CHC Foot Clinic now open to serve the CNMI

Good news to those who want their feet checked for possible infection and other problems because the Commonwealth Health Center recently opened a Foot Clinic.

In a news briefing held Thursday last week, Department of Public Health acting Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez presented to the media two of their resident Physical Therapists, Pam Carhill and Dana McFadden, who will be manning the new clinic.

The clinic opens every Wednesday from 9am to 11am at the CHC Physical Therapy Department.

McFadden said the clinic actually opened on Jan. 4. Since then, they have received a favorable response from the community. She said the clinic has had at least 20 patients already who had their feet either treated or just checked up.

The clinic came about after months of development by the Physical Therapy Department and with the assistance of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and support of CHC physicians, said McFadden.

Carhill said clinic is open to patients and clients who have diabetes, foot and leg wounds, cuts or scabs, callus and corns, venous disease or problems with leg swelling and circulation, and foot deformities. She added that patients are accepted on a walk-in basis or with doctor’s referral.

McFadden said a physician first screen the walk-in patients before referring them to a physical therapist.

Patients are tested for blood sugar and blood pressure level. They are given a risk assessment, a complete foot exam and treated if necessary. They will be given more information on diabetic foot care and about the importance of proper footwear, and instructed on daily foot self-inspection.

Carhill said they recently accepted a patient at the clinic and diagnosed the patient to be positive for diabetes. She then referred the patient to the right doctor.

“If there are no immediate concerns that need to be treated, patients are provided with a follow-up appointment at the foot clinic for one month, three months, or six months, depending on their level of risk,” added McFadden.

If the patient is determined to have a medical issue that needs to be addressed, they send the patient to their doctor for a follow-up. If they don’t have a regular and primary care provider, the patients are booked for a follow-up appointment with CHC’s foot clinic physician.

Doctors Robin Shearer and Larry Hocog have been assisting the clinic as its on-site physicians.

“Dr. Shearer has also been incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the development process of the foot clinic. Their assistance is greatly appreciated,” said McFadden.

For more information on fees and other concerns, community member can contact the Physical Therapy Department at 236-8327.