A L M A N AC As a certified primary care provider with a decade’s worth of health care experience, including six years in Bonner and Boundary counties, Sweeney, now 32, also views herself as an entrepreneur. “I have always wanted to operate my own medical practice. I believe in the type of medicine that focuses on the patient and allows a patient/provider relationship of trust to form,” she explained. “I found this hard to do under other employers, so it gave me the drive to open and practice the way I want and to work among employees who have the same values in medicine as I do.” Sweeney, who prefers that patients call her “Katie,” accepts most major insurances as well as Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Her staff offers the full scope of services that any family practice typically provides, along with expertise in women’s health. “I perform most in-office surgical procedures as well as [some laboratory testing] for my patients,” she says. Services also include management of acute and chronic illnesses, mental health, wellness exams for the entire family, sports physicals and consultation on a wide array of common health issues. Sweeney and her husband Tucker, who serves as activities coordinator at Echo Springs Transition Study Center near Bonners Ferry, have two daughters, Addison and Amelia. She hopes to eventually expand the clinic, hiring a second medical provider and a care coordinator. “My everyday goal is to deliver individualized care to each of my patients,” she said. “I became a nurse and a nurse practitioner to help people and families, and that is what I plan to do until the day I retire.” – Marianne Love
301 N. 1st Ave . Sandpoint (208)263.3622
FETCHINGLY GOOD BEER!
See: Alpine Family Medicine PLLC @ Facebook.
IDAHO IS ONE of only 12 states in the U.S. that allow APRNs “full practice authority.” This means APRNs can practice without a supervising doctor and are recognized as primary care providers. They can independently prescribe medication, and order physical therapy. In addition, they are allowed to sign death certificates, handicapped parking stickers, and workers’ compensation forms.
ALL TRAILS LEAD TO THE DOG HOUSE Bring in your lift ticket for 1/2 off your 1st beer. OPEN DAILY NOON TO 8PM
Laughing Dog Brewery & Taproom 805 Schweitzer Plaza Drive Ponderay, ID 83852
WWW.LAUGHINGDOGBREWING.COM WINTER 2018
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(208) 263-9222
S A N D P O I N T M AG A Z I N E
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