At 77, Leonard Cardinal is a strong man. He is
a diabetic undergoing dialysis. He recently suffered a stroke,
a broken hip, escaped a fire and yet, his spirit remains undaunted.
Some of these life events have, however, limited
his mobility.
Leonard Cardinal, telemedicine patient, relaxes
in the Portage Health cafeteria between his telemedicine appointment
and his dialysis session.
While admitted in a hospital for his broken hip,
he underwent rehabilitation. He was performing his exercises quite
diligently on his own but did not realize that the repetitive
lifting motion of his legs was causing his heels to be rubbed
raw against the mattress. What was even more curious was that
these blisters showed no signs of healing.
Leonard had heard of Joel Johnson, MD, FACS, PC,
cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeon of Upper Great Lakes Vascular
in Marquette. “His reputation preceded him,” said
Leonard. “I had friends who had consulted him and were pleased
with his care.”
Schedule conflicts prevented Leonard from being
able to visit Dr. Johnson in Marquette to consult him about his
condition. Leonard has dialysis three times a week on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. Dr. Johnson is available at his Marquette
clinic only on Thursdays. As a resident of Baraga, this trip would
take Leonard away from his dialysis schedule.
This is where Portage’s telemedicine services
were able to help. Portage Health is a member of the Upper
Peninsula Telehealth Network of Michigan.
“Very simply, telemedicine is long distance
medical care. It allows you to be at your medical appointment
without traveling to your specialist’s office. Using video
technology, you will be able to see and hear your doctor. Your
doctor can do more than see and hear you. Patient exam cameras,
electronic stethoscopes and other telemedicine equipment helps
your doctor assess your needs,” explained Nancy Archambeau,
director of education at Portage Health.
Nancy stressed that these visits are private and
confidential.
“The biggest benefit of this, for me, is
being able to talk to my doctor face to face. I would not have
been able to travel to Marquette on the day that Dr. Johnson was
available and this telemedicine has allowed me to be diagnosed.
I am glad he was able to find the root of the problem; now, I
can have it fixed,” said Leonard.
After his telemedicine consultation at Portage’s
Hancock campus, Leonard was easily able to keep his dialysis appointment
with the Western U.P. Dialysis Center which is housed in the same
building.
Portage Health, a community owned and operated
health care organization, operates Portage Hospital, Portage Medical
Group, PortagePointe, Portage Home Health & Hospice, Portage
Rehab & Sports Medicine, and a wide range of other programs
and services for patients in the western Upper Peninsula.
For more information on Portage’s telemedicine
services, please contact the Portage Education Department at 906-483-1516.
