Windy conditions didn't deter the duffers who played in Swing Fore Eastern Plumas Health Care, the hospital's annual fundraising golf tournament. The EPHC Foundtion hosted the tourney. Though totals aren't available yet, a full field of players and lively bidding on auction items mean that EPHC will be well on its way to purchasing its new ultrasound upgrade. In years past, the fundraiser has helped pay for an ambulance, the new digital mammography equipment, and a wireless EKG transmission system.

Davis transplant wants to spend more time with patients and family “They had me at hello,” said Dr. Michelle Kim, putting a twist on a line made famous in the movie “Jerry Maguire,” when referring to her meeting with Eastern Plumas Health Care District administrators. “I couldn’t believe how welcoming everyone was,” Kim said, adding that she was awed by how committed the hospital’s CEO and board of directors were to finding a physician. It’s Kim’s own commitment to her profession and her patients that drove her to leave her Sutter Health-affiliated practice in Davis and relocate to the Sierras. “I was...

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The cameras were rolling at Eastern Plumas Health Care May 4 as Mark Schweyer discussed the success of telemedicine locally. His remarks will be used in a television commercial, advertisements and training videos for other health care providers. Schweyer, the health care district’s director of clinics and telemedicine, gets animated when he talks about the program. “This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever worked on in my career,” the 47-year-old said. “And that includes working in the ER’s knife and gun club,” referring to various wounds that need attention in a large city emergency room. In 2010 there was only...

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Eastern Plumas Health Care welcomes the return of Dr. David Kitts, Board Certified Surgeon, to its Portola Clinic. His first day seeing patients was April 10. He’ll be here every Wednesday. Currently, his first surgery day is planned for June 13. Patients can be referred to Dr. Kitts through their EPHC primary care physician. Please call 832.6600 for an appointment.

Details of EPHC’s new Free Medicare Services* program can be accessed on this website under the drop down menu, “What We Do.” The Free Medicare Services web page includes a link to a more detailed page, which explains eligibility and risk factor requirements for the preventive tests, screenings and services. EPHC hopes these new services will help community members, particularly seniors, during these difficult economic times. [*No copayment or deductible for Original Medicare (Part B); some Medicare Advantage Plans may have a small copayment. For coverage details and questions, please call EPHC AT 530.832.6570, 1.800.MEDICARE, or your Medicare Advantage provider.]

Eastern Plumas Health Care is rolling out its Free Medicare Prevention Program on April 1, which includes free Welcome to Medicare and Annual Wellness Visits.* During these complete physicals your doctor will determine which of the many preventive screenings, tests, and services for which you are eligible. The following Preventive Tests, Screenings, and Services are available to Medicare patients at EPHC as part of this Program: 1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening 2. Bone Mass Measurements 3. Cardiovascular Screenings 4. Colon Cancer Screenings (Fecal Occult Blood Test, Colonoscopy Screening) 5. Diabetes Screening/Fasting Blood Glucose 6. Flu Shots 7. Digital Mammograms 8. Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams (includes breast exam) 9. Pneumococcal Vaccine 10. Prostate Cancer Screenings (Digital...

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If you’re 65 and over, Eastern Plumas Health Care wants you! Send them a photo that best expresses what “Aging Gracefully” means to you. Maybe it’s a picture of you and your pet, you hiking, drawing, dancing, or skydiving from 13,000 feet . . . be as creative as you want to be. Winning photos will be featured on EPHC’s website, www.ephc.org, and/or in ads for their free Medicare Tests/Screenings and Physicals. These include free cancer, heart, and diabetes screenings, flu shots, and much more. Winners will also receive their choice of gifts: a chiropractic adjustment, an electric toothbrush, or a...

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Telemedecine has come to Eastern Plumas Health Care. That means a step forward in terms of patient care in this small, rural community. The video screen is, in effect, a window to the world, with the patient on one end and the psychiatrist, diabetes health educator, pediatric intensivist, or other medical specialist on the other. But, what does this mean to the patient, who is used to being seen by a human being? Lucie Kreth, an EPHC Board Member, decided to try the telemedicine option when her Endocrinologist retired. She’s sharing her experience so that other patients might feel at...

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MEDICARE FREE SERVICES NOW OFFERED AT EPHC* Eastern Plumas Health Care is rolling out its Free Medicare Prevention Program on April 1, which includes free Welcome to Medicare and Annual Wellness Visits.* During these complete physicals your doctor will determine which of the many preventive screenings, tests, and services for which you are eligible. The following Preventive Tests, Screenings, and Services are available to Medicare patients at EPHC as part of this Program: 1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening 2. Bone Mass Measurements 3. Cardiovascular Screenings 4. Colon Cancer Screenings (Fecal Occult Blood Test, Colonoscopy Screening) 5. Diabetes Screening/Fasting Blood Glucose 6. Flu Shots 7. Digital Mammograms 8. Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams (includes...

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Paul Swanson, newly appointed Director of Emergency & Hospital Services, is excited about the new “Hospitalist” program that Eastern Plumas Health Care has just initiated on their Portola campus. EPHC’s program is a variation of one that is being utilized increasingly nationwide. Under the new system, emergency room physicians will admit ER patients needing hospitalization and continue to care for them during their hospital stay. Swanson said that Chief Executive Officer, Tom Hayes, promoted the change because he felt it would improve continuity of care. According to Swanson, ER doctors at the hospital have already been evaluating patients and writing...

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