A new medical director has arrived Christian Health Care Center in Lynden. Dr. Angie Lee, MD, has replaced Dr. Steven Alexander, who served CHCC for 38 years! Dr. Lee comes to us through a partnership with The Center for Senior Health, operated by PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
But Dr. Lee won’t be the only new face in the halls of CHCC and at the bedsides of those who receive care here. Cindy Peers — an advanced registered nurse practitioner, or ARNP — also will be helping our care team manage the health and wellness of people who are here for long-term care or therapeutic rehab. Peers earned her ARNP degree from the University of Cincinnati and is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
What is an ARNP?
An advanced registered nurse practitioner is an RN who, like a doctor, can have primary responsibility for patient care. ARNPs complete extra levels of graduate training in medicine and can have their own practices or work alongside physicians.
We are fortunate at CHCC not only to have the services of Dr. Lee but also ARNP Peers, who can do many of the same high-level tasks in patient care. For example, she will be instrumental in diagnosing and treating health issues here at CHCC, which helps keep re-hospitalization rates low. She can also prescribe medications and teach those who live here about healthy living choices.
Here is an overview of whatan ARNP can do in Washington state.
- Manage overall patient care as a primary care provider.
- Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, including lab work, X-rays and advanced imaging.
- Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries.
- Prescribe medications and other treatments.
- Counsel and educate patients on medications, disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.
Besides having access to Dr. Lee’s medical expertise, CHCC will benefit from ARNP Peers providing care to those receiving care here a number of times each week. In addition to the experienced nurses we have on staff, that’s a lot of great medical attention for the people who live at CHCC and/or receive therapeutic rehabilitation services at our health care campus in north Whatcom County.
Christian Health Care Center is grateful for the support of The Center for Senior Health; we look forward to working alongside Cindy Peers in the weeks and months ahead. We all will welcome and appreciate her skills and knowledge.