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...

Read More ›

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...

Read More ›

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...

Read More ›

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...

Read More ›

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...

Read More ›

Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Auxiliary hosted their quarterly meeting at Coyote Bar and Grill in Graeagle on Feb. 15. They elected officers for the coming year, with Kathy Davis claiming for the third year running that this will be her last as President. Davis not only keeps the volunteer organization energized and motivated, she makes sure they have some fun. The Auxiliary is known primarily for running Nifty Thrifty, the thrift store in Portola, but they do much more than that. Recently, the group paid $95,000 for four colonoscopes and two gastroscopes, with all the requisite video equipment, keyboards, monitors,...

Read More ›

We are very happy to report that Dr. Kopes Kerr will still be available to see his patients one Sat/month, beginning March 3rd! He'll also continue his blog on this website. The following is a copy of Dr. Kopes-Kerr's letter to his patients: To My Patients and Friends, February 3, 2012 As I get ready to move, I just want to take a moment to say “Thank you.” Your response to my last letter has been so warm and heartfelt that I was truly touched. It was very rewarding...

Read More ›

Patty Schulz is Eastern Plumas Health Care’s first ever Employee of the Month. EPHC has had an Employee of the Year for as long as anyone can recall. But Schulz’s award is part of a newly enhanced employee recognition and customer service program, helmed by the hospital’s Director of Human Resources, Cathy Conant, aimed at increasing satisfaction both internally and externally. Schulz is ideal as the first recipient of this award, since she’s worked faithfully for EPHC since 1986. She was hired then as an EMT 1. She also worked for awhile as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA), and...

Read More ›

Eastern Plumas Health Care now offers the following Low Cost Dental Special: full mouth x-rays and exam for only $100 (payment due at time of service. Insurance will not be billed). Also, the dental clinic takes most types of insurance, and payment plans are available. All ages are welcome, and all phases of dentistry are offered.

In an effort to better serve patients, EPHC’s Portola Clinic will now be open from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Mon. and Wed. as well as every Sat. from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. The Clinic will continue to be open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Tues, Thurs, and Fri. To schedule an appointment, please call 530.832.6600. “We hope that patients who find it difficult to make daytime appointments will be pleased with these new, extended hours. We’re committed to doing everything we can to help patients to access health care close to home,” said Chief Executive Officer, Tom Hayes.