Hurley, Wisconsin—NorthLakes Community Clinic –Hurley opened on Monday, June 17. The clinic brings new Behavioral Health and Chiropractic services to the area, as part of NorthLakes Community Clinic’s commitment to reducing barriers to care throughout northern Wisconsin. The clinic is located at 210 5th Avenue North and will be open from 8:30 am – 5 pm.

Michaela Perlberg, LCSW will be seeing patients in the Hurley School District and at the clinic. In addition, members from the chiropractic team based in Park Falls will be offering services several days per week.
NorthLakes Community Clinic is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations throughout northern Wisconsin. As an FQHC, they work with patients to ensure they can receive quality services regardless of their ability to pay. This is done through a variety of ways including a Sliding Fee Scale for patients who qualify.
If you are interested in learning more about the clinic or scheduling an appointment, please call (715) 329-1288.
About NorthLakes Community Clinic:

NorthLakes Community Clinic is a regional Community Health Center, with clinic locations in Ashland, Balsam Lake, Birchwood, Hayward, Hurley, Iron River, Lakewood, Minong, Oconto, Park Falls, Turtle Lake, Washburn and White Lake. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization managed by a patient majority board of directors. Services we offer include: medical, chiropractic, dental, behavioral health counseling including substance use disorder and recovery services, optometry, psychiatric services, pediatric speech and occupational therapy, physical therapy and prescriptions for patients.

NorthLakes Community Clinic provides care to individuals with Medicaid and Medicare, those without insurance, and also those with private health insurance. We also provide a Sliding Fee Scale available for patients who qualify. 

Why should I go to counseling?
Jessica Springer, LCSW
NorthLakes Community Clinic – Turtle Lake

The better question is why not? Many people who receive counseling discover that the idea of being in therapy is worse than the actual experience. The reasons people avoid therapy are endless—does it mean I’m broke or crazy, will people think I’m unsafe, that’s only for suicidal people, I can’t afford it—but yet they remain unhappy with some element in their life. Why not consider a different route?

I think what you will find is that at one point or another in our life we have to accept help from somebody outside of our immediate support group. And let’s face it, sometimes families and friends are not the best helpers when it comes to responding to your struggles in a rational, calm manner. They can’t be. They have too much invested in you to set aside their own emotions and beliefs to help you achieve your goals in life. This is the reason therapists can’t treat their own family or friends; our emotions, usually fears, get in the way. Let your family and friends be just that, family and friends. They can support you, hear you vent, offer suggestions, give you a hug or a long deserved escape. And when whatever you are struggling with within your own mind and heart becomes too much, gets in the way of your sleep or relationships, or is eating at you for too long, it is time to make a call.

Why wait until it becomes a crisis, divorce, being fired from a job, or court date? Therapists, believe it or not, are just as human as you. Our lives have fallen apart, we have made choices we regret, and we have responded in ways that were not helpful in our own lives. Not only do we understand, we also have some dang good education and training to help you move forward in life to reach whatever your goal may be, not our goal for you. It’s not just about breaking the stigma or the silence; it’s about the peace, the clarity, or the strength that you earned.

Jessica Springer  is a Behavioral Health Therapist who sees patients of all ages at NorthLakes Community Clinic – Turtle Lake. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment in Turtle Lake, or one of our many other clinics that offer counseling, please call 888.834.4551. Additional information about where we offer these services and the benefits of receiving counseling can be found here.

Iron River, Wisconsin—Expecting parents will have a new resource in Iron River, thanks to the generosity of many community members.  This past year, NorthLakes Community Clinic – Iron River raised over $17,000 for an ultrasound machine in Iron River.  This followed the addition of Family Medicine and Obstetrics physician Jenna Ingersoll.  As a result, patients will not have to travel long distances during their pregnancy for a traditional ultrasound.  The machine will be installed later this year.

Fundraising started over a year ago with a $5,000 matching gift from a generous couple in Iron River.  Since then, a number of donors have stepped forward with their support in this critical resource for our rural community.  Upon completion of the fundraising, President of South Shore Lions Michael Ostrenga presented NorthLakes Staff with a $1,000 gift.  These funds will be placed in our community outreach fund, which helps area families receive additional services and support to meet their health care goals.

“We know that a strong prenatal and obstetrics program can help remove barriers to care for expecting families in our region,” says NorthLakes Development Director Madelaine Rekemeyer.  “We are so grateful to the community for recognizing the value of supporting this effort and making an investment that’ll help families now and in the future.”

If you are interested in learning more about the services provided at NorthLakes Community Clinic – Iron River, please consider joining us at our community appreciation event. This annual event will be held at the clinic on Thursday, August 8 at 5:30 pm.  It is free and open to the public and is an opportunity to celebrate all of those who are helping in our efforts to create healthier communities throughout northern Wisconsin.

