Arbor Health | Arbor Health and Life | Summer 2020

Kay Brooks, PA-C Morton Clinic Jennifer Montoure, ARNP (Women’s Health & Sleep) Specialty Clinic Options for primary care Learn about physician assistants and nurse practitioners ARBOR HEALTH FOUNDATION 521 Adams Ave. Morton, WA 98356 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla,WA Permit No. 44 ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE is brought to you by Arbor Health Foundation as a community service for the friends and patrons of ARBOR HEALTH, P.O. Box 1138, Morton, WA 98356, telephone 360-496-5112. Information in ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. All of us need a primary care provider. They’re the provider you see first for most medical problems—from a high fever to heartburn. They can also help you manage chronic health conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes; make sure you’re up to date on screening tests; and refer you to a specialist when necessary. But this may surprise you: Your primary care provider doesn’t have to be a doctor. Two other types of highly educated and well-trained providers can also help you stay healthy— either a physician assistant (PA‑C) or an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP). Both provide many of the same services doctors do. For example, they often can: ●   ● Perform physical exams. ●   ● Take and record medical histories. ●   ● Prescribe medicine. ●   ● Perform and order diagnostic tests. ●   ● Diagnose and treat an illness or injury. ●   ● Monitor a patient’s progress. ●   ● Educate patients about any health problems they face or are at risk for developing. ●   ● Provide preventive care. PA-C vs. ARNP: Is there a difference? Both a PA-C and an ARNP have at least a master’s degree, and many earn more advanced degrees. But an ARNP is trained in the advanced practice of nursing, while a PA-C’s train- ing is modeled on the medical school curriculum. ARNPs are trained in specific areas of primary care—family medicine, adult and geriatric medicine, women’s health, or pediatrics. PA-Cs are trained as medical generalists. The numbers of each pro- fessional group are growing rapidly. If you haven’t already benefited from their medi- cal care, chances are you will someday. Sources: American Academy of Physician Assistants; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Harvard Medical School; U.S. Department of Labor If you observe any of these signs or symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 immediately. Act FAST if you have a stroke Strokes, just like heart attacks, are medical emergencies. It’s important to learn these signs and symptoms of stroke and know what to do when one strikes: F acial weakness. A rm weakness. S peech problems. T ime to act. Do you need a PCP? Arbor Health offers four providers at this level: Don’t have a PCP? Our providers are accepting new patients. Call to make an appointment: Morton Clinic 360-496-5145 Mossyrock Clinic 360-983-8990 Randle Clinic 360-497-3333 Specialty Clinic 360-496-3641 Robin Rice, PA-C Randle Clinic Nancy Campbell, PA-C Mossyrock Cinic