| Free
immunizations offered
During April, Idaho’s Infant Immunization Month, St Mary’s Hospital and Clinics will be offering free infant and childhood immunizations. The Craigmont and Nezperce Medical Clinics will provide immunizations at no charge for the remainder of April. The Cottonwood clinic will provide no cost immunizations on Monday, April 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Kamiah Medical Clinic will offer free immunizations on Monday, April 18 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Parents are asked to bring their child’s immunization records. Although no appointments are necessary calling ahead to notify the clinic you will be there with your child allows them to look up the medical chart. For more information call the SMHC Cottonwood Clinic, 962.3267; the Kamiah Medical Clinic, 935.2585; the Nezperce Medical Clinic, 937.2496 or the Craigmont Medical Clinic, 924.5504. Nurse Practitioner joins SMHC staff Megan Wilson, Family Nurse Practitioner, has joined the medical staff of St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics. In mid April she will begin seeing patients at the Cottonwood and Kamiah Medical Clinics. She will also fill in at the Nezperce and Craigmont Medical Clinics when the physicians are unavailable. 
Wilson received her Bachelor of Science with emphasis in Nursing and her Master of Science with emphasis in Nursing Administration from Idaho State University. Her Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner degree is from the University of Missouri, Columbia. “I decided return to school to become a Nurse Practitioner after working as a flight nurse and living in a large city,” said Wilson. “I wanted skills that would allow me to practice in an urban area, as well as in a rural setting. I like the option of living in a small town because I love that kind of lifestyle.” Most recently, Wilson worked as a Nurse Practitioner at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Convenient Care in Hamilton, Montana. Prior to that she was a Pediatric Content and Clinics RN Nursing Instructor for Treasure Valley Community College while also working as a Pediatric NP for Pediatric Associates in Ontario, Oregon. For two years she served both as Coordinator of the Neonatal ICU Outpatient Program and as a Nurse Practitioner for Pediatric Infectious Diseases for the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. She has also served as a flight nurse, Critical Care staff nurse, Emergency Department nurse and Emergency Department Clinical Coordinator. “While I was in school during summers and vacations I worked as a Certified Nurses Aide at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Monastery infirmary. It was Sr. Agnes Reichlin, the SMH Director of Nurses, who first suggested I go into nursing as a career,” said Wilson. “I have never regretted that decision because I really enjoy the many aspects of nursing.” Wilson moved to Cottonwood as a teen and graduated from Prairie High School. “I returned to this area to be closer to my two brothers who live close by and my parents who still live in Cottonwood,” said Wilson. “I also wanted to return because the people who live here are so kind and caring.” Wilson will see patients in Cottonwood on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and help staff the Kamiah Medical Clinic on Tuesdays. She will also staff the other clinics, as necessary. Wilson is the second Family Nurse Practitioner on staff at SMHC. She joins Brenda Hewlett, FNP, who has worked at the Kamiah Medical Clinic since 1997. Family Nurse Practitioners typically have obtained a Masters Degree which includes a year of academic training and a year of rotating through a variety of clinical settings with professional supervision. In Idaho, a Nurse Practitioner must have at least 30 hours of Continuing Education credit and a minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience every two years to renew their license. The scope of practice of NPs varies from state to state. In Idaho, they can prescribe all forms of prescription medications and IV therapy. They can order X-rays and other diagnostic tests. They are licensed through the Idaho Board of Nursing. I am looking forward to working with the other health care providers because they have an excellent knowledge base and very warm personalities, said Wilson. When not working, Wilson enjoys outdoor sports such as mountain biking, hunting and fishing. She also plans on pursuing her interest in music and playing the flute at every opportunity. |
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