Cameron telehealth clinic goes on air Wednesday

Independent Staff

TUBA CITY — The Cameron Chapter of the Navajo Nation will get a chance to experience health care through telecommunication when the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation's telehealth clinic opens Wednesday.

Designed to expand patient care services to meet the growing needs of the Cameron community, the hospital will offer the telehealth clinic one Wednesday each month at the community's chapter house.

In addition to the clinic, Louise Bitsui, Cameron community health representative, provides a Head Start telefitness and nutrition program each Wednesday morning.

"The opening of the telehealth clinic in Cameron is one way we are showing our commitment to helping the community we serve," said Dr. Scott Deasy, interim chief executive officer. "Telehealth works well as a supplement to the care we provide at the hospital because we are able to offer more convenience to patients and increase our services."

High-speed telecommunication lines connect the Cameron clinic to the Tuba City hospital and the Tuba City Wellness Center. Through the use of a live, real-time video-conferencing unit, doctors are able to complete a virtual examination, diagnose and plan care for patients. Combining computer and television technologies, health care professionals can send and receive information about patients.

A telehealth session is similar to a regular clinic visit, except the patent and doctor are geographically separated.

Although separated by miles, the patient is able to see and hear the doctor on the television screen, and the doctor can see and hear the patient.

During telehealth sessions, patients may talk to their doctor about health care concerns such as diabetes, arthritis or high blood pressure. A telehealth complements a patient's regular appointments with their doctor.

"We want to thank the people of Cameron for their support of this clinic. (Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation) is proud to be a part of such a wonderful community," said registered nurse Elda Coffey, the telemedicine nurse manager. "We have had great success with our telehealth services and we're looking forward to expanding services."


Nurse honored
TUBA CITY — One of Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation's nurses will be honored at the annual Indian Health Service's National Director's Awards ceremony in April.

The annual ceremony recognizes employees of the government agency for their contributions to the improved health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Pauline Cornfield, a nurse in the community for the past 40 years, will be among those honored this year.

"It has been rewarding for me to provide care and comfort to our patients and their families over these past four decades," Cornfield said. "Also, I value the excellent working relationships I've formed with physicians and other health care professionals that I've met along the way. When young people in Tuba City ask me about my work, I always tell them about the joy I've experienced and I encourage them to pursue a career in health care. To be able to help our own Native American people is a great gift."

Cornfield was graduated from the Albuquerque Indian School of Practical Nursing in 1965 and immediately began her career at Tuba City's hospital. She has worked in various departments within the hospital, including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine. For the past four years, she has worked as part of the orthopedics/surgery team.

"We appreciate the time and commitment Ms. Cornfield has spent caring for those in our community for the past 40 years," said Dr. Scott Deasy, interim chief executive officer. "She represents all the exemplary employees at the hospital who care about their patents and one another, and who do an outstanding job delivering quality health care."