Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 2, 2021

18 When it comes to good health, there is one medical professional you simply cannot do without: a family medicine (or primary care) provider. Whether it is your infant’s first doctor appointment or preventive care as an adult, your family medicine provider is there to answer questions and support your and your family’s health care journey. “Family medicine is a great option for primary care because we are trained to take care of patients of all ages,” said Becca Siemers, M.D., a physician and faculty provider at Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine Residency. “I have several three- and four-generation families in my practice, and knowing their history through taking care of the entire family improves the care I can provide.” Family medicine providers are devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. This is your main provider—the person who will see you through nonemergency illnesses, from a sore back to a cough that will not go away. He or she can treat most medical problems; and if not, this provider will get you to a specialist who can. Keeping youwell Family medicine providers do more than help you feel better when you are sick. They help keep you healthy. That means, among other things, partnering with you to catch small health problems before they become serious and making sure you’re up-to-date on potentially lifesaving screening tests. Family medicine providers are also trained to treat the whole person—both physical ailments and mental or emotional health. “I’ve been going to Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine Residency since I From pediatrics to geriatrics, Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine Residency is here for you By Andrea Nagel Becca Siemers, M.D. Care for the Whole Family