby boom at Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, Iowa. In February, the hospital welcomed a record 32 babies in their birth center. This is a continuation of a trend from a record 214 births in 2007.

With a highly-qualified staff of obstetric (OB) physicians and nurses, two practitioners who perform C-sections, two certified registered nurse anesthetists and a patient-friendly and healing environment, young families from throughout northwest Iowa are discovering the kind of personal care, privacy and quality facilities that make OCAHS an increasingly popular choice for obstetrics care. Anticipating continued growth, OCAHS will be adding another surgeon and practicing OB physician this fall.

“It’s great to see so many families choosing Orange City Area Health System as their obstetrical and medical home,” said Lisa Shepherd, MD. “Our group of caring physicians and nurses coupled with a new state-of-the-art facility is attracting patients from miles away, and we are honored to serve each one of them as they expand their family.”

In addition to its family-oriented obstetric and gynecologic services, leading-edge radiologic imaging and surgical services, OCAHS is now offering some of the latest fertility studies and treatments. Instead of driving hundreds of miles, patients can now start treatments such as progesterone supplementation and ovulation stimulation, or obtain hysterosalpingograms (HSGs), follicular studies, and laboratory analysis of fertility, locally, either through perinatal and fertility specialist consultation or ordered directly by their own family physician.

Orange City Area Health System is a member of the Sanford Health system.

The New Sanford Women’s Health Plaza »

(Sioux Falls, SD) The Sanford Women’s Health Plaza in Sioux Falls was featured during a national conference in March for its innovation in delivering women’s healthcare. Sanford Women’s Health Internal Medicine physician Lisa LaFollette Ellis, MD moderated a symposium entitled “Women’s Health Centers: Secrets of Success.”

This symposium was sponsored by a grant from the Office on Women’s Health and was presented at “Women’s Health 2008: The 16th Annual Congress Conference” in Williamsburg, Virginia. The new Sanford Women’s Health Plaza was reviewed as a protocol for successful women’s health clinics in the country.

“This three day conference is considered one of the nation’s most excellent women’s health meetings of the year and presents cutting-edge research, training and education from outstanding faculty of the highest caliber,” said Dr. Ellis.

Sanford Women’s Health Plaza opened in October 2007 and is based on convenience, access, state-of-the-art technology and a service experience. Clinical services include internal medicine, OB/GYN, digital mammography, bone density testing, women’s physical therapy, women’s mental health and an array of specialty services. In addition to the clinical services at the Plaza, Mutch Women’s Center for Health Enrichment offers daily health education, healthy lifestyle coaching and physical activity classes.

For more information, call (605) 328-9700.

Full Press Release »

(Sioux Falls, SD) Children across the region will benefit after the first annual Cure Kids Cancer radiothon. Sanford Children’s Hospital and Results Radio teamed up to raise over $150,000 for children battling cancer during the three day radiothon, held February 27-29.

Hosts from Results Radio MIX 97.3 and KIKN Country 100.5 spent 36 hours live on the air from Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls raising funds for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Full Press Release »

(Sioux Falls, SD) Sanford USD Medical Center Executive Chef John Gilbertson was recently honored by a national culinary organization for his expertise and leadership. Chef John was one of eight chefs awarded a President’s medallion by the American Culinary Federation, Inc., (ACF) at the 2008 ACF Central Regional Conference held in Kansas City, Missouri in February.

The ACF President’s medallions were presented to ACF members who exemplify culinary excellence and leadership. Chef John has been cooking professionally since 1978. With extensive background as a chef in the hotel industry, he finds healthcare to be his most challenging and rewarding thus far.

“Most chefs are in the food business, but we are in the education and energy business,” said Chef John. “Our goal is to simultaneously move our patients toward recovery through nutrition, as well as create an energy ‘vibe’ by nourishing our staff. We hope both groups feel our commitment to them through our well prepared food.”

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America.

Diann Nelson

(Sioux Falls, SD) Sanford employee Diann Nelson competed at the International Bench Press Championship in the Czech Republic in March. Prior to heading to the Czech Republic, Nelson broke the United States Bench Press Championship record for her weight class of 114 pounds when she lifted 154.25 pounds, over one and a half times her body weight.

Nelson has been training with the Sanford Wellness Center’s POWER Program staff for the last three years. The 52-year-old works out at least three times a week at the Wellness Center doing an hour and a half of weight training along with some aerobics. “She is very dedicated and in amazing shape,” Jeff Blindauer, a POWER trainer says.

In between working part-time as a registrar for the Sanford Clinic at 26th and Sycamore and her full-time job as a legal assistant, Nelson is used to staying busy. Even with her busy schedule, weight training for Nelson is a must. “Success never comes easy, you have to work hard to attain success,” says Nelson.

(Brandon, SD) Construction is now complete on the Sanford family medicine clinic located in Brandon, South Dakota. The new 6,735 square foot clinic features a larger patient waiting area, six patient exam rooms, an in-house laboratory, a large procedure room and an on site x-ray department.

“Living in Brandon, I see first hand the steady growth of this community,” said Nicolas Van Es, MD, with Sanford Clinic Family Medicine Brandon. “It became apparent we needed a larger space to treat our patients. This new location allows us to expand our services to my neighbors, the people of the Brandon area.”

Before moving to its new site at 1105 E. Holly Boulevard, Sanford Clinic Family Medicine Brandon was located in the former Security Bank space next to Lewis Pharmacy and Sunshine Foods in Brandon.

(Windom, MN) The staff and physicians at Sanford Clinic Windom are getting settled into their new surroundings. In March 2008, Sanford Clinic Windom moved into a brand new building. The new clinic has eight exam rooms, two procedure rooms and on-site radiology. In addition, Sanford Breast Health Institute will now have monthly mammography services on-site.

“We had just outgrown our previous location,” said Laurie Stenke, Clinic Director. “This new clinic will help the staff maximize their time and efforts in providing great care to our patients.”

Sanford Home Medical Equipment and Sanford Hospice have adjoining offices to the clinic. Lewis Drug will also move into the building in Fall 2008.