our current Newsletter.

FIRST QUARTER
PCFC Connections
February 2014
A Message from the Executive Director
Director-Carrie Estey-Dix
Greetings,
It was an ordinary Friday afternoon at the office. Molly and I took a break to grab a bite to eat and
catch up on our morning. On most non clinic days our visitors are limited and consist of deliveries
however on this day we had a nice surprise from two pe
people
ople that wanted to stop in and make a
cash donation. We visited a few minutes and talked about how thankful we were that they stopped
in and how wonderful it was that they chose Project Care as their organization of choice to make
the donation. We then talked
lked about ice fishing and how Ryan would test his skills while he was home
for his visit. In the very short time that I was able to visit with complete strangers that just randomly
stopped in, they reminded me that life is good, people are good, and when we least expect it good
things happen. Random acts of kindness do not make the five o’clock news or the headlines of the
newspaper; it seems that we only see the bad and the evil flashing across the television. I would like
to look at the world with my rose
e colored glasses today. I sit at my desk as it continues to snow and
blow outside with accumulations of snow building. I will only imagine that the path to our door
always be cleared so we can greet visitors with a smile and tell a story or two. May our door always
be open to welcome patients. If the sun does not be shine may the clouds have a silver lining. Ed
and Ryan thank you for the brief visit and for reminding me that life is good on random afternoons.
Stay safe, stay healthy and stay happy.
I remain most respectful with my rose colored glasses on,
Carrie Estey-Dix, Executive Director
Hibbing, Ely, Grand Rapids and Virginia
Ed Becker and M
Molly Johnsrud PC Assistant Executive Director
PAGE 2
PCFC CONNECTIONS
Volunteer Providers
Anthony Bastianelli, D.O.
Fairview Range Medical Center
Mary Bianco, M.D.
Essentia Health, Ely
Joseph Bianco, M.D.
Essentia Health, Ely
Kimberly Bigelow, M.D.
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Jodie Carey, FNP
Grand Itasca, Grand Rapids
Joel Cassingham, M.D.
Essentia Health, Hibbing
Ted Ciracy, M.D.
Essentia Health, Ely
Kathryn Clusiau, P.A.
Fairview MC, Nashwauk
Tara Eskelson, P.A.
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Anne Flaim-N.P
Mesaba Clinic Mt. Iron
Judy Garshelis, FNP
Essentia Health, Deer River
Emily Hadrava –N.P
Project Care-Virginia
Shosty Heyblom, P.A.
Fairview Range Medical Center
Julie Houle, M.D.
Fairview Range Medical Center
John Hsieh, M.D.
Fairview Range Medical Center
Mary Frances Hughes-NP
Scenic Rivers Health – Tower
Philip Imholte, M.D.
Grand Itasca, Grand Rapids
Brielle Loe, M.D.
Essentia Health, Ely
Amy Kyte, CFNP
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Sue Koprowski, CNP
Project Care – Grand Rapids
Gail Martin – Bartlett, PMHNP
Fairview Range Medical Center
Bonnie McGuire, DNP-B
Grand Itasca, Grand Rapids
Joni Moberg, CNP
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Tim Pehl M.D
Grand Itasca – Grand Rapids
Roberta Prigge, M.D.
Emergency Practice Associates
Bob Rutka, M.D.
Ely VA Clinic, Ely
Mary Schinkel, D.O.
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Joseph Schwinghamer, M.D.
Essentia Health, Ely
April Swartz, FPMHNP
Fairview Range Medical Center
Brian Thompson, M.D.
Fairview MC, Nashwauk
Jeanann Tjader, FNP
Essentia Health, Ely
Anne Tofte, M.D
Grand Itasca – Grand Rapids
Mark Wagner, M.D.
St. Lukes – Hibbing Family
Medical Clinic
Colleen Wallis, P.A.
