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.

Gretchen Alaniz, APRN, CNM cares for women before, during and after giving birth – and provides well-women’s visits and reproductive health care in the Women’s Health Center.

Gretchen also has a special affinity for veterans and military families: "As a spouse of an active-duty Naval Officer for 25+ years, I understand the special challenges and circumstances of military life."

Gretchen answers six questions:

Dr. Jeni Robinson knows patients want to be heard.

As a Family Medicine physician, she cares for patients of all ages in NH+C’s Farmington Clinic. As the parent of a medically high-needs child, she knows how important it is to have a provider who listens. (P.S. She has a soft spot for babies.)

Dr. Robinson answers six questions:

First job? I babysat in exchange for sign language lessons. (I can spell the alphabet, but didn’t get much further than that. I did teach myself to read Braille.) 

As a Family Medicine physician, Dr. Westmoreland cares for patients of all ages in NH+C’s Farmington Clinic. (Psst: She loves babies.)  

Dr. Westmoreland answers six questions:

First job? I worked for the YMCA at the front desk, in South Carolina. I was 15. My first job in medicine was as an educator in the residency program where I got my training. I like learning, and teaching.

SEPT. 22, 2022 -- Pfizer bivalent boosters are here! Call for your appointment: 507-646-8019

"Updated" boosters are recommended for everyone 12 and older. Get yours 2 months (or longer) after your last dose.

Updated boosters are designed to protect against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants of COVID, which account for the majority of cases currently. Boosters are also available at local pharmacies.

It’s important to get unvaccinated people protected against COVID-19. Need your first or second dose? Schedule your appointment: 507-646-8019

Family Medicine physician Jeni Robinson, MD wants to listen.

Dr. Robinson has joined NH+C's Farmington Clinic. She’s an approachable, responsive doctor who wants to partner with – and advocate for – her patients.

“From my own experience raising a medically high-needs child, I have seen how uncoordinated and detached the healthcare system can feel,” Dr. Robinson says. “I want to listen to you, especially if you’ve felt unheard, and I want to help organize your care if the complexity feels overwhelming.”

Family Medicine provider Adrianne Westmoreland, DO has joined the Farmington Clinic of Northfield Hospital + Clinics. Dr. Westmoreland cares for patients of all ages.

As a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), Dr. Westmoreland is a fully trained and licensed medical doctor who takes a holistic view when working with patients.

“Truly treating the whole patient has always been important to me,” she says. “There are so many aspects of a patient’s life that affect their health.” That includes mental health.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 – The Minnesota Nurses Association is planning to go on strike Sept. 12-14 in hospitals in the metro and Duluth. NH+C has plans in place to provide safe care throughout this time.

The strike does not include nurses at NH+C.

The strike does impact NH+C’s ability to transfer patients. 

Some surgeries may have to be postponed or rescheduled. Elective surgery patients who are affected will be contacted directly by NH+C one day in advance of their scheduled surgery if it needs to be rescheduled.