January 2022 - Ortonville Area Health Services

David Collins, MD, Achieves Board Certification in Emergency Medicine

[ORTONVILLE, MN] 1/21/22 David Collins, MD, has successfully fulfilled the certification requirements of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and is declared a diplomate of the medical specialty board. To attain certification, this physician completed medical school as well as a three-year residency training program in Emergency Medicine. This was followed by successful completion of a multiple-choice examination that covers the breadth of Emergency Medicine and a half-day oral examination.

ABEM certification differentiates physicians from other providers. The steps to ABEM certification are rigorous and set him apart from other providers. ABEM-certified physicians serve a valuable and irreplaceable clinical role in the care of the critically ill and injured.

Dr. Collins attended medical school at University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health in Grand Forks, North Dakota and completed his residency training at University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. He is a member of American College of Emergency Physicians, Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, National Association of EMS Physicians, and Clinical instructor of Emergency Medicine at UND and director of Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for UND EM Dept.

Now that he is certified, Dr. Collins will stay current through a process of continuing certification. The purpose of continuing certification is to promote the highest standards of patient care and continuous learning and assessment among ABEM-certified physicians. ABEM’s continuing certification process requires assessment activities, improvement in medical practice work, and professionalism expectations.

Additional information about ABEM, its examinations, and certification activities is available on the Board’s website at www.abem.org.

Filed Under: News

New Year, Same You

Do you enjoy making New Year’s resolutions or do you avoid them? Have you ever set an unattainable resolution and then been hard on yourself for falling short of your goal?

Why do so many of us make good faith commitments then fail to honor them? Here are some explanations on why we often fall short on our New Year’s resolutions.

Some resolutions are set up to fail. Often being set at the beginning of a new year instead of set from a true motivation to make a change. We may be trying to please or appease a friend or family member; not really wanting to make a change for ourselves. Having internal motivation is a lasting driver that will create long lasting changes.
Some of us tend to be poor long-term planners. Often creating New Year resolutions without a concrete plan; neglecting preparations to take steps forward. Resolutions are best done by developing a plan. Address how to handle obstacles or change routines. Being outcome driven with unobtainable goals removes joy. Often goals get abandoned instead of our expectations being properly addressed.
Sometimes we create New Year’s resolutions that involve focusing on our perceived flaws or insecurities. We may create goals related to negative thoughts such as “I am overweight” rather than “I want to be healthier”. This can chip away at self -esteem and lead us to reflect negatively about who we are. For people with negative thought patterns; this can increase anxiety or depression.
Some of us are just plain reluctant to change. We tend to like comfort or the familiar things. Creating change often requires discomfort. Some go to great lengths to avoid discomfort.

So what can you do? Consider setting smaller attainable goals! Resolve to make small changes that are sustainable, simple, and realistic. You got this! Make the most of 2022 by making it make sense.