Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - St. Anthony - (Page 51)

An ImportAnt Investment Finding a primary care physician now can pay off in the future by Carla Carwile Kit Brekhus, M.D. 1 You get more value for Your healthcare dollar. T aking the time to find a primary care physician before you need one is a great investment in your personal health. If you live or work in the near-mountain communities, you may want to connect with Kit Brekhus, M.D., one of the primary care physicians at St. Anthony Health Center Evergreen. Brekhus, who has lived and practiced in the area for years, explains how establishing that doctor/patient relationship in advance can benefit you in the future. ER care is worth its weight in gold and then some when a true emergency arises. But venturing in for a simple virus will cost you significantly more than calling your personal doctor’s office. Moreover, you’ll likely need to follow up that ER care with a physician. With a primary care physician, you have one at the ready. 2 3 You have an advocate. When you’re not feeling well, knowing that someone with medical expertise has your back—and front, sides, top to bottom—brings important peace of mind. Should you need a specialist’s care, your primary care physician can refer you directly and tell you what to expect. You get a translator. A Place to Turn Top-quality, compassionate primary medical care for Front Range Mountain families is the hallmark of St. Anthony Health Care Center Evergreen. From well checks and sports physicals to illness and medication management, our doctors, physician assistants and medical staff can care for infants, seniors and every age and stage in between. If You Go Where: 32214 Ellingwood Trail, Suite 210 Evergreen, CO 80439 Phone: 303-679-2020 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 to 11:30 a.m. (walk-in urgent care only) DID You knoW? Through iTriage , a FREE smartphone app, you can schedule an appointment at St. Anthony Urgent Care in Evergeen from the palm of your hand. Simply download the app, select Doctors, choose Family Practice, click the orange Request an Appointment button, complete the form and wait for the clinic to contact you. Medical terminology can be confusing, and relying heavily on information from the Internet can be downright risky. Your primary care physician and his or her staff can provide valuable clarity. 4 5 You’ve got someone looking ahead. Even the healthiest people find their medical needs change as days and decades pass. A primary care physician can alert you to expected changes and provide preventive tips. Your entire familY can benefit. Many primary care physicians specialize in full-family care. And the benefits go beyond convenience. When your doctor treats your entire family, he or she understands the dynamics as well as diseases that you have in common. And good health is intergenerational. online Visit stanthonyhosp.org and enter your preferences in the “Find a Doctor” bar at the top. You’ll be able to choose by specialty, gender, location and more. Prefer to phone? Call ASK-A-NURSE at 303-777-6877. Need a Primary Care Physician? Vim & Vigor • FAL L 2012 51 http://www.stanthonyhosp.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - St. Anthony

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - St. Anthony
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Community Connections
Welcome to the New St. Anthony Cancer Center
Help for Hearts
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still a Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
More Ways to Manage Pain
A New Dimension
An Important Investment
An Important Investment
A Big Occasion
By the Numbers
From the Foundation
Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - St. Anthony