Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2021

Me e t o u r n ew p r ov i d e r s Marilyn Aenchbacher, PA Kootenai Clinic Vascular Surgery Tell us a bit about you and your family: My husband and I recently moved here from Texas. We love the outdoors, so Idaho was the perfect place for us to settle down. I attended Texas A&M for undergrad, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center for PA school. Why did you pick your specialty? I chose vascular surgery because I enjoy assisting in surgery and being part of a team. I also like the complexity of vascular patients and find it incredibly rewarding to improve their lives. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? Patients can expect a compassionate provider who desires the best for them. I want my patients to feel valued, well cared for and comfortable. What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy outdoors activities such as hiking, swimming and cycling. I also enjoy playing clarinet and piano. What drew you to Kootenai Health? I was drawn to Kootenai Health because I wanted to work alongside the compassionate and diligent providers here. What is your favorite healthy tip? I encourage people to find a physically active hobby they enjoy doing. This way, exercise is a fun and enjoyable activity. Schedule an appointment: Call (208) 625-5222 . Phuong Cao, M.D. Kootenai Clinic Hospital Medicine Tell us a bit about you and your family: I am Vietnamese American and love pretty places like Coeur d’Alene. Why did you pick your specialty? I chose hospitalist work because I like the acuity of caring for inpatients. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? The first thing patients notice about me is my smile and cold hands, which means warm heart! What are some of your hobbies? Besides hiking and kayaking I enjoy traveling the world to explore the underwater world. What drew you to Kootenai Health? Your mountains and lakes drew me to Kootenai. Being a top health care employer is extra icing on the cake. What is your favorite healthy tip? My favorite healthy tips are hydration and rest. Larry Derbes, M.D. Kootenai Heart Clinics Sandpoint Why did you pick your specialty? I love everything about the heart and the practice of cardiology. The heart is far more than just a physical organ, with emotional and spiritual components. Its health is vital to our lives in so many ways. It is the power source for our bodies, minds and spirits. Plus, the practice of cardiology is challenging. It is very dynamic and requires skills in examination, many forms of imaging and surgery. I picked cardiology for the opportunity to save many lives. What can patients expect when they meet you? Patients should expect to relax and to feel relieved when they see me. I listen, then help guide them through the optimal choices for their health, working with their needs and abilities. What are some of your hobbies? My hobbies are cycling, hiking and sailing. What drew you to Kootenai Health? My wife and I fell in love with Sandpoint and enjoy all the wonderful outdoor opportunities in northern Idaho. We were planning on retiring in Sandpoint, but decided to move here earlier after discovering the level of organization and quality of care at Kootenai Heart Clinics. 10