Holiday Hours 

Both Three Rivers locations will be closing at noon on December 24, closed December 25 AND 26.  We will re-open with our usual hours on December 27.  We will also close at noon on December 31, be closed January 1 and re-open with usual hours on January 2.  Please time your refill requests and other healthcare needs accordingly.  Remember, when the office is not open you can avoid a trip to the Emergency Room for routine health care emergencies that could typically be cared for in the office by paging the on-call provider and being seen in our Inland After Hours Clinic.

 

Winter Health

  Winter can be a challenging time for many Mainers and unique health issue may present themselves.  Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can include tiredness, decreased energy and oversleeping, mood change with sadness,  increased irritability and loss of interest in enjoyable activities with social withdrawal, appetite change with possible weight change and difficulty concentrating.  SAD can be treatable.  If you experience these symptoms, discuss with your provider.  For more information, clink this link to the Mayo Clinic: SAD-Mayo Clinic

Fall and winter is when Pertussis is most prevalent.   Pertussis is a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough that is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Pertussis is spread from person to person through the air. A person may even catch pertussis by standing close (less than 3 feet away) to an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. A person has to breathe in droplets from an infected person to get sick.

The first signs of pertussis are similar to a cold (sneezing, runny nose, fever, and a cough). After one or two weeks the cough gets worse and occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath. Pertussis can be very serious, especially in infants. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. 

There are two pertussis vaccines available (Dtap and Tdap).  If you are a teen or adult under age 65 and are not sure if you have had a Tdap vaccine, please speak to your provider.  Tdap is also indicated for adults age 65 and older who are in close contact with infants under age 12 months (ie grandchildren).

Heating our homes can also pose some health risks if we are not aware of these risks.  Please visit the Maine CDC website for tips on staying warm and heating your home safely.

Heat your home safely-CDC information

 

Flu Shot Clinics

Believe it or not, summer is nearly over and it is again time to think about your flu vaccine.  The CDC recommends flu vaccine for all individuals age 6 months and older, even those with egg allergy (please discuss this with us if you have egg allergy).  Flu vaccine is especially important for individuals with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and lung disease that makes them more susceptible to the flu virus.  You can call to schedule your flu vaccine for one of our upcoming flu shot clinics.  All clinics dates and times are for BOTH OFFICE LOCATIONS in Augusta and Waterville.  Flu season in Maine typically begins in January and can last through May.  Getting your flu vaccine too early (August) may lead to less immunity in the Spring months when the flu virus may still be in the community. 

Thursday October 3

12-2pm and 4-6pm

Wednesday October 30

12-2pm and 4-6pm

Thursday November 14

12-2 pm and 4-6 pm

New Providers

We are again happy to welcome Dr. Marvin Lee and Tara Thomas, NP to our office team.  Both providers are accepting new patients.  Dr. Lee cares for patients in both Waterville and Augusta, Tara in Augusta only.  We are also looking forward to welcoming Gina Murphy, NP August 19.  She is already scheduling new patients.   We say goodbye to Virginia Smith-Dunwoody, NP, who is moving to Washington State with her husband.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine

Lyme disease is preventable. Maine CDC recommends following the “No Ticks 4 ME” approach which includes:

• Wear protective clothing
• Use insect repellent
• Perform daily tick checks
• Use caution in tick habitats

• Ticks must be attached for 24-48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted, so prompt removal of ticks is extremely important. 

• Anyone with a known tick bite or who has been in a tick habitat should watch for symptoms for at least 30 days after the exposure. If symptoms develop, call your physician.

• The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash (erythema migrans) that occurs 3-30 days after being bitten. Fever, joint and muscle pains may also occur.  

Prophylaxis after a tick bite is not routinely recommended, but can be considered under specific circumstances (tick has been identified as an engorged deer tick that has been attached for over 24 hours, and prophylaxis can be started within 72 hours. 

• Even if prophylaxis is used, monitoring for symptoms for 30 days is recommended. 

 

 Check out the Maine CDC website at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/press-release.shtml?id=524456 for more information.

Beginning in March, Dr. Charlebois has relocated his practice to Inland Family Care 74 Water St. in Oakland.  If you wish to follow him to his new practice location, you can call his office at 465-7342 to schedule an appointment.  If you wish to remain a patient of Three Rivers Family Practice, please contact Three Rivers at 873-3753 or let us know during your next appointment.

Amanda Doody has joined our front office staff, making your experience with both our Waterville and Augusta locations as friendly and efficient as possible.  Please welcome her!

Spring is right around the corner, a time of renewal.  This is a great time of year to get more active and improve your health.  Take advantage of the snow and explore the trails behind Inland or at Quarry Rd. with your snowshoes or cross country skis.  As the snow melts, get out and walk for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.  If you live in the Augusta area, the Rail Trail is a great place to walk, and in Waterville and Oakland the trail system is a great way to enjoy nature.  Many gyms offer discounted membership rates this time of year.  You can join Planet Fitness for as little as $10 /month.  Fairfield and Augusta also have 24 hr fitness centers for those of you with hectic schedules (no more excuses!)  Whatever activity you may enjoy, be more active! Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself and has been shown to help combat a multitude of health problems including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia and back pain.  If you're not sure what type of exercise is right for you, discuss it with your health care provider.

Please note: Both offices are closed Monday January 21, 2013.

We've moved!

Our Augusta office has relocated from Middle St. to 77 Sewall St.  Parking is located behind the building.  Follow the signs to find us right on the ground floor through the back entrance.

Our Waterville location has not changed.

Our friendly Augusta staff look forward to welcoming you to our newly renovated office.

DIRECTIONS

View Three River Family Practice Offices in a larger map

We hope the Holidays were safe and enjoyable for everyone!

Our offices will be closed Monday January 21, 2013 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

We look forward to re-locating our Augusta office to 77 Sewall St. in Augusta in the coming weeks.  If you have an appointment in our Augusta location in the coming weeks, we will confirm with you whether or not we have moved when confirming your appointment.  Donna Sonner, FNP is a new member of our team seeing patients in our Augusta location 5 days per week.

Virginia Smith-Dunwoody, FNP is seeing patients in both Augusta and Waterville and Marie Mason, PA is seeing patients in Waterville.  Their hard work allows us to provide you with more appointment options and availability to better meet your needs.

Vitamins, supplements and probiotics continue to be available through Balance Rx in both Waterville and Augusta.  Check with the office for available supplements and pricing.