Archives for Diseases

Panacea, Fla – Dr. Karen Bartley, a family physician from Wakulla Medical Center, will lead the “Walk With a Doc” fall walking program on Thursdays, beginning October 4, at 4:30 PM in Woolley Park, Panacea.

“Walk with a Doc” is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. Meet at the entrance to Woolley Park at 48 Mound Street in Panacea.   “Because the location is a loop, if participants need to take a break or join us for just a few laps, it is okay. The big thing is that they are out there trying and adding activity to their lives” Bartley says.

Walk with the Doc programs include a short health talk and are followed by up to 45 minutes of walking.  You don’t need to be a marathon runner to benefit from exercise. The simple act of walking can have striking health benefits. Many conditions such as fatigue, pain, insulin resistance and depression can be improved by simply increasing or initiating physical activity.

About Walk With a Doc

Walk With a Doc was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist who practices at Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio, who has been walking every weekend since 2005. The mission of the Walk with A Doc organization is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages providing an opportunity for those in the community to walk and talk with a local physician in a safe, fun, easily-accessible location.

“I don’t just want to be a doctor in an office. I want to be part of my community,” Barley says. “I want people to know that I’m willing to take that first step with them outside of the office.”

For more information about the program and future walks, visit the Walk with a Doc website.

About Wakulla Medical Center

Wakulla Medical Center is part of the North Florida Medical Centers family and committed to providing comprehensive primary health care services to the community.  Wakulla Medical Center accepts most insurance and offers a sliding scale discount program for eligible patients.  The center provides highly efficient and cost-effective health care for the entire family, which reduces or eliminates the need for costly care in the emergency room or avoidable hospital stays.

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Summer brings opportunities to play outside but can also provide opportunities for injury. Running around, playing games, even organized sports are common activities for kids during the summer and fall. Eventually, in all that activity, someone has an accident.

What to do if a child’s tooth is knocked out?
Baby teeth are temporary and while the loss of a tooth is often traumatic, baby teeth should not be replanted because of the potential of damaging developing permanent teeth. However, a visit to the pediatric dentist is advised. Traumatic breaks can leave behind broken pieces that can cause infection and pain.
Permanent teeth that are knocked out require delicate care so that they can be replanted by a pediatric dentist or at the scene of the accident. Quick action will increase the chances of saving the tooth. First, find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water but do not use soap or scrub it. Place the tooth back into the socket immediately, holding it in place with gauze or by biting on a wash cloth. If the tooth cannot be placed back into the socket, place it in a container of Save-A-Tooth ®, cold milk, or saliva. Contact your dental office immediately.

What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?
A broken tooth can be very painful and is open to infection. Contact your dentist immediately. First aid for the chipped tooth includes rinsing the mouth with water and applying cold compresses to reduce swelling to soft tissue such as the gums and lip. If the fragment can be found place it in a small bag or container and bring it with you to the dentist office.

If your child receives a blow to the head, make sure that they receive immediate medical attention.
Head blows can cause significant injury that is often not visible and may have delayed symptoms. If possible, contact 911, as emergency services can begin treating in route and are often faster than driving to the hospital yourself.

Beat the heat and sun
Heat-related illness happens when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Infants and children up to 4 years of age are at greatest risk. Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. For heat-related illness, the best defense is prevention.

Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and evening hours.
Stay cool with cool showers or baths.
Seek medical care immediate if your child has symptoms of heat-related illness.
Just a few serious sunburns can increase you and your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors.

Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child’s skin helps protect against UV rays.
Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection every time you and your child go outside.

Keep mosquitos and ticks from bugging you this summer
Protect yourself and your family by preventing bites and diseases, like Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted by insects.

December 29, 2017

Panacea, Fla – Dr. Karen Bartley, a family physician from Wakulla Medical Center, will lead North Florida’s first “Walk With a Doc” walking program on Thursday, Jan. 4, at Woolley Park in Panacea.

“Walk with a Doc,” an hour long walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle, starts at 4:30 PM. Meet at the entrance to Woolley Park at 48 Mound Street in Panacea. The trail is a loop so all levels can participate.

Registration is not required for the free event, the first in North Florida for a program already active in more than 100 other cities.

The program encourages healthy physical activity in people of all ages to help reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and to improve the health and well-being of the country. Coordinated by a non-profit organization of the same name, Walk with a Doc has more than 190 active programs across the United States and around the world.

“Sometimes having the opportunity to see a doctor outside of the clinic environment gives people an opportunity to ask a question that they wouldn’t otherwise ask.” shares Bartley.  “We will be having brief talks at the beginning of each walk. Being a family physician, I can speak to a breath of health topics.”

