Central Ozarks Medical Center: December 2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Meet Our Own Barton Warren, MD, Laurie Sparr, DNP, FNP, and Casey Page, RDH, CDA, EFDA

Central Ozarks Medical Center hopes you enjoyed your Christmas and that you have a very Happy New Year! We couldn't be more excited for 2019. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are also excited to introduce you to our very own Barton Warren, MD, Laurie Sparr, DNP, FNP, and Casey Page, RDH, CDA, EFDA. We appreciate everything they do for us. Keep reading to learn more about them.

Barton Warren, MD

Dr. Barton L. Warren graduated from Tulane Medical University in New Orleans in 1984. He completed a residency at the Medical Center of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Warren has been practicing at Central Ozarks Medical Center for the last 31 years and specializes in family practice and obstetric care. He is board certified in Family Practice Medicine.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family( particularly playing “pirates” with his grandchildren), listening to popular music, and understanding life through faith and politics.

Laurie Sparr, DNP, FNP

Laurie graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Saint Louis University in May 2017. The focus for her Doctorate was identifying the percentage of families in a federally funded pediatric clinic who reported not having enough food and helping to increase access to community resources for those families. Laurie has worked in nursing for over 25 years in the areas of behavioral health, home healthcare, oncology, and case management.

Laurie is an active member of St. Louis Nurses in Advanced Practice, Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society of Nursing, and American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has presented posters related to Food Insecurity research at St. Louis Nurses of Advanced Practice symposium and the Sigma Theta Tau convention in Indianapolis in 2017.

Laurie is originally from northeastern Montana and has lived in the St. Louis area for the last 25 years. She has been married for 29 years with 4 children ages 24 to 16. Lauri enjoys spending time with family, friends, baking, reading, and volunteering in the school and community.

Casey Page, RDH, CDA, EFDA

Casey Page joined the Central Ozarks Medical Center Dental clinic in February of 2018.
Casey attended Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, MO where she graduated with her Associates in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting with expanded functions. She is passionate about caring for her patients and their oral health needs, bringing a comforting, gentle touch to her patient care.

Casey is an active member of the American Dental Hygiene Association and is currently serving as secretary on the Missouri Dental Hygienist’s Association state board. She is enjoying learning more about the professional organization and how she can be more involved.

Casey enjoys riding with her husband on their Harley Davidson motorcycle and spending time with their four beautiful children, two of which are twin girls! She is a very busy and proud mother!

We hope you enjoyed learning about these great people. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with one of our providers at the Lake of the Ozarks, please give us a call. Our phone numbers are listed below.

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

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Break Your Unhealthy Habits this Holiday Season with COMC

The holidays are coming! While the holiday season is a time for giving and can be very exciting and fun, people can still tend to get very stresses out this time of year. From planning a huge Christmas feast to rushing around at the last minute to get the perfect Christmas gifts for your family members, there can be a lot to do. When you are running around, rushing to get everything done for your holiday party, all while still managing to work at full-time job - it can be very easy to forget one of the most vital things of all - take care of yourself. Don't lose yourself in unhealthy habits this time of year. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few examples of unhealthy habits that you should work toward breaking this holiday season. If you are looking for a new doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks, consider Central Ozarks Medical Center. We believe it is not just about what we do, but how we do it that counts.

Break Your Unhealthy Habits this Holiday Season with COMC

Forgetting to Wash Your Hands
Everyone is likely gathering together for the holidays, everyone from the newborns to the elderly. More people bring more germs, so don’t forget to sanitize. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Sanitize your hands before and after eating.
Always wash your hands after using the restroom.
With all of the excitement around the holidays, you are likely rushing around and you could easily forget to wash or sanitize your hands.
It only takes a few minutes, so make the time to sanitize.

Overeating Simply Because It Is The Holidays
Holiday meals can really be delicious but don’t overdo it. Save your leftovers and eat them the next day versus trying to eat everything in one sitting. No one wants a stomach ache the day after Christmas.

Eating Because You're Bored
Who’s guilty of snacking in between arriving at your holiday destination all the way until dinner is ready? The holidays are such a fun time of year, but you don’t have to let your diet slip away. If you are going to snack then try going for the veggie or fruit tray versus the holiday sweets.

Forgetting to Sleep - HUGE no no
If you are hosting Christmas or a New Year’s party at your home, chances are you have been running around busy preparing for your holiday party. Don’t forget to sleep! You still need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, even around the holidays.

