Marshall Medical Presents For Your Health - Spring 2024

Committed to the Health & Well-Being of El Dorado County
SPRING 2024
Enjoy a
Healthier Spring
Marshall School of Medical Assisting Opens in Cameron Park
Five Tips for Choosing a Doctor
Six Reasons Why Your Joints Hurt

BETTER CARE FOR YOU
New School of Medical Assisting
Opens in Cameron Park
SPECIAL AD SECTION
Representatives from Marshall and the
El Dorado County Office of Education
(EDCOE) celebrated the opening of the
new School of Medical Assisting with a
ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday,
January 10, 2024. The event, attended
by elected officials and leaders from
numerous community organizations, took
place at the new school’s facility, located on
Marshall’s Cameron Park campus.
Medical Assistants are core members
of the patient care team, ensuring that
patients have what they need before,
during and after medical appointments.
They partner closely with medical
providers and develop trusted
relationships with patients. Following
the pandemic, hiring for these positions
has been a challenge across the
healthcare industry.
The new School of Medical Assisting
will train highly skilled Medical
Assistants who will go on to improve
the overall healthcare provided to
community members in El Dorado and
2 | FOR YOUR HEALTH | www.marshallmedical.org
surrounding counties, while creating
life-changing career pathways for both
employees and employers in the area.
Training healthcare workers is a priority
for El Dorado County and according to
the US Bureau of Labor, an estimated
104,400 openings for medical assistants
are projected each year, on average,
between 2020 and 2030.
“Creating a program of this kind has
been a dream of mine, “ says Jonathan
Russell, Marshall’s Chief Ambulatory
Officer. “I contacted Dr. Ed Manansala,
El Dorado County Superintendent of
Schools, and we were able to put the
wheels in motion. We are aligned in
our mission and our two organizations
have partnered in the adoption
and development of the program’s
curriculum and have brought together
our unique assets to create a remarkable
program for our community.”
EDCOE is providing administrative
oversight for the program and will
employ the school’s full-time and
part-time instructional positions while
also securing critical funding and
financial aid opportunities for students.
Marshall, in addition to contributing
a fully equipped location for the
school, will provide a wide variety of
valuable externship opportunities for
students. Marshall’s highly trained staff
members will serve as guest instructors
throughout the program.
The school is open to students from any
county. The closest similar programs are
in Placer and Sacramento counties and
can be difficult to access for El Dorado
County residents. The addition of
practical training opportunities located
in close proximity further differentiates
this program from others.
During their education, students
in the Marshall School of Medical
Assisting will learn about patient care,
medical terminology and technology,
patient records and documentation,
safe handling and administration of
medication, lab procedures, medical
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COVER STORY
ABOUT MARSHALL
MEDICAL CENTER
Marshall Medical Center
is an independent,
nonprofit community
healthcare provider located in
the heart of the Sierra Foothills
between Sacramento and
South Lake Tahoe. Marshall
Medical Center includes
Marshall Hospital, a fully
accredited acute care facility
with 111 beds located in
Placerville; several outpatient
facilities in Cameron Park,
El Dorado Hills, Placerville
and Georgetown; and many
community health and
education programs. Marshall
has nearly 220 licensed
providers and a team of over
1,400 employees providing
quality healthcare services
to the residents of El Dorado
County.
For Your HEALTH is
published as a community
service by
MARSHALL MEDICAL CENTER
1100 Marshall Way
Placerville, CA 95667
telephone 530-622-1441
or 916-933-2273;
www.marshallmedical.org
It is intended to provide
information about health in
general as well as healthcare
services and resources available
in El Dorado County. Information
comes from a wide range of
medical experts. If you have any
concerns or questions about
specific content that may affect
your health, please contact your
healthcare provider.
To reach the editor of For Your
Health, contact Fernando Diaz
at 530-626-2675 or
fdiaz@marhsallmedical.org
Take These Steps Now
for a Healthier Spring
Spring is almost here! Start the
upcoming season healthier and
happier with these tips.