At NorthLakes Community Clinic, we strive to break down barriers to care. We know that one of those barriers can be trying to figure out which provider best suits your current health care needs. At NorthLakes we have a team of medical providers who can help you on your health care journey. Here, we breakdown what their titles mean.

Family Physician/Medical Doctor (MD):
Family physicians are medical doctors that can care for your whole family. They were trained to see and treat everyone from newborns to seniors. Often times, one Family Physician will see every member of a family to gain a better understanding of the family’s health care needs. Their degree (MD) stands for Medical Doctor.

Family Physician with Obstetrics (MD with OB):
A Family Physician with Obstetrics goes one step further than a Family Physician by being trained to offer prenatal care and delivery services. In rural communities, family physicians with obstetrics often establish a relationship with the expecting parents and deliver the baby when possible.

Nurse Practitioner (NP):
Nurse Practitioners (NP) are mid-level providers that are trained to care for your whole family. They have completed masters or doctoral level nursing school. They can diagnose and treat common illnesses, along with providing primary and preventative care.

Osteopathy Family Physicians (DO):
Osteopathy Family Physicians are doctors trained to care for your whole family. They completed similar training as a medical doctor but focused on musculoskeletal training. Their degree (DO) stands for Doctorate of Osteopathy.

Physician Assistants (PA):
Physician Assistants (PA) are mid-level providers that are trained to care for your whole family. Similar to an NP, they have completed masters or doctoral level training but often times within the medical field. They can diagnose and treat common illnesses, along with providing primary and preventative care.

Chiropractor (DC):
Chiropractors are providers who treat disorders generally focused on the musculoskeletal system. They often use manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine to correct nervous system dysfunction. Their degree (DC) stands for Doctor of Chiropractic.

NorthLakes Community Clinic offers has these types of providers in a variety of clinics throughout northern Wisconsin. We currently have openings in primary medical care in Ashland, Hayward, Minong and Iron River. Call 888.834.4551 to schedule an appointment today.

NorthLakes Community Clinic – Iron River is excited to announce the addition of Advanced Family Practice Nurse Practitioner Jodi Niemi to their medical team.  Dr. Niemi recently began seeing patients of all ages in the Iron River.

Dr. Niemi is a seasoned professional who has worked in both clinic and hospital settings for the past nine years.  Most recently, she was a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner at a clinic in Ashland.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Carroll University in Waukesha Wisconsin, Masters of Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Concordia University-Wisconsin in Mequon.

Of the position, Dr. Niemi says “NorthLakes provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with other providers to provide the best care and outcomes that patients deserve.”

Dr. Niemi lives in Ashland.  During her spare time she enjoys gardening, boating and doing anything outside, along with spending time with her two children.

If you are interested in establishing your primary care with Dr. Niemi in Iron River, please call (888)834-4551.

 

 

 

Minong, Wisconsin—Northwood School District recently presented NorthLakes Community Clinic with a $3,000 donation for assisting the district in their efforts to address mental health needs among their students.  As part of this effort, mental health providers from NorthLakes completed a Y-screen for all incoming freshman last October.  Students who received high risk scores were offered assistance through Washburn County’s Mental Health Task Force.  This is just one of many ways NorthLakes is collaborating with the district to reduce barriers to care and improve the overall health of the community.  Of these efforts Northwood District Superintendent Jean Serum says, “We recognized that by working with our community partners, we could have a greater impact on our students and families.  We were able to commit more resources and provide more structured individual and group behavior support systems, along with more services to students that needed help.  We are so grateful for everything you do for our Northwood community.”  NorthLakes Community Clinic plans to repeat this screening next fall.

 

NorthLakes Community Clinic is calling on our elected officials to ensure that the state budget address the needs of the patients and communities we serve. NorthLakes Community Clinic serves 23,013 patients, 12,566 of whom have incomes below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, substance abuse and additional services throughout northern Wisconsin. We see firsthand the difference that affordable access to both coverage and care has on people’s ability to work.

“Our number one priority is to expand access to coverage and care,” said Reba Rice, NorthLakes Community Clinic CEO. Medicaid expansion would allow more people with very low incomes to access oral health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services. Because dental insurance is not available in Marketplace plans, there are 82,000 additional people who could access dental services with Medicaid expansion. An estimated 40,000 people who are currently uninsured would have access to medical coverage. Locally, that translates into 6010 people and $135 million into the counties we serve. “What we see is that folks often need to overcome health related barriers to be able to get back into the workforce,” Rice said.

