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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Some community/county events are just too good to keep to myself. The reopening of the Troy Medical Clinic under the management of Gritman Hospital has me dancing down my sidewalk. (And, I don’t have to tell you that’s a sight for sore eyes.). I love Gritman Hospital! Two of my children and five of my grandchildren were born there. Over the last fifty years countless ER trips for the lacerations, bruises, and fractures, of a growing, active, family, plus several episodes of life-threatening illnesses have reinforced my conviction that <u>nothing</u> beats a locally owned, non-sectarian, public, non-profit hospital, staffed by folks who care about their patients and are guided by an institutional philosophy that embraces and uplifts the community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The values shared by the staff, administration, and board are also apparent at the Gritman Health Care Clinics sprinkled throughout Latah County (Potlatch, Kendrick and Troy). These facilities are a tremendous boon for patients who might have difficulty getting to Moscow, not to mention the instant gratification provided to those of us seeking a long over-due return to the old-fashioned notion of a family centered medical practice in homey, neighborhood settings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In recent years I have watched with great dismay the growth of supersized Mac-Medical family care clinics in Moscow. Those practices have deliberately chosen a management style that is antithetical to patient centered medicine. I routinely hear that it is impossible to get an appointment with the (supposed) family chosen health provider on the day that the kids wake up with fevers and hacking coughs not to mention what happens when a fragile old granny wakes up feeling crappy and wants a nurse who is familiar with her medical history and concerns. When an answering machine is used for initial patient contact and patients are routinely directed to a practice-owned Mac-Doc In A Box (which used to be, and perhaps still is, more expensive than an office call at the parent medical facility) there is no question that the management model values high profit margins over a philosophy of responsive, patient-centered care. I believe that the best way to counter “The-Patient-As-A Walking-Wallet” philosophy is to practice some financial jujitsu and Prance That Pocketbook right out their door. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Therefore, yesterday when I stopped by the sparkling, newly renovated Troy Clinic and was greeted by friendly, welcoming staff, I was delighted. I have many happy memories of Dr. Drury who practiced in Troy for decades. The reopening of the Troy Clinic gives me reason to hope that once again patient centered care is convenient for those of us on the eastern side of the county. Actually, it would be worthwhile for Moscow folks who don’t mind a fifteen minute jaunt into the “wilderness” to drive over and check it out. If the weather is good and you are up to biking, the Latah Trail takes you almost to the front door of the Clinic (it is located next to the Library on Main Street) and it is a gorgeous, easy-going-east - kinda tough-going-west ride. And, speaking of favorite local businesses, why not stop in for a sandwich or a killer (Ferdinands ice cream) milkshake at the Filling Station. It will knock your socks off!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hurrah for Gritman Hospital, the new Troy Clinic, and medicine that emphasizes old-fashion values with high tech advances.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rose Huskey<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>P.S. For many years I worked for a small family medical practice so I have more than an ordinary interest and background in how medical offices are run, and the manner in which they deliver services to their patients. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:windowtext'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>