For several years, Dr. Lorene Rutherford has been traveling to Light of Hope Home & School in Kenya to provide medical care for abandoned, abused, orphaned and impoverished girls. Several current and former Lakeview employees have accompanied her on these trips since 2011. Unfortunately, they have been unable to make the trip the last few years due to Covid.
This year Dr. Rutherford and her team once again made the trip to Kenya the last week of August. Lakeview Clinic would like to recognize Dr. Laura Mohling, Dr. Abby Elliot, Alicia Pysick, Lorie Dyrdahl, Jen Williams, and Cathy Kohnen for contributing their time and skills to such an important effort. Volunteers not only provided medical care but also provided educational support. The group also provided Light of Hope girls with the opportunity to learn about flying, aeronautics and finances as well as providing general encouragement and positivity.
Lakeview staff members found the trip to be fulfilling in a multifaceted way. Learning about another culture and helping improve the lives of the girls in Kenya was meaningful, but the additional benefit of working as a team in Kenya created bonds between the members of the group as well. “I’m super proud of the team of people who came this year, and I was really happy about the enthusiasm and resilience they showed during the trip,” says Rutherford. “At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to honor the kids and serve them in the best way we can. I think the team did that with enormous generosity, kindness, and team spirit.”
It is important to find the right health care team for your baby. You and your new baby are going to be frequently visiting a health care provider in the next few years. New baby visits typically consist of an initial newborn visit in the first week of life, a 2-week visit, then followed by visits at the age of 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months. That’s a lot of time at the doctor’s office just for routine preventative care that doesn’t account for additional illnesses or concerns. It is important that your family feels comfortable with your doctor. Lakeview is proud to have many knowledgeable and compassionate doctors both in pediatrics and family medicine that provide care to children of all ages at our four locations. You are welcome to schedule a “meet and greet” visit with a potential doctor prior to delivery if you wish, but it is not required. You will want to let your obstetric doctor know who you have chosen to be your baby’s doctor. When you are in the hospital, your baby will be seen by a doctor from the pediatric or family medicine team that you have chosen. If your doctor is not working in the hospital that week, you will meet them in clinic.
Should my newborn or child see a pediatrician or a family medicine doctor?
That is up to you. Both pediatricians and family physicians are trained to see children of all ages and care for their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Pediatricians are specialists in the care of children 0 to 18 years of age. Family medicine doctors care for patients through all stages of life, from newborn to elderly and everything in between. Some pediatricians may have more experience in treating children with complicated medical concerns or special needs. Family physicians have the advantage of getting to know the entire family unit, which can be an added convenience and build familiarity with your doctor. Lakeview Clinic doctors work well together, and pediatric patients can be seen by another pediatrician or family physician if your doctor is not available. Regardless of which doctor you choose to care for your child, we want you to feel comfortable with your provider and have confidence in your family’s healthcare. You are the most important caregiver in your child’s life, and we are here to support you!
There is an old adage, “you are what you eat”, and although this phrase may be old, it is still very relevant, not only in relation to general health and well-being, but also in relation to specific disorders and diseases. This is why Lakeview Clinic is incredibly excited to welcome our new doctoral resident, Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD.
Andrew is a registered dietitian at Mackenthun’s Fine Foods in Waconia, Minnesota. He is currently working towards his Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition through Kansas University Medical Center. Andrew has been practicing as a registered dietitian since 2014 and aims to increase awareness about the importance of registered dietitians being utilized in health care. He envisions interprofessional collaboration between health care providers and registered dietitians in order to improve patients’ continuum of care.
Dr. Jonathan Larson will serve as Andrew’s mentor during his residency at Lakeview Clinic. Dr. Larson has practiced Family Medicine at Lakeview Clinic since 1993. He is fellowship trained in Integrative Medicine and has a particular passion for food as medicine. Dr. Larson and Andrew will be focusing on evidence-based integrative counseling for nutrition management in areas including gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Andrew will also be exploring ways of recording patients’ nutritional habits as they relate to health in Lakeview’s electronic charting system.
