Central Ozarks Medical Center: Affordable Healthcare Mid-Missouri

Showing posts with label Affordable Healthcare Mid-Missouri. Show all posts

Friday, November 8, 2019

Holiday Baby Safety Tips

The holidays are right around the corner and at times things can feel chaotic at home, especially if you are hosting for the holidays. With all the chaos, you still have to manage watching your child. All that being said, our pediatric providers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few holiday baby safety tips. If your child is feeling ill and you are in need of a local Lake of the Ozarks pediatrician, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today to make your appointment. Phone numbers and locations can be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Holiday Baby Safety Tips

Make sure all cords are out of reach.
Around the holidays, you may find yourself wanting to entertain guests with electronics, such as movies or TV shows, both of which require chords and electricity to work.

Cords pose a serious danger to your children.
Most of us seem to plug in our phones every night to charge.
Cords are just used so much in today's technology age.

As you use these electronics just be sure to monitor your children and keep them out of reach as they can be a serious choking hazard.

Make sure every TV is securely attached to the wall.
Secure your TVs. Many people have flat-screen TVs in their homes these days and they can be put on any available surface throughout the home. Children can easily climb up and knock them over. You can secure your TVs with brackets to help keep them from falling over.

Be sure that every outlet has a cover.
Over time, people have used the plugs to protect their children from the electrical outlets in their homes.

Now, outlet covers that include sliding doors are available.
Compared to the plugs, they can be much more user-friendly and not as rough to operate.
The plugs have been known to be difficult to take out of the outlet, with a sliding door, you no longer have that issue.

Make sure your child can't get ahold of the baby video monitor.
Video baby monitors can be all the rage now.

People are moving away from the audio-only monitors to the video monitors.
Just remember that some of these video monitors come with cords, which can pose a threat to your child.
You can just keep these far out of their reach, away from the crib.
You can also just purchase a wireless video monitor and not have to worry about the cords.

Make sure you secure any piece of furniture that could fall over as your child climbs on it.
There can be many pieces of heavy furniture in homes. Secure them. These pieces of furniture can include desks, chairs, tables, shelves, and other pieces of furniture that can be fun to climb on, but if the furniture is not secured with restraints or brackets, they could fall over.

Be Safe and Healthy This Holiday Season from Central Ozarks Medical Center!

All of us here at our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks wish you Happy Holidays! We also hope you found these holiday baby safety tips helpful. We appreciate all of our pediatric patients here at Central Ozarks Medical Center. Our comprehensive pediatric services include well-child exams, diagnostic tests, follow-up of chronic problems, sports screenings, as well as evaluation and management of growth and health maintenance. For more information on that, please give us a call today.

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

Friday, October 25, 2019

Health Tips for Your First Pregnancy

Being pregnant for the first time can be exciting and scary all at the same time and our OB Providers at the Lake of the Ozarks understand that. You should never feel alone during this time in your life, no matter what your personal situation is. Our Lake of the Ozarks health clinics are here for you and we assist patients with and without insurance. Our goal is to gear our services to work for your financial situation, not the other way around. Keep reading for a few health tips for your first pregnancy. If you are pregnant and currently searching for an OB Provider in the Lake of the Ozarks area you can count on, consider Central Ozarks Medical Center. Visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org for more information on our services and providers.

Health Tips for Your First Pregnancy

Know what's normal for weight gain during pregnancy.
According to the National Institute of Health:
"If you are underweight (BMI* less than 18.5), you should gain about 28 to 40 pounds,
normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), you should gain about 25 to 35 pounds, overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9), you should gain about 15 to 25 pounds, and obese (BMI of 30+), you should gain about 11 to 20 pounds."

Ask your doctor about prenatal vitamins.
Many healthcare providers may advise you to take a prenatal vitamin every day, but it's best to ask your doctor what you should specifically do. Every mother-to-be is different.

