Thanks so much to my community in this coronavirus trouble!
I wanted to tell all of the community I have become a part of through our clinic, neighbors and friends that I appreciate all the calls, texts and messages asking about my health and the health of everyone in my clinic! I want to let everyone know what it has been like the last couple of weeks so you know what is going on and how we are working to take care of ourselves and all of our patients in the best way we know how.
So every day for the last two weeks has been a new day. We had to make the decision to meet every morning and decide if we needed to make any changes in what we are doing to help protect everyone from this virus. Two weeks ago we did not have a single person that had been diagnosed in our county or in the surrounding counties. I knew we were not testing and as soon as we did test we would find some folks who were sick. Every day we have made changes in our methods.
Pam and Virginia and I have been watching the numbers every day. Claudia and others at the clinic have worked hard to try to find us supplies to protect us as we test and take care of our sick patients. Pam and Virginia are seeing any and all sick patients who come into the Wills Valley Family Medicine side of the clinic. I am fortunate to have a building with two sides so we can have well patients come in on the Valley Care DPC side. We have signs up but also are trying to accommodate our hispanic population.
Everyone has been very understanding with all that is going on. When we have to make so many changes so quickly it can become stressful. We now will be working with patients on the phone, face time or other methods so we can keep people at home as much as possible. This is a very challenging time.
I have an incredible team at my clinic and I don’t know how to express how great everyone is working for me. We had to talk about possible lay offs in the future and that was very stressful but so far so good. We don’t have to and I hope we don’t ever have to. But we are all prepared to sacrifice if need be.
This is an unprecedented time and I know we will get through it. Please call us any time to ask questions and let us help you stay out of the hospital and emergency room.
Recent posts
Lemon Balm
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale Lemon balm, scientific name Melissa officinalis, is so easy to grow, it is almost foolproof. Like most other members of the mint family, lemon balm spreads easily after it becomes established. It does well in...
Stinging Nettle- Inflammation Fighting and More:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale Stinging Nettle, scientific name Urtica dioica, and commonly known as nettles, has a long history of folk usage for food and medicine. For hundreds of years, nettles have been used to treat lung issues. The...
Lime Pie Recipe:
The following recipe for keto-friendly Lime Pie comes from my (Dr. Koe’s) friend and patient, Peggie Griffin. Ms. Griffin is passionate about protecting the natural and agricultural heritage of Alabama, as well as promoting nutritious, locally grown food. She...
Challenges in Elder Care: Mental Health and Family Connection
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale I did not realize how lonely some people get as they age. There is often a lot less interaction with family members who have to work and are tired after spending long hours at their job all week. These folks...
Challenges in Elder Care- Exercise, Chronic Disease and Nutrition:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale The diets of our parents are far less nutritious now than in the past. The lack of proper nutrition is causing chronic disease to manifest more frequently in the older population today than in previous...
Challenges in Elder Care: Financial Issues
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale When you take on the role of caretaker, it isn’t just the person’s physical well-being that you need to address. Before I began to care for my elderly father, I did not realize how much time it takes to...
Challenges in Elder Care: Distance
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale My dad was living independently until he fell about four years ago. Perhaps this story sounds familiar to you. So many families are dealing with their elderly parents now differently than they have in the...
Mulch Freak! Manure Freak!
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale When it comes to gardening, I am addicted to composting and mulching; I love mulch! I also have a fondness for all-natural materials and the understated beauty they have. To me, there is something so...
My First Medicinal and Edible Herbs of Focus
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Editing and Photography by: Breanne Brazeale Alabama is not only beautiful; it is also incredibly rich in its biological diversity! I am so fortunate to call this place home. Over the years, I have learned that my property on the...
The 15th Anniversary of Wills Valley Family Medicine:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale October 1st was the 15th anniversary of opening my clinic, Wills Valley Family Medicine, in Collinsville, AL. I can hardly believe it has been 15 years! The following is a story I have often told. The first...