Your annual checkup is a time for your provider to gather a lot of information about your health. It’s a good time for you to get information too, on steps to take now, and in the year ahead.

Family medicine physician David McIntyre, MD suggests 11 key questions:

MAY 9, 2022 -- Antiviral medicine like Paxlovid can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID.

Not everyone needs it. Those who do should act quickly, even if they don’t feel very sick at first: Treatment must be started within the first five days of symptoms to be effective.

People over 65 and those with certain risk factors should seek antiviral treatment as soon as they know they have COVID.

Risk factors:

May 2, 2022 -- Got a pain in the neck? (Or back?) You’re not alone: Back pain affects 4 out of 5 Americans.

Northfield Hospital + Clinics now offers specialized back, neck and spine care in our Orthopedic Clinic in Northfield.

You benefit from the comprehensive approach of a team of doctors, surgeons, and physical therapists, all with specialized training in spine care. The team is led by Dr. Monty Seper and Dr. Jeff Meland.

The care team designs custom treatment plans built on a conservative, non-surgical approach first. Non-surgical options include:

APRIL 6, 2022 -- NH+C is now scheduling second boosters of COVID vaccine for people age 50+ and for those age 12+ who are immune-compromised. Appointments are available in the Northfield Clinic on Tuesdays. Call to schedule: 507-646-8019

It must be at least 4 months since your last dose. Pfizer vaccine is available.

We encourage you to seek other options, too. The state’s Vaccine Connector is searchable by location.

MARCH 30, 2022 – COVID vaccine boosters are in the news again.

All adults age 50+ and those age 12+ with specific risk factors may get a second booster (a fourth dose) four months or longer after their booster.

Adults 65+ and those 50+ with specific risk factors should get a second booster, says the CDC.

On March 29, the FDA authorized a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals. The CDC updated its recommendations based on the FDA’s decision.

Brittany Cordes, APRN, CNM delivers babies at NH+C's Birth Center, and delivers pre-natal and post-partum care at NH+C's Women's Health Center.

First job? I worked at Subway when I turned 15 years old. It was amazing at the time because I got to work with my older sister, who I idolized. She had all the "cool" friends who didn't care if I tagged along.

MARCH 8, 2022 – Brittany Cordes, APRN, CNM has joined Northfield Hospital + Clinics to care for women before, during and after giving birth.

NH+C is expanding midwifery care at its Birth Center and Women’s Health Center, part of the full range of obstetrics care and birth options at NH+C.

Brittany wants women to feel they are making healthy, safe, and satisfying choices for their family and themselves during pregnancy, in labor and birth, and postpartum.

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 – Starting today, February 16, Northfield Hospital + Clinics is allowing some visitors as part of adjusting its COVID restrictions. This expansion may be reversed if there is an increase in positive COVID cases.

Hospital visitor rules are specific by department:

First job? Dishwasher at the local supper club, at age 14. I was the owner’s babysitter, and got promoted when the dishwasher walked out on a busy night. I worked there until college.

Free time? I spend my free time on Farmington youth sports, more Farmington youth sports, gardening, tending to our family farm, sewing (especially dance costumes), and hanging out with the other dance moms. 

JANUARY 14, 2022 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics has tightened visitor restrictions as cases of COVID-19 increase dramatically, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.