Avoid eating or drinking the following:

Alcohol
Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or soda
Fish with high levels of mercury, like swordfish or shark
Undercooked meat
Raw eggs

...it's best to get a list from your doctor of everything you shouldn't eat, but these are a few good examples that will likely be on it.

Meet Our Obstetrics and Gynecological Provider, Terry Krantz, FNP!

Terry Krantz received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1979 from Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. She worked primarily in Obstetrics in hospitals across the country until she returned to school, graduating summa cum laude with the President's Award for Scholarship in 2001 from Graceland University. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Terry is a recipient of the Higdon Award for Clinical Excellence. Her special area of interest lies in bridging cultural divides through the power of story. Her work in this field earned her an invitation to Sofia, Bulgaria where she presented a seminar by weaving an original parable to encourage the participants to reach for a higher level of wellness - resulting in women forming walking clubs across the city. She has found the arts to be a very useful adjunct in her approach to patients and enjoys finding this common ground with people from all walks of life.

When she is not at the clinic, she is a musician, a cyclist, a reader, and enjoys trying her hand at fly-fishing in the mountains of the West.

To schedule an appointment with Terry, please call our Camdenton Medical Center today. You can reach us there by calling 573-346-4446. For more information, you can always visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

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

Friday, September 13, 2019

How Can I Improve Myself This Month?

If you have been looking for ways to improve yourself lately, specifically your health, this is the blog and month for you! Did you know that September is National Self Improvement Month? Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks did and we are here to give you a few ways to improve your health this month. On the subject of health, if you haven't already established a regular provider and are trying to find a healthcare provider at the Lake of the Ozarks you can count on, consider Central Ozarks Medical Center. We have been providing quality health care around the Lake of the Ozarks area since 1979 and are committed to leading the way to healthier communities.

Q: How Can I Improve Myself This Month?

A: Make a point to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Getting the proper amount of sleep every night can improve your health more than you might think. Not only can help you feel well-rested but it can also help you reduce stress and cut down on weight gain.

A: Make time for yourself to decompress each day.
Whether it's 30 minute or 2 hours, you can do wonders for your stress level, just by simply taking the time to relax. That can mean different things for different people. Your relaxation time may mean reading a book, doing some yoga, going for a run, taking a hike, or swimming laps. Whatever your relaxation time may look like, there are so many healthy options and you should take time to do this regularly.

A: Eat out less, make your own meals more.
You may resort to going to your nearest fast food establishment for a quick meal because it's convenient but just taking an hour every Sunday to prep your meals for the weak can do wonders for your diet! If you are trying to lose weight this year, this month could be THAT MONTH where you pull ahead. Just taking a little extra time to prep your meals may be the trick you need.

Improve yourself with Central Ozarks Medical Center and make sure you have a reliable healthcare provider you can call when you are feeling ill or just need to schedule your annual checkup. We accept all patients, with or without insurance. We pride ourselves in offering quality healthcare that works best with your financial situation. All locations are community practices, serving everyone from newborns to the elderly. Call today to make your appointment. We have several locations throughout the Lake of the Ozarks and Richland areas. All phone numbers and location addresses can be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org. Happy Self Improvement Month!

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

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

August is National Wellness Month!

August is a month full of special times: most kids’ first day of school, the last month of the dog days of summer and National Wellness Month! With all of the busy days that August brings, it’s important to take a step back and remember to take care of yourself among the chaos of everyday life. Central Ozarks Medical Center has five habits to work into your everyday routine. Our Lake of the Ozarks health clinics believes that practicing positive habits daily is great way to help you create a happy and healthy life.

Meal Planning

When you’re in a hurry and need to eat, it’s easy to grab something that’s quick and processed in your pantry or pick up fast food. While this may save time, it’s definitely not saving you the amount of calories, fat or sugar that you’re putting into your body. Meal planning is a great way to be more conscious of what you’re eating and will allow you to make healthier decisions. Schedule to meal plan on a specific day each week to create a thorough and effective menu for you and your family. Meal planning limits food waste, saves money, saves time and allows you to learn portion control. Bonus points if you meal prep after planning. Meal prepping is preparing the food in the portions you’re going to eat so when the time comes, you just have to heat it up.

