Cha-may weeya
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
Health
Clinic
Health Department News
I’m excited to announce that Dr.
Beverley Phillipson, our new medical
officer, will report for duty on June 2.
Dr. Phillipson most recently worked
for GlaxoSmithKline (a huge
pharmaceutical company) as its
senior regional medical scientist.
She’s a board-eligible internist,
specializes in endocrinology, and will
be a huge resource for our diabetic
program and patients. She’s eager to
return to daily patient care.
Upon Dr. Phillipson’s arrival,
we’ll say farewell to Dr. Maureen
Bradley, who has graciously filled in
at the clinic. We certainly appreciate
her thoroughness, caring, and
by Judy Muschamp, Health Director
You may have recently heard or
expertise. It’s nice to know we have
read in the media that patient rights to
short-term backup when needed.
I also must announce the resig privacy have been strengthened under
nation of Derris Hurley, pharmacist. a new federal law call the Health Insur
Unfortunately, his sudden departure ance Portability and Accountability Act
forced us to close our pharmacy for a (HIPAA). The clinic has initiated
couple of days. We quickly called upon changes in our policies and practices
our on-call crew and arranged for to comply with the new requirements.
If you’re interested in reading our
coverage during May.
The vacant pharmacist position notice of privacy practices, please
has been advertised and I hope to have go to the tribe’s Web site at
the position filled with a highly http://ctsi.nsn.us and click on the clinic
qualified individual soon, with minimal link. When you arrive at the clinic for
patient interruption. 1 want to thank your next visit, you'll be counseled
our patients for their understanding about your rights and asked to sign
when these types of unforeseen a statement that you understand. We’re
also printing brochures and posters.
circumstances arise.
The clinic is committed to
assuring the confidentiality of your
medical information. If you have any
questions, please contact Beverly
Baumgardt, Medical Support
supervisor. She's been designated as
privacy officer and can be reached at
541-444-1030 or 1-800-648-0449.
Finally, there's been a change in
our physical therapy services.
Eugene Moe has closed his Siletz
office and will work exclusively in
Newport at the 1010 Professional
Building (541-265-4252). We’ll
continue to refer our patients to Gene,
who has established an excellent
relationship in the Siletz community.
Tooth Talk
by Linda Kreutzer, RDH
OHSU Students Visit Clinic, Help with Sealant Project
The Dental Department at the Siletz
Clinic recently hosted three dental
hygiene students from Oregon Health
Sciences University (OHSU) in
Portland, Ore.
The students were required to go
on a two-week dental rotation to rural
dental clinics in Oregon. This rotation
was sponsored by the Area Health
Education Center (AHEC), a state
organization that helps staff various
health providers (including dental
health providers) in rural areas.
AHEC provides housing for the
students and schedules their placement.
The students give dental health
education presentations at schools,
preschools, and nursing homes. They
work with a local dental hygienist who
serves as a mentor.
The students observe a normal
work day in the life of a local dental
hygienist, which gives them a profile
of what each small town community is
like. At the Siletz Clinic, the students
helped with our annual Sealant Project.
The Siletz Clinic gave a free dental
sealant day to all first- and second-
graders at Siletz School in mid-April.
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Siletz News
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The students (with written parental
permission) were shuttled by Lynn
Whitlow from Siletz School to the
clinic and back.
The dental hygiene students helped
place sealants right alongside the clinic’s
dental staff. Sealants help prevent
cavities, as the teeth are painted with a
white plastic resin that keeps decay out.
Thirty-nine sealants were placed on
the children, a total value of more than
$1,500. This reflects the value of free
dental services given to the community,
regardless of tribal affiliation. Even if
a child couldn’t get sealants (maybe the
teeth were already decayed or filled), a
dental screening “report card” went
home to the parents, informing them if
any dental problems were found.
The three students assigned to
the central coast area were Amy
Lovenguth, Vanessa Strahan, and Nghia
Buy. Two local dental offices also
were involved in hosting the students,
those of Dr. Gregory Herkert and those
of Dr. John E. Palmer, Dr. Heidi R.
Romney, and Dr. Mark Builder.
These students will be the last
dental hygiene students to graduate
June 2003
Dental hygiene students Vanessa Strahan (I), Amy Lovenguth, and Nghia Buy
from OHSU because state budget
problems have forced the School of
Dental Hygiene to close this month. The
Siletz Clinic has been honored to host
dental hygiene students from OHSU for
eight years and is grateful to both
AHEC and OHSU for sending us such
fine dedicated young professionals.