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Alan Naujokaitis, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, is a physical therapist at Methodist Physicians Clinic. “I believe that I should treat each patient as if they were a family member,” he said. “I want to spend enough time to hear their story and not make assumptions about what they need to improve upon.” …

Crystal SlaughterBreast Cancer SurvivorA phone call with her sister in January 2004 resulted in more than a physical and emotional hang-up for Crystal Slaughter, 64.“I was sitting there, scratching under my arm – I had it kind of propped up – and that’s when I felt it,” Crystal said. “I told her, ‘I…

When reporting for a recent series of articles, it quickly became apparent that what’s killing people in southwest Iowa is not only medical conditions like heart disease and cancer, but a lack of access to health care. When asked why mortality rates in southwestern Iowa are higher than the national…

American Girl dolls have been treasured play toys for kids since the mid-1980s, but their higher price point can make them inaccessible for some. A trio of Council Bluffs Girl Scouts are doing their part to help local library users have some fun with American Girl dolls. Sophia Danker and Faith Li…

Inspired by her own breastfeeding struggles, Erin Valasek, RN, IBCLC, a certified lactation consultant at Methodist Women's Hospital, has a passion for instilling confidence in new mothers. “There’s something about helping someone through it,” she said. “Because it’s hard! Breastfeeding is har…

Neurologist Nicole Liebentritt, MD, believes that strong communication is essential to providing the best patient care. “I take a collaborative approach,” said Dr. Liebentritt, who cares for patients at Methodist Physicians Clinic. “I really want the patient invested in why we’re doing what we’re d…

Methodist Physicians Clinic will be offering this year’s flu vaccine at four area locations in an easy drive-thru format.  Here’s how it works: Patients are encouraged to call ahead for an appointment. At that time, their insurance information will be collected. At the time of their a…

In honor of National Literacy Month, the Methodist Women’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has joined 170 hospitals across the United States and in four other countries to promote reading to babies in the NICU. The annual Babies with Books Read-a-thon, which takes place Sept. 12-22, is…

Omaha native Tomas Huerta, MD, said it was always his dream to serve the community he grew up in. And seeing the difference his father made as a pulmonologist made him want to pursue medicine himself. “He was pretty much my hero,” said Dr. Huerta, a dermatologist who has joined the Methodist Physic…

When it comes to weight, I like to explain it using a bell curve. On the left side, you’ve got those who cannot gain weight no matter what or how much they eat. In the middle? I call them shifters. Depending on their diet and activity level, they’re able to shift their weight to some degree. And…