Fairview MC, Hibbing
Nancy Zupan, CFNP
Essentia Health, Deer River
Peggy York-Jesme, CFNP
Essentia Health, Ely
PCFC CONNECTIONS
PAGE 3
Clinic Hours
Hibbing Clinic
Monday & Thursday Evenings
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ely Clinic
First & Third Tuesday of each month
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Grand Rapids
Every Tuesday
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virginia
Every Wednesday
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
PCFC Board Members
Carrie Estey-Dix, Executive Director
Dr. Brian Thompson,
President / Co-Medical Director
Jackie Haigh, Vice President
Dr. Joel Cassingham,
Co-Medical Director
Anita Provinzino, Treasurer
Sheila Arimond, Secretary
Sue Jamar
Dr. Mary Bianco
Jeff Cimermancic
Janet Curtis
Sue Koprowski, CNP
Tim George
Sarah Kingston
Neal Walker
Rob Tomassoni
Dan Milbridge
Bri Solem
PAGE 4
PCFC CONNECTIONS
What is Mental Illness: Mental Illness Facts
Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily
functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a
diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression,
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible. Mental
illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal
weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious
mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.In
addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy,
peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with
recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities
contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.
Here are some important facts about mental illness and recovery:
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Mental illnesses are serious medical illnesses. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not
related to a person's "character" or intelligence. Mental illness falls along a continuum of severity. Even though
mental illness is widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller
proportion-about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans-who live with a serious mental illness. The National Institute of
Mental Health reports that One in four adults-approximately 57.7 million Americans-experience a mental health
disorder in a given year
The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 10 percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from
serious emotional and mental disorders that cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at
home, in school and with peers.
The World Health Organization has reported that four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other
developed countries are mental disorders. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of
disability in the world for women and children.
Mental illness usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young
adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable
Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering:
unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide
and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in
the United States.
The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of
individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of
pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.
With appropriate effective medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people who live
with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of
achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the
illness process.
Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; By ensuring access to the treatment and recovery
supports that are proven effective, recovery is accelerated and the further harm related to the course of illness
is minimized
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed stigma
and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective
treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down.
INFORMATION TAKEN FROM National Alliance of Mental Illness Web Page
PCFC CONNECTIONS
PAGE 5
PATIENTS STATS FOR 2013
1,692 Patient Contacts
(735 New Patients)
TOP 3 Diagnoses
(Hibbing Clinic Only)
RX OUTREACH WITH NEAL WALKER
The flu has officially reached epidemic status in the United States, according to a
weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Widespread flu
activity
ctivity has been reported in 40 states, and deaths associated with the flu crossed the
epidemic threshold this past week.
The predominant flu strain circulating this season - the H1N1 strain, which led to a
pandemic in 2009 - hits the young and otherwise healthy especially hard. Fortunately,
the current flu vaccine formulation includes H1N1.
Continuing to vaccinate against the flu gives the best protection! The vaccine takes
about two weeks to become fully effective, just in time for the expected peak of flu
season in February.
PAGE 6
PCFC CONNECTIONS
Volunteer Profile: Rosalyn Salstrand
What is your title: I volunteer as a receptionist and am newly training to become a site coordinator
What is your favorite past time: My favorite past time is taking walks in the woods with family & friends
Why do you volunteer at PCFC:. I wanted to learn more about public health and to be able to give back to the community
in some way
What is your favorite season: Fall is by far my favorite season. I love seeing the leaves change color and enjoying
the cooler (but no too cold) temperatures
What did you want to be when you were younger: When I was younger, I wanted to either be a lawyer or a teacher. I'm
very glad I chose my current profession as a cardiac rehab therapist over my previous ideas
Favorite Vacation Spot: My favorite vacation spot is tied between Denver, Colorado and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. I
was fortunate to live in Denver for a short while and am now excited to visit the Scottsdale/Phoenix area this coming
January!
Volunteer Profile: Sheila Arimond
What is your title: Site Coordinator-HIbbing
What is your favorite past time: Cross-Country Skiing, Biking, and Reading
Why do you volunteer at PCFC:.I volunteer because it nourishes me, makes me grow as a person and it is fun.
