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PALMER, AK – Employees of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center are now eligible for new and enhanced benefits designed as pathways to help them eliminate existing student debt faster, pursue additional professional education, and advance their careers. The goal in offering these benefits is to support and retain employees and attract a strong workforce, especially frontline nurses, technicians, therapists and other clinicians and caregivers, along with support personnel. Benefits include a new student loan re... ... Read More

PALMER, AK – Over the course of a year, the impact of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center adds up as the skilled, compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members deliver safe, quality care around the clock every day. Beyond clinical care, the hospital is a major employer and regularly invests resources to expand and enhance services available locally. The overall community benefit totaled more than $120 million in 2021. The hospital and its affiliated medical clinics delivered care through m... ... Read More

By Dave Wallace March 30 is National Doctors’ Day, a day we formally recognize the contributions of physicians to society. In the COVID era, their critical role has been brought into even sharper focus. The past two years have been grueling, stretching and pulling us in every way imaginable. Our doctors have been on the frontlines, working tirelessly to care for people in need – our neighbors, our families, our friends. They have served our community with skill, dedication and compassion, often putting ... ... Read More

PALMER – If your plans to be healthier in 2022 got sidetracked, there’s still time to make a course correction and dust off those New Year’s resolutions. Simple actions can make a big impact on your health over time, according to Austin Bills, D.O., a primary care physician with Mat-Su Medical Group. Bills, who enjoys the full spectrum of family medicine and treats patients of all ages, encourages a holistic approach when planning your wellness goals. Connect with others Spend time with friends, family ... ... Read More

New American Heart Association Guidelines PALMER – Good news: The American Heart Association’s new dietary guidelines focus more on your overall eating habits rather than a list of no-no’s. Eating the right nutrients supports your general well-being, and also promotes heart health. Research shows 14% to 28% lower heart disease mortality among American adults with high-quality eating habits. Filling your plate with whole, unprocessed foods is key – fruits and vegetables; fish and other seafood; low or no... ... Read More

PALMER – The average American life expectancy of 84 years means many Baby Boomers reaching age 65 have nearly two more decades of life to enjoy. However, the aging process means more risks to your health that can impact your quality of life. Marcus Thiemann, D.O., an internal medicine physician with Mat-Su Medical Group, reminds us some factors, like genetics, are beyond our control, but healthy lifestyle choices, along with the timely identification and management of common, chronic conditions can incr... ... Read More

Study finds average weight gains of 1.5 pounds a month during pandemic PALMER – As we begin enjoying the long days of our Alaskan summer and more of our community sheds its COVID cocoon, a local physician is encouraging patients to take action to shed the extra pounds they may have added over the past year of the pandemic. Austin Bills, D.O., a primary care physician with Mat-Su Medical Group, says it’s a great time to get back on track with healthy habits and lose that extra weight. “Many of the activi... ... Read More

Stay on schedule with a full night’s sleep for your best physical and mental health PALMER – We’ve all experienced the tiredness and lack of clarity that comes from a sleepless night, but a study published last year by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Foundation found that sleep schedule inconsistency is also a risk factor for heart disease. Rodney Badger, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Mat-Su Heart, is making sure patients know how important it is to establish a regular patter... ... Read More

PALMER – Mat-Su Regional Medical Center earned an ‘A’ for quality on its spring report card from the Leapfrog Group, a national organization that monitors and measures patient safety at hospitals. The 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, released April 29, rates hospitals on how well they protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents and infections, and assigns a grade – from A through F – to hospitals across the country. Ratings are based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and o... ... Read More

PALMER – The thought of having surgery for a nagging injury or lingering pain can make some people uneasy. While the temptation to delay care – especially during a pandemic – may be strong, experts continue to stress the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to medical needs. Delaying surgery for any length of time can result in complications that produce long-term health issues, according Charles Haggerty, M.D. “Patients can put themselves at greater risk for an adverse outcome when they put ... ... Read More