Medicaid expansion also allows funding for programs that would be particularly beneficial for NorthLakes Community Clinic patients, like extending coverage for post-partum women for a year, making investments in dental care, building a dental therapy program, and starting to address health-impacting factors like housing.

About NorthLakes Community Clinic:

NorthLakes Community Clinic is a regional Community Health Center, with clinic locations in Ashland, Balsam Lake, Birchwood, Hayward, Iron River, Lakewood, Minong, Oconto, Park Falls, Turtle Lake, Washburn and White Lake. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization managed by a patient majority board of directors. Services we offer include: medical, chiropractic, dental, behavioral health counseling including substance use disorder and recovery services, optometry, psychiatric services, pediatric speech and occupational therapy, physical therapy and prescriptions for patients.

NorthLakes Community Clinic provides care to individuals with Medicaid and Medicare, those without insurance, and also those with private health insurance. We also provide a Sliding Fee Scale available for patients who qualify. For more information, please visit: nlccwi.org.

 

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes spent Monday (April 15, 2019) afternoon at Northlakes Community Clinic – Ashland Downtown.  The visit focused around the clinic’s efforts to address Opioid and other substance use disorders in northern Wisconsin along with the governor’s focus on expanding Medicaid. 

“We are committed to constantly finding way to remove barriers to care for the people we serve throughout northern Wisconsin,” says NorthLakes Community Clinic CEO Reba Rice says.  “We’re honored that the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and their team took the time to see firsthand our mission in action to serve all residents of northern Wisconsin, regardless of their ability to pay.”

During their time in Ashland, Governor Evers and Lt. Governor Barnes spent time talking with NorthLakes administration, providers and Behavioral Health Staff to understand some of the challenges the team faces in treating this devastating disease and some of the challenges we face in offering services in rural communities.  They also learned about some of the innovative solutions the clinic is taking to help those in recovery.  In 2018, NorthLakes saw 361 individuals within their Recovery program.  Of those, 240 individuals were part of the Opioid Treatment Program (formerly known as HOPE).  Of those, 18 were pregnant.  In total 70 percent of clients noticed a substantial improvement in their quality of life as a result of treatment.

Following the meeting, the newly elected administration had an opportunity to tour the clinic.  NorthLakes Community Clinic – Ashland Downtown has recently undergone several phases of new construction due to the expansion of services in the Ashland area.  The most recent renovation, which is slated to be complete in the next month, brings all services with the exception of Optometry into one building allowing for a more integrated approach to care. 

Written by Jill Williamson, DC

Did you know one of the most important times for a woman to receive chiropractic care is during her pregnancy? For the past 17-years I’ve been treating a wide variety of patients for various conditions, but the one I enjoy treating the most are those who are expecting.

During your pregnancy, there are so many hormonal and physical changes that you will experience. Some impact your posture and overall comfort. As your baby becomes heavier, your center of gravity shifts forward and your posture adjusts accordingly.  These physical changes can result in a misaligned spine or joints, and cause many aches and pains.

But, I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to suffer! Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy is considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms.  Among the most common pregnancy complaints that I treat are sacroiliac (hip and low back) pain, pubic bone pain and sciatica.  But I also help the expectant mom with headaches, upper back or rib pain.   

Another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy is to establish general pelvic balance and alignment, regardless of any pain symptoms you may or may not be having.  Pelvic balance can provide your baby with as much space as possible over the course of your pregnancy and help allow him or her to move into the best position to be born, and can even lead to easier labor and delivery.   

Every patient is different, so each treatment plan is tailored to what the patient needs. But in general, I see prenatal patients once a month during the first trimester, then possibly every two or three weeks until the last month of pregnancy, when it may be necessary to be adjusted weekly.

My chiropractic table has a section that drops away to leave room for the growing belly.  That along with a special pillow, allows the mom to safely and comfortably lie on her tummy during the treatment.  This often results in moms asking me for a few minutes to just stay for a while because it feels so good to lie on their stomach. This is a great time for me to provide some stretching recommendations that patients can do at home.

Lastly, if you find your baby is breech, I am trained in Webster Technique.  This technique is often used around 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy and involved adjusting a mother’s spine and pelvis into a more balance state.  This allows the baby to settle into the proper birthing position, in a more gentle and safe manner than manually turning the baby. 

If you are interested in seeing me or any of the other chiropractors at NorthLakes, please call us. We are currently accepting new patients and offer chiropractic services in Ashland, Hayward, Parks Falls and Iron River.  It is also important to note that while we welcome referrals from OB providers, a patient does not need a referral to receive chiropractic care.

Jill Williamson is a board certified doctor of chiropractic (DC) care at NorthLakes Community Clinic – Hayward Hospital Campus.