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Your healthcare is among the most important aspects of your well-being. At Wilkes Family Medicine it is our passion to develop a personal relationship with each of our patients. We will always strive to be the best teammate and advisor we can be in order to achieve and maintain our patient’s healthcare goals. We are committed to being your advocate.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Wilkes Family Medicine's Corine Riedell Featured in the Acorn

Corine Riedell will speak at an upcoming Horizon Hills class on Dec. 6.  Corine who took independent study classes at Horizon Hills when she was a pregnant young teen, will speak about her experiences and share her inspirational story.  For more information check out The Acorn article here

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Battle for Veterans


Over the past Labor Day weekend, Wilkes Family Medicine was proud to support and sponsor the Memorial Wall at the Battle For Veterans.  Battle For Veterans is a non-profit organization thatworks together with war veterans and families to celebrate achievements and build community awareness of their challenges. They are committed to creating career, business, and personal development opportunities through strategic partnerships and private donations.  For more information on Battle For Veterans check out their website - http://battleforveterans.org/







Friday, June 29, 2012

WFM in the News - Weight Loss for Dummies

Weight Loss for Dummies -
What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
By Cheryl Bisera

Ever feel like you’ve “been there, done that” when it comes to losing weight… you’ve tried point systems, exercise regimens and down right starvation? Or maybe you haven’t touched any of these because they all sound completely ridiculous or overwhelming. If it’s any comfort to you, you’re not alone. 

More Americans are now overweight than are not. According to The latest Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, 63.1% of adults in the U.S. were either overweight or obese in 2009 and the number has continued to climb. 

By some predictions, 75% of Americans will be overweight or obese by 2020. All this adds up to increased weight-related health conditions, medication use and healthcare expense. But none of that means anything to the individual – you – unless you know what to do about it.
Men, in particular, struggle with HOW to lose weight. Women tend to socialize while they tackle weight… stroller clubs, gym buddies, weight watchers meetings and sharing recipes… that stuff doesn’t appeal to men in the same way. A man might think, “I have to lift weights and get buff” or “I’ll just lay off the beer and pizza for a couple weeks”. But what happens when you don’t have time to work out, or the discipline to give up the goodies and have no idea how to make a “low-carb, protein rich, high-fiber, reduced-fat, good tasting meal” … let alone do it while in a mid-day meeting or between appointments? 

Being overweight puts anyone at increased risk for high blood sugar, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, some cancers and many more conditions that compromise your health and quality of life. Clearly this is a health issue, not just an aesthetic or lifestyle issue. With that in mind, it seems logical to work with your doctor to get the weight off safely. 

Wilkes Family Medicine in Newbury Park offers a program, Take Shape for Life, that truly looks to me like a “Weight Loss for Dummies”. This program works well for men because they can “do it on their own” yet have the support of being able to turn to someone with questions without the commitment of meetings. There is no book to read, tracking of points, or weighing in at meetings. Easy, on-the-go meals are part of the plan, as is learning ‘simple, proven strategies’ to keep the weight off and then wean you off the program – this is really a no-brainer weight loss program. 

The added value of working with a family physician in a weight loss plan makes sense. If one of your goals is to reduce medications that treat your weight-related conditions, working alongside your healthcare provider is really ideal because as you check-in they can make adjustments to your medications – and that’s a great motivation booster!

When asked why he has decided to put his name behind this program by offering it to his patients, Dr. Wilkes said, "the patient-physician partnership is ideal because we can assess as they go, making sure needed adjustments are made. The program's simplicity motivates patients; we have some incredible patient success stories." Apparently all the meals are nutritionally equal so you can eat whichever one you want anytime. If you need a little boost, weekly meetings and Internet information are available, but none of this is required – and neither is exercise. That being said, a healthy lifestyle - including exercise - is encouraged.
With 71% of men in the U.S. being overweight compared to 57% of women, this is not a women’s issue – it’s a people issue. And since people’s lifestyles and reasons for being overweight vary so much, there is really no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. Offering programs that appeal to men is an important step as Americans struggle to take charge of their health. 

Whatever you do, do something – and if you don’t know where to start, you might need a “no-brainer” program that lays it all out for you. A good place to begin is talking to your doctor. Find out how you might partner as you work to reduce weight – and ultimately live the healthy life you want.

