Family Doctor
Kayla Hoots Reporting

Over the last ten years there has been an increasing shortage of primary care physicians. With possible health care reform the shortage could get even worse. Health care reform would mean many changes for everyone in medicine including doctors, nurses, and medical school employees. In case the health care reform bill is passed by the Senate, many are getting ready for the possible changes.

 

 

 

 

Family Doctor
Kayla Hoots Reporting

Over the last ten years there has been an increasing shortage of primary care physicians. With possible health care reform the shortage could get even worse. Health care reform would mean many changes for everyone in medicine including doctors, nurses, and medical school employees. In case the health care reform bill is passed by the Senate, many are getting ready for the possible changes.

Judy Demers, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions at UND Med School

says "First of all if health care reform passes, you're going to have a much increased demand for primary health care at a beginning level, actually."

Dr. Matt Stayman explains "We'll have to be prepared for those changes that might mean higher patient volumes."

If the bill passes, it would extend coverage to 47 million Americans who are without insurance. However, the increased need for primary care doctors is not affecting medical students' choice of specialty.

"We're not getting students to stay in those fields unless they have a true love for it." says Dr. Matt Stayman.

Some specialties have starting salaries that are up to three times as much as primary care doctors. Dr. Stayman says that he will be paying off his college loans until the year before his daughter starts college.

Judy DeMers explains "Health care reform's going to have to look at somehow increasing the salary level for primary care physicians."

Medical schools are trying to help by offering incentives like tuition reimbursement in return for a signed contract in family medicine. As America waits for possible health care reform, many are rushing to make sure a doctor will be available when you need one.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says the number of medical students going into primary care has dropped by half since 1997.

Grocery Diet
Jeremy Curren Reporting

While many are worried about contracting the H-1-N-1 virus another worry is in the workforce. Some organizations are trying to address a more widespread health problem. It's one of the fastest growing problems in America.

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Diet
Jeremy Curren Reporting

While many are worried about contracting the H-1-N-1 virus another worry is in the workforce. Some organizations are trying to address a more widespread health problem. It's one of the fastest growing problems in America.

Sue Streitz, a Dietician says "Thirty percent of adults are obese."

Obesity is more than just a body image issue, it's a major health issue.

Shellie Wright, a Bariatric Surgery Physicians Assistant explains "Type two diabetes mellitus is the number one comorbidity that our patients have. A lot of patients will also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnia."

Weight problems are also starting to affect a new group of people.

Sue Streitz, Dietician, "We're seeing very adult type diseases happening in younger kids like high blood pressure, that never used to be seen in kids before."

One hospital in Grand Forks North Dakota has changed where it practices to help people change their eating habits.

"I had been working with a patient and he said when are you going to come to the grocery store and teach me and my wife what to put in our cart? He called me the next day and he said that was the best thing you need to offer that to everyone and so we just started offering it to everybody." says Sue Streitz.

These grocery store tours are teaching shoppers how to make healthier choices and revealing differences they might not have noticed between foods.

Sue Streitz explains "These are two types of bread that look like there is a big difference between the two, one is white bread and one is labeled wheat bread, but when you look at the labels you find out that actually they're the same bread, one has caramel coloring and one doesn't. Also be very careful of sugars in items such as yogurt because these two items look very similar but one has close to 300 calories and one has 100 calories and the difference is sugar alone."

Nearly one third of Americans are obese. With tours like this teaching people to eat healthier dieticians hope to start shrinking the problem of America's expanding waistline.

There are other ways to avoid unhealthy choices next time you go to the store. One tip is to not shop when you're hungry because you will most likely buy on impulse rather than what is healthy.

Sportsmanship
Mark Kubat Reporting

Many people enjoy the atmosphere of a home game. Having a strong, energetic fan base can give the home team an advantage. However sometimes things can start to get out of control.

The University of North Dakota is well known for its loud, proud, and energetic crowd. During a home game, the hockey arena is filled with cheers and jaunts from the time the first puck is dropped until the last period ends. Sometimes, however, this can lead to some less-than-kind behavior.

 

 

Sportsmanship
Mark Kubat Reporting

Many people enjoy the atmosphere of a home game. Having a strong, energetic fan base can give the home team an advantage. However sometimes things can start to get out of control.

The University of North Dakota is well known for its loud, proud, and energetic crowd. During a home game, the hockey arena is filled with cheers and jaunts from the time the first puck is dropped until the last period ends. Sometimes, however, this can lead to some less-than-kind behavior.

Jody Hodgson, a General Manager REA says

"There were some issues that rose above others during the Gopher-Sioux series. More specifically a few of the chants that were partaken that included a word from our language that you really can't use in any public domain."

These chants caused some concern among arena officials. In an attempt to find a solution for controlling these untasteful cheers, the arena sent out emails to season ticket holders asking for their feedback.

Jody Hodgson explains "There are a couple of things we want to try and improve and we think we can make some of these improvements. We think that the students can help us with that. We think the non-students can help us with that. And we look forward to working with them on those issues."

Arena officials also held open forums to discuss these issues first hand. Out of this information, one thing was clear, the fans agreed the behavior was inappropriate.

Ted Sobotta, a Student Fan says "Some profanities did get out of hand and that shouldn't be tolerated. But also part of being at the game is cheering against the other team and starting some stuff."

Arena officials say the new policy is only an emphasis on existing policies, not anything new.

"The one thing that we're very cognizant of is that we don't want to overreact. A significant, significant majority of our fans, both student and non-student, use great common sense and behave in a very appropriate manner at each and every home game that we have" says Jody Hodgson.

For now, no big changes will be made and arena officials say they will not make any drastic changes without first consulting with the fans.

