Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2003)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, December 18, 2003 Laura Nichols retirement is well earned Laura Nichols After ten years of living and practicing in Vernonia, Physi- cian Assistant Laura Nichols is retiring…at least that’s what she says. Laura came to the U.S. as a nurse from war-torn England after World War II, and had several careers while raising her family. She has shied away from nothing, from taking over a practice of 3,000 patients sin- gle-handedly in Utah to coordi- nating medical relief efforts from ground zero in the Ver- nonia flood of ‘96. “Appointed as Laura’s med- ical supervisor in 1999, fresh out of my residency,” said Mark Livingston,M.D., “I quickly real- ized I was dealing with a leg- end in the Physician Assistant profession.” Oregon law re- quires a PA to be in close con- tact with a physician, who must review charts on a regular ba- sis. Livingston described those times as a learning experience. “We collaborate, but most often Laura is the teacher and I am the pupil.” Among the lessons Nichols teaches is that technology has an impersonal side, and it is of- ten not a complete solution. She also asks, “Have you actu- ally listened to your patients?” Early in her career, Medical Assistant Jeanette Doherty worked with pulmonologists, cardiologists, oncologists, in- ternal medicine and family practice doctors. “…and none of them can measure up to Laura Nichols, P.A.-C.,” said Doherty. “Laura has taken the word ‘compassion’ to a new level…healing in a way that ad- dresses the patient’s whole be- ing. People tell how Laura’s positive influence helped them stop smoking, or change their lifestyle to prevent or heal a health problem. Some patients tell me she literally saved their lives, when no one else could properly diagnose their health problem.” “Laura has a passion about life,” Clinic Manager Cathy Rozenik said, “She has a won- derful sense of humor, yet she can lay the law down to pa- tients who don’t follow her ad- vice, and [make] you feel like a child caught with your hand in the cookie jar.” “I hope that Laura enjoys her well-earned retirement, writes the book she has talked of, and paints many pictures of the Oregon Coast that she loves,” said office assistant Marla Rethwill. Office Assistant Sue Blair, said “Laura was on call when- ever she was needed and nev- er turned a patient away, re- gardless of the hour or the cir- cumstance.” We will miss this dedicated caregiver, and wish her the very best in retirement. She de- serves it! T ERRY’S G YM A COMPLETE CO-ED GYM FACILITY VERNONIA, OR • 503-429-0501 Health Notes By Audeen Wagner Holiday Schedule Providence-Vernonia has announced schedule changes for clinic hours during the Christmas and New Years holidays, as follows: December 24: 8:00 to 3:00 December 25, 26: Closed. December 31: 8:00 to 3:00 January 1: Closed. January 2: Regular hours (8:00 to 5:00). Mammovan: The schedule for 2004 Mobile Mammography Screening at Vernonia has been received. The Van will be in Ver- nonia once a month, always on a Wednesday. The next scheduled visit will be February 25, 2004. (The Mammovan does not come to Vernonia in January.) Call the Clinic office at 503-429-9191 to schedule an appointment. Goodbyes Goodbye to Laura. So Long to Mark Livingston, M.D. Laura Nichols, P.A. at Providence-Vernonia Clinic, is retiring on December 19. She has been a dedicated practitioner in Vernonia for about ten years, and has been a very positive influence on the health of our community. We wish her the best. (Please see state- ments from a few of her associates at the Clinic.) Dr. Livingston is also leaving the Vernonia clinic, as of Decem- ber 31; as reported in the last issue of The Independent, Dr. Liv- ingston will be expanding his practice in St. Helens. He still feels somewhat “rooted” in Vernonia, with family connections and by his love for rural medicine. By the way, the initials of his clinic in St. Helens (The Livingston Clinic) say it all: “Tender Loving Care.” We’ll miss you, Dr. Livingston. A note from Clinic Manager Cathy Rozinek: Although we have special holiday hours, the Providence Clinic will remain open, continuing to bring healthcare to patients. Craig Stevens, M.D., who is replacing Dr. Livingston, will be seeing pa- tients in Vernonia starting the first Monday in January. Family Nurse Practitioner Amy Leatherwood will start on January 2. Judy Hargis, P.A.-C will complete the staff, who will be seeing patients on the exact same schedule as before. Medical Assis- tants Jeanette Doherty and Dawn Anderson will continue to sup- port these caregivers. God Bless, and Best Wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season to all. Wishing you all the Joys of the Season… H appy H olidays Whether it’s a thinner waistline or a healthier lifestyle… We Can Help! sugarfree – low carb – diabetic friendly Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 51606 Columbia River Hwy. Scappoose (503) 543-2227 We look for ward t o serving you in t he fut ure. DENNIS ELECTRIC 503-429-8930 P. O. Box 412, Vernonia, OR 97064 • CCB #19808
