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Vol. XXIII, NO. 08
Hometown Paper of the Eastern Sierra - Published Weekly
February 21 – 27, 2019
Fresh Tracks in Medicine
Pafford Health invites new patients gets to know you over time, which is an important part of the care plan, “a regular doctor.”
By Christina Reed, The Hired Pen
PQ-”Big City Medicine, Small Town Compassion, and Caring”--Pafford Health
Dr. Pafford also wants to explore tele-medicine, and health care plans which could include medical devices in our homes, which take our vital statistics, remotely, every day, and then transmit them to Dr. Pafford. This medical information will help him to see us better, and treat us, even from afar. And, he's open to suggestions about how to make these medical advances possible. He accepts most insurance plans, but cannot yet accept Medical, though he can accept dual eligible seniors that have Medicare.
Eastern Sierra, CA—“The Small Town with the Big Back Yard,” Bishop's moniker, is welcoming a new doctor and an innovative, all-around, health care provider, Dr. Bennett Pafford, to Bishop, CA this year. Dr. Pafford, who is building the practice from the ground up, literally, is inviting new patients to the ever-expanding office. And, fortunately for us, Dr. Pafford does make house calls, is very knowledgeable about remote medical theaters, is resourceful in finding solutions to public health issues / conflicts, and he practices internal medicine, while looking at the whole individual, and the landscape we live upon every day. A mix of Dr. Robert Denton (beloved Eastern Sierra country doctor), crossed with Dr. Nellie Doyle (one of California's first female doctors, who lived in the Eastern Sierra), Dr. Pafford has a diverse and very different path to his medical philosophy. A son of a large cattle ranching family in Florida, the rural life is a part of his heritage, and so are very active outdoor interests, like climbing, hiking, and running. As a retired Navy SEAL platoon commander (in 2000, following 20 years in the military), Navy Corpsman (a Marine medic, held in high esteem in any branch of the military), and medical / public health specialist (in remote war zones, such as Darfur, in the western region of the Sudan, in Africa), Dr. Pafford has an entirely different approach to medicine. Pafford Health is a non-profit, 501 (C) (3) (not making or conducted primarily to make a profit) practice. Dr. Pafford is an internal medicine specialist (medical school at Eastern Tennessee State University; residency training at UC Davis, Sacramento, CA; residency training at George Washington University, Washington D. C.). He can treat all ages, and he is focusing on geriatrics (older adults), which Dr. Pafford says is “where there is the greatest need.” He adds, in remote regions, such as the Eastern Sierra, there is a greater urgency for “health literacy,” and using this knowledge base to prevent “avoidable deaths.” And, on the topic of pain management, Dr. Pafford says emphatically,
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Dr. Bennett Pafford opens the Pafford Health offices in Bishop, CA, and he and his staff will be taking new patients of all ages. Specializing in internal medicine, and geriatrics in particular, Dr. Pafford's medical services include being a VA Choice provider, and he makes house calls, when necessary.
he practices a “non-narcotic” based medicine, in regards to managing medical issues. He explains there are other medical plans to pain management, which don't involve the community-destroying effects of prescription drug abuse. “The job as a physician is to not make you worse,” Dr. Pafford notes. With a Masters in Public Health (Emory University, Atlanta, GA), and some time as a legislative assistant in health, in Washington D. C., Dr. Pafford is wellversed in the legislative processes / crises / and topics in health care in this nation. A veteran himself, Dr. Pafford will be available to take VA Choice patients, for services, annual visits, lab work, and this care will not be out of the VA health care system. This is an important service in the region for veterans who do not want or can not drive hundreds of miles in any direction for veterans' services, and medical appointments. There is also the advantage of having one physician, who
“I love medicine,” Dr. Pafford says. “Community health is about a healing sort of thing.” The renovated space Dr. Pafford is creating, largely with his own hands, is adding one minimalist exam room at a time, and with barter and trade options available, Dr. Pafford adds, you want to paint a bit, he'll work something out on the office visit. He's already made house calls on folks, even brought one couple a washer and dryer, since clean clothing is a part of our health, he explains. Uncommon for sure in his medical approach, Dr. Pafford will surely make fresh tracks on our landscape.
Pafford Health is “Big City Medicine, Small Town Compassion, and Caring,” and Dr. Bennett Pafford opens the doors to the new practice in Bishop, CA. The non-profit medical provider is an anomaly on the Eastern Sierra landscape, and Dr. Pafford offers 45 years of diverse medical experiences, including public health in war zones. He is building one minimalist exam room at a time, welcomes barter and trade, and even says, if you want to paint a bit, he'll work out something on the office visit. Photos by The Hired Pen
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The Sierra Reader is covering business briefs, anniversaries, and events in the Eastern Sierra, California, and neighboring Nevada. Send us your stories and events at mesatink.aol.com