Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2022

What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the warmer months. I also cross-train with running, weight lifting and basketball. What drew you to Kootenai Health? I have traveled and vacationed in the general area since I was a kid, and I have many family members in the general area. Kootenai Health seems like a very forward-thinking organization with good community engagement and support of its staff. What is your favorite healthy tip? Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish, avoid toxins and regularly exercise. Tiana Jespersen, M.D. Kootenai Clinic Nephrology Tell us a bit about you and your family. I grew up in Seattle, where I also started my medical career and met my husband. We are now a family of four and looking forward to the next adventure. Why did you pick your specialty? Nephrology is a relatively young field in medicine, which provides a unique opportunity for problem-solving. I like being able to give my patients concrete numbers, since much of the specialty is driven by laboratory data. I also appreciate the continuity of care for my patients, since most kidney diseases need to be managed long-term. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? I want to get to know my patients in order to help make the best decisions for managing their kidney disease. I strive to be a good listener and for open communication. What are some of your hobbies? I most enjoy reading fiction while sipping an afternoon coffee. During longer stretches of free time, I also love to explore new places, whether it be hiking with my family or traveling. What drew you to Kootenai Health? The people I met at Kootenai Health were so welcoming and friendly on my interview days that I knew immediately a supportive working environment awaited me here. What is your favorite healthy tip? Become involved in your own health. Medical professionals can provide guidance and specialty treatments, but you make the day-to- day decisions that influence your health, from choosing a nutritious snack to taking the dog on an extra evening walk. Schedule an appointment: Call (208) 625-6100 . Logan Linton, PA Kootenai Clinic General Surgery Tell us a bit about you and your family. My family means everything to me. My wife and I have been married for four years, and she is definitely the better half! We have a wonderful pup that we adore and love going on adventures with. We’re both transplants and looking for the best place to put down roots. Why did you pick your specialty? I enjoyed the time I spent in surgery prior to and throughout physician assistant school. General surgery is a multifaceted field that has many different ways of connecting with patients. What should patients expect when they first meet with you? I will make sure to put a smile on your face and at some point in time make you laugh. The patient-provider relationship needs to be built on trust and clear communication. Bringing good, positive energy into a room can make a big difference. —Continued from page 11 12