Spend Time Outside

Maybe you’ve spent all day at work indoors and then when you get home you just want to relax in front of the TV or maybe you have a ton of chores to do around the house. It can easy to find at the end of the day that you haven’t spent anytime outside that day. While we understand that getting outdoors can take a little extra effort, the health benefits are well worth it. Spending just 20 minutes outdoors gives your brain an energy boost, strengthens your immune system, enhances creativity and restores your focus. Most importantly, you can also get your daily dose of vitamin D while spending time in nature. Vitamin D provides all kinds of health benefits like helping our bodies absorb calcium and reducing inflammation.

Regular Exercise

Exercising regularly does a lot more than helping you lose weight. It has tons of benefits for both your mental and physical health. A little bit of exercise a day can reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen your muscles and bones, increase energy levels, promote blood flow to reduce signs of aging and help with mental functioning like memory. Exercise does have to be intense workouts like lifting weights or doing sprints, it can be something as simple as taking a walk, swimming, yoga, dancing or biking. Pick a regular exercise that you enjoy to help insure that you stick with it. Also, exercising outside can help combine the benefits of physical activity and being outdoors all in one.

Drink Lots of Water

Water is essential to having a healthy functioning body and can help naturally increase energy by preventing sugar or caffeine crashes that you often get from soda, coffee or energy drinks. Water helps deliver oxygen throughout the body, aids in keeping your skin healthy, clear and young-looking, regulates body temperature and prevents kidney damage (just to name a few of its benefits). If you dislike the taste of plain water, consider adding slices of fruit for a healthy way to add flavor.

Take Time to go Offline

We live in a world that is dominated by phones, social media and technology. While we understand that it can be very difficult to completely “unplug” for a lengthy amount of time, taking small amounts of time out each day to step away from technology can still benefit us. Designate a certain time for each day that you’re going to take out some time where you don’t look at your phone, check emails or browse social media. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, when you get home from work or right before you go to bed, take some time out to go offline. You may find yourself getting that project done that’s been weighing on you for a while, connecting more with those around you or being able to unwind and relax better.

Bonus: National Relaxation Day

National Relaxation Day is on August 15th this year. We challenge you take just 30 minutes out of your day to do something that relaxes you. Whether it’s going on a walk, reading a book, doing yoga or mediating, it’s up to you! It can sometimes be easy to forget to take a little time out for ourselves to do something we want to do, so on August 15th make a conscious effort to do so.

If you’re looking for other ways to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life, make an appointment with Central Ozarks Medical Center at one of our mid-Missouri health clinics. We can give you a check-up and help you create a plan for a healthy lifestyle. Find all of our health clinic locations and phone numbers are www.CentralOzarks.org.

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

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

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

Friday, January 5, 2018

5 Tips to Quit Smoking

2018 is here! The New Year can motivate you to better yourself. One way you can do that is to quit smoking. If this is what you have decided to do, congratulations on making such a great decision! Quitting smoking may be difficult and stressful at times, but there are some tips you can try that may make the process a little easier on yourself. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few tips to hopefully help you quit smoking.

5 Tips to Quit Smoking

Tip # 1
It’s a New Year, get a new hobby.
Finding a new hobby can help keep you busy and distract yourself from wanting to smoke. For example, perhaps try:

• Going to the movies
• Reading a new book
• Go for a walk
• Start doing yoga

The point is to just keep yourself busy. You can also keep your mouth busy by chewing gum. This may make you less likely to smoke.

Tip # 2
Name your reason for quitting smoking and make it strong.
You probably have a good reason for quitting smoking, whether it be for family, a new baby, or friends; stick by your reasons. Remember it so much that you aren’t motivated to try and start smoking again.

