Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2022

What are some of your hobbies? Time with my family, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, CrossFit, playing soccer and watching my beloved Arsenal (my favorite English Premier League soccer team!). What drew you to Kootenai health? The charm and location of Coeur d’Alene and the general surgery group. What is your favorite health tip? Eat well, move often. Don’t live to eat—eat to live. Schedule an appointment: Call (208) 625-5200 . Elise McVeigh, D.O. Kootenai Clinic Rheumatology Tell us a bit about you and your family. I met my partner, Dustin Smyth, when we started our first year of medical school. He is a neurologist with a focus in neuromuscular medicine and also recently started at Kootenai Health. Together, we have been through several moves, including our most recent cross-country move to Idaho! We also have two adorable goldendoodles, Wendy and Sulley. We are all very excited to be a part of this community. Why did you pick your specialty? I first became interested in rheumatology during my clerkships as a medical student, as I found the patients with rheumatologic conditions to be the most interesting and often most complex to diagnose. Each patient’s story is a unique puzzle with conditions that may manifest in subtle ways and often require thorough evaluation to lead to a diagnosis. Because of the complexity of this field, I am passionate about clinical exam skills, taking time to listen to and get to know my patients and crafting a tailored diagnostic and treatment plan for each of my patients’ rheumatologic needs. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? As a patient, you can expect an enthusiastic and caring physician who will take the time to listen to your symptoms, review prior tests in detail and conduct a thorough physical examination. I will take my time to answer any questions you may have and outline a plan moving forward. What are some of your hobbies? Cooking and baking, skiing, hiking with my partner and our dogs and dancing. I also recently started rock climbing! What drew you to Kootenai Health? While my partner and I were looking for jobs, we were both struck by the welcoming and collaborative environment at Kootenai Health. What is your favorite healthy tip? Exercise regularly, stay hydrated and get enough sleep! Schedule an appointment: Call (208) 625-4780 . Melanie Moss, PA Kootenai Clinic Orthopedics Tell us a bit about you and your family. I grew up in Minnesota and first realized I belonged in the mountains when I moved to Colorado. Since then, I have lived in several Western states, including Arizona where I attended physician assistant school. My husband and his family are from Coeur d’Alene, so we decided to make northern Idaho our home. Our 2-year-old border collie, Maddie, keeps us plenty busy and entertained. Why did you pick your specialty? I chose orthopedics because I enjoy helping people get back to the activities they love and seeing improvements in their quality of life. I am also fascinated by the intricate mechanics of the human body, and part of my job is teaching and sharing that with my patients. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? They can expect friendly and thorough care. Patients and their caretakers are the most important part in making decisions for their treatment. Using my knowledge and resources, I will work together with my patients to come up with a plan that best fits their needs. —Continued on page 14 KH . ORG 13