FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009 AT 7:00pm

Orcas Family Health Center

will hold its

Annual Holiday Dance Fundraiser

@

ORCAS CENTER

Enjoy a fabulous dinner, then dance the night away to the tunes of our premier island swing band, the amazing

ORCATRAZZ SWING BAND

under the expert direction of Ken Speck. You will enjoy delicious food, including both vegetarian lasagna and regular lasagna, caesar salad, garlic breads and cheese cake. Out-of-this-world wines will also be available.

Proceeds of this event benefit the Orcas Family Health Center's 'Well Child Primary Care Clinic' and the 'New X-ray Center' with state-of-the-art digitizer and fiber optic transmission lines.

Door prizes galore and perhaps a raffle or two to take a chance on because YOU ARE A WINNER!

Dinner will be served PROMPTLY AT 7:30pm. You would do well to disregard "island time". It is worth repeating that dinner will be served promptly at 7:30pm.

All this is yours at a cost of

$35.00 PER COUPLE, or $20.00 PER INDIVIDUAL.

By order of the Fire Marshall, seating is limited so get your tickets early. Tickets and further information can be obtained from Ken Speck at 376-2202; or, from any of the OFHC Board Members whose names and pictures appear on the Who We Are Page of this web-site.

Be sure to contact one of them today!

•

OFHC Installs First Ultrasound System on Island • This newly installed state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasound is a high-end, reconditioned Philips HDI 5000 unit from MedPro Imaging, a priemier provider of ultrasound solutions. the system is the only ultrasound unit available for diagnostic imaging on the island, a hugh benefit for our island population.

"We were in need of a high-end ultrasound system for some time," said David Shinstrom, MD, ABFM, director of OFHC. "MedPro worked extensively with us in analyzing both our clinical and economic needs in order for us to choose the right system. We eventually selected the HDI 5000 which offered an excellent solution for both the imaging needs of our patients and our own economic parameters."

The HDI 5000 offers advanced ultrasound imaging and covers a wide variety of applications, among which are OB/GYN, cardiac, abdominal, vascular and muscular skeletal ultrasonic analysis that can now be provided to island residents. As a charitable, non-profit rural health center providing access to prinary healthcare and related medical servies for the approximately 5000 island residents, we ae committed to servicing rural and underserved commmunities and individuals that face economic challenges. In keeping with that spirit, Dr, Shinstrom has made it very clear that the OFHC ultrasound equipment is available to any licensed medical practitioner regardless of where they may reside. On Orcas that includes the three general medical practices; ours, the medical center and David Russell, as well as the pediatrician and Melinda Milligan, nurse midwife. In addition, off-island practitioners can also order an ultrasound for their patients. Orcas Family Health Center welcomes all people regardless of their medical insurance status or their ability to pay for service.

"Previously, we needed to refer patients requiring an ultrasound exam to a facility of the mainland," said Shinstrom. "Not only was this inconvenient for the patient, but certainly not as ideal as having our own system. Now, we are able to provide a more immediate analysis which greatly expedites diagnosis, therefore allowing us to begin treatment sooner and enhance patient outcomes." •

X-ray Center Opens at OFHC • Orcas Family Health Center has just put into service a new X-ray machine that has the capability to transmit X-rays digitally to off-island specialists as fast as sending an e-mail. That means that within 30 minutes or less OFHC can get back a second opinion verification of diagnosis from radiologists affiliated with St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham. In fact, these X-rays could be sent anywhere in the world to be read and verified by physicians specially trained in the reading of X-rays. Having knowledge of this, as a patient, should instill an additional degree of confidance, peace of mind and a sense of security that is unparalleled.

The decision to go forward with this expensive installation is very much in keeping with our pledge, as a 501(c)3 charitable, nonprofit, rural health center, to provide the very best medical care to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. Our Medical Director, Dr. David Shinstrom is making our new equipment available to all qualified practitioners, including visiting Specialists like Northwest Cardiology. Having checked with the Washington State Health Department, no reasons could be found to not extend this user courtesy to our local Veterinarians as well. Many animal lovers are excited by the prospect of not only avoiding an off-island trip; but, more importantly of being able to get a diagnosis and treatment for their injured pet in a very short period of time.

