Dr. Randolph Reister is a baseball fan. And a strong advocate for his patients: “I believe the needs of the patient are the only needs to be considered.”

First job? I mowed lawns in the little town where I grew up. I mowed about 20 people’s lawns and played baseball, and that was my summer.

Free time? I like to run, and play with my kids, and I’m a huge baseball fan. I used to be a player, but now I just watch.

Best part of your work? Seeing people get better.

FEBRUARY 2023 – It’s a good time of year to make sure you’re up to date on your health screenings.

Many conditions don’t have symptoms in early stages – like high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers. Early screening helps prevent health problems later.

Recommended screenings for women:

FEBRUARY 2023 – It’s a good time of year to make sure you’re up to date on your health screenings.

Many conditions don’t have symptoms in early stages – like high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers. Early screening helps prevent health problems later.

Recommended screenings for men:

Pediatric nurse practitioner Niki Feran loves kids. And ice fishing.

First job? Babysitting, and waitressing at a local pizza place. In both jobs, I learned that l love children and I want to work with kids for the rest of my life.

It’s a boy! Zeke Elliot Chalmers is our New Year’s baby – born on January 1 at 7:37 p.m.

Congratulations to parents Amber Riley and Zach Chalmers (and big brother Axel), who live in Owatonna.

Amber and Zach calculated Zeke’s due date as December 31. “Then at our first pre-natal appointment, we were told January 15,” Zach says. “We kept joking about it,” Amber laughs. “He’s the one who knew when to come.”

Axel, who’s almost 3, is excited to be a big brother: “He says he’s going to help change diapers and feed him,” Amber says.

Average normal body temperatures in older adults are slightly lower than in younger adults. So when an older adult is sick, their fever temperatures may also be lower.

These temperatures in older adults may be signs of an infection, such as COVID-19 or the flu:

Northfield Hospital + Clinics welcomes pediatric nurse practitioner Niki Feran, APRN, PNP to the Northfield Clinic, caring for children of all ages.

Niki takes a collaborative approach with her patients – and their parents. “I believe providers and families should work together equally in order to create the best possible outcome for the children,” she says. That includes getting to know the family’s cultural, religious, and personal beliefs: “I treat my patients with the same care and respect that I would want my family and friends to be treated.” 

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 – RSV is hitting our communities hard right now. RSV is a virus that infects the lungs. Kids under 2 are most at risk of serious illness.

NH+C pediatrician Ben Flannery, MD explains:

“RSV infects the microscopic airways of the lungs. It’s especially hard on small lungs: Babies and kids under 2 are at risk of severe inflammation of the lungs, so it’s hard to breathe. They can’t cough the mucus out of their lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

OCTOBER 25, 2022 – Bivalent boosters work twice as hard against COVID. “Bivalent” means the vaccine contains two antigens – one from the original strain of coronavirus, and one from Omicron variants. (An “antigen” is a substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against a virus.)

Bivalent boosters began on Sept. 2. Any booster you had before then was not the new formulation designed to fight Omicron variants.

NH+C has bivalent boosters available for everyone age 5 and older.

Dr. Ngoc (pronounced “knock”) Vu believes in meeting patients wherever they are at in their lives.

“Women often take care of others and neglect their own health,” Dr. Vu says. “I want women to know they have power, and they are valued, so that they care for their health.” Dr. Vu delivers babies in the Birth Center, and cares for women of all ages in the Women's Health Center. 

Dr. Vu answers six questions:

First job? Landscaping. I learned to have a great work ethic and lasting appreciation for the outdoors.