SEPT NIBJ: Region's healthcare workers deliver expertise, hope
First of all, I was an idiot.
In my defense, I thought my immersion blender was unplugged.
And now to the tale, which while it's one I've told before, is worth repeating because it showcases how amazing our region's medical teams truly are.
For some reason, I decided to make Thanksgiving dinner a few days after the fact. I'd been at work before heading off for dinner with friends on T-day itself, so the turkey breast sat waiting for me.
After tossing it into the oven, I got to work on the rest of the meal. The cranberries were cooling in the refrigerator, the mashed potatoes all made, and all that was left to do was make the sweet potatoes.
And that's where dinner took a hard, painful left. Without going into too many details — pro tip: make sure your immersion blender is unplugged before you clean it.
The good news, the worst of the damage was a deep cut that required stitches and, following a trip to the Emergency Department at Bonner General, I was back at home with stitches in the back of my finger.
The folks at Bonner General couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful. Compassionate, dedicated and hardworking, they examined my fingers, apologized when far more serious emergencies kept them away for longer than what they felt was acceptable, and made me feel the accident could have happened to anyone.
There are more than 18 million healthcare workers in the United States — doctors, nurses and first responders to name a few. They serve on the front lines of our hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, offering a kind word, compassionate care and their expertise when we are having a not-so-very-good day and end up needing their help.
Take Dr. Susan Melchiore, who cares for patients through Kootenai Health’s Memory Consultation Clinic, which offers comprehensive care for those experiencing memory loss.
“People think, ‘Oh, I’m just getting old and there’s nothing I can do,’” Melchiore said. “But there is often a lot we can do to prevent or postpone decline or change.”
Part of a small cadre of geriatricians in Idaho and one of just two in North Idaho, Melchiore said geriatrics isn't the most glamorous or lucrative of medical specialties. But, given the number of senior residents in North Idaho, it's one that is increasingly important.
“There’s a huge need,” Melchiore said. “The population here is growing and especially the retiree population.”
To understand the physician shortage facing the nation in rural communities, first take a look at Kootenai Health. The regional hospital is always busy. Over the past 12 months, its primary care clinics served 42,622 patients. The 10 northern counties of Idaho, including locations in Washington and Libby, Montana, have also averaged 275 transfers to Kootenai Health every month.
Those numbers are a reflection of an ongoing physician shortage in rural Idaho, according to Kootenai Health officials.
“That’s an immediate need, which will only be exacerbated by ongoing growth moving forward,” said Dr. Jonathan Shupe, a Kootenai Health family medicine practitioner. “In the state of Idaho, that’s kind of the same story.”
At NAMI Far North, the group makes sure those living with mental health challenges and their families are never alone.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest mental health organization, with more than 1,000 affiliates nationwide. Its mission is to support, educate, advocate, and create awareness for people living with mental illness and their families.
“We are here to educate, listen, problem-solve, and share each other’s wisdom,” said Dr. Dawn Mehra, NAMI Far North board president for the past six years.
Just three of the countless reason why our healthcare facilities and workers deserve our thanks and appreciation.
On our worst days, they run to help so that tomorrow will be better.
Caroline Lobsinger
NIBJ Editor