Fans now have another option to report behavior problems during the game. They can send a text message to arena staff telling them the location of inappropriate behavior.

Hand Bells
Stephanie Liden Reporting

The chime of bells usually tells people the time of day. But for a group of Midwestern musicians that ding dong sound has a more melodic meaning.

One person ringing a bell pales in comparison to twelve skilled ringers. This group makes this look easy. It sounds like there are many peices to the ringer puzzle.

Monica McGowen, a Music Director says "We tell people if you know your left hand from your right hand and you can count to four, we can usually teach you the rest."

Hand Bells
Stephanie Waltz Reporting

The chime of bells usually tells people the time of day. But for a group of Midwestern musicians that ding dong sound has a more melodic meaning.

One person ringing a bell pales in comparison to twelve skilled ringers. This group makes this look easy. It sounds like there are many peices to the ringer puzzle.

Monica McGowen, a Music Director says "We tell people if you know your left hand from your right hand and you can count to four, we can usually teach you the rest."

The reason this group is so popular goes beyond the twinkle and gong. These people are genuine performers.

Jenny Jonett, a Bell Ringer explains, "We are dancing behind the table, and we are keeping the beat, and we are keeping the music going."

Dedicating countless hours to their craft keeps them on tempo. These entertainers have bells on the brain. Some members say they are addictive.

"I do take my bells and my notes to work with me and I actually am ghost ringing at the computer or during my lunch break." says Jenny.

What sets the music apart from other bands is creativity. Over the years they have reinvented themselves. The newest way is through a technique called "singing bell."

Monica says "It gets the casting to vibrate and it sets up the harmonics in a really etherial way."

The Twin Cities Bronze knows two bells are better than one. When twelve musicians come together this is the result.

The group's largest bell is called the base and it weighs just over eleven pounds. They group plays a variety of music including classical and jazz.

Pop Tabs
Mari Boe Reporting

Soda, Pop or simply a carbonated beverage. No matter what you call them they are found all across the United States. One woman is turning a part of America's favorite drinks into hopes for children.

Curling clubs across Northern communities have a common by product. Trash cans full of cans. When Julia Wallin joined the Grand Forks Curling club something started missing on these cans.

Julia Wallin, Pop tab collector says, "Sometimes I get a little obsessive about them, but oh well, haha."

 

Pop Tabs
Mari Boe Reporting

Soda, Pop or simply a carbonated beverage. No matter what you call them they are found all across the United States. One woman is turning a part of America's favorite drinks into hopes for children.

Curling clubs across Northern communities have a common by product. Trash cans full of cans. When Julia Wallin joined the Grand Forks Curling club something started missing on these cans.

Julia Wallin, Pop tab collector says, "Sometimes I get a little obsessive about them, but oh well, haha."

She found something small that can make a big difference. Julia retired from nursing years ago but she never retired from being a caregiver.

Jean Voracheck, a Curler explains "Oh, she is just a giving person and she will always do anything to help another person."

Her self-described obsession helps children who can't walk.

"I think about that boy that can play sports now with his low weight, low to the ground wheelchairs" says Julia Wallin.

Bob Bina, a Grand Forks Curling Club VP explains "She's one of a kind, I wish we had 10 of her, but we are probably lucky to have one."

Julia brought her passion for collecting and curling together. She regularly places donation jars at her curling club. One pop tab at a time Julia works toward a new wheelchair for someone else.

Julia says "It makes them feel good too I'm sure, because it does me, yeah."

When a child receives a wheelchair Julia makes sure to spread the good news.

"It's kind of neat to know a few people can actually make a difference like that" says Bob Bina.

Julia's passion for the small things in life is making a big change in somebody elses.

Julia collects about half a million pop tabs every year. They go to a hospital that take her and other contributors tabs to a recycling company. The money made then goes toward a new wheelchair.

Carwash
Emily Danielson Reporting

As the weather cools, and snow begins to fall the roads will become an icy mess, but to keep the road from being dangerous sand and salt are used to keep vehicles from sliding around. The materials that keep our roads safe can have damaging effects on our cars.

In the winter many people worry about ruining their car in an accident. But there is a more common way your vehicle could get damaged.

Mike Porwoll, a Vehicle care Territory Manager says "There are a lot of corrosive things that come up off the high way in the winter time and as the temperatures fluctuates it activates on the vehicle."

 

Carwash
Emily Danielson Reporting

As the weather cools, and snow begins to fall the roads will become an icy mess, but to keep the road from being dangerous sand and salt are used to keep vehicles from sliding around. The materials that keep our roads safe can have damaging effects on our cars.

In the winter many people worry about ruining their car in an accident. But there is a more common way your vehicle could get damaged.

Mike Porwoll, a Vehicle care Territory Manager says "There are a lot of corrosive things that come up off the high way in the winter time and as the temperatures fluctuates it activates on the vehicle."

Washing your car regularly is the best damage prevention from the salt and chemicals on the road. Also When choosing a car wash it is important the underbody gets cleaned.

Joe Strang, a Valley Dairy Car Wash Manager explains "All of the components that are underneath the car are exposed to the salt and chemicals on the road and if you can get that if you can get the rinsed off and keep it neutral it will tend to make your components last longer and perform better."

Below zero temperatures don't affect your car. But when temperatures rise, then chemicals on the car start reacting. Not only are the components underneath the car affected but the corners on the doors and the hinges are susceptible to rust.

"Depends a lot on your driving conditions if you stay home you don't need to wash it too often but if you're out and about you should keep it fresh all the time" says Joe Strang.

So as long as you keep your car looking good in the summer it will look good for years to come.

When the weather is well below freezing the salt and chemicals will not damage your car at that time but if they stay on when the temperature reach above freezing is when the chemicals react and cause they car damage.