Apple a Day

Miranda Mathison is the newest member of our medical staff, serving as a Physician Assistant in the Wound Care Center. Originally from Devils Lake, ND and originally a dental hygienist, Miranda shares why she became a Physician Assistant later in life, what wound care is, and who can benefit from it in this episode of Apple a Day.

A Pelican Rapids native, Shelby is excited to return to her hometown area and join the pediatrics team at Lake Region Healthcare, where she feels a strong sense of community and familiarity. On today’s show she shares educational and professional journey, her care philosophy, which emphasizes shared decision-making, evidence-based practice, and a holistic approach that considers both traditional and alternative treatments. We also talk about challenges in children's health today, particularly around mental health and the impact of social media and how modeling healthy behaviors as parents and adults plays a crucial role in shaping children's well-being.

Corina Mark, PA has joined the General Surgery team at Lake Region Healthcare, and we spend some time getting to know her better on today’s show. Inspired by her mom, an RN, she pursued a career in medicine to follow her mom’s passion of caring for people. A native of Dalton, MN Corina was born at Lake Region Healthcare and says she considers this home and that she is excited to care for the community she grew up in. Listen in to learn more about her care philosophy, her practice, and her hobbies outside of medicine.

May Mental Health Month

Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being and should be addressed at all stages of life. Terri Swenson joins us today to talk about mental health signs, symptoms, and solutions for all ages, but with a particular emphasis on mental health issues in older adults. She also extends an invitation to an open house on May 15th to tour the Senior Life Solutions outpatient psychiatry program in Elbow Lake in celebration of Mental Health Month.

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition affecting millions of people who experience facial redness, burning, stinging, itching, and sometimes swelling associated with it. Andrea Rader-Mendler, PA in the Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery department at LRH talks with us about the key differences between rosacea and acne, her recommended approaches to managing rosacea flare-ups, and also touches on some general skin health questions around sunscreen and anti-aging products and treatments as well. 

April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month and two OT’s from Lake Region Healthcare join us today to talk about one of the unique Occupational Therapy programs offered here. The Driver Rehab program at Lake Region Healthcare assesses individuals' fitness to drive and provides training and vehicle modifications to help them maintain their independence. Lisa & Kate share how the program serves a wide range of clients, including older adults, those with acquired disabilities, and individuals with developmental conditions that impact their driving ability.

Whitney Johnson is certified brain injury Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) on the Lake Region Healthcare Rehab Therapy team. Brain injuries can have a significant impact on an individual's physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning and Speech Language Pathologists play a crucial role in helping brain injury patients regain independence and return to their daily activities. For March, Brain Injury Awareness Month,  Whitney shares her extensive knowledge and encourages us all to be more mindful of the broad and often invisible impacts of brain injuries.

Dr. Abigail Smith has recently joined our team of healthcare providers to offer foot and ankle care in the Fergus Falls Clinic, the Wound Care Center, the Elbow Lake Clinic and the Morris Clinic. Dr. Smith shares her passion for helping patients with foot and ankle issues and her commitment to providing compassionate, judgment-free care along with more information on the services she will be offering and some tips for foot care. A Minnesota native, we are excited to welcome Dr. Smith back to west-central Minnesota and to the Lake Region Healthcare Foot and Ankle team.

On today’s episode we get to know Ashley Fischer, NP, the newest member of the foot & ankle team in the podiatry department at Lake Region Healthcare. She shares the impact a nurse had on her during a difficult time in her life which inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare, as well as how her experiences working in different healthcare settings as a travel nurse gave her a unique perspective on how to provide high-quality, personalized patient care and reinforced her belief in the value of smaller, more collaborative organizations.

February is National Heart Health Month, and Kayla Larson from LRH Cardiac Rehab joins us to shed light on various aspects of heart health, including the importance of knowing one's individual risk factors, preventive measures, the role of physical activity, and the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.