Courtney Powell MPAS, PA-C, has joined the Horizon Family Medicine team and serves patients at our Four Oaks location.

Courtney received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Campbell University and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a NCCPA board-certified Physician Assistant. She is a native of Clayton, NC and enjoys treating patients of all ages!

Congratulations to you!!
 

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Stan Watson for winning the
2019 Johnstonian News Reader’s Choice Awards for Johnston County’s Favorite Physician!!!

You may already have met Brittany McCall at our Clayton office, but we sat down with her recently to get to know her better. She grew up locally and is happy to be working here at home. Here’s a bit more about Brittany!

She got her master’s degree in nursing from Auburn University, and her bachelor of science in nursing from East Carolina State University.

What’s your favorite way to unwind on the weekend?
My family is important to me. So, my favorite way to unwind on the weekend is to spend time with them. I also like to hang out with my friends and my dog, Duchess.

What kind of dog is Duchess?
She’s a chocolate lab — full of love!

Which is better: Sweet or savory?
Sweet, no question there!

What’s the best book you have ever read?
Oh my… I’d have to say Jane Eyre. It was a required book for English my senior year of high school. I know those aren’t always the “best” books, but my English teacher was one of the most influential people in my life. When I think of that book, it brings back some pretty special memories.

Welcome to Horizon Family Medicine, Brittany.

To schedule an appointment with Brittany, click here. She works at the Clayton office. You can find address and scheduling phone number at this link.

Dear HFM Patients,

We are in the process of implementing new practice software (including a new portal) to better serve you and to help us to stay current. This is a big task, much like when you get a new computer — except we’re all doing it at the same time.

We are working hard to minimize delays and issues during this time and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Until further notice, we recommend the following:

• Call the office for your prescription refills – don’t use the portal.
• Call the office to make an appointment – don’t use the portal.
• Call the office with questions – don’t use the portal.
• Expect delays in your medical records being uploaded to the portal.

When all systems are go, you will receive an email inviting you to join the new portal. After receiving your portal invitation, please take a moment to set up your new account so that you may continue to access your existing and future medical records.

During this update, it might take a little longer to check in our check out as we continue training on the software system.

Our call centers are also taking a much larger call volume as all Patient Portal communication must also go through them. You may experience longer than usual hold times when you call, and it might take longer to get a return phone call. If possible, have your calendar available when you call to schedule an appointment. If you need to request a prescription refill, have the prescription bottle and pharmacy information available when you call. Thank you.

Thank you! We appreciate each of our patients and look forward to serving your health needs.

 

At Horizon Family Medicine, we want to help you achieve your health goals.

We know that patients with chronic disease must absorb a lot of health information at their appointments. We also know that processing complex medical information during a medical visit isn’t entirely possible — you’re in a doctor’s office, often hearing things for the first time, and trying to understand how to make changes to your lifestyle to improve your health.

That’s a lot to do in one office visit.

Referrals to specialists, medication, and informational brochures help.

But, patients who have the best outcomes for chronic conditions participate in their own self-care outside the office. (Source) The more clearly a patient understands the condition or disease and its treatment, the more comfortable the patient will be with following the care plan for better health outcomes. (Source)

Of course, if you have questions about your condition, we want you to ask. Write those questions down (download this appointment checklist) and bring them to your appointment.

Between visits, use the resources here on our website to help you participate actively in your own self-care. Here’s what you’ll find and where you can find it.

HFM Resources Page — on this page, you’ll find downloadable documents you can print at home and use to monitor your health.

• The blood glucose logs and blood pressure logs will help you track your health between visits. Bring the logs to your visit for your doctor to review.
  
• The Medicare Wellness Visit Form and the Appointment Checklist can help you keep track of questions and concerns as well as gather information for your visit.

Community Resources Page — Support groups and health education classes are available in the local community. This page also has links to senior support services and caregiver support services in Johnston County.

Online Resources Page — This page includes links to a number of online resources for patients. Categories include insurance links, Health and Wellness resources, Advance Care Planning and tools for weight loss.

Patient Education Page — This page includes a number of websites where patients can learn more about chronic disease and health issues.

Specialist Agreements — This page includes a list of specialists with whom we regularly coordinate patient care, as well as the contact information for our patient care coordinator and clinical nurse manager. If you have been referred to a specialist and need their contact information, that information can be found here.

While online resources and support groups are not a substitute for regular medical care, they play an important role in patient outcomes. Patients who actively participate in self-care through self-education, support groups and learning tend to have improved outcomes. We hope these tools help you achieve your desired health goals.

If you have any questions about how to use these resources, please let us know.

 

Halloween is a fun tradition for kids. Use these tips to make it safe and memorable for all the right reasons!

The most common injuries when trick or treating result from being hit by a car or from trips and falls. With just a little preparation, you can make this Halloween the safest one yet, without ruining the fun.

Costumes

• Use bright colors or reflective tape on costumes — including the back! That way, people driving by can see the kids.
• Wear shoes that fit. Climbing stairs or walking over uneven sidewalks is tough enough. Add in darkness and excitement, and kids are more likely to fall. Sturdy shoes give them the edge.
• Use makeup instead of masks — so they can see where they are!
• Hem costumes so they don’t hang over shoes. Use duct tape on the inside or pins to keep hems above the tips of shoes. Those long princess dresses and robes cause a tripping hazard — and the risk is greater as they climb stairs.
• Dress for the weather. Kids need jackets when it’s cold — gloves and hats are good too.

Prepare your house for trick or treaters

• Check for tripping hazards in your yard and remove them (hoses, toys, etc)
• Light your yard — turn on all outdoor lights to make it easier for trick or treaters to visit.
• Use battery powered candles or lights in jack-o-lanterns instead of regular candles.
• Make sure pets are kept away from trick or treaters. All that excitement is hard on Fido, and he might bite — even if he never has before.

Trick or Treating Safety

• Kids should always trick or treat with an adult.
• Carry a flashlight.
• Dress in bright colors or reflective clothing so passing cars can see you.
• NEVER enter someone’s home or car to get a treat. NEVER!
• For older kids trick or treating without an adult, pre-approve the route and set a check-in time.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Traffic safety

• Stay in a group! It’s true, there’s safety in numbers. First of all, you’re easier to see!
• Carry a cellphone in case of emergency.
• Use sidewalks whenever possible.
• If there’s no sidewalk, walk FACING traffic — not going with it.
• Don’t cut across yards. You can’t see hidden trip hazards, like hoses or holes.
• Cross the roads at crosswalks, and follow traffic lights.
• Watch for cars! Just because one stops for you doesn’t mean the next one will.

Candy Candy Candy

• While candy tampering is rare, you should still be vigilant. If candy is not properly wrapped or looks suspicious, throw it away.
• Also, throw away candy you don’t really enjoy. Yes, it’s hard, but there’s no reason to add the sugar and calories just because it’s there.
• Give kids a limit and put candy away once they reach it. (5 pieces a day is plenty!)
• Trick or treat for an hour and call it a day. Go home with the goodies and enjoy a snack of sliced apples while sorting through the loot. (That’s plenty of time to have fun without going overboard)

We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!