Central Ozarks Medical Center: November 2018

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Women's Healthcare at the Lake of the Ozarks

Women's healthcare providers at the Lake of the Ozarks can be hard to find due to this being a smaller area than bigger cities such as Kansas City or St. Louis. However, finding one you can trust is vital. The Central Ozarks Medical Center mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health care status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Pulaski Counties. Keep reading to learn more about our women's healthcare provider and the services we provide.

Our Women's Health Provider at the Lake of the Ozarks

Robert Nielsen, DO
Robert C. Nielsen, DO, is a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO. He completed his internship at Des Moines General Hospital and residency at North Oakland Medical Center (Pontiac, MI). Dr. Nielsen served in the United States Army from 1978-1982, the Iowa National Guard from 1982-1989, and in the Michigan National Guard from 1989-1995 where he served in Operation Desert Storm as a Major in the Medical Corps.

Dr. Nielsen has been practicing Medicine for 27 years and has been with Central Ozarks Medical Center since 2011.

Dr. Nielsen is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pregnancy
Few biological processes are as life-changing as pregnancy. Even the healthiest pregnancies can be taxing. The body undergoes countless changes as it supports the new life growing inside, and most women understandably have countless questions about the process. When you come to us for obstetric care at the Lake of the Ozarks, we promise to be right by your side throughout every step of the process from pregnancy confirmation to your postpartum check-up. Our ultimate goal is to promote your continued good health so that we can work together towards the delivery of a healthy newborn.

General Wellness
Women's bodies are beautifully and intricately designed. In order to maintain optimum health, countless different factors must function together harmoniously and cohesively. We offer a variety of different general wellness services to keep your body functioning at optimum health, including:

Breast exams
Mammograms
Birth control
Pap tests
Pelvic exams
STI and STD tests
Immunizations

Gynecology
Reproductive, abdominal, and vaginal health is closely linked to overall physical health. We are here to help you with the multiple health conditions you may face throughout your life. As a few examples, we have experience in helping women with infertility, urinary incontinence, organ prolapse, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, abnormal pap smears, and menopause.

Need a New Women's Healthcare Provider in Camden County?

Call to make an appointment today. Our clinic locations and phone numbers are listed below and you may call to make an appointment at the one nearest to you. We offer a very well rounded set of healthcare services. To learn more about them, please visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

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For Appointments Call
573.765.5141 -- Richland
573.302.7490 -- Osage Beach
573.346.4446 -- Camdenton
573.317.9200 -- Stone Castle
573.765.2510 -- Dental

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

How to Choose Your New Doctor Wisely

Choosing a new doctor for yourself or for you and your whole family is a huge decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. This is your health and it shouldn't just be trusted to anyone. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few questions to ask yourself and the new doctor or Camden County health clinic that you may be considering in order to determine if he or she will be a good fit for you. If you are looking for a new doctor, consider Central Ozarks Medical Center. We have multiple health clinics throughout Central Missouri. Learn more by visiting our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Questions to Ask the New Doctor

How Long Does It Take To Get An Appointment?
Is there a long waiting list? If you are in need of urgent attention, will your new provider be able to accommodate?

How Do You Feel About Your New Doctor?
This is arguably the most important question you can ask yourself. While it's important to think through your decision logically, choosing your new doctor is an emotional decision as well. As you meet with your new provider for the first time, tap into your subconscious and evaluate how you feel in the presence of your new provider. Does he respect your needs? Does he address your concerns? Does he answer your questions in a way that is easy to understand? Do you feel comfortable and safe in his presence?

Who Will Be Providing The Majority Of Your Care?
Will your new doctor provide many of your needed services him/herself, or will he/she frequently refer you to an outside specialist?

Will The New Clinic Work With Your Insurance Company?
Insurance companies can be rather selective about the providers/hospitals they have in their networks. It's important to find out whether or not the care you receive from your new provider will be covered by your plan.

Is The Staff Courteous?
Do you feel welcomed when you walk in the door? Are you treated with respect? Your doctor isn't the only person you will have contact with at your new clinic, so it's important that you are comfortable with the rest of the staff.

How Accessible Is The Practice?
How long is the drive to the hospital or clinic? If there is an emergency, will you be able to receive treatment in a timely manner?

