preparing to serve an influx of patients this summer.
Historically, patient volume increases 67 percent between the months of May and October.
LCAMC is happy to announce it is now fully staffed following the addition of Physician
Assistant Amanda Fender, who began her full-time position in April.
Amanda joins two other medical providers, Family Nurse Practitioner Sherry Huisman and Dr. Ann Treisman, who is the Medical Director for the clinic.
Now with three medical providers, the medical center is able to extend its operating hours to include Saturdays beginning June 6.
Amanda Fender grew up in Alabama and attended Auburn University for her undergraduate
studies in Nutrition. When she visited Colorado as a teenager with her father, she fell in love
with the mountains. She shares her journey to Lake City and views on patient care in her own words below:
“I went to PA School at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with the goal of living and working in a rural mountain community in Colorado. I have always had a passion for providing healthcare in remote communities and being a part of a tight-knit mountain town.
“When my husband and I first came to Lake City to hike 14ers in 2023, we both fell in love. I
found out Lake City had a health center and made it my goal to eventually be able to live and
work here.”
“I love getting to provide medical care to people who share a passion for the beauty of this remote town. I am passionate about providing care to people so that they can continue to do what they love, where they love.”
“I value patient-centered care, taking into account the patient’s goals and values. I like approaching care as though the patient and I are on the same team working towards the same goal for the patient and their health. I am looking forward to providing continuity of care for patients, expanding resources in our town, and continuing to learn and grow alongside the incredible staff here at the Lake City Area Medical Center.”
“Outside of work, I am a trail runner and skier. I’m looking forward to running in the San Juan Solstice 50 mile race this summer. I am married to my husband, Kamp, and we have two
dogs, Mowgli and River.”
Fender joins a medical center team that offers: primary and preventative care, in-clinic
procedures, testing and diagnostics, urgent care, and dental care. According to the medical center’s website, the clinic’s team is committed to “serving the community with compassionate, quality healthcare.
LCAMC aims to make healthcare
accessible, compassionate, and reliable.
Consistent with Fender’s goal of “expanding resources in town.”
Fender recently participated in a portable ultrasound training in Colorado Springs. This Butterfly Ultrasound Device is used for Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), which allows providers to perform rapid imaging without bulky hospital machines. The device, which connects to a cell phone, can assist with quick diagnostics, allowing a trained provider to visualize internal medical problems.
Commonly used for trauma assessments, cardiac screening, lung imaging, OBGYN imaging,
and bladder scans, the POCUS device expands the capabilities of the medical center to assess
and treat patients.
In recent months, in collaboration with other healthcare partners, medical center staff have endeavored to expand urgent care preparedness, as required by the clinic’s distinction as a certified Rural Health Center.
Dr. Treisman has been collaborating with Dr. Avery Mackenzie — Medical Director for HCEMS and ER doctor at Montrose Memorial Hospital — to strengthen urgent care capabilities and readiness. Staff have participated in several scenario-based training sessions this spring.
Storm Gozola, RN, and Rachel Moore, Executive Director and EMT, recently attended a
Pediatric Preparedness Seminar in Crested Butte. The seminar featured Pediatric Medical Specialists from Children’s Hospital of Colorado and EMS for Children Colorado.
The training focused on equipping medical providers to assess and treat children presenting with medical emergencies and included both case reviews and hand-on skills training.
Rachel Moore with EMT and Administrative Assistant Sarah DeCristino attended the Colorado Rural Healthcare Conference in April, seeking to learn from similar medical clinics across the state.
Melody Crump, EMT and CNA, is soon to complete her training and education as a Registered Nurse.
While Lake City Area Medical Center is fully staffed with medical personnel, they do currently seek to hire a janitor. The job offers a flexible schedule and an opportunity to work in a
dynamic team environment.
Clinic staff invites the community to join them in welcoming Amanda Fender to Lake City, in celebrating Melody Crump’s recent completion of her nursing education, and to consider how the local clinic can help meet your medical needs this summer
and in the future.
Next week’s SILVER WORLD will include an article welcoming a Physical Therapist, now operating out of the medical center building.
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