Clinic adds services

Since opening mid-November, the Stockholm Health Care Clinic has expanded both its staff, and offerings. 

Owner and nurse practitioner Mary Peterson began as the receptionist, medical assistant, nurse practitioner, and the one to clean up at night and lock the door. Now, the clinic has a part-time LPN, RN, and office manager. 

"We've stayed with the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday office hours, which has worked well," Peterson said. "As it gets busier we'll look at expanding our hours."

November 18, 2013, was the clinic's first open day after a November 10 open house. Since then, Peterson said she has had a steady increase in the amount of patients seen at the clinic every week.

"Most new patients are coming here by word of mouth, I think," she said. "In the time since we've opened, I think people are beginning to understand we're here and available to see them."

In the eight months of business, Peterson has also added services to the clinic, including CDL exams and DoT physicals. 

"As of this May the rules and regulations that allow a provider to do the exams have changed, and the State requires certification for providers," Peterson said. "This requires time and money, so I think a lot of providers decided not to do it."

Peterson said those who need the CDL exams or DoT physicals can get into the clinic quickly.

"Being on Highway 35, we see a lot of truckers go by," she said. "We hope they stop in."

On the first Tuesday of every month, the clinic also offers free hearing screenings by a local audiologist.

"If she detects a problem she's able to take it to the next step and do additional testing to fit a patient for hearing aids," Peterson said. "She's also able to tweak and maintain the hearing aids. She's local, so it's helpful to have her around to make adjustments."

Each Monday afternoon, the clinic has a certified foot care and wound specialist providing care.

"She's a registered nurse with special certification and provides therapeutic foot care, such as a foot soak, evaluation, and helps with corns and calluses, as well as nail trimming and debulking, and finishes with a massage," Peterson said.

Peterson said she hopes to add a part-time physical therapist this summer, with hours to be determined. 

"The therapist is willing to  work with peoples' schedules to accommodate patients," she said. "The therapist also has an interest in vestibular diseases, or back and balance issues." 

Peterson also said they've started a medical equipment library with items such as canes, shower chairs, and exercise equipment, which is free to check out for as long as a patient may need. 

"We have been collecting gently-used but fully-functioning medical equipment, and made it available to folks who need it," she said. "We just ask they return it when they are done so we can pass it on. We're still accepting donations for the equipment library."

Peterson said she is always looking at ways to fulfill the healthcare needs in the Stockholm community and surrounding areas. 

"I'd like to be busier, but the slower times have afforded me time to work out the bugs and kinks, and I have more time to spend with the patients I do see, which is what I wanted," she said.

Peterson's husband, Robert, who is a physician, is working on obtaining licensing in Wisconsin.

"We hope by this fall he'll be here as well as a physician," she said. "He's worked the last 20 years in urgent care, and will be able to see acute pediatric patients, so we're looking forward to that."

Peterson noted flu season will be here sooner than later, and the clinic already has vaccines available.

"We're also talking about offering blood sugar clinics," she said. "And we always offer free blood pressure checks, so people can stop by when we're open."