Apple a Day

In this episode, we get to know Dr. Joseph Fullmer, the newest member of the family medicine team at the Barnesville Area Clinic. Dr. Fullmer's path to medicine is anything but ordinary. A Michigan native who nearly dropped out of high school, he went on to serve six years in the United States Air Force as a cryptologic language analyst, studying Chinese in Monterey, California. It was a deployment to Iraq that ultimately pushed him toward a career in healing rather than conflict. With a philosophy centered on genuine patient relationships, preventive care, and lifestyle medicine, listen in to hear more about his plans to put down roots, get to know his patients, and become a trusted part of the Barnesville community.

Our guests this month are Sharon Notch with Minnesota Aging Pathways and Terri Swenson, program director for Lake Region Healthcare Senior Life Solutions, on the topic of things to know about Medicare open enrollment and managing the stress that can come with it. Medicare open enrollment runs October 15th through December 7th and applies to anyone on Medicare, not just older adults. The key takeaway - help is available. Senior Life Solutions staff will sit with you and connect you with experts, and Minnesota Aging Pathways offers free, neutral guidance by phone at 1-800-333-2433, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As Sharon and Terri sum it up: open your mail to learn about this year’s changes, and if you are stressed, ask a professional for help!

In this episode of Apple A Day, we get to know Kelsey Larsen, the newest addition to the geriatrics department at Lake Region Healthcare. A Fergus Falls native with deep roots in the community, Kelsey brings nearly 15 years of nursing experience at Lake Region Healthcare, having worked in med-surg, ICU, OB, behavioral health, and most recently the cancer center's infusion unit. Now stepping into the role of nurse practitioner, Kelsey shares what drew her to geriatric care and outlines her day-to-day role, which involves traveling to assisted living facilities and nursing homes to bring care directly to patients, a model she believes is essential the wellbeing of the residents.

Dr. Bruce Money, an internal medicine physician and lifestyle medicine advocate who has served the Fergus Falls community for nearly 40 years, joins us as he approaches retirement at the end of this month to reflect on his remarkable career journey. From medical missionary work in West Africa to championing preventative care close to home, listen in for an inspiring conversation about medicine, relationships and what it means to dedicate a lifetime to healing.

Meet Lake Region Healthcare's newest sports medicine physician, Dr. Don Hamm—an athlete-turned-doctor bringing "SEC level care" in non-operative orthopedics, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and concussion management to Fergus Falls. He also share practical tips on safe training, rest and recovery, strength and mobility, and focusing on the fundamentals: sleep, exercise, nutrition, and hydration.

This "Apple a Day" episode introduces Dr. Adam Pettigrew as the newest member of our provider team, joining the internal medicine and wound care departments in Fergus Falls. Dual board‑certified in internal medicine and infectious disease, he brings years of experience caring for adult patients, managing complex infections, and providing specialized wound care. Listen in for more on his background, the services he’ll provide in the clinic and wound care center, and some tips for avoiding infections.

The episode features optometrist Dr. Sarah Myron discussing summer and year‑round eye health, especially sun protection. Our eyes need sunblock just like our skin and Dr. Myron explains why, who is most at risk, what to look for in sunglasses, and how eye exams play a vital role in early detection of eye conditions. 

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease - early signs, care for patients and caregivers, and protecting brain health

Our guest for this episode is Missy Koehl, AG-PCNP. She's a nurse practitioner specializing in adult gerontology, who joins us to discuss Alzheimer's disease and brain health. She explains Alzheimer's as a progressive type of dementia, details its early signs, and explains the diagnostic process, addresses common misconceptions, the typical progression of the disease, and current treatment options aimed at slowing progression and improving quality of life. She also provides practical advice for maintaining brain health and insights and resources for caregivers.

Today we get to meet the newest provider at Lake Region Healthcare, Jordana Miller, NP. She is joining Dr. Chesley Johnson in the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department to help Dr. Johnson’s patients post-op and to provide aesthetic services including botox and laser treatments. She shares her background, her care philosophy, and a health tip based on her wound care experience in this quick “get-to-know-you” interview.

May is High Blood Pressure Education month and Dr. Dustin Sperr, primary care physician in our Elbow Lake and Evansville clinics joins us today to talk about the importance of understanding and managing blood pressure. We discuss knowing your numbers as well as the significant health risks associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure, such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia. You’ll also hear about management strategies, starting with foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and when medication becomes a necessary intervention. Dr. Sperr also shares some tips for proper technique to get the most accurate blood pressure readings as well as the value of home monitoring.