We are here to help during COVID-19
In this time, as we round the bend on this 2020 year that is so much more than a made for television production, we all have had to transition and learn to adapt to a new normal. I know this has been true for myself and my family as we've had to make changes in how we interact with one another, protecting our parents and seeing them only from a safe distance, not being able to celebrate special moments as we've done in the past, and even welcoming a grand new grand daughter from a far - but that is nothing in comparison to the toll this pandemic has taken on many others. For the front line health care workers who are working endless shifts and sacrificing their own families to save the lives of others, thank you. For those who have lost jobs and are struggling financially, and for those of you who have lost love ones, you have both my, as well as my family's, heartfelt sympathies. This is a time that all of us are asking, "What can I do?" And in this time, for me personally, my answer is to assist however I can. To all of my patients, I want to assure you that I am available to continue to be here to support you in all of your healthcare needs. We can't undervalue the stress of this time - it is a time for me as a medical professional, and as a husband, father and grandfather, to also just take each moment at one step at a time, with one foot in front of the other. It is essential for us to take care of ourselves, and one another, to ensure that we ride out this storm together and reach the other side even safer and stronger. I find myself needing my bike ride at the end of the day more now than ever, and often more for the emotional benefits than the physical ones. We are adaptable and we are now needing to adapt - as a care giver, I want to be as supportive as I possibly can. That is why, with sincerity, I ask, "How can I help?"
With this in mind, I, along with my entire bariatric team including dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychologists, are here, willing and able. We are fortunate that we are back doing bariatric surgery now that the ban on elective surgeries has been lifted. We are also fortunate that our Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center, is located in Carver County where Covid-19 cases continue to be lower than in many other areas in Minnesota. This is promising as it gives us the advantage of being able to continue to operate during the pandemic. Another big positive that, quite frankly, I did not expect is telemedicine visits - I did not anticipate that the quality of the telemedicine visit would be on par with the office visits that I've been so accustomed to over my 20 plus years in medicine. I actually have found that many patients not just prefer telemedicine versus face to face visits, they are more relaxed which provides a better clinic experience. We are now back in clinic for those patients that prefer that setting, but we will continue to offer telemedicine as an option moving forward for anyone that prefers this option.
We also are excited to announce the launch of our new non-surgical weight loss program and that has been a huge success. It just made sense as we recognized that this is a time when many people need structure with exercise and health. This program seems to really be meeting the needs of so many and we have been pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of people interested in working with us to get on track with their own health. If this is something that you might be interested in, or if bariatric surgery seems like the better fit, please contact us and we can get you the information to determine if this might be a good fit for you.
Stay healthy, stay safe and thank you for doing your part!
Dr. "Jeff"
To make an appointment with Dr. Baker, please contact the Ridgeview Bariatric Team at 952-442-7820 or contact Kris directly at 952-210-6325 (kristyn.baker@ridgeviewmedical.org)
In this time, as we round the bend on this 2020 year that is so much more than a made for television production, we all have had to transition and learn to adapt to a new normal. I know this has been true for myself and my family as we've had to make changes in how we interact with one another, protecting our parents and seeing them only from a safe distance, not being able to celebrate special moments as we've done in the past, and even welcoming a grand new grand daughter from a far - but that is nothing in comparison to the toll this pandemic has taken on many others. For the front line health care workers who are working endless shifts and sacrificing their own families to save the lives of others, thank you. For those who have lost jobs and are struggling financially, and for those of you who have lost love ones, you have both my, as well as my family's, heartfelt sympathies. This is a time that all of us are asking, "What can I do?" And in this time, for me personally, my answer is to assist however I can. To all of my patients, I want to assure you that I am available to continue to be here to support you in all of your healthcare needs. We can't undervalue the stress of this time - it is a time for me as a medical professional, and as a husband, father and grandfather, to also just take each moment at one step at a time, with one foot in front of the other. It is essential for us to take care of ourselves, and one another, to ensure that we ride out this storm together and reach the other side even safer and stronger. I find myself needing my bike ride at the end of the day more now than ever, and often more for the emotional benefits than the physical ones. We are adaptable and we are now needing to adapt - as a care giver, I want to be as supportive as I possibly can. That is why, with sincerity, I ask, "How can I help?"
With this in mind, I, along with my entire bariatric team including dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychologists, are here, willing and able. We are fortunate that we are back doing bariatric surgery now that the ban on elective surgeries has been lifted. We are also fortunate that our Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center, is located in Carver County where Covid-19 cases continue to be lower than in many other areas in Minnesota. This is promising as it gives us the advantage of being able to continue to operate during the pandemic. Another big positive that, quite frankly, I did not expect is telemedicine visits - I did not anticipate that the quality of the telemedicine visit would be on par with the office visits that I've been so accustomed to over my 20 plus years in medicine. I actually have found that many patients not just prefer telemedicine versus face to face visits, they are more relaxed which provides a better clinic experience. We are now back in clinic for those patients that prefer that setting, but we will continue to offer telemedicine as an option moving forward for anyone that prefers this option.
We also are excited to announce the launch of our new non-surgical weight loss program and that has been a huge success. It just made sense as we recognized that this is a time when many people need structure with exercise and health. This program seems to really be meeting the needs of so many and we have been pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of people interested in working with us to get on track with their own health. If this is something that you might be interested in, or if bariatric surgery seems like the better fit, please contact us and we can get you the information to determine if this might be a good fit for you.
Stay healthy, stay safe and thank you for doing your part!
Dr. "Jeff"
To make an appointment with Dr. Baker, please contact the Ridgeview Bariatric Team at 952-442-7820 or contact Kris directly at 952-210-6325 (kristyn.baker@ridgeviewmedical.org)
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Two Twelve Medical Center, 111 Hundermark Road, Suite 115 N, Chaska, MN 55318 Phone: 952-210-6325
Unity Professional Building, 500 Osborne Road NE, Suite 145, Fridley, MN . 55432
Unity Professional Building, 500 Osborne Road NE, Suite 145, Fridley, MN . 55432