As a final and, hopefully, gentle reminder, OFHC has taken on significant debt to provide this capability. Your tax deductable financial gift, regardless of the amount, will help us to continue helping our island community. •

OFHC PURCHASES COLPOSCOPE • In an effort to expand services to patients, OFHC has purchased a colposcope. This machine has enhanced, lighted magnification to evaluate women with abnormal pap sears. the colposcope allows for a better view of the tissues that may be the cause of the abnormality.

"In the past we have had to refer our patients off-island for this procedure; it will be a tremendous benefit to be able to save them the trip," notes OFHC medical director Dr. David Shinstrom. "I learned colposcopy several years ago and actually trained family medicine residents how to perform the procedure. There is a colposcope at the Orcas Island Medical Center that was purchased by the Orcas Island Medical Guild but other medical practices are not allowed to use it. Ours may be used by any medical practitioner on Orcas who is trained in it's use."

This instrument can also double as a dermatoscope to view abnormal skin lesions. "The optics and magnification with this scope are excellent and will allow close up views of abnormal skin lesions.," comments Shinstrom. "This is a classic case of a two for one benefit."

The colposcope was purchased using donated funds. •

Dr. Shinstrom Reappointed to UW Faculty • For the fourteenth consecuitive year, the University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine has reviewed his credentials and reappointed Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) physician David Shinstrom as Clinical Instructor. The reappointment commented "we simply could not meet our missions in education, research and clinical service without your generosity and commitment." Shortly after arriving on Orcas in 1993, Shinstrom contacted the University to become a part of the training for medical students and family medicine residents. Since then dozens of aspiring physicians have spent a 3-4 week rotation experiencing the unique rural medical practice characteristic of Orcas.

"It really is an eye opening time for them," notes Shinstrom. "They are accustomed to having easy access to emergency services and sophisticated testing equipment available in the big city and must readjust to a new reality. Practicing medicine on Orcas, with so little in the way of testing, makes them rely on the patient encounter as the primary source of information."The reviews of the experience here are extremely positive. One student noted, "Dr. Shinstrom is an excellent teacher. He made every patient I saw an interesting teaching case." Another noted"my experience on Orcas island was excellent overall."

:I very much appreciate the willingness of our patients to be seen and evaluated by these students and residents," commented Shinstrom. "Having established these relationships with so many physicians in training has a side benefit of helping recruit for a physician to join our practice." This upcoming summer four of the trainees who have now graduated will be coming to Orcas for varying periods of time to assist in patient care."Our summertime volume often is 30% greater than other times of the year, so I appreciate being able to handle the increase with these highly qualified physicians. It is hoped one of them may decide to remain."

OFHC is a 501(c)(3) Federal Rural Health Center with a mission of treating all patients regardless of ability to pay. Board president Ken Speck comments, "the board is extremely proud of David and what he has done with our medical practice. all of Orcas benefits from this relationship we have with the University of Washington." •

NORTH CASCADE CARDIOLOGY • Cardiovascular Specialists from North Cascade Cardiology are now offering monthly services on Orcas Island at Orcas Family Health Center, Suite B102, 1286 Mt. Baker Road.

North Cascade Cardiology is a separate medical practice brought here through the initiative of Dr.Shinstrom. This Cardiology practice is 100% available to all patients regardless of which of the three current on-island medical practices they presently use.

North Cascade Cardiology is a full service cardiology and vascular practice providing expertise in invasive and non-invasive cardiology, interventional cardiology, vascular medicine, vascular interventions and electrophysiology.

To schedule an appointment please call 1.888.739.2700 and specify that you want your appointment to take place at Orcas Family Health Center. •

WELL-CHILD CLINICS • OFHC has received a 2008 grant from United Way to continue our Free Well Child Program.

Well Child Clinics are opportunities for parents to have access to routine physicals and immunizations for their children.

Not only is this an opportunity to receive quality care; it is also an opportunity for OFHC to establish relationships with families needing on-going care. By removing financial barriers, it is our hope that, through word of mouth, we will reach even more families in 2008 than we did in 2007.

Families who participate in this program can be offered other assistance such as help in applying for state or subsidized health insurance and being directed to other programs in our community that can help with food, clothing, and continuity of care. •