What is your favorite season: Right now its winter, but spring when it comes, then summer and then fall
What did you want to be when you were younger: a Cowboy
Favorite Vacation Spot: BWCA/Quetico
True Patient Story at Project Care
A patient, we’ll call her Wilhelmina, called Project Care, unable to afford her special heart medication. She
is on a fixed income and had been borrowing money from friends and family for months to afford her
medication, which cost $50/month. She had run out of people to borrow from and her health was in serious
danger without this medication that controls her certain type of arrhythmia. She feared she would be in the
hospital Emergency Room within a couple days if she did not get this medication.
Project Care looked into cheaper medications for this patient but found that this truly was a unique
medication for which there was no replacement. Project Care’s Executive Director, Carrie, approved a 5
day supply of the medication, then started calling all the pharmacies in the area and managed to find the
same medication for $20/month instead of the patient’s current $50/month cost. Project Care paid for this
medication for 4 months, until the patient could catch up on other bills and resume responsibility for paying
the substantially reduced monthly medication cost.
Wilhelmina is truly thankful for the help from Project Care, is in the process of acquiring her own medical
insurance through the MNSure.org website so that she can continue her medical care with her former
cardiologists, and has now become a volunteer at Project Care to show her appreciation.
Special Thanks to the Following Companies and Groups
who make Project Care possible
Hibbing Clinic
United Way of Northeastern MN
Ely Clinic
Range Medical Center
Home Medical Equipment
Home Care and Hospice
Grand Rapids Clinic
BLANDIN
Grand Rapids, MN
Virginia Clinic
Vukonich
Properties LLC
Larry Minton
Law Office
321 N.Main St. – Biwabik, MN
PAGE 8
ELY-BLOOMENSON
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
PCFC CONNECTIONS
Fort & Company PA
2302 3rd Ave. West ~ Hibbing
www.fortco-cpa.com
AL SAMPSON
PAINTING
(218) 262-5450
PCFC CONNECTIONS
PAGE 9
Project Care Free Clinic Donation Page
Would you like to make a donation to Project Care? Simply complete this
page and send in your donation today.
All donations are tax deductible. Project Care is a 501(c) (3) organization.
The clinic relies solely on non-state or government grants and private
donations to operate the clinic.
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________________________________________________
State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________________
Donation Amount $______________
Please consider us for your next memorial/honorarium
• a memorial gift is a beautiful testimony to the life of a beloved person
that has passed on
• an honor gift is a wonderful way to celebrate a special
person and/or event in their life
I would like to make a donation in memory of or in honor of a special person, to show support of Project Care
Free Clinic.
My gift is in memory or honor of: __________________________________________________
(please circle one)
Please notify the following individual(s) of my gift:
Name:____________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________________________________________________
State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to:
Project Care Free Clinic and mail to:
3112 6th Ave East
Hibbing, MN 55746
Thank you for your donation.
PAGE 10
PCFC CONNECTIONS
Project Care Wish List
ALL 4 Clinics are in need of the
following supplies on a continual
basis.
White Copy Paper
Envelopes (Business Size)
Large mailing Envelopes
Postage Stamps
Post It notes
Paper Towel
Garbage Bags (Tall Kitchen)
Kleenex / Tissue
Toilet Paper
Antibacterial Hand Soap
Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Bleach
PROJECT CARE
Diabetic
Education Classes
For new and existing patients
HIBBING
The 3rd Wednesday of each month 4:30 – 5:30
VIRGINIA
rd
The 3 Wednesday of each month @ 3:00
GRAND RAPIDS
Individual appointments. Call for more
information. 218-362-7008
Site Coordinators
Services Offered
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Basic Medical Care
Lab / Diagnostic
Medication Programs
Diabetic Education
Mental Health
Physical Therapy
Reiki
Smoking Cessation
*Not all Sites offer each service
Hibbing
Sheila Arimond
[email protected]
Steph Senich
[email protected]
Ely
Robyn Bertelson
[email protected]
Kristine Mosher
Grand Rapids
Rose Tollgaard
[email protected]
Karen Karls
Virginia
Anita Murray
[email protected]
Darcy Norha

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