2022 Student Internship Information
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.
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.
Ortonville Area Health Services – Rural Health Leads the way with Monoclonal Antibody Therapy.
In the Fall of 2020, monoclonal antibody therapy was approved by the FDA under the emergency use authorization for the treatment of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibody therapy introduces laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cells. Not long after the approval from the FDA, the leadership of Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) chose to offer the treatment in Ortonville, MN. “After looking at the data, we saw clear benefits,” explained Dr. Allan Ross, Chief Medical Officer at OAHS. “That led to us being one of the first facilities in the area to use monoclonal antibody therapy.” Dr. Ross continued, “I saw an article at the end of December of 2020 showing the number of infusions Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School) had done. At that point, we had given more infusions at OAHS!”
Monoclonal Antibody
Pfizer Vaccine Booster
9/28/2021
Recently, a booster dose for the Pfizer vaccine was authorized by both the FDA and CDC for certain individuals.
OAHS will be offering COVID-19 booster shots to:
- People 65+ and those in long-term care facilities at least six months after their second Pfizer dose.
- People 18+ with underlying health conditions or with jobs that put them at a higher risk (such as health care workers, teachers and other front-line workers) at least six months after their second Pfizer dose.
Individuals who have received the Moderna or Janssen (J&J) vaccine have not been approved to receive a booster dose at this time.
Patients
Beginning September 28, patients will be able to schedule their booster shot by calling 320-839-6157.
An additional vaccine dose of mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine was previously approved for immunocompromised individuals, but a fourth (booster) dose is not recommended at this time.
Employees
Eligible employees are highly encouraged to receive the Pfizer booster dose, but it is not required at this time. Employees will be able to schedule their booster shot by calling the clinic at 320-839-6157. Cost of administration will be submitted to health insurance for the booster dose.
Employees must show their vaccine card to verify they received their second Pfizer vaccine dose at least six months ago.