As you set your sights on the new season
that’s just around the corner, you may be
excited and filled with anticipation. But
rather than waiting around for the date on
the calendar to change, why not take some
action now so you can charge into spring
feeling healthier and better than ever?
Here are 6 things you can do now to be as
healthy as possible when spring rolls around:
• Spring clean your kitchen. As the days get
warmer and longer, you’ll start to notice lots
of fresh produce in your local market. These
foods are loaded with nutrients and are good
for your health. Start making small tweaks to
your kitchen now if your eating habits have
been less than stellar through the winter. Rid
your fridge, freezer and pantry of processed
foods and fill them instead with vegetables,
fruit, lean protein, low fat dairy, whole grains
and healthy fats.
• Start a new exercise routine. If your workouts
took a hit during the winter or you’ve never
been into working out much, now is a great
time to create a new habit. Start slowly if
you’re new to physical activity or change
things up if you just need to breathe new
life into a stale routine. By the time spring
rolls around, you’ll already be feeling better,
moving more and will be ready to transfer
that newly found energy to outdoor pursuits.
• Commit to doing one thing for a healthier
you. It’s hard to make a lot of changes all
at once, but one effective way to adopt
healthier lifestyle habits is to do it one
step at a time. So think about a change
you can make that will have an impact on
your health this spring. Maybe you want
to be able to breathe easier and smell the
flowers when they bloom so you’re willing
to give up smoking. Or you realized that
you and alcohol have become a bit too
chummy this winter so it’s time to send
your favorite wine packing.
• Schedule health appointments. Check your
calendar to see if you’re due for a physical,
dental cleaning, eye exam, vaccines,
cancer screening or any other health
appointment. Getting these appointments
on the calendar now will keep you healthier
this spring and all year long.
• Spend more time outdoors. Depending on
where you live, it may still be cool outside,
but the days are already getting longer
and the sunlight will boost your mood and
help you sleep better. Just be sure to wear
sunscreen when spending time in the sun to
protect your skin.
• Get excited and feel energized. Many people
find their mental health takes a hit during the
winter months. As spring arrives, think about
what you can do to boost your mood and get
your head in the right place. Some people
find that writing in a journal helps or you
may prefer talking to someone about your
feelings. Whatever works for you is worth
trying so that your mental health is in a better
place along with your physical health when
the new season rolls around.
For more information about Marshall Medical Center, visit www.marshallmedical.org or follow us on
Facebook/marshallmedicalcenter, instagram.com/marshall.medical.center, on YouTube, LinkedIn and on Twitter.
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FOUNDATION FOCUS
Marshall Foundation’s
Dementia Education
Outreach Strikes a
Chord of Compassion
In the heart of El Dorado County, the
Marshall Foundation for Community
Health is orchestrating a transformative
initiative focused on enhancing dementia
education and awareness. This impactful
program teaches the community,
caregivers, and frontline workers how to
engage with people living with dementia in
a compassionate and meaningful way. This
is all made possible by a generous donation
from Bill Faulkner, a long-time resident of
El Dorado County.
The foundation’s commitment to dementia
education is evident through public
events featuring renowned experts like
Laura Wayman, known as the “Dementia
Whisperer.” As an accomplished author
and dementia care expert, Wayman
imparts practical tips to families and
caregivers, guiding them through the
challenges of caring for loved ones with
dementia. Her presence ensures that
valuable knowledge is shared, fostering a
compassionate and informed community.
Bill Faulkner, inspired by his personal
connection to dementia through
his sister’s struggle with Lewy
Body Dementia, made a significant
Bill Faulkner
4 | FOR YOUR HEALTH | www.marshallmedical.org
Left to right: Jesi Eckhardt, Kirk Eckhardt, David Ely, Bill Faulkner
contribution to the Marshall Foundation.
His generosity has allowed the foundation
to host these educational events and make
a lasting impact on the community’s
understanding of dementia.
