Linda Bartholomay and Anna Davison
Back to basics
In winter she turns a cardboard box into a car and drives in the snow. In spring she can't wait to go outside to draw with sidewalk-chalk. And her favorite treat with friends? "Sprinkle pancakes," says Anna Davison. "And each friend gets to flip her own."
At age 9, Anna already knows the secret to a healthy life. With the help of nutritionist Linda Bartholomay and others from MeritCare, she's learning even more in "We Can," an after-school program at Horace Mann Roosevelt in Fargo. The goal? To start children early on the path to good nutrition and an active life, bucking the dangerous trend toward obesity.
Every Thursday, a MeritCare nutrition/exercise physiology team transforms a schoolroom into a boisterous healthy-living lab. Kids make nutritious snacks – today's is trail mix with whole grain cereal. They get on their feet and rediscover old fashioned favorites – Hula-Hoop, Twister, jump rope. Flushed faces and sweaters cast aside, they escape the world of TVs and computers.
And of course they learn good nutrition, but not by sitting in desks. They crowd around a table of food packages eager to answer questions about which choices are better.
At the end of the eight-week program, what have they learned? Hands shoot up. "You should try new foods. Now I know I like kiwi," says Anna, referring to the We Can taste- testing. "Cottage cheese actually tastes good in a shake," says one boy.
Kids, parents and MeritCare hope the We Can pilot program can continue and even expand. "Let's have a garden so we can see vegetables grow," suggests one student. Several agree.
Anna has a plan, too. "I can't wait to get a dog," she says. "We're going to go on walks and play Frisbee together." That's one lucky dog!
Dr. Napoleon Espejo and Jenny Albin
Serving with joy
When Jenny Albin needed to choose a medical home for her pregnancy care, the choice was easy. "My sister recommended Family HealthCare Center, plus I knew from working here that this was a place where everybody was friendly and ready to help," she says. "You feel like they have time for you."
Last year alone, FHC in Fargo welcomed more than 11,000 patients – immigrants, refugees from war-torn countries, insured, uninsured and homeless. In addition to medical care, the center provides dental care, a full-service pharmacy and interpreter services.
"Good quality health care should be accessible to all and that's our mission. On a small scale and with help from community partners, we make it possible," says Dr. Napoleon Espejo, FHC medical director. MeritCare's support includes operational assistance, access to affordable specialty care and lab services, care coordination with the Internal Medicine Resident Clinic and more.
"By combining resources, we can remove barriers to care. That makes a big difference for patients," says Dr. Espejo, referring to the costly complications, hospital stays and emergency room visits that can happen when medical care isn't easily available.
Dr. Espejo's belief in "health care for all" took root years ago, when he was a boy in Peru. He planned to become a priest, then switched gears and became a board-certified family practice physician. For 13 years he has served at FHC, his faith continuing to motivate him. "This is work we love and we do it with joy," he says. "I see each patient who walks through our doors as Christ. That means you have to be very respectful and do your best."
For Jenny, the spirit of FHC continues to inspire, now shining through in the face of her healthy baby boy. "I love seeing Quinncy first thing every morning," she says. "He's always so happy and smiling."
Dr. Mark Paulson and Pat Doll
Banking on diabetes management
Retired from a 34-year banking career, Pat Doll knows a thing or two about management. He oversaw the vault, security, supplies, tellers, the drive-up window, even a building project. In 2000, when he was diagnosed with diabetes, he took his management skills to a new level – and got a new boss, too.
First he became informed. "Dr. (Mark) Paulson took the time to explain both sides of the diabetes picture – what happens if you manage it, what happens if you don't," says Pat, referring to the devastating effects of uncontrolled diabetes including heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations and kidney failure. "Diabetes is my boss and I have to work around it."
A key tool? Education. It's a top priority for Dr. Paulson and his team at MeritCare Perham Clinic, including nurses, dietitians and diabetes educators. "Success in managing diabetes relies largely on the patient," says Dr. Paulson. "The patient who says ‘What can I do to make this better?' is ready to take steps to control it. That was Pat's attitude all the way."
Pat invests in everyday diabetes management – checks his blood glucose each morning, takes two pills, watches his weight, balances food intake with energy output and fits in daily exercise. He recognizes symptoms of low blood sugar and keeps a single-serving orange juice in reserve.
Respect for his new boss has paid dividends. With his diabetes well-controlled, Pat has the health and energy to enjoy family, care for 80 acres of timber, garden, and maintain vintage cars and tractors.
If this year you become one of the thousands of people in our region diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, listen to Pat: "Find a doctor who takes the time to explain things, eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of exercise." That's advice you can bank on.