Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2013 - (Page 6)

Prescription for Health Longtime community physician David Detert, M.D., will be transitioning to a new physician role in the Cannon Falls/Wanamingo, Minn., area this fall. He will be greatly missed by Meeker Memorial Hospital and the Litchfield community. Well-loved physician offers tips for staying healthy By Lori Rice L ongtime community physician David Detert, M.D., a primary care physician at Affiliated Community Medical Center and on the Meeker Memorial Hospital medical staff for more than 25 years, offers advice for a “prescription for health” for getting back to the health basics. “The basic stuff is the key if you want to live a long and healthy life.” Detert’s key recommendations haven’t changed from what we know we should be doing: D Don’t smoke D Exercise D Eat right D Get seven to eight hours of sleep per night D Get immunized and get your flu shots. D Don’t drink alcohol excessively D Don’t “drive like a bat” “If you follow this advice, you should live a long life,” Detert says. We may have heard it before—but for all of us, it doesn’t hurt to hear it again. “It’s up to each person,” Detert says. “It’s the attitude each individual has that makes all the difference.” He remembers several instances in which one of his patients has made a 180-degree change in his or her life. “It’s always when they finally decide they need to do the right things to improve their health that they are helping themselves,” Detert says. He says that sometimes family history or illness and injury will play a role in health, but usually we can all be healthier 6 meekermemorial.org • 320-693-3242 by following the basics. “Healthcare technology has really gotten complex and horrendously expensive,” Detert says. “We can no longer rely on technology to save us.” He believes it is up to each one of us to be responsible for our health and the cost of our healthcare. Personal Responsibility The philosophy that we must all be our own advocates for our health fits with Detert’s decision to semi-retire and transition to a clinic role as a primary physician. He will be missed by Meeker Memorial as he moves to Northfield, closer to family, and begins to slow down his practice and focus on the things he loves. He has always loved rural areas, and he will now work as a primary care physician in a clinic setting in Cannon Falls/Wanamingo, Minn. Detert grew up on a farm. Back when he started as a physician, he remembered how important a role his father played—by growing the food his family ate. Detert gardens now. Most of his patients and the community know that. He also bikes to work for exercise— it’s a part of his lifestyle. He organizes his time, doing the important things first— like talking to his patients, whom he will miss. He has stayed active in the community of which he has loved being a part. He has been a great leader in the medical community, too, and has made a difference. And, he sticks to the basics—his prescription for health. 1 Take D r. Dete rt’s Ad - Don’ t vice! smoke - Exerc ise - Eat r ight - Get s e sleep p ven to eight er nigh hours o t f - Get i mmuniz ed and flu sho ts. get you r - Don’ t drink a lcohol e - Don’ t xcessiv “ drive l ely ike a ba t” http://www.meekermemorial.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2013

Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2013
Contents
Crash course on concussions
Make a family disaster plan
Prescription for Health

Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2013