Tip # 3
Stay away from anything that can trigger you to smoke.
Throw away all old cigarettes and try to avoid areas where you know there will be a ton of people smoking. If you are serious about quitting smoking, you probably aren’t going to want that temptation in your life.

Tip # 4
Start exercising more.
Exercising can also help keep your mind off smoking. Get a steady exercise routine going. Stick with it and this can motivate you even more not to start smoking again because you probably aren’t going to want to lose all the progress you’ve made on improving your body.

Tip # 5
Start eating your favorite healthy snack more.
Whether you love carrots, celery, apples, bananas, or broccoli, find a healthy snack you enjoy. When you quit smoking, your appetite can increase. Keep your mouth busy with eating your favorite healthy snack, when you start to crave a cigarette.

New Year, New You! Stay Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center

Again, Congratulations on deciding to quit smoking. We hope these tips help you on your journey to a smoke-free life. Our health clinics in Mid-Missouri are committed to leading the way to healthier communities and that can happen one person deciding to quit smoking at a time. Smoking can cause lung cancer, COPD, dental issues, and all sorts of problems, so stick to your plan and stay confident in yourself. If you are in need of a new healthcare provider at the Lake of the Ozarks, call one of our clinics listed below. Happy New Year to all!

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

Friday, December 22, 2017

5 Healthy Gift Ideas Around the Holidays

For all you last minute shoppers out there, don't worry, you still have time. You can even still get a few healthy gifts for your loved ones this year. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you 5 ideas for last minute healthy gift options for Christmas 2017. Help your family and friends start 2018 off right by gifting them something healthy that they can enjoy.

5 Healthy Gift Ideas Around the Holidays

Healthy Gift Idea # 1

Herbs & Spices

Getting your loved ones new herbs and spices for the holidays can encourage them to cook healthy meals more. Who wouldn't want to cook with some brand new, yummy spices?

Healthy Gift Idea # 2

Herbal Teas

A nice hot cup of herbal tea is a great gift idea that can go over well during these colder months. Pick up a tin of tea blends, just don't forget to check and see if they have sugars or sweeteners in the ingredients list.

Healthy Gift Idea # 3

Water glasses

Everyone should try to drink half of their body weight in ounces of water per day. What motivates someone more to drink water than a brand new set of water glasses?

Healthy Gift Idea # 4

Engaging board games

While this isn't a healthy food or drink option, board games can be healthy for your mind. Motivate your kids to challenge themselves by picking up a trivia board game to gift them this year.

Healthy Gift Idea # 5

Dark chocolate

If you are going to pick up chocolate for someone, pick up dark chocolate. Dark chocolate can actually be nutritious. It holds a fair amount of fiber and minerals. It just needs to be consumed with portion control in mind, like most foods. This can be a very easy gift to pick up at the last minute.

Central Ozarks Medical Center, Leading the Way to Healthier Communities

We want to lead the way to healthier communities, one healthy gift idea at a time. 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.

Central Ozarks Medical Center provides a broad set of services based on the needs of the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best with your financial situation. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options we have Assisters to help you navigate the process. Call one of our clinics listed below for quality health care at a fair price.

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

Friday, November 17, 2017

Healthy Eating Around The Holidays

Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas won't be far behind. The holiday season has officially arrived. With the holidays brings some very delicious holiday dishes. While some of these dishes can be very tasty, there could be healthier options available that are just as tasty. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a comparison of a couple of holiday recipes we have found.

Sweet Potato Casserole vs. Green Bean

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sweet-potato-casserole-3364945

Sweet Potato Casserole

Total:45 min Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Level: Easy
Ingredients

Filling:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for buttering the baking dish
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (3 to 4 large potatoes; about 1 3/4 pounds)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs

Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Special equipment: a 2-quart baking dish

For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 2-quart baking dish.

