Keeping our Patients Safe From Swine Flu

As word spreads of swine flu, we want our patients to know that we, at Visalia Medical Clinic, are keeping our patients safe. We hope our patients will not panic and will keep in mind that swine flu is just that, a strain of the flu. Yes, it can be serious and even fatal, but we have no reason to believe this strain will be worse than other strains.

Here's what we're doing at Visalia Medical Clinic in this time:

• We are working on a comprehensive plan keep those who have the flu from infecting others.
• We are seeing those in need of immediate care at QuickCare.
• We are working closely with the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency and following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For information on swine flu symptoms and how to stay healthy, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Chief Executive Officer

May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

It's under recognized, under-treated and it has no symptoms, but osteoporosis can result in debilitating problems at any time.

During Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, we encourage all women over 65 and men over 70 years of age to be tested for osteoporosis. Younger individuals with risk factors such as a low calcium diet, use of cortisone or a recent broken bone should also be tested. Testing involves a Dexa Scan, a painless 10-minute test that will measure bone density. The test is available at Visalia Medical Clinic and can be ordered by a healthcare practitioner.

To schedule an appointment today, call Dr. James Guadagni, M.D at 739-2000 or your healthcare practitioner.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Visalia Medical Clinic, Inc.

Chronic sufferers of sinusitis will soon be offered a minimally invasive and safe alternative surgical treatment in Tulare County

Visalia Medical Clinic's Craig Calloway, M.D., F.A.C.S., recently organized a training program for area surgeons to learn a new surgical technique using Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices by Acclarent™. The training took place on Feb. 18 at Cypress Surgery Center in Visalia.

The Balloon Sinuplasty is an endoscopic sinus surgery technique that allows physicians to treat sinus disease entirely through the nostrils, and in many cases without tissue or bone removal.

Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus membranes, is one of the most common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year. It is chronic when it persists for at least 12 weeks.

Traditionally, patients were only offered two treatment options - medical therapy (antibiotics and nasal steroids) or endoscopic sinus surgery, which required bone and tissue removal to open blocked sinus passageways. With Balloon Sinuplasty™, sinuses are opened in the same way that doctors open up blocked arteries during a balloon angioplasty. The technology is minimally invasive and safe.

Dr. Calloway is board certified in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and is a member of the American Rhinologic Society. Since 1983, he has practiced at Visalia Medical Clinic. For more information, call 739-2000.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Visalia Medical Clinic, Inc.

Valley's Largest Physician-Owned Clinic Gains New Physical Therapist

Visalia Medical Clinic is pleased to introduce physical therapist Jennifer Elliott, DPT, to its Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center.

Elliott, now the third physical therapist on staff at the center, says she is excited to work side-by-side with Tony Marciano, RPT and Charles Cholmakjian, RPT, also physical therapists on staff at Visalia Medical Clinic.

Elliott, a native of Visalia, earned her undergraduate degree from Fresno Pacific University where she graduated magna cum laude in pre-physical therapy, and then graduated from Loma Linda University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Elliott says she takes great satisfaction in watching patients get back to their normal lives at VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center.

At VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, physicians work closely with therapists to get patients back to health and normal function. The center offers individual therapy, rehabilitation and sports therapy and an industrial program aimed at injury prevention on the job and the rehabilitation of workers.

For more information on VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center call 739-2010.

Visalia Medical Clinic is pleased to introduce QuickCare, a new urgent care service to help Tulare County residents avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

QuickCare will offer the general public quick, quality care for little emergencies such as fevers, earaches and weekend injuries.

Unlike other urgent care services offered in the area, when people walk into the doors of QuickCare they will be seen by a physician who is backed by support staff and all the ancillary services offered at Visalia Medical Clinic, the largest private medical clinic in the valley. Glenda Dalby, MD, who for the past 20 years has been a family practice physician at Visalia Medical Clinic, will serve as Medical Director of QuickCare.

QuickCare will accept most forms of insurance or patients can pay cash. The clinic will be open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day during the following hours:

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays

QuickCare will be located at the eastern entrance of Visalia Medical Clinic. QuickCare's service number is 738-7555.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Visalia Medical Clinic, Inc.