McKenzie Clinic's staff changes

BLUE RIVER: There are some new faces and familiar people in new roles at the McKenzie River Medical Clinic in Blue River. Long-time medical office assistant Amy Otoupalik retired recently, and Debbie Lemonds, also an MOA, left because her husband transferred to a job in the Florence area.

New employee Leah Oliver is working as the Clinic’s medical office assistant four days a week. Leah, a graduate of Springfield High School, is no stranger to the McKenzie River Valley. She continued her education in Pioneer Pacific College’s medical assistant program. Before accepting the job at the clinic, Leah was working with a physical therapy service in Springfield. She likes the clinic’s patient-oriented approach, and its emphasis on primary care and preventive health.

April Dundon is well known as the friendly person at the clinic’s front desk. She has worked many years in the front office, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, managing computers, and handling other office duties. In addition to continuing those responsibilities, April will now be working one day a week as a medical office assistant.

That position plays a key role in assisting the clinic’s two family nurse-practitioners, Mary Sherman and Leslie West. The MOA takes patient vital signs, draws blood, records medical history, and preps the patient and exam room. Behind the scenes, the MOA has responsibilities that include managing the inventory of medical supplies and doing some lab tests.

Besides these medical duties, the medical office assistant plays an important part in helping patients feel relaxed and comfortable.

The clinic continues to be open five days a week, providing primary care, exams, and preventive care for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma.

Images above: Leah Oliver is the new medical office assistant at the McKenzie River Medical Clinic in Blue River.

Long-time clinic employee April Dundon is taking on new responsibilities at the McKenzie River Medical clinic.

McKenzie River Reflections