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The new facility keeps growing & growing & now we
see that a permanent home for PHC is a reality in the near future. The second story has risen and the entryway has been erected. We are so grateful that Summit County and Inter-mountain Health Care believe in our work and are making this new home possible.
Meanwhile, long-range plans are being developed to determine what extended hours and expanded services the Clinic will offer the community.
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More Restaurant Partners
Here are a few of the local eateries currently supporting The People's Health Clinic:
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Tell someone about PHC!
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| Greetings!
This month, Part II of our look at PHC's Prenatal Program -- New Parent Education. And read below about our newly promoted Clinic Coordinator, Mariely Ferrer. See more of our Restaurant Partners; the next time you're visiting one of these restaurants, tell them you appreciate their support of The People's Health Clinic. |
"We're having a baby!" Part II:
Prenatal Education
In spite of a mother back home who didn't see the need, Blanca decided to seek prenatal care at the People's Health
Clinic. "After all," her mother had said, "women have been having babies since the beginning
of time, without all those checkups." And though her husband didn't understand
why she wanted him to attend a prenatal class with her, she insisted, because
her head was swimming with enough questions for both of them. Maybe she believed, as does Sandae Bonare, PHC Nurse Midwife, that
"when people know better, they do better, in taking care of themselves and
their families."
 Martha
Johnson teaches the mandatory prenatal orientation class, offered three times a month. It covers the prenatal program at PHC, what
changes to expect during pregnancy, nutrition and exercise advice, and fetal
development. Martha doesn't make any
assumptions about what her students know.
She is aware that, for some young women, the first prenatal visit to PHC may be
their first-ever visit to a doctor.
One of the most crucial topics is nutrition.
Developing gestational diabetes is a danger, and it can be avoided almost
entirely with a careful diet. So a healthy diet is on the agenda not only
during prenatal classes, but at every prenatal visit with Dr. Gary Sharp MD, CNM
Bonare, or CNM Annette Johnson. Mariely Ferrer, PHC Clinic Coordinator and Diabetes Educator says,
"Complications such as stillbirth, increased C-section deliveries, and infant
hypoglycemia can result from Diabetes that sometimes develops during pregnancy. And if women learn the importance of controlling
blood sugar long-term, they can avoid diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease,
high blood pressure, even amputation."
After the Orientation class, Blanca learned about
the series of four classes offered by Holy Cross Ministries on Monday mornings at the
Clinic. She laughingly told instructor Teresa Gonzalez that the Orientation
class had answered many of her questions, but had given her a dozen new
ones. Teresa tries to create a
comfortable, trusting atmosphere as she presents information on everything from
Shaken Baby Syndrome to post-partum depression to domestic violence. Local Planned Parenthood staff visit to discuss family planning options. Sometimes, she says, there is silence when
she encourages discussion in the group, but later she may be approached one-on-one or get a phone call at home with a very personal question or
concern. That, she believes, is her most
important role at times - advising a mother-to-be on her and her family's health
and safety, or directing her to helpful resources.
So, thank you for giving local families this opportunity by making PHC's work possible!
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Mariely Ferrer Promoted to Clinic Coordinator
Ferrer, who served as PHC Patient Services Coordinator, Diabetes Educator, and Medical Assistant for the past two years, has recently taken on the role of Clinic Coordinator. In addition to her previous position at PHC, she has most recently worked in Obstetrics at Heber Valley Medical Center. She will now manage all Clinic operations. Judy Sobin, Executive Director, in speaking of Ferrer's new role as Clinic Coordinator, said, "Mariely has both the clinical and administrative background to manage the Clinic well and take us to the next level. We're very excited to have her in this position."
In Her Own Words:
"On clinic nights, the atmosphere here is so friendly and professional. The volunteers, whether they are medical professionals or not, have such respect for our patients. And if the patient is diagnosed with a medical problem that cannot be addressed here, we do all we can to find them those services, whether it be a special blood test or surgery. Then we follow up to make sure the patient got what he or she needed. And the patients are grateful for that care."
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