 

Wilkes Family Medicine:

805.499.4446
 Sources:
  • Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, 2009
  • The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, Overweight and Obesity Rates for Adults by Gender for 2010 
Original Article located here - http://www.society805.com/mind-body-spirit-sept/item/324-weight-loss-for-dummies-what-to-do-when-you-dont-know-what-to-do


Cheryl Bisera is an “805” native and healthcare marketing consultant working to connect healthcare professionals with their communities. Her published work includes features for the prestigious Journal of Medical Practice Management and local media as well as a broad array of marketing and promotional materials for her clients. For more information: CherylBiseraConsulting.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Corine Riedell, PA at Banyan Elementary "Career Day"

On June 1, 2012 Wilkes Family Medicine's Corine Riedell, PA spoke to groups of elementary school children at Banyan Elementary School's annual "Career Day" event. Corine shared with students what she loves most about her job (getting to know families and seeing the same patients over time, as well as the variety of this specialty), and students asked questions like, "How many hours do you have to work a week?" and "How many years of college does it take to become a Physician Assistant". Perhaps one of the most interesting points was that many children - like adults - do not understand what exactly a physician assistant is qualified to do. Corine is qualified to diagnose, prescribe and counsel our patients.


Monday, March 19, 2012

Mom 2 Mom - Last Lecture on March 27th and March 30th

Just a reminder that last lecture in the Mom 2 Mom series will take place on March 27th at 4:30pm and March 30th at 11:30am at the Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park. This lecture will focus on "Taking Care of the Caretaker".  See explanation below.

Taking care of the caretaker:
Between running a household, juggling kids’ schedules and checking in on your own parents, it’s easy to get run down and burnt out. Everyone knows if Mom goes down, we all go down! Find out from Corine how to keep things running for the family while feeling vibrant. Protect your health - get motivated to eat right on the go, stay balanced and get life-saving screenings!


THE MILLER FAMILY YMCA OF NEWBURY PARK
320 VIA LAS BRISAS, NEWBURY PARK
RSVP 805.480.0309

"Donuts with Dads" featuring Corine Reidell

On February 29th, Wilkes Family Medicine's own Corine Riedell participated in the "Donuts with Dads" program at Cypress Elementary school in Newbury Park.  Corine participated in the mornings events and challenged kids to ask medical questions in order to receive a coveted "Weeple" toy! 


Monday, February 27, 2012

Mom 2 Mom - A Lecture Series for Mom's

Don’t miss healthcare provider and mother-of-three, Corine Riedell, PA-C a licensed Physicians Assistant at Wilkes Family Medicine – as she shares valuable information, equipping you to raise healthy kids while staying vibrant yourself! To RSVP, call the Miller Family YMCA today!

What your Teen Daughter Needs
Find out how to meet the specific needs of your teen or pre-teen girl. Corine addresses topics such as body image, specific dietary needs, when a first PAP is appropriate, vaccines, riding the emotional roller-coaster and keeping communication open. Talk to a mom who’s been there and has the understanding of a healthcare provider.
TUESDAY, MARCH 6 AT 4:30PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 9 AT 11:30AM 


Do I really have to think about drugs in the Conejo Valley?
Corine knows what’s really going on in town. She worked 11 years around the ER, was personally affected by a family member’s drug use while growing up in the Conejo Valley and is raising teens here now! As a healthcare provider, Corine brings an in-depth understanding of the science of addiction, warning signs and re to get help; as a mom she’ll encourage you with tips on prevention!
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TUESDAY, MARCH 13 AT 4:30PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 16 AT 11:30AM

Taking care of the caretaker:
Between running a household, juggling kids’ schedules and checking in on your own parents, it’s easy to get run down and burnt out. Everyone knows if Mom goes down, we all go down! Find out from Corine how to keep things running for the family while feeling vibrant. Protect your health - get motivated to eat right on the go, stay balanced and get life-saving screenings!

TUESDAY, MARCH 27 AT 4:30PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 30 AT 11:30AM


THE MILLER FAMILY YMCA OF NEWBURY PARK
320 VIA LAS BRISAS, NEWBURY PARK
RSVP 805.480.0309