Beyond education, Bill, a music
enthusiast, brings the healing power of
music to the halls of Marshall during
the holidays. Alongside his Barbershop
Quartet, all members of the Gold Rush
Chorus, Faulkner uplifts spirits and
infuses positivity into the hospital. The
therapeutic effects of music are welldocumented,
providing solace and joy
even in challenging circumstances.
Reflecting on the rewards of giving to
Marshall, Faulkner shares, “Witnessing the
benefits of my contributions in action is a
profound experience. Knowing that I am
making a difference in the lives of those
affected by dementia is truly rewarding.”
Alarming statistics highlight the urgency
of dementia awareness and support.
In America, one in three seniors dies
with Alzheimer’s or another form of
dementia, surpassing the combined
fatalities of breast cancer and prostate
cancer. In El Dorado County, with a senior
population exceeding 40,000, over 13,000
individuals are projected to succumb to
dementia. The Marshall Foundation for
Community Health’s Dementia Fund is
pivotal in addressing this crisis.
For those compelled to contribute to this
noble cause, donations can be made to
the Marshall Foundation for Community
Health Dementia Education and Support
Endowment Fund at marshallfound.org.
By supporting this initiative, individuals
can play a vital role in creating a more
informed, compassionate, and supportive
community for those affected by
dementia in El Dorado County.

DID YOU KNOW
Six Reasons
Why Your
Joints Hurt
Are your joints painful or
inflamed? Here’s what may be
causing the discomfort.
Joints are essential for all types of
movement. These often-used parts of
the body form connections between
bones and provide support and
stability so you can move. Every part
of the body that you can bend, flex
and rotate, from your feet and ankles
to your knees, hips and shoulders,
contains joints. And these joints can
experience pain and inflammation for
several reasons.
Have painful joints?
This may be why:
• Osteoarthritis – This is one of the
most common causes of joint pain,
especially as you age. It results
from wear and tear that causes the
cartilage (the lining of the joints)
to be worn down. The joints most
commonly affected are the knees,
hips and hands.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – This is an
autoimmune condition that causes
pain and inflammation in your joints.
It is very different than osteoarthritis
in that it occurs when your body
mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Other autoimmune conditions, such
as lupus, may also cause joint pain.
• Gout – This is another form of
arthritis, although it mostly affects
the joint in your big toe. It may also
cause pain, redness and swelling in
your hand, wrist or knee, but this is
not as likely.
• Bursitis – This occurs when sacs of
fluid in your joints that help provide
cushioning get inflamed, causing
pain.
• Tendonitis – This causes
inflammation of the fibrous cords
that attach muscles to bone around
your joints.
• Injuries – If you experience an
orthopedic injury, it can result
in pain in your joints. Sprains
and strains are among the most
common injuries. Partially or fully
torn tendons and ligaments also
result in joint pain. An injury to the
meniscus is a common cause of
knee pain.
In addition to pain, you may also
experience swelling, inflammation,
stiffness, loss of mobility and
diminished range of motion. The
severity of your symptoms may vary
greatly. Joint pain can be mild or it
can be so painful that it greatly affects
your quality of life. It may be short
lived or chronic.
Treatments for Joint Pain
There are a number of different
treatment options for joint pain. These
include:
• Oral medications – Over-the-counter
and prescription nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
may provide pain relief and
reduce inflammation. Stronger
prescription drugs, including
opioids, muscle relaxants and
some antidepressants, may help
with severe or chronic pain, but
should be used under the strict
supervision of a doctor and only
when necessary.
• Topical medications – Some people
find relief from arthritis pain by
using topical creams and gels that
contain ingredients like capsaicin or
methyl salicylate.
• Injectable medications – Steroid
medications can be injected into
affected joints every few months.
This treatment is most often used
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HOSPITAL NEWS
Tibetan Buddhist monks visited
Marshall just days into the new
year, conducting a 45-minute ritual
blessing in the South Wing Lobby.
The visit was made possible through
a partnership with the Placerville
Friends of Tibet and the 2024 Sacred
Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour,
“Cultivating Compassion.”
