Annual Flu Vaccine Notice

October 7, 2009

Notice to VMC patients:

Please be advised that VMC has received word of delays in shipment of our annual flu vaccine.

Currently, all offices are experiencing a shortage of vaccine at this time. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has asked manufacturers of flu vaccine to postpone additional production to allow the manufacturers to focus on research and development of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine and to manufacture the H1N1 vaccine.

Our manufacturers have told us we may expect a shipment of the annual vaccine later this month.

We do anticipate having adequate vaccine for any patient requesting the vaccine. We know that this creates an inconvenience for our patients and we do sincerely apologize.

Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to obtain additional vaccine and that we will continue to provide flu vaccinations as they become available.

Thank you.

Children and adults who chronically suffer from sinusitis, which can develop as a result of bad air quality, can now get help in Tulare County.

Visalia Medical Clinic’s Craig Calloway, M.D., F.A.C.S., is now performing Balloon Sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic sinus surgery technique that allows physicians to treat sinus disease entirely through the nostrils, and in many cases without tissue or bone removal. It helps patients get off antibiotics for chronic infections with usually only one to two days of post-op recovery downtime.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus membranes and is chronic when it persists for at least 12 weeks. Symptoms include facial pain, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, etc.

Dr. Calloway was one of the first surgeons in Tulare County to perform the procedure, according to Acclarent, which makes the balloon sinuplasty system. He is the only Visalia-based Ear, Nose and Throat specialist using this technology and the most experienced in the south valley using it, according to the company.

For more information, call 739-2000.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Visalia Medical Clinic, Inc.

• Andre' Edmonds, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon -- Edmonds specialized in minimally invasive total hip and knee replacement and endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery.
• Sandra Soares, Family Nurse Practitioner -- Soares joins our internal medicine department.
• Angelina Mallari, MD, Family Practice -- Mallari joins VMC's team of family practice physicians, replacing Dr. John Wong as he retires after 28 years.
• Connor Mai, DPM, Podiatry -- Mai joins Joseph Reynolds, DPM, in our podiatry department.

We want you to know that we are bringing the best on board to help you Be Well.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Chief Executive Officer

Keeping our Patients Safe From Swine Flu

As word spreads of swine flu, we want our patients to know that we, at Visalia Medical Clinic, are keeping our patients safe. We hope our patients will not panic and will keep in mind that swine flu is just that, a strain of the flu. Yes, it can be serious and even fatal, but we have no reason to believe this strain will be worse than other strains.

Here's what we're doing at Visalia Medical Clinic in this time:

• We are working on a comprehensive plan keep those who have the flu from infecting others.
• We are seeing those in need of immediate care at QuickCare.
• We are working closely with the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency and following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For information on swine flu symptoms and how to stay healthy, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Chief Executive Officer

Valley's Largest Physician-Owned Clinic Gains New Physical Therapist

Visalia Medical Clinic is pleased to introduce physical therapist Jennifer Elliott, DPT, to its Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center.

Elliott, now the third physical therapist on staff at the center, says she is excited to work side-by-side with Tony Marciano, RPT and Charles Cholmakjian, RPT, also physical therapists on staff at Visalia Medical Clinic.

Elliott, a native of Visalia, earned her undergraduate degree from Fresno Pacific University where she graduated magna cum laude in pre-physical therapy, and then graduated from Loma Linda University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Elliott says she takes great satisfaction in watching patients get back to their normal lives at VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center.

At VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, physicians work closely with therapists to get patients back to health and normal function. The center offers individual therapy, rehabilitation and sports therapy and an industrial program aimed at injury prevention on the job and the rehabilitation of workers.

For more information on VMC's Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center call 739-2010.

Visalia Medical Clinic is pleased to introduce QuickCare, a new urgent care service to help Tulare County residents avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

QuickCare will offer the general public quick, quality care for little emergencies such as fevers, earaches and weekend injuries.

Unlike other urgent care services offered in the area, when people walk into the doors of QuickCare they will be seen by a physician who is backed by support staff and all the ancillary services offered at Visalia Medical Clinic, the largest private medical clinic in the valley. Glenda Dalby, MD, who for the past 20 years has been a family practice physician at Visalia Medical Clinic, will serve as Medical Director of QuickCare.

QuickCare will accept most forms of insurance or patients can pay cash. The clinic will be open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day during the following hours:

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays

QuickCare will be located at the eastern entrance of Visalia Medical Clinic. QuickCare's service number is 738-7555.

Richard E. Strid, CEO
Visalia Medical Clinic, Inc.