Choose Central Ozarks Medical Center for New Doctor

Our health clinics in Mid Missouri believe that the quality of your healthcare shouldn't be dictated by whether or not you have insurance or how much money you have. Even better than the savings you get with Central Ozarks Medical Center is the quality of care and concern our providers will offer to you during each visit. With highly trained support staff, Central Ozarks Medical Center Providers can focus on only you and your health. Call today for your first appointment. Our phone numbers and locations are listed below.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Friday, November 16, 2018

Important Diabetes Symptoms and Statistics You May Not Know

Diabetes now affects more than 100 million adults in the U.S., according to the CDC. Awareness is key to prevention. You may have diabetes and not even realize it until its too late and you have had a dramatic episode. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you the symptoms of diabetes and inform you of some important diabetes statistics you may be unaware of. If you find yourself feeling any of these symptoms, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Before we give the symptoms of diabetes, we must first distinguish a difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as juvenile diabetes, can't produce insulin. People with type 2 diabetes aren't able to use insulin the right way, which can lead to an insulin deficiency.

Source: American Heart Association

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

Increased fatigue
Increased appetite
In certain cases, there are no symptoms
Fruity breath or odor
Blurred vision
Unusual weight loss
Increased urination

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Weight loss
Blurred vision
Increased urination, especially at night
Sores that won't heal
In certain cases, no symptoms
Fatigue
Increased appetite
Increased thirst

Important Diabetes Statistics

Source: Centers Disease Control and Prevention

Key findings from the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014 (based on health data from 2012), include:

208,000 people younger than 20 years have been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2).
86 million adults aged 20 years and older have prediabetes.
The percentage of U.S. adults with prediabetes is similar for non-Hispanic whites (35 percent), non-Hispanic blacks (39 percent), and Hispanics (38 percent).
Diabetes is a serious disease that can be managed through physical activity, diet, and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels. Another important part of diabetes management is reducing other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use.
29 million people in the United States (9.3 percent) have diabetes.
1.7 million people aged 20 years or older were newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2012.
Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native adults are about twice as likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults.

Your Health Clinic at the Lake of the Ozarks

We hope you found these statistics and symptoms informative. Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health care status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Pulaski Counties. Our belief is that it is not just what we do here at Central Ozarks Medical Center, but how we do it that makes all the difference. For more information or to make an appointment at one of our health clinics, see below for the phone numbers and locations to call.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Thursday, November 8, 2018

COMC is Expanding!

Central Ozarks Medical Center and Richland Community Development Corporation Announce Purchase of Former First State Community Bank Building in Richland

Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC) and Richland Community Development Corporation (RCDC) are excited to announce the expansion of Central Ozark Medical Center in Richland through the purchase on October 31 of the former First Community State Bank building in downtown Richland.

The building was donated to RCDC by its owner Bank of America in order to spur further development of Richland’s downtown. The purchase will allow COMC to remodel its current administrative offices at 304 W. Washington in Richland to expand medical and behavioral health services.

“Saving the historic structure in our downtown has been a priority for RCDC since the building became empty earlier this year,” RCDC President Mary Baker said. When Bank of America offered to donate the 10,000+ square foot building to the non-profit, RCDC’s Board of Directors agreed to accept it. “After the acquisition in early October, we began negotiating with COMC to purchase it as administrative space for its expanding non-profit services, and couldn’t be happier with this outcome,” Baker said. Formed in 2017 as a 501c3 non-profit organization, RCDC’s mission is to facilitate economic growth and improvements in the Richland community.

“RCDC is happy that this move will not only free up space in the current COMC facilities but will contribute to a thriving downtown bringing 40-50 administrative staff to that area on a daily basis,” RCDC Board member Cindy Payne said.

Central Ozarks Medical Center was started in Richland in 1979 by a group of local citizens concerned by the lack of medical services in the community. Since that time, COMC has added dental and behavioral health services and has expanded to include clinics in Osage Beach and Camdenton. In addition, COMC provides services throughout the four-county area of Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Pulaski Counties, including services in thirteen local school districts. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, COMC provides comprehensive services to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Over the last few years, COMC has seen a dramatic growth in patients. To meet this need, in January, COMC will complete construction of a new 17,000 square foot clinic in Camdenton, partially funded with $1 million in federal support. COMC recently received more than $100,000 in federal funds to remodel its Osage Beach facility to accommodate expanded behavioral health services. Due to its recent growth, the COMC Board of Directors recognized the need for additional space in Richland while maintaining a commitment to its history in the community.

“COMC has been part of this community for nearly 40 years. We are excited that this opportunity to partner with the Richland Community Development Corporation will allow COMC to plan for another 40 years of service to the communities we serve,” Board spokesperson Sherry Struckhoff said.

If you have any questions about this expansion, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Please find the proper contact information below:

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Robert Stiles, CEO: rstiles@centralozarks.org or 573-765-5131

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare