Blog

National Spinal Health Month: Bringing Awareness to Spine Problems

 

October is National Spinal Health Month and we reached out to Dr. Zee Khan, orthopedic spinal surgeon at Utica Park Clinic, to speak about the importance of spine health. Dr. Khan first became interested in being an orthopedic spine surgeon while he was in a previous career position as a jet mechanic. After helping an older patient, Dr. Khan realized he wanted to pursue being an orthopedic spinal surgeon, noting “spine surgery was meant for me - itis the way I can make a difference in people’s lives.”

Dr. Khan helps patients with many different spine-related concerns... Read More »

Bringing Awareness to Psoriasis

October is National Psoriasis Month, bringing awareness to the immune-mediated disease that effects approximately seven million Americans. Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin and can often be a disease that is difficult to deal with. We spoke with Matt Dohlman, PA-C, in dermatology at Utica Park Clinic about the importance of raising awareness of psoriasis, what he wants the general public to know about it and how he treats his patients who have it.

Dohlman was inspired to pursue dermatology after seeing a dermatologist as a teenager. He explains that he... Read More »

Flu Shots at Utica Park Clinic

Flu season is right around the corner. Unfortunately, predicting the type of flu season that’s ahead is very difficult. One thing that’s for sure is that flu epidemics occur almost every year to one degree or another.

Last year's flu season was particularly severe. An estimated 80,000 Americans died of influenza and its complications - the highest death toll from the flu in at least four decades.

The flu season in northeastern Oklahoma typically peaks in January or February, but flu activity can span the months of September through May. 

Be prepared for whatever... Read More »

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

The nationwide opioid crisis has taken a serious turn in recent years. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, over 42,000 opioid-related deaths took place in 2016, with over 11 million people misusing some form of opioids that same year. Dr. Harold Bolnick, Medical Director of the Utica Park Clinic Pain Management & Wellness Center, specializes in addiction medicine. We spoke with Dr. Bolnick on the multi-faceted approach that is needed to fight the opioid crisis and the type of care that is available to help those struggling with addiction.

“In... Read More »

How to Manage and Treat Psoriasis

Psoriasis, an immune-mediated disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, effects approximately seven million Americans, making it the most common autoimmune disease in the country. For individuals effected by psoriasis, it can often be a difficult disease to deal with. However, with continuous management, it is highly treatable. For an in-depth look into psoriasis and how to treat the disease, we spoke with Matt Dohlman, PA-C in dermatology at Utica Park Clinic.

“Psoriasis patients come in many different types,” said Dohlman. “Some individuals have lived with the... Read More »

Men’s Health: How to Live Your Healthiest Life

It’s important for men of all ages to make their health a priority. From age-appropriate screenings to regular visits with their doctor, there are specific things men can do to stay healthy. We spoke with Dr. Dae Yun Kim, urologist with Utica Park Clinic, for more advice.

A consistent relationship with your primary care physician is important. “A lot of men do not regularly see a doctor,” said Dr. Kim. “Men should see their primary care physician at least once a year. We see a lot of cancers that are at their end stage where treatment can be more difficult. Seeing your primary care... Read More »

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, approximately 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. As we recognize Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Utica Park Clinic’s Matt Dohlman, PA-C in dermatology, spoke with us about the importance of skin protection, cancer prevention and treatment.

“For many years, we have recognized Skin Cancer Awareness Month during May,” said Dohlman. “As kids... Read More »

Women’s Health: What Should You Know?

National Women’s Health Week, celebrated during the week of Mother’s Day each year, is recognized to remind women to make their health a priority. We spoke with Utica Park Clinic’s Dr. Emily Grewe-Nelson, about the importance of women’s health and maintaining a relationship with your primary care physician.

When it comes to women’s health, yearly wellness checkups are an important factor. “One of the best things women can do for themselves is to get a yearly wellness checkup,” said Dr. Grewe-Nelson. “Even if you are healthy and do not have a chronic disease, you still need to visit... Read More »

Oklahoma Man Experiences Positive Outcome Following Testicular Cancer Diagnosis

Scott Woodward, an electrical engineer in Oklahoma, was an average, healthy 39 year old man until recently. In mid-2017, he began experiencing discomfort in his testicles, leading him on an unexpected journey.

Many months passed before Woodward sought medical care. “Like most men, I refused to accept that there was an issue, so I waited an extremely long time to see a doctor,” he explained. “I had a very swollen, abnormal testicle for more than six months before I finally went to the doctor. By the time I did, it was bad enough that she wanted me to have an ultrasound done that same... Read More »

Testicular Cancer Awareness

According to the American Cancer Society, almost 10,000 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2018. However, when detected early, testicular cancer is highly treatable. To learn more about risk factors and other components of testicular cancer, we spoke with Dr. Melanie Ketchandji, urologist with Utica Park Clinic.

“First and foremost, it’s important to know about the testicles and what they do,” said Dr. Ketchandji. “The testicles form in the abdomen before a child is born. For most men, they move down into the scrotum by the time of birth. The testicles have two jobs... Read More »