Let COMC Help You Take Care of You This Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays from COMC! Here at our health clinics in Mid Missouri, 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. We also strive to let people know that no health insurance shouldn't mean no affordable healthcare. 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. Learn more about us and check out our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

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

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Meet Our Behavioral Health Providers: Part 2

Central Ozarks Medical Center is excited to announce we have more Behavioral Health Providers in Camden County. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are honored to have these great people working and providing the best healthcare services to our patients. We pride ourselves on being able to offer underserved communities with affordable healthcare. Keep reading for Part 2 of our Meet Our Behavioral Health Providers blog series.

Meet Our Behavioral Health Providers: Part 2

Danielle Russell, M. Ed., LPC
Danielle Russell, M.Ed., LPC, is a graduate of Lincoln University with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. After working in the mental health field for 9 years, Danielle went on to continue her education at Lincoln University obtaining a Master's of Education in Counseling.

Danielle began her career in mental health by helping teens who struggled with substance abuse issues. Since completing her Master's degree, she has been working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. She has been working in the mental health field for 16 plus years and is truly passionate about helping others.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, enjoying the outdoors, cooking, and gardening.

Brin Ballard
Brin Ballard is a PLPC with over 10 years of experience serving children and adults with Behavioral health needs. She has worked in community mental health centers and for the Missouri Department of Mental health. Brin is passionate about working with kids and is excited to see this service assist in the academic success of School of the Osage students. Brin enjoys reading, going to sporting events, and playing outside with her two daughters.

Susan Beck-Case, LCSW
Susan Beck Case, State of Missouri Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has worked with children and families for over 30 years. Her primary goal throughout her career and life, for that matter, is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. She and her husband have filled their empty nest in Lebanon, Missouri with two dogs and a cat!

Affordable Healthcare at the Lake of the Ozarks

We a discounted fee to patients based on their household size and household income. The Sliding Fee Program includes fees for medical, dental and behavioral health services. To determine eligibility, please note:

Central Ozarks Medical Center will need to ask you to bring in personal financial information.
Any information we ask you for will be strictly confidential.
None of your personal information, financial or medical, can be released without your written consent.
The information we are asking for is used solely to determine household size and household income. Applications are effective for a one-year period.
Sliding Fee Discount Program participants must complete an application annually Discount Program applications must be completed, signed and approved prior to services being provided.
All participants are asked to notify COMC of income changes as soon as possible after the change occurs.
All patients under 19 years of age must have a Medicaid denial letter to be eligible for the Discount Program.

For more information, please call our clinic nearest to you, our phone numbers are listed below.

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

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Meet Our Behavioral Health Providers: Part 1

It is the belief of our behavioral health providers at the Lake of the Ozarks that physical health is affected by a patient's emotional and behavioral health and that both aspects must be treated for a positive outcome. Our Staff at Central Ozarks Medical Center practice cooperative healthcare and are able to offer tools and programs such as assessments, private consultations, family counseling and when needed; referrals to other specialized resources. Get to know some of our other behavioral health providers. Keep reading to get to know Angela Ross, Michael Cundiff, and Desiree Malam.

Angela Ross
Angela graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Evangel University in Springfield, MO and later went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University in Illinois where she grew up.

Prior to joining COMC, she worked in the public schools in Illinois as a school social worker and has spent time working in a medical clinic as well as community mental health center. Angela prefers working with students in the school system and their families while also being a resource and consultant to teachers, administrators, and the community.

When she is not working in the Eldon School District, Angela loves spending time spoiling her Golden Retriever and spending time outside with her (weather permitting). She also enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as helping out with her local church and community. She’s always up to watching a good, thought-provoking movie or spending a quiet night at home reading or being creative in her other hobbies.

Michael Cundiff
A St. Louisan by birth and resident there for many years, Michael Cundiff moved to the lake area in 2013. He was drawn to the area by the beauty of the countryside and the friendliness of the people. Cundiff spent thirty-six years in high school settings most of which was as a counselor, followed by eleven years as an agency therapist. For recreation, family water sports activities capture Michael's fancy, but he also piloted his own plane for many years.

Desiree Malam
Desiree received her Bachelor's degree in Human Services and her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Evangel University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family.

Prior to becoming a part of the Central Ozarks Medical Center team, Desiree has served military families and implemented a counseling program through a non-profit organization that provided services to families and individuals. She looks forward to providing services to the communities that Central Ozarks Medical Center serves.

Desiree lives in the Waynesville area. She enjoys spending time outside, playing with her grandchildren and traveling.

Behavioral Health Providers at the Lake of the Ozarks

Have you had trouble finding the provider at the Lake to help you with your specific healthcare needs, such as OCD, depression, bipolar, etc.? Whatever your behavioral health issue may be, our providers are here to help you. Schedule your appointment today by calling one of the health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks listed below.

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