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Practical healthcare for rural residents

| March 9, 2017 12:00 AM

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—Courtesy photo Boundary Community Hospital and North Idaho College announced the graduation of the winter semester Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) class. Pictured Left to right: Leland Schmitt, Kim Kimball, Lela Jackson, Paige Liermann, Jacob Fess and Instructor, Tracey Maas, RN.

Boundary Community Clinics is pleased to announce the addition of two new Nurse Practitioners as primary care providers. Beverly Yercheck, ANP-C who specializes in adult care and Janet Lukehart, FNP-C who specializes in family care will round out the schedule so that office hours will now be Monday through Friday. And yes, new patients will be accepted after April 1.

Why an NP?

Living in a rural community can make access to healthcare challenging, especially with the growing shortage of medical doctors throughout the US, and especially in North Idaho. Originally trained to fill this void in the mid 1960’s, the professional designation of Nurse Practitioner (NP) was developed and has continued to grow.

At a rural health clinic, the NP provides healthcare for individuals and families that include diagnosing and treating acute and chronic health problems, performing physical exams, diagnosing and managing minor trauma, ordering lab tests and other diagnostic services, prescribing medications, and teaching health promotion and disease prevention. Having a background in nursing and advanced training in medical care, NPs are in a unique position to provide complete care to their patients. As Medical Director, Susan Layeux, MD works with the NPs to provide the outpatient primary care that Boundary County residents require.

“It’s a practical solution for rural residents,” says Janet Lukehart. “Bev and I work closely with Dr. Layeux to ensure that our patients are taken care of in a timely fashion with the best healthcare available.”

Each year the clinic staff sponsors the Children’s Bike Rodeo held in conjunction with the Hospital Health Fair. This year the event will be on Saturday, May 13, 9:30 am – 11:30 am near the Outpatient Services Lobby. Not only will children be able to test their bicycle skills through the rodeo course, but also receive a free bike helmet while they last.

Boundary Community Clinics is proud to provide the vital health services you and your family deserve, delivered with professionalism and compassion – right here at home.

Next semester starts on March 28 and scholarships are available. Scholarships include paid tuition and employment in the Boundary Community Hospital Extended Care Facility. Application deadline is March 10. For more information about the Certified Nursing Assistants Program at Boundary Community Hospital please contact Tracey Maas, RN at tracey.m@bcch.org or call (208) 267-3141 ext 4312