On Friday, January 27, PRFM providers and staff spent the day in Salina with members from the other seven pilot sites.  The day was designed to share information between sites from the first six months of the project.  We learned from each other’s successes and challenges alike.  All of the PRFM attendees came back to Rooks County with new ideas and more energy for the project.

PRFM staff also have a sense of humor!  The group is pictured in new t-shirts, which were designed to give one of the fearless leaders (ahem) a little grief.  Stop by to see our new attire or ask us about the exciting changes we are making on our PCMH journey.

If you have caller ID, then you will see our primary contact number when the call comes through, (785) 434-2622.

Post Rock is continuing to look into other potential opportunities with this system.  Televox may eventually be set up to alert you through text or email.  Further, the system will eventually be used to remind patients of billing updates and when lab work is due.

If you believe that your contact information with Post Rock is out of date, then please let us know at your next appointment or call ahead.  For questions or concerns about this program, please call (785) 434-2622 during normal business hours.

PRFM is offering participation in the Virtual Lifestyle Management (VLM) project to our patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.   VLM is designed to help people learn about healthier behaviors and lose weight. You can determine if you qualify for the project by calculating your BMI (click here).

Fill out the application form today by surfing over to the VLM site and clicking on “express interest” on the top menu bar!  (You can also get more information about the project at that site.)

We wish you good health in 2012!

The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential.

“We are very excited to have introduced Reach Out and Read at Post Rock this year!  Giving books to children at well checks is a lot of fun, and I get to share some of my favorite childhood books with a whole new generation,” says Dr. Dan Sanchez.

Healthcare providers are trained in the three-part Reach Out and Read model to promote early literacy and school readiness:

• In the exam room, doctors and nurses speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud to their young children every day, and offer age-appropriate tips and encouragement.
• The primary care provider gives every child 6 months through 5 years old a new, developmentally-appropriate children’s book to take home and keep.
• In the waiting room, displays, information, and books create a literacy-rich environment.

“Reach Out and Read is such an efficient and effective concept,” said Chief Executive Officer Earl Martin Phalen. “Childhood development experts tell us that the most important thing that parents can do to prepare their children to succeed in school is to read aloud to them every day. Promoting early literacy and school readiness through regular well child checkups is a simple model that has a lasting, invaluable impact on the life of a child.”

Medical research shows that literacy-promoting interventions by the physician have a significant effect on parental behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes toward reading aloud.  For more than a decade, studies have indicated that parents who get books and literacy counseling from their doctors and nurses are more likely to read to their young children, read to them more often, and provide more books in the home.  In addition, children served by Reach Out and Read enter kindergarten with a six-month developmental edge, and have larger vocabularies and stronger language skills.

If you would like to donate funds for Reach Out and Read books, send us an email at contactus@postrock.us.

If you have children or know of children who are 0-18 years of age who would like to receive a toy, please print, fill out, and return the TFT Registration Form to:

PRFM
P.O. Box 407
Plainville, KS  67663
Attn: SM

You can also go to this web page and fill out the request form online.

We would appreciate it if we could have these names by November 15^th.  All information will be kept confidential. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (785) 737-6174 or (785) 737-6150.

For those of you who would like to donate, there will also be drop-boxes at area businesses for toy donations.  Please remember that the toys need to be new, unwrapped toys.

Please know that with your help we can make a child’s Christmas brighter!

Where are you from?
I grew up on a farm near WaKeeney, but I am currently living in Wichita while I attend school.

Why did you come to Plainville?
I worked with Dr. Sanchez in the summer between my first and second years of medical school.  It was such a great experience that I knew I would come back for my rural rotation in my fourth year.  Dr. Sanchez is not just a great teacher; he is also a great role model because he truly cares for each of his patients as individuals.  In addition, the other physicians and medical staff at Post Rock are second to none.  I enjoy working with them every day.

What do you hope to be when you grow up?  Why?
I am currently in the process of applying for a general surgery residency.  I chose the specialty because I enjoy the hands-on procedures and satisfaction that comes with surgically correcting disease.  One of my favorite subjects in medical school has been anatomy, and surgery will allow me to use that knowledge on a daily basis.

What do you like about spending a rotation in Plainville?
I really enjoy the people in Plainville.  It has been a lot of fun interacting with and caring for the patients that visit the clinic.  Many have shown interest in my education and experience, which makes me feel truly welcome in the community.

What do you like to do outside of medicine?
I am a big sports fan, particularly football and basketball, and I will root for the Kansas Jayhawks every time.  I also enjoy hunting and fishing whenever I get the opportunity.  My wife and I also enjoy traveling together, and we look forward to doing more of that in the future.

What do you hope to learn on your rotation in Plainville besides medicine?
Post Rock Family Medicine is a well functioning medical facility, and I hope to better understand how it is run efficiently.  I would like to incorporate many of the aspects of the clinic into my future practice so that I can best serve my patients in the future.

The vaccine is available by shot or by nasal spray. The vaccines work by exposing your immune system to the flu virus. Your body will build up antibodies to the virus to protect you from getting the flu. The flu shot contains dead viruses. The nasal-spray vaccine contains live but weakened viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal-spray vaccine.

You can also reduce your risk of catching the flu by washing your hands frequently, which stops the spread of germs. Eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep also play a part in preventing the flu because they help boost your immune system.

Some people who get the vaccine will still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who aren’t vaccinated. The vaccine is especially recommended for people who are more likely to get really sick from flu-related complications.

Call us today for your flu vaccine and keep that bug away from you and your family!

Post Rock Family Medicine is proud to offer participation in the Virtual Lifestyle Management (VLM) project to the first 150 patients who qualify and sign up.  The project is designed for adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.  Having a BMI of 30 or greater places people at higher risk for diabetes and heart disease.  VLM is designed to help patients lose weight and thereby reduce their risk for chronic disease.  You can determine if you qualify for the project by calculating your BMI (click here).

VLM is an easy-to-use web-based service.  It will help participants:

• understand healthy lifestyle choices
• identify ways to improve diet and increase physical activity
• monitor and track success
• adopt and maintain new healthy behaviors

VLM is an internet based-program coupled with personalized coaching from a health professional chosen by your doctor.  Coaches will support participants and offer advice throughout the program.  The project will start in October 2011 and conclude in November 2012.  Previous VLM projects have shown success with long-term weight loss.

You can make the necessary changes to achieve lasting weight loss with VLM.  Fill out the application form today by surfing over to the VLM site and clicking on “express interest” on the top menu bar!  (You can also get more information about the project at that site.)