PLATTSBURGH — Area residents seeking help for asthma and allergy problems can turn to Urgicare of the Northeast, where specialists provide treatment and education.
Shannon McMeeken-Hagadorn, a physician's assistant, and Juliann Olsen, a certified asthma educator, are now both available for consultations at Urgicare, located on Hammond Lane in Plattsburgh.
"Julie and I were both with Dr. (Randy) Stoloff, who was an allergist in the area for 19 years," McMeeken-Hagadorn said. "When he relocated (in May 2009), it left a hole in our region for allergy treatment and management. We've been trying for at least four years to recruit an asthma/allergist to Plattsburgh but have been unsuccessful."
NEED IN AREA
When Stoloff closed his practice, both McMeeken-Hagadorn and Olsen were part of an effort to continue offering allergy care through a satellite office opened in Plattsburgh by Smith House Health Care Center of Willsboro. That office closed earlier this year, however, and the community was again in need of a facility for asthma and allergy needs.
That's when Dr. Jonathan Beach announced upgrades to Urgicare, which would include offering part-time services for asthma/allergy patients.
"This allows us to continue providing care for our patients and to provide services for new patients," McMeeken-Hagadorn said, noting that records for Stoloff's patients were transferred first to Smith House and now to Urgicare. "I would say that between 40 to 50 percent of Dr. Stoloff's patients have come here.
"The hardest part (in reaching out to new patients) is that people don't realize we're here."
SIMPLE TEST
Patients often come to the clinic with upper-respiratory infections that have not responded well to antibiotics prescribed by their family physicians, Olsen noted.
"We provide them with a simple breathing test that can tell us a lot," she said in reference to the spirometer the clinic uses to measure the volume of air exhaled when a patient breathes.
A patient's medical history is then recorded, along with information on the type of environment the person is subject to at home and at work.
"With the information from the history and a physical exam, we can better decide what the diagnosis would be and what kind of treatment plan we can develop," McMeeken-Hagadorn said.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A lot of treatment plans can include simple adjustments to the environment, Olsen noted. With the heavy flooding and water damage from the past year's violent weather, many people in the region have developed problems from mold in their homes. Finding ways to remove that mold can go a long way to improving an allergic reaction, she said.
When patients have allergies to a family pet, McMeeken-Hagadorn and Olsen look for ways to reduce the environmental impact from the pet without necessarily having to separate it from the family.
PROACTIVE APPROACH
A lot of the clinic's efforts focus on education.
"We teach patients how to take a proactive approach, how to take care of themselves," Olsen said. "It's important that they know how to take their medications properly."
REFERRALS
Between them, McMeeken-Hagadorn and Olsen had about 15 years of experience with Stoloff and now use that knowledge to help patients manage their asthma or allergy issues.
The office also has a working relationship with an allergist in Glens Falls, where they can refer patients who need advanced care. Often, patients will make their initial visit to Glens Falls and then can utilize Urgicare's services for follow-up care.
McMeeken-Hagadorn is available Tuesdays and Thursdays during regular business hours, while Olsen is on Tuesdays through Fridays to offer educational services.
Email Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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