Gemma Smith, MSN, FNP-C is your New Female Care and Small Children Provider in Kenai!

Do you need a female care provider? Come meet Gemma Smith, our newest provider at the MediCenter! Gemma Smith has been helping women and children on the peninsula for years at the Kenai Public Health Center and has recently finished additional schooling and training to serve you in her new capacity as your primary female care and small children health provider in the Kenai area. Before her additional schooling and training, Gemma has had years of experience in female care and small children’s health and her knowledge base on the matter is extensive. Gemma is a champion for women and children and is completely dedicated to your becoming and staying independently healthy and happy. Although her special interest is in women’s health and childcare, she thoroughly enjoys taking care of the whole family, so, men, you don’t have to worry about finding someone else, but if you feel the need to, we have several other providers to choose from at the MediCenter. If you would like to make an appointment with Gemma Smith, please call (907) 283-9118 today! MediCenter, your place for female care, children’s health, and comprehensive family care on the peninsula.

Just because Varicose Veins hurt doesn’t mean your Treatment has to. Take care of them July 2011 in Kenai!

Dr. Carlson and the MediCenter have partnered up with Dr. Corey Johnson and Alaska Vein Care to take care of those suffering with varicose veins on the Kenai Peninsula. This July, Dr. Johnson will be here to offer FREE CONSULTS for those with varicose veins at the value of at least $1200.00. If together you decide that you are a good candidate for this non-invasive, outpatient treatment, he will schedule you for an ultrasound and Varicose Vein Treatment at the most affordable price in the State! We also accept payment plans. To find out more about this new cure for varicose veins, continue reading or simply go to www.alaskaveincare.com and then call us to schedule a free consultation. Space is limited and the next time he has scheduled to be here will be months away!

Vein Disease

What is vein disease? In contrast to arteries, which take blood from the heart to the extremities, veins – through a series of small valves that pump blood upwards – bring blood back to the heart from the extremities.

There are two main systems of veins in the legs:

• a deep system, which brings about 90 per cent of the blood back to the heart; and
• a more superficial system, which brings about 10 per cent back to this area.

Between these, is a third system – of perforating veins or perforators – which transports blood from the superficial to the deep system.

Varicose and spider veins occur solely in the superficial system, when the walls of the veins lose their elasticity and the pumping valves stop functioning properly. This causes the blood to flow back down, creating a reverse process called ebb or reflux, which can be heard with a Doppler machine, and heard and seen with Duplex ultrasound.

What causes varicose and spider veins?

• Heredity is the number one factor. They usually run in the family (“like mother, like daughter”)
• Hormones are also a factor: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the birth control pill
• Obesity
• Aging
• Prolonged periods of standing (common to nurses, pharmacists, teachers, waitresses)

EVLT

Our treatment goal is to restore normal circulation in the leg. This is accomplished by closing the refluxing vein and eliminating locations where blood can pool (large varicose veins). EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy) is a technique in which a thin glass laser fiber is inserted into the refluxing vein. As the energy from the laser is delivered through the fiber and out the tip, the fiber is slowly withdrawn and the vein closes behind it. This is done in the office under local anesthetic. EVLT has emerged as the most popular technique in the country due to it’s high rate of success and excellent safety profile.

Micro-phlebectomy

Bulging varicose veins just under the skin are removed by a second procedure done at the same time as the EVLT called micro-phlebectomy or ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure, like EVLT, is done in the office under local anesthetic. A series of tiny punctures are made over the affected area and a special hook is used to remove the loops of vein. Cosmetic results are usually excellent.

DOT and Pre-employment Physicals in Kenai!

Whether you are a company ramping up, getting ready for spring, or you need to get your DOT Physical out of the way, the MediCenter in Kenai is the place to go! Our Medical Staff is accustomed to doing both and it just so happens that Company Medicine is one of our specialties.

• DOT Physicals are easy to schedule, inexpensive, and we try to make the process as painless as possible while giving you the care you deserve.
• Our Pre-employment Exams can be customized to whatever the company needs, although our capabilities and passion go way beyond what most ask for. We do our best to eliminate risk for both employers and employees at the start by doing quality functional capacity exams and other realistic job testing when needed.We not only test for capabilities, but train the client on proper body mechanics to help them stay healthy. We also educate them on how getting injured on the job doesn’t just affect their job, but everything they do or want to do in life. This enables companies to keep their employees healthy, allowing for happy workers and company savings.
• We do handle work. comp. but we believe that the best work. comp. strategy is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

To schedule for any of our Physicals or Screenings please call (907) 283-9118 and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Join us in the Race Against Diabetes! Free Screenings At MediCenter!