Walk with the Doc programs include a short health talk and are followed by up to 45 minutes of walking.  You don’t need to be a marathon runner to benefit from exercise. The simple act of walking can have striking health benefits. Many conditions such as fatigue, pain, insulin resistance and depression can be improved by simply increasing or initiating physical activity. “Because the location is a loop, if participants need to take a break or join us for just a few laps, it is okay. The big thing is that they are out there trying and adding activity to their lives” Bartley says.

Short walks yield long-term health gains

Bartley stresses that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risks or many diseases, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer and type 2 diabetes. “Recent studies show that you could gain two hours of life for each hour that you exercise regularly” she says.

According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day also can provide the following benefits:

• Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity
• Enhance mental well-being
• Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Walk With a Doc was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist who practices at Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio, who has been walking every weekend since 2005. The expansion and support of the program is supported by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The mission of the Walk with A Doc organization is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages providing an opportunity for those in the community to walk and talk with a local physician in a safe, fun, easily-accessible location.

“I don’t just want to be a doctor in an office. I want to be part of my community,” Bartley says. “I want people to know that I’m willing to take that first step with them outside of the office.”

For more information about the program and future walks, visit the Walk with a Doc website.

About Wakulla Medical Center

Wakulla Medical Center is part of the North Florida Medical Centers family and committed to providing comprehensive primary health care services and behavioral health services to the community.  Wakulla Medical Center accepts most insurance and offers a sliding scale discount program for eligible patients.  The center provides highly efficient and cost-effective health care for the entire family, which reduces or eliminates the need for costly care in the emergency room or avoidable hospital stays.

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NFMC Chief Medical Officer speaks to Florida State University College of Medicine

Dr. Patrick Brown with organizing medical students: Jasmine Jordan, Paige Blinn, Olivia Donnely, Jasmeka Colvin and Alan Chan

Dr. Patrick Brown, Chief Medical Officer for North Florida Medical Centers, participated in a panel discussion for medical students on the topic of caring for the uninsured on Jan 24 as part of the FSU College of Medicine’s annual Cover the Uninsured Week program.  The FSU College of Medicine’s annual Cover the Uninsured Week allows students to explore trends in medicine and health, including the challenges in practicing with patients with limited resources.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2016

Paulina Pendarvis, Public Awareness Director
North Florida Medical Centers, (850) 298-6013 or ppendarvis@nfmc.org

Jessie Furlow Medical Center Awarded Federal Expansion Grant

On Thursday, June 16^th, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced nearly $156 million in funding to support 420 health centers in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to increase access to integrated oral health care services and improve oral health outcomes for Health Center Program patients. This funding enables health centers to expand integrated oral health care services and increase the number of patients served.

North Florida Medical Center, the corporate offices of Jessie Furlow Medical Center, was awarded funding in this competitive program.  Funds will be used for Jessie Furlow Medical Center in Quincy to expand their current medical services to include dental care within the next four months.

“Oral health is an important part of our overall physical health and well-being,” said Secretary Burwell. “The funding we are awarding will reduce barriers to quality dental care for hundreds of thousands of Americans by bringing new oral health providers to health centers across the country.”

Oral health problems can be a sign of illness elsewhere in the body. Additionally, lack of access to preventive and routine dental care for under-served populations can result in dental conditions requiring more costly emergency dental treatment.

About Jessie Furlow Medical Center

Jessie Furlow Medical Center is part of the North Florida Medical Centers’ family and committed to providing comprehensive primary health care services to the community. Jessie Furlow Medical Center accepts most insurance and offers a sliding scale discount program for eligible patients.  The center provides highly efficient and cost-effective medical and behavioral health care for the entire family, which reduces or eliminates the need for costly care in the emergency room or avoidable hospital stays.

Jessie Furlow Medical Center is located at 1249 Strong Road in Quincy, just off of Blue Star Highway. To schedule an appointment at Jessie Furlow Medical Center, please call (850) 875-9500.

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As patients are treated at our facility, media are asked to call before visiting our clinic so that we can do our best accommodate your requests while protecting patient privacy.  We appreciate your support of our HIPAA responsibilities and protection of patient privacy.

Smoking Cessation Classes:

Smoking Cessation classes are held in conjunction with Big Bend AHEC and West Florida AHEC.

June 16th at Eastpoint Medical Center is hosting a tobacco quit program called “Tools to Quit” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The class is open to anyone.  If interested in attending please contact Eastpoint Medical Center at 850-670-8585 to RSVP or visit the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/477032002495085/.