Whisk together the butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and the eggs in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl until moist and the mixture clumps together. Stir in the pecans and spread over the top of the sweet potatoes in an even layer. Bake until mostly set in the center and golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/green-bean-casserole-slimmed-recipe-2009016

Green Bean Casserole - Slimmed

Total:1 hr 5 minPrep: 45 minCook: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Level: Intermediate

Ingredients

3 to 4 medium shallots, in their skins
Kosher salt, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
1 pound fresh green beans, stemmed, and halved crosswise
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups mushroom, vegetable, or chicken broth (see Cook's Note)
3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable cooking spray
1 cup fresh bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the shallots (in their skins) on a small baking dish, roast until soft, about 30 minutes. When cool enough to handle, skin and coarsely chop the shallots. Set aside.

Bring a medium-large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add kosher salt, to taste. Add the green beans, and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with cold water. Transfer the beans to a large bowl.

In the same saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, season with 1 teaspoon salt, cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the beans.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the shallots, 1 teaspoon of the thyme, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir to combine evenly.

Spray a 2-quart baking dish with vegetable cooking spray. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of thyme to bread crumbs and scatter over the vegetables. Bake uncovered until the sauce bubbles and the crumbs brown, about 20 minutes.

Cook's Note

There has been an explosion of prepared broths on the market. We particularly like the mushroom broth in the aseptic packaging. However, for this recipe, make sure you don't use an Asian-style mushroom broth. If you can't find mushroom, a vegetable or chicken broth is a suitable substitute.

When sauteing mushrooms, salt them right away--they will release moisture and you can use less oil - 1 cup fresh bread crumbs has less calories than 1 cup dried - Roasting whole shallots is an excellent way to cook them using absolutely no fat.

The Comparison

Let's look at what's actually in these 2 recipes. While the sweet potato recipe sounds delicious, you're looking at a high calorie side dish. The pecan topping alone brings a ton of calories to this recipe, most likely over 500 just in the topping. According to the Food Network, the green bean casserole only holds 187 calories per serving and that's the entire dish. Who doesn't love a good green bean casserole?

We hope you enjoyed these two delicious recipes and the comparison. Central Ozarks Medical Center wishes everyone a very happy holiday season. Our health clinics in mid-Missouri operate with the goal to lead the way to healthier communities. That starts with just one healthy eater at a time.

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

Friday, October 6, 2017

3 Unique Benefits of Working in the Healthcare Field

Working in healthcare can be really rewarding. If you enjoy helping people and have a knack for learning more and more every day about the growing industry of healthcare, then it may for you! Our healthcare clinics in mid-Missouri are here to give you 3 unique benefits of working in the healthcare field.

3 Unique Benefits of Working in the Healthcare Field

1. Fantastic career stability and steady earnings

Healthcare facilities are known to be very busy, which means typically you will get to work full hours because you are constantly needed. This shows that you can make steady earnings while working in the healthcare field. In addition, there are typically plenty of opportunities to move up in your field when working in healthcare. Teamwork and great skills are very much appreciated in the healthcare field. So, as long as you work well with your team and do your job well, you typically have a better chance of moving up quickly.

2. Helping your community out

As stated earlier, careers in health care can be really rewarding. Not only are you helping patients but you are helping your community as a whole. For example, Central Ozark Medical Center aims to lead the way to healthier communities. Part of what goes behind leading the way to healthier communities is hosting events such as all of the free shot fairs we have going on right now. We don't charge for any of these services, we simply are giving people free flu shots who need it. We are currently in flu season so there is definitely a need for it right now.

3. A stimulating and fast moving work environment

Healthcare is constantly changing, whether a new cure is found or a new disease is discovered. There's always something new to learn. There will also always be those people who are ill and need your help. Typically, when they need your help, they need it quickly which can make for a fast-moving work environment that can keep you on your toes. If you are up for a challenge, then healthcare is for you!

Interested in Working for an Equal Opportunity Employer?