23.6 million children and adults in US have Diabetes and 57 million children and adults in US have pre-diabetes. 24% of those that have it don’t even know it!

Some Scary Facts on Diabetes

• Diabetes has a rate of amputations 10 times higher than average
• Significantly increases the risk for Sexual Dysfunction
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in 2005.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years.
• About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.
• Causes birth defects and complications in pregnancy Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006.
• Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
• The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
• $174 billion: Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2007
  • $116 billion for direct medical costs
  • $58 billion for indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality)
  • After adjusting for population age and sex differences, average medical expenditures among people with diagnosed diabetes were 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes. So if you think Diabetes will only hurt your health, check your bank account once again.

For years, Diabetes has been known as the “Silent Epidemic”. Because of its “hidden” nature, Diabetes has infused itself into our society as the Plague of the 21^st Century. Just because you aren’t aware of any symptoms yet, doesn’t mean you are in the clear. The truth is, until you find out where you stand, no one is in the clear.

Join the MediCenter in the “RACE AGAINST DIABETES” and get everyone you care about a free diabetes screening today…With diabetes, not knowing is the biggest danger.

Flight Physicals, Pilot’s Medical Exams in Kenai, Soldotna

Dr. Morrissette is now certified to provide medical examinations for pilots needing their class 2 and 3 medical certificate. Dr. Morrissette makes this process friendly, fast, and easy. Below are a few details on requirements for pilot’s medical certificates:

Medical requirements state that an applicant for or a holder of a private pilot license must hold a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate. Class 2 medical certificates are valid for 60 months until the age of 30, then 24 months until the age of 50, and 12 months thereafter. Initial, renewal and revalidation examinations for Class 2 medical certificates may be carried out at an aero medical center or by an authorized medical examiner.

An applicant for an air traffic controller’s licence or AFIS officer’s qualification must hold a valid Class 1 or Class 3 medical certificate. Class 3 medical certificates are valid for 24 months until the age of 40, and for 12 months thereafter. Initial, renewal and revalidation examinations for Class 3 medical certificates may be carried out at an aeromedical centre or by an authorised medical examiner.

At the MediCenter, Dr. Morrissette will get you in and out quickly and we’ll even help keep track of your renewal date for you. Don’t let your medical certificate stop you from flying, call and schedule your Flight Physical now at (907) 283-9118

Physical Therapy in Kenai!

Leon Richard, your new Physical Therapist at the MediCenter is a great educator. He is a firm believer that a medical care provider should not only treat, but they should teach. Physical therapy isn’t just about rehabilitation, it’s about prevention. He puts you in the driver seat for your own health, giving you better results, making you less dependent on us. He ensures you get great care, resulting in fewer visits. We want to make “Getting Better” easier, faster, and less expensive. A few key points in why physical therapy with Leon at the MediCenter is so effective are listed below: read more

Mole, Wart, Cyst Removal made simple and easy with Dr. Schurig in Kenai

You don’t want them, so get your Moles, Warts, and Cysts Removed with Dr. Schurig at the MediCenter. Dr. Schurig specializes in minor surgeries and makes them simple, quick, and easy. Most of us spend way too long conscientiously hiding our minor blemishes out of embarrassment. Now with Dr. Schurig making this minor surgery more affordable and easy, we should stop covering and start removing. Call to schedule an appointment today at 283-9118.

Varicose Veins hurt. Take care of them this July.

Dr. Carlson and the MediCenter have partnered up with Dr. Corey Johnson and Alaska Vein Care to take care of those suffering with varicose veins on the Kenai Peninsula. This July, Dr. Johnson will be here to offer FREE CONSULTS for those with varicose veins at the value of at least $1200.00. If together you decide that you are a good candidate for this non-invasive, outpatient treatment, he will schedule you for an ultrasound and Varicose Vein Treatment at the most affordable price in the State! We also accept payment plans. To find out more about this new cure for varicose veins, continue reading or simply go to www.alaskaveincare.com and then call us to schedule a free consultation. Space is limited and the next time he has scheduled to be here will be months away!

read more

Suffering from Nueropathy, Try Laser Therapy

Do you suffer from Neuropathy? Do you have burning, tingling, pain or numbness in your hands or feet? You need to try our new state of the art Laser Therapy. The MediCenter is the only owner and operator of the all new Class Four Avicenna Laser in the entire state of Alaska. Typically, most of our patients see an improvement of 30% to 100% in reduced symptoms. Several patients report decreased sensitivity to hot and cold, ability to be on their feet for longer periods of time with little or no pain, decreased burning sensations, decreased numbness and tingling, decreased frequency and intensity of flare-ups and decreased amount of medication taken for symptoms.

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