Dr. Carolina Blanco, EPHC’s new dentist is a native of El Salvador. She’s most recently moved to Portola from her private practice in San Francisco. She’s a long way from home, but Blanco has a unique perspective on countries and borders: “For me, life is a country,” she said. Indeed, Blanco is more full of life than most anyone you’ll meet. She’s also very happy with the change of scenery and with the types of patients she gets to see here in Plumas County, as well. Dr. Blanco came to the United States from El Salvador in 1997, and had...

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If it’s possible for a year end hospital audit to be exciting, this one was, according to Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Board member, Jay Skutt. The Sept. 27 Board of Directors meeting heard the Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. EPHC showed such positive financial improvements, even Auditor Jerrel Tucker of TCA Partners LLP was excited. “For a hospital this size in the middle of nowhere, that’s a very good year. I was very surprised.” Tucker said that he chose to compare EPHC to “peer hospitals” that are “the best small hospitals in the state--to very profitable...

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Flu shots are now available in limited supply* at our Portola and Graeagle Clinics on the following dates and times: Portola Medical Clinic: Tues, Oct. 9, 16, 30, 8:00 – 5:00, call 832.6600 for appointments. Graeagle Medical Clinic: Wed, Oct. 17, 1:00 – 5:00; Thurs, Nov. 1, 8:00 – 5:00, call 836.1122 for appointments. Cash price: $25, due at time of service. Flu shots are free to Medicare patients. Patients with other insurance should check their provider to decide whether to pay their out of pocket or choose the $25 special. High risk patients at all clinics (Graeagle, Indian Valley, Loyalton, and...

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Michael Brooks D.P.M. joins the medical staff at EPHC this month. As a resident of Plumas County, he will provide EPHC’s clinics in Portola, Graeagle, and Loylton with general podiatric care, minor surgery, and sports medicine. Please call 832.6600 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Brooks received his training at the California College of Podiatric Medicine and for the past 35 years has been in private practice in the Bay Area. He is looking forward to bringing his clinical experience to Eastern Plumas Health Care. Seven years ago, Dr. Brooks and his wife discovered the Lakes Basin area and...

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Hallie Coppi, Portola Skilled Nursing’s new Director of Nursing (DON), seems to have had a career path carved out for her—all she’s needed to do is keep her eyes open and follow it. She didn’t start out knowing she wanted to be a nurse or work in a skilled nursing facility, however. Coppi graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration from Gonzaga University, Washington. Raised in Mt. Shasta, she became a wildland fire fighter. While she was living in Bend, OR and fighting wildland fires, she inquired at a skilled nursing facility there regarding possible administration positions, where she could apply...

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As a Registered Dietician, Diane Gruner provides nutrition therapy and education to patients with a variety of health conditions. Patients are referred to her by their Primary Care Physicians—this allows visits to covered by heath insurance. Medical and Medicare also cover her services. Diane begins by asking her patients many questions, including what their health goals are. Togther, they discuss their diet and health issues. She also may confer with their physician and review their health record. From this, she develops and individual nutrition plan to meet the patient’s requirements. From...

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A small hospital with a big vision, Eastern Plumas Health Care has just completed its first year of dedicated telemedicine services, logging over 300 patients to date. On a recent day, telemedicine services were utilized by 18 patients with three providers at three separate sites. EPHC’s Telemedicine program has recently added the following new programs/providers: Dr. Xiong, Psychiatry; Dr. Chung, Rheumatology; Michael Johnson, PhD, LCSW, Behavioral Health Counseling; Donna Guyot-Johnson, RN, FNP, MFT, Behavioral Health Counseling. The following services will be added to the program shortly: Dr. Heifitz, Tahoe Forest Hospital, Oncology; and, Cardiology consultations in the Emergency Room and...

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In an effort to make health care services more accessible to their patients, Eastern Plumas Health Care now offers walk-in appointments in its Graeagle and Portola clinics. That’s good news when you have a child with a splinter in his throat, as happened the first day that Graeagle put out its Walk-Ins Welcome sign. According to Clinic Director, Mark Schweyer, “We’re very sensitive to meeting the needs of our community. We’re prepared to meet unfortunate circumstances that come up where our patients don’t have an appointment, but can’t wait to get care.” While EPHC has been offering the walk-in service for...

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Check out our new therapy puppy, Sparky, at the Portola Skilled Nursing Facility via the Facebook link below. Today was Sparky's first day on the job and he was a big hit with his new roommate, SNF resident Kevin Curran. Remember Sparky and Kevin, today's the beginning of a great adventure! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.394080320641260.83322.166832636699364&type=1¬if_t=like

The year-end figures are in and Eastern Plumas Health Care administrators are pleased with what they see. “I’m really proud of this; we did it,” said Jeri Nelson, the district’s chief financial officer. This is a strong balance sheet that shows $1.6 million in combined savings and 34 days cash on hand. Account receivable days are below budget at 53, and accounts payable are at their lowest level of $833,760. “This is a very, very good balance sheet,” she told the board of directors during its monthly meeting July 26. Chief Executive Officer Tom Hayes said that this year’s figures are remarkable especially when compared...

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