Central Ozarks Medical Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center and strives to deliver quality healthcare to our communities. As a FQHC, we are non-profit and focus on medically underserved communities and bringing affordable healthcare to all. Call today to see what positions we may be hiring for.

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

Friday, September 29, 2017

How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Your Life?

Do you have or know someone who has sleep apnea? It's fairly common and can actually impact your life and cause change, but the good news is that you CAN live with it. Our mid-Missouri health clinics want you to know the symptoms that tell you, you might have sleep apnea, what sleep apnea is, and how to treat it.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It can be very difficult to identify symptoms of sleep apnea since you are asleep, but you can have a sleeping partner help you or have your sleep recorded by a professional. These are some of the symptoms that could indicate you might have sleep apnea:

Waking up in the night feeling short of breath
Pauses in breath
Loud and chronic snoring almost every night
Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
Being sleepy and feeling fatigued during the day, no matter how much time you spend in bed

Sleep Apnea Defined

Sleep apnea is a common, but serious sleep disorder that occurs when you're breathing is briefly interrupted when you are asleep. There are 3 types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - This is the most common type of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep, blocking the airway, often causing you to snore loudly.

Central Sleep Apnea - This is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system. This occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People who have central sleep apnea seldom snore.

Complex Sleep Apnea - This is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea is Treated

Treatment for sleep apnea has come a long way, so if in the past you were unhappy with treatment, you may be impressed now. Some of the treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include:

CPAP
Other breathing devices
Dental devices
Implants
Surgery

Only seek these options if they are prescribed to you by a doctor. For other treatment options, consult a doctor.

In Need of Affordable Quality Healthcare?

Central Ozark Medical Center has a goal of keeping the lack of health insurance from being a roadblock to getting quality healthcare. Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the healthcare 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. Central Ozarks Medical Center provides a broad set of services based on the needs of the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best for your financial situation. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options we have Assisters to help you navigate the process.

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

Friday, September 8, 2017

It's National Self Improvement Month!

September is National Self Improvement Month! One way to improve your self is to improve your health. Improve your health by changing what you eat. Change your bad eating habits. A healthier lifestyle can in return make you feel happier. Combine your healthy eating with a regular work out. In honor of this month, our Mid-Missouri health clinics would like to give you 3 key tips for improving your health.

Tips for Improving Your Health

1. Get Your Sleep

Are you having trouble sleeping? Lack of sleep can affect your health and even lead to weight gain. Everyone should get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

2. Reduce the fat

The effect that fat has on your arteries is pretty well known. Try to cut your fat intake by changing your cooking methods. Try one of the following methods:

Grilling
Baking
Steaming
Poaching

When trying to cut back on fat, these methods will prove to be better than frying.

3. Cut Back on Your Salt Intake

Reducing your salt intake can reduce the impact salt has on your blood pressure. Try substituting herbs and spices, such as oregano, nutmeg, and paprika instead of salt, to season your food.

BONUS TIP:

Build Stronger Bones By Eating Better

It's essential to have strong bones and muscles when including exercise into your healthy routine. Eat more food with calcium and vitamin D, such as:

egg yolks
broccoli
oily fish

You can get vitamin D from sunlight.

Leading the Way to Healthier Communities

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 Ozark Medical Center, but how we do it that makes all the difference. Take a look at some of the kind words from some of our patients.

Kind Words From Patients

I have seen all 4 doctors in the Richland office during my pregnancy and would recommend ALL of them to anyone looking for a doctor. As a plus sized woman, I am always nervous about how I will be treated by doctors because of some very negative experiences I've had with other places in the past. However, the doctors in this office have been nothing but respectful, knowledgeable and helpful to me.

I have been treated very well by doctors, nurses and all the staff here. I like having a Lab in the facility so there is no need to make another appointment elsewhere.

If You Are Need of Quality Health Care, Make an Appointment Today!

We have health clinics all throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area. Feel free to call one of our clinics and one of our friendly staff members will get your appointment scheduled promptly.

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