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Women’s Resource Center Celebration Banquet
Posted on March 12, 2018
The Women’s Resource Center, a local faith-based ministry that provides assistance for women and families to make healthy decisions concerning themselves and their unborn children, is hosting it’s annual Celebration Banquet themed God’s Masterpiece.

The Celebration Banquet will take place on Tuesday, March 13th at the Mobile Convention Center. A silent auction will begin at 5:00 PM and dinner will start at 6:30 PM. The keynote speakers will be the Benham Brothers.

For tickets please call 251-473-4000 or visit the Women’s Resource Center website by clicking here. Tickets start at $65 per person and table seating is available.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month- Schedule Your Screening Today
Posted on March 9, 2018
Colon and rectal cancer screening is a way in which doctors check the colon and rectum for signs of cancer or growths that might become cancer. We recommend that people begin having colon cancer screenings starting at age 50. Some people need to be screened earlier depending on symptoms or family history.

The goal of screening is to find and remove polyps before they become cancer and detect it early before it spreads. The most common form of screening is an outpatient procedure called a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy allows the doctor to see inside the colon to biopsy or remove any polyps. This test gives the most accurate results. Cancers and polys can bleed. So, another screening test is a stool test for blood where the patient takes home a sample collection kit. The stool sample is then tested in the clinic to determine if blood is in the stool. If blood is found then a follow up colonoscopy is recommended.

After screening is complete, you will be placed in a risk category for how often to repeat screening. That can range anywhere from every 3 years for higher risk patients to every 10 years for lower risk patients. Please call to discuss which test would be best for you. Early detection and screening is important.
March Will Bring Change Around the Office
Posted on March 5, 2018
Please join me in congratulating my assistant for her acceptance into a Physician Assistant Masters Program. As many of you may know, she has been working very hard toward this next step in her health care education and career. I appreciate her service at Access MD.

With this accomplishment comes change. She will be transitioning out of her position as my assistant throughout the month of March and will officially step down the beginning of April. You will see a new face around the office and someone new will be answering the phone as we train a new assistant.

Throughout this process, we promise to continue to offer exceptional care and business will run as usual. I will be out of the office March 16th through the 26th. However, my assistant will be taking calls while I am away and can schedule appointments, assist with medication questions, and help get you to the right physician if you are acutely ill. Your care is always my priority.

As always, please feel free contact us with any questions or concerns. We are happy to help and always welcome you for an appointment.
February is Heart Health Month – Schedule Your Cardiac Calcium Score Test
Posted on February 5, 2018
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women. However, small lifestyle changes can make a difference. You can start these changes and improve heart health.

First, add exercise to your daily routine. Start by walking 15-30 minutes at least 3 times a week and slowly work up to 30-45 minutes of walking. Second, make healthy eating a habit. Avoid fried foods and decrease your sodium intake. The internet has many heart-healthy recipes. Third, if you smoke or drink, work towards decreasing or ceasing your tobacco and alcohol intake so as to avoid heart disease and stroke. Set a “quit date” for smoking and work towards becoming tobacco free. Last, take blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart medications as prescribed.

As part of your annual membership fee, Access MD offers a Cardiac Calcium Score. A Cardiac Calcium score is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. It calculates your risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease by measuring the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. If you have not received a Calcium Score, please call and we can schedule one for you.
The Best Way To Contact Access MD and Happy Mardi Gras
Posted on February 3, 2018
At Access MD we pride ourselves on quick and easy communication directly with the doctor. We strive to answer phone calls from patients within the first couple of rings and to return missed calls in a timely manner.

We welcome texting and emailing for non confidential and non personal information. However, we do discourage texting or emailing if you wish to contact us urgently about something acute, confidential or personal. I want to help you as soon as possible and unfortunately texts or emails may not be seen until the end of a work day. If you are sick or need immediate care, please do not hesitate to call the office phone. Your care is my priority.

If my assistant or I do not answer your call, please understand that we may be in the exam room with another patient. If you leave a brief message asking for us to return your call, we will do so as soon as possible. Occasionally, a message is lost. So, please contact us again if your call back is delayed more than an hour.

We hope you have a happy and safe Mardi Gras Season. As always, please feel free contact us with any questions or concerns. We are happy to help and always welcome you for an appointment.
Four Seasons Presented by the Mobile Symphony
Posted on January 15, 2018
The Mobile Symphony presents Four Seasons at the Saenger Theatre. The Four Seasons features Vivaldi’s work plus two Latin pieces where each season has a corresponding concerto.

The event will take place on January 20th from 7:30pm-9:30pm and January 21st from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit the Mobile Symphony website by clicking here.
January Is National Glaucoma Awareness Month- Annual Vision Screenings Are Important For Everyone
Posted on January 8, 2018
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually decrease sight without warning. It is most common in middle-aged and elderly populations, however it can affect people of all ages.

Regular eye exams are important for the early detection of glaucoma. Glaucoma has little to no symptoms and one may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. There is no cure for glaucoma. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss.

Early detection is vital to stopping the progression of the disease. Annual eye exams and vision screenings should be scheduled with your local optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you have any questions or would like to become established with a local eye doctor, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Happy New Year from Access MD and Ways to Stay Healthy
Posted on January 1, 2018
I hope that you and your family had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Many people set New Year’s resolutions and optimistically plan for improving nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes for the upcoming year.

January is a great time to refresh and plan ahead. However, we historically have seen an increase in influenza and upper respiratory illness around that time. If you have not received your flu shot for this year, it’s not too late. We have flu shots available in the clinic and would be happy to schedule you for an appointment.

Practicing good hygiene during this time of year is always the best line of prevention and defense. Washing hands, not sharing food or drink, and keeping your body rested and hydrated are all easy ways to avoid illness. You may find that incorporating a daily Vitamin C supplement, such as Emergen-C drink packets, supports immune health. Additionally, we have Vitamin B12 shots available for $25 in the clinic.
New Traditional Medicare Cards To Be Issued Between April 2018 and April 2019 – Be On The Look Out For Scams
Posted on December 11, 2017
With the goal of protecting patient’s identity, Medicare will automatically mail new Medicare cards, free of charge, between April 2018 and April 2019. Your new card will have a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number.

The new Medicare card will not change your Medicare coverage or benefits. However, you will need to take your new Medicare card to your doctor’s appointment and let them update your Medicare Number on your chart.

Unfortunately, the potential for scams is high. Please be aware of anyone calling or asking for your current Medicare Number, which is the same as your Social Security Number, or for other personal information by contacting you about your new Medicare Card. Scam artists often claim to be from Medicare and use various scams to get your Medicare Number. For example, they may ask you to confirm your Medicare Number or Social Security Number so they can send you a new card, tell you that there’s a charge for your new card and they need to verify personal information, or threaten to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your Medicare Number or personal information.

If someone ever calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the issue. When you receive a new card in the mail, please bring it into the clinic and we will update your insurance information on file.
Wine & Wishes Benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama
Posted on December 4, 2017
Hosted by Laurel Green State Farm and benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama, the first every Wine & Wishes event will take place on Thursday, December 7th at Bragg Mitchell Mansion.

Enjoy a night to dress up and sample hors d’oeuvres with open bar. Entertainment will be provided by The Mailman & The Back Pew Riders. There will be a wine wall where for $20 you can pull a surprise bottle from the wall valued between $20-$100.

The event will help raise funds to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.