...story continued from page 2
ethics, law, and much more. Ten students
are enrolled in the program’s first cohort
and the goal is to have two cohorts each
year with 20 students in each.
“This partnership offers great
opportunities for residents of El Dorado
County to be trained, employed and
serve in the community where they live,
“says Dr. Manansala. “It will provide a
pool of eligible employees for healthcare
providers, helping to bridge gaps in both
unemployment and provider shortages,
while increasing and improving
healthcare services to area residents.”
Marshall and the school’s students
will learn more about each other
during the clinical rotation process.
It is hoped that students will consider
applying for open positions within
Marshall and serve the growing
community’s future healthcare needs.
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with people who have arthritis
or tendonitis. Other injectable
treatments, such as platelet-rich
plasma therapy, hyaluronic acid
or prolotherapy, may help some
people who don’t get relief from
more traditional treatments.
• Physical therapy – You’ll learn
how to strengthen muscles
around the affected joint and
will also work to improve range
of motion and stability. Other
modalities, such as ultrasound,
electrical nerve stimulation,
manipulation and heat or cold
therapy may also help.
• Losing weight – If you are
overweight, losing even a small
amount of weight can take some
of the pressure off your joints.
• Exercising – Low impact exercises,
such as swimming and bicycling,
can help improve strength and
mobility without putting excess
pressure on your joints.
• Home remedies – There are
several things you can do at home
that may help ease joint pain. Try
rest, ice, elevation, compression
and wearing a wrap or brace.
6 | FOR YOUR HEALTH | www.marshallmedical.org

FEATURE
Five Tips for
Choosing a Doctor
If you’re looking for a new doctor, here
are a few things to consider before you
select one.
Are you in the market for a new doctor?
Have you recently moved and need
to find new healthcare professionals
to see? Finding a new doctor can be a
challenge, but by putting in some time
to find the right doctor for you, you’ll
be well on your way towards staying on
top of your healthcare needs.
If you’re not sure what the best way to
go about finding a good doctor is, here
are some tips that can help:
• Determine what type of doctor(s) you
need. If you have recently relocated,
you’ll likely need to start by finding
a new primary care physician. If
you are experiencing a particular
health concern, you may be in the
market for a specialist or a series
of specialists who deal with the
condition you have.
• Check your insurance coverage.
Your choice of doctors will likely
by affected by whether they are inor
out-of-network for your health
insurance plan. You can choose to see
a doctor who is not covered by your
health plan, but your out-of-pocket
expenses will likely be higher. If you
have recently moved or have changed
jobs and are choosing a new health
plan, you may want to look into
the doctors each plan covers before
deciding about insurance coverage.
• Ask for recommendations. You can
read all the reviews in the world
online, but nothing beats asking
people you know about their own
personal experiences with doctors.
Find people who you think would
feel the same as you in certain
situations or who may have similar
healthcare concerns. Once you get
personal recommendations, you can
then do your own research but it’s a
great place to start.
• Do your own research. Whether
you’re starting from scratch or
have received recommendations
from friends, family or co-workers,
take some time to do your own
research about any doctor you are
considering. You can find out if the
doctor is in good standing through
your state’s licensing agency. You can
also read reviews online.
• Make a new patient appointment.
Schedule an appointment to meet the
doctor at your earliest convenience.
This is best done before you need the
doctor to handle an acute problem.
During your initial visit, show up with
a prepared list of any questions you
may have so you won’t forget to discuss
anything of importance to you.
Finding a doctor you like and trust may
take a bit of trial and error. There’s no
reason to feel like you’re stuck with a
doctor if they are not a good fit for you.
Even if you’ve been seeing a doctor for a
length of time, nothing is stopping you
from finding another doctor who better
suits your needs. Just make sure to ask
for any medical records to be transferred
to a new doctor so they will have access
to your full medical history. Looking for
a provider? Visit marshallmedical.org/
find-a-doctor today.
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