Grundy County Memorial Hospital | Live Well | Fall 2020

Samantha Bissen, DO, UnityPoint Clinic– Grundy Center Family Medicine UN I T Y PO I N T C L I N I C–G R UNDY C E N T E R F AM I LY ME D I C I N E Women: Make a date for wellness Live Well classes and events Live Well Lifestyle Challenge: Virtual Edition Move the numbers where they matter to you! Whether it’s your cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, blood sugar or other numbers that need improvement, this 10-week virtual course combines the power of small- group coaching, nutrition education from registered dietitian-nutritionists, and pre- and post-measurements to track progress. Curriculum is included to address traditional dieting approaches. This lifestyle course will provide you with invaluable tools and motivation to develop a peaceful and satisfying relationship with food and help you get off the diet roller coaster for good. Advance registration is required. ● Mondays, Oct. 12 through Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m. Heads up, busy women everywhere: It’s OK—even necessary—to put yourself first sometimes, especially when it comes to your health. That’s especially true amid a pandemic that has created even more for you to juggle. If you’ve been putting off your annual checkup, now’s the time to get it scheduled. And UnityPoint Clinic–Grundy Center Family Medicine is welcoming a new physician with a special focus on women’s health. Samantha Bissen, DO, says one of the best ways to stay healthy is to schedule your annual appointment, which is focused on preventing chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. This checkup will include checking vital signs, discussing risk fac- tors and sometimes checking necessary labs. It is a time to update your family or personal history and discuss your health goals. Common topics discussed at annual wellness visits include desired weight changes, medication questions, mood concerns, birth con- trol options and precon- ception counseling. “Since each person is different, the purpose of the annual wellness visit is to treat each person individually so they don’t fall behind on important checkups and tests that can help find health problems early, when they’re often easier to treat,” says Dr. Bissen. And her recommendation for an annual wellness visit isn’t just for women: “It applies to you, too, guys!” Your health and safety come first “We understand that during a pan- demic, many things are changing fast and it can be scary. We are doing everything we can at the clinic and throughout UnityPoint Health to ensure that your appointments are safe,” says Dr. Bissen. While some visits are important to have in person, others can be completed via telehealth on your phone or computer. Follow-up visits that don’t require labs are great examples of times to Diabetes Prevention Program If your doctor has told you that you have pre-diabetes, the next session of the Diabetes Prevention Program may be for you! A new class will begin this fall—find details on page 3 or contact the class leader by email at crystal. petersen@unitypoint.org or by phone at 319-824-4154 . use this technology. “We will keep your best interest in mind when scheduling your appointment,” Dr. Bissen says. Dr. Bissen has a passion for wom- en’s health, but she loves to take care of entire families too. She shares that during her residency, she was able to take care of several women and their family members, follow them during pregnancy, deliver their babies, and take care of their babies after delivery. Dr. Bissen will be available for en- dometrial biopsies, colposcopies, and preconception and birth control counsel- ing. She can provide most birth control options, including long-term options such as Nexplanon and intrauterine devices. Although she will not be involved in prenatal care at the family medicine clinic, she is happy to see any member of your family and looks forward to serving our community here in Grundy County and the surrounding area! Registration is requested for education programs. Enroll online at grundycountyhospital.org/classes-and -events . You can also enroll by email at GCMH_Info@ unitypoint.org , or by phone at 319-824-5085 . 4

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