Page 8 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - January, 2019

8

Clinic welcomes residents Get tested for Hepatitis C

Doctors encouraged What is it?
An infection that can be
to spend time serving deadly (liver failure), but most
tribal communities people don’t know they have it. INFORMATION
Once you have symptoms, it’s n cdc.gov/knowmore
Contributed by Dr. Bryce Parent, MD usually too late. hepatitis
The Chehalis Tribal Wellness Why us? n npaihb.org/hcv
Center has started to reach out to It’s more common in
offer learning opportunities for northwest tribes than in most of
new doctors in training. the United States, according to Chehalis Tribal Wellness
In family medicine training, the North Area Indian Health Center
those who graduate from medical Board. The Wellness Center is
school must then complete three But I wouldn’t have it … actively screening for Hepatitis C
extra years of training called Resident doctors train under would I? and providing treatment at our
residency. Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center Just like many, Baby Boomers facility.
During this training, a doctor is doctors Rita Mercer (ARNP), Hang have tested positive without It doesn’t matter how you
often called a resident. Chau (MD) and Alan Whipple (MD). knowing why. contracted Hep C, what matters
There might from time to is that you get treated.
time be a resident at the Wellness their community. We think it is A new cure Help us reach the whole
Center, typically for two to four good to try to help with two parts Now it can be cured community. Tell us how to help
weeks taking care of community of the solution: effectively with new medications your friends, family and the
members under the supervision Hosting the Chehalis Tribe’s that are better than they used to entire community.
of our regular doctors and nurse 1 young people to help them be (higher cure rate and fewer Make an appointment today
practitioners. think about whether they side effects). to get tested.
If a resident will be part of might want to become doctors
your care, we will ask whether or nurse practitioners or enter
that is ok with you. We encourage other health care careers. We
you to be open to it if you can, are currently doing this, and WIC THROUGH SPIPA
and the following helps explain we appreciate the community’s
why: involvement.
n This is a good thing because Welcoming resident doctors CHECKS TO BUY FOOD, HEALTH
we want more young doctors 2 to learn at the clinic and EDUCATION, BREASTFEEDING
to serve Native American encouraging them to HELP, SERVICES REFERRAL
communities in this region. Most think about serving tribes in
doctors go through all of their the region when they are done NEXT DATE: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
training (seven years or more with their training. Right now, Feb. 7 at the Wellness Center
when you add medical school and this might help neighbor tribes
residency) without ever spending that are having difficulty hiring CONTACT US: Debbie Gardipee-
time in a clinic serving a Native doctors; some day, it might help Reyes, 360-462-3227 or Patty
American community. the Chehalis Tribe directly. Suskin, 360-462-3224
n Many tribal and Indian We thank you as always for Chehalis: Debra Shortman, 360-709-1689
Health Service clinics in the your support in our effort to serve
northwest have a difficult time you and the wider Chehalis tribal
finding enough doctors to serve community.

SAIL INTO FITNESS Walk & Roll

Stay Active and Independent for Life is a strength, Wednesdays
balance and fitness program for older adults
Join us as Chehalis Tribal
CLASSES ARE 10:30-11:30 A.M. MONDAYS AND Wellness Center staff walk
11-NOON FRIDAYS IN THE ELDERS BUILDING
at noon from the clinic to
SAIL exercises can be done standing Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
or sitting and consist of:

n Warm up: 3-5 minutes
n Aerobics: 18-20 minutes SIGN UP AT THE ELDERS CENTER,
n Balance exercises: 10 minutes COMMUNITY CENTER, WELLNESS
CENTER OR TRIBAL CENTER OR CALL
n Strength exercises: 15-18 minutes SDICKENSON@CHEHALISTRIBE.ORG
n Stretching: 8-10 minutes
* Sponsored by the Special Diabetes Program for Indians