June 16th at Jessie Furlow Medical Center is hosting a tobacco quit program called “Tools to Quit” from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The class is open to anyone.  If interested in attending please contact Jessie Furlow Medical Center at 850-875-9500 to RSVP or visit the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/293078784359398/.

June 21st at Taylor Medical/Dental Center is hosting a tobacco quit program called “Tools to Quit” from 1:00-3:00 p.m.  The class is open to anyone.  If interested in attending please contact Taylor Medical/Dental Center at 850-838-2030 to RSVP or visit the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1620406321610087/.

June 22nd at Wakulla Medical Center is hosting a tobacco quit program called “Tools to Quit”  from 1:00-3:00 p.m.  The class is open to anyone.  If interested in attending please contact Wakulla Medical Center at 850-984-4735 to RSVP or visit the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/291335184542904/.

July 5th – Wewahitchka Medical Center is hosting a tobacco quit program called “Tools to Quit”  from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST.  The classes are open to anyone.  If interested in attending, please contact Wewahitchka Medical Center at 850-639-5825 to RSVP or visit the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/199581693770933/.

Madison Medical Center Hosts Free Diabetes Education Program June 22

June 22nd –  Madison Medical Center is hosting “Diabetes 101”  at 10:00 a.m. The class is presented by certified diabetic educator, Kay Peacock of Novo Nordisk.  The program will include information on healthy eating and living a healthy lifestyle including how diabetics should read nutrition labels. It will also contain information on hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.  The class is open to anyone who is dealing with diabetes and their family members.  If interested in attending, please contact Madison Medical Center at 850-973-1402 to RSVP.

Over the last three years North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. (NFMC) has seen many changes to meet new electronic medical record requirements set by the Center of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

These changes are challenging for all medical facilities across the country as well as their patients. Clinicians and staff at North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. appreciate your patience as we continue to work at meeting these challenging requirements.

A new transition is directly ahead of us…

On October 1, 2015 medical facilities across the United States will be required to convert to the ICD-10 coding method. This is a method of coding your medical care visits with more specific detail in order for insurance to process your claims. In September all North Florida Medical Center staff will undergo training and conversion to the new medical coding system.

How will this affect you?

You may experience longer wait times in scheduling appointments. You may also experience slower than usual billing process of your insurance claims. There may be denials or rejections that we will need to work through that will slow down our billing.

North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. has been preparing for this transition for several months and feel we are ready, however, we are at the mercy of the insurance companies as they must also be prepared for this transition.

We are hoping for a smooth conversion that will have little to no effect on you as our patient. We ask for your continued patience through this transition of the new federally mandated medical coding system.

Thank you for allowing us to be your medical home and healthcare provider.

The NORTH FLORIDA MEDICAL CENTERS, INC. CLINICIANS AND STAFF:

Crestview Health and Dental Center, Crestview FL

Eastpoint Medical Center, Eastpoint FL

Family Medical Center, Cross City FL

Jessie Furlow Medical Center, Quincy FL

Madison Medical Center, Madison FL

River Valley Medical Center, Mayo FL

Taylor Medical and Dental Center, Perry FL

Wakulla Medical Center, Panacea FL

Wewahitchka Medical Center, Wewahitchka FL

Crestview, Fla — Crestview Health Center is hosting a “Back to School Health Fair” on Thursday, August 6th. The health fair is a free event and will run from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Center which is located at 800 Hospital Drive, just across from North Okaloosa Medical Center’s ER. The health fair is designed to provide information and medical care for all ages as the community prepares for school. All are welcome to attend.

Wewahitchka, Fla – Wewahitchka Medical Center is hosting their annual “Back to School Health Fair” on Friday, August 7th. The health fair is a free event and will run from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Central Time) at the Center which is located off of West River Road in Wewahitchka and beside the IGA shopping center. The health fair is designed to provide information and medical care for all ages as the community prepares for school. All are welcome to attend.

Quincy, Fla — Jessie Furlow Medical Center is hosting a free “Back to School Health Fair” on Friday, August 14th. The fair will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Center located off of Strong Road in Quincy. The health fair is designed to provide information and medical care for all ages as the community prepares for school. This event is co-sponsored by The Gadsden Chapter of the National Hookup of Black Women and The Gadsden County Head Start.

The health fairs will include health screenings, certified application counselors to assist in enrollment for Florida Kid’s Care and other service programs. It has become a tradition for “the centers” to provide backpacks with school supplies to each student in attendance. While supplies last, the back packs will be available for pick up at the health fair for the upcoming school year. Children must be present to collect backpacks.