Dr. Amanda McMahon Joins Ortonville Area Health Services

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is pleased to announce that Amanda McMahon, MD has joined Northside Medical Clinic and will begin seeing patients in January.

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. McMahon to the provider group and medical team here at OAHS,” said Clinic Director Liz Sorenson. “She has a strong passion & understanding of what it takes to provide whole-person & family care. Her top-notch clinical training as a Family Practice physician will only enhance the already talented group of medical providers. We are excited that Amanda & Adam have decided to make the Big Stone Lake Area the place they want to call home and raise their family.”

Dr. McMahon received her Medical Degree in 2016 from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Additionally, she completed her Family Medicine Residency this summer through Altru Health System in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

“My favorite part of being a doctor is being able to build relationships with my patients and their families,” said Dr. McMahon. “I am excited to be back in my hometown where I can serve my community and have the privilege of getting to know my patients on a more personal level to provide the best health care possible.”

 

For more information on Ortonville Area Health Services or to schedule an appointment with Amanda McMahon, MD please contact 320-839-6157.

Choosing the Best Insurance

https://www.facebook.com/OAHS1/videos/461439578053837/

 

Every Fall, millions of Americans face the task of choosing a Health Insurance plan for the upcoming year. Choosing the best plan can be an extremely daunting task. With this in mind, we recently talked with Sally Stattelman, Clinic Nurse Manager at OAHS, to get a few tips to help you make the best choice. Thankfully, there are numerous resources available to help guide you through the process. If you have questions or are looking for assistance in choosing a Health Insurance plan, make sure to check out the list of resources that are linked below.

OAHS Patient Financial Services – 320-839-4096

Senior LinkAge Line® – (800) 333-2433

Linda Kolb with Prairie Five – MNSure Navigator and Counselor – 320-839-2111

Sanford Health Network FAQs

Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement

The Pros and Cons of Switching to a Medicare Advantage Plan

MDH Rural Health Team Award – OAHS Obstetrical Team

 

Maria Botker, CNS, RN, Dr. Bob Ross, and Nicole Lovgren, RN pictured holding the Rural Health Team Award at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference on June 18, 2019.

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) was awarded the Minnesota Rural Health Team Award for outstanding obstetric (OB) care at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference earlier this year. At a time when many small hospitals are no longer able to offer OB care, OAHS OB/ER has collaborated with local hospitals in Minnesota and South Dakota to provide high quality OB for their shared rural populations. OAHS, a Critical Access Hospital, is located on the border of Minnesota and South Dakota. Appointments are shared between facilities to fit the needs of pregnant women and telehealth allows for neonatal and obstetric care available at the push of a button. These partnerships allow for OB delivery of care that addresses the unique needs of women in their own rural settings. Congratulations!

 

Click here to view the acceptance speech delivered by Maria Botker, CNS, RN

 

Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Robert Ross

Dr. Bob Ross, with grandson Cane, pictured holding the Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference on June 18, 2019.

 

Dr. Bob was the recipient of the 2019 Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Bob joined the Ortonville medical staff in 1977 and hasn’t sat still since. In 1989, Dr. Bob and his partners formed the Big Stone Health Care Foundation. The Foundation, along with Dr. Bob and the entire Board’s vision, has provided health care opportunities to our community that otherwise would not have been possible. We thank Dr. Bob, his wife Mary, and their entire family for the sacrifices that have been made in order for him to be one of the leaders for his partners, the staff, and most importantly his patients. Congratulations, Dr. Bob!

Click here to read about Dr. Bob’s lifetime of success.

Click here to view Dr. Bob’s acceptance speech. 

 

Man Flu Outbreak

The Pulse Episode 1 – Sara Tollakson

The Pulse is a weekly segment where we sit down with OAHS staff members to learn more about the latest local healthcare news and some of the wonderful things they do on a daily basis. This week we sat down with OAHS Health Coach, Sara Tollakson, to learn more about her role as a health coach and the services she and her team provide.

 

2018 Stork Review

Changes to Direct Access Testing

Effective January 1, 2019, the Urinalysis test is being removed from the OAHS Direct Access Testing menu in order to assure that the most appropriate and timely follow-up for a possible urinary tract infection can be completed.   The health of our patients is our priority.  Individuals who are under age 18  can have a urinalysis performed during a provider visit.

Adults 18 years and older can have a urinalysis performed during a nurse visit.  Provider and Nurse visits can be scheduled by calling 320-839-6157.

The Good Life here at OAHS

Kafka Donation Helps Improve Cardiac Rehab Education

OAHS Cardiac Rehab Coordinator, Kelly Kallhoff, RN, recently began to develop a new education program to better educate our patients on how the heart works, various cardiac procedures, the purpose of Cardiac Rehab, and other ways to be heart healthy. In her research, she discovered some video resources that touched on all of those topics and were perfect for the program. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, she just didn’t have a convenient way to get those resources into the hands of her patients.  Dan Kafka was just beginning the Cardiac Rehab Program when this was beginning to develop. “Dan and I were chatting about the education portion,” said Kalhoff “and I stated that we are looking into getting an iPad but until then I was using my computer on wheels to view the videos.”  Dan ran into OAHS CEO Dave Rogers and expressed that he would like to donate an iPad to the Cardiac Rehab Department for the education program. Kalhoff stated, “Thanks to Dan’s generosity, now my patients can watch and listen to important information about leading a heart-healthy lifestyle all while exercising and strengthening their hearts.” 

10 Ways To Avoid Holiday Meltdowns

When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

  1. Acknowledge your feelings
    If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
  2. Reach out
    If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious, or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
  3. Be realistic
    The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
  4. Set aside differences
    Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
  5. Stick to a budget
    Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.

Try these alternatives:

  • Donate to a charity in someone’s name
  • Give homemade gifts
  • Start a family gift exchange
  1. Plan ahead
    Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
  2. Learn to say no
    Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
  3. Don’t abandon healthy habits
    Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.

Try these suggestions:

  • Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Incorporate regular physical activity into each day.
  1. Take a breather
    Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

Some options may include:

  • Taking a walk at night and stargazing
  • Listening to soothing music
  • Getting a massage
  • Reading a book.
  1. Seek professional help if you need it
    Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Open Enrollment

Please be aware that not all health plans are the same.

Some health plans may stop you from seeing your OAHS doctor.

Our patient financial services representatives are here to assist you in determining provider coverage.

Call 320-839-4096 with Questions

Translate »