A simple phone call or online visit is all it takes to establish your child as a patient with Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine.
That call is the first step to building lifelong relationships with family medicine doctors.
“We start from birth,” Family Medicine Residency faculty member Anna Chase, M.D., said. “We have a lot of avenues through which children become our patients. Our residents meet families wherever they’re at.”
Family medicine physicians treat patients of all ages and have a great breadth of medical knowledge across the lifespan.
“Caring for a whole family has benefits: Seeing a mom and her 2-week-old infant at the same time; seeing multiple family members for a cough; or being able to vaccinate parents for the flu at the same time as their child,” Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine faculty member Rebecca Siemers, M.D., explained.
Family medicine focuses on nutrition, physical activity, injury prevention and more to improve a child’s health. Dental health is also important – Kootenai Family Medicine Residency has a fluoride program to decrease cavities.
“Reading and literacy is also very important,” Dr. Siemers said. “We are part of the Reach Out and Read program that focuses on the importance of early childhood literacy by providing books for children.”
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the residency program has been creative so patients don’t fall behind. This includes telehealth and a drive-through flu shot station.
“We adapt our clinic protocols as needed,” Dr. Chase said.
Family medicine providers witness their patients grow and develop as they care for them through the years. This benefits everyone.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to deliver patients and then see them later and tell them, ‘I delivered you!’” Dr. Chase said.
Many Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency graduates choose to practice in rural areas to care for multiple generations.
“The program graduates competent and compassionate physicians. Many choose to stay in northern Idaho,” Dr. Siemers said. “This allows families across the region to access excellent and comprehensive medical care for the entire family, from rural areas to larger cities. “
Anna Chase, M.D. and Rebecca Siemers, M.D., are members of the Family Medicine Residency Faculty. Make an appointment at one of several locations in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Post Falls. Info: kh.org/family-medicine
