Well Within Reach with Riverside Healthcare

How soon should you expect blood pressure medicine to lower your numbers? Liz Deck, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, DNP, Advanced Practice Provider at Riverside Healthcare, explains most medications take about two to six weeks to show effect. Learn home monitoring tips (use a cuff with your arm at heart level), when to return for follow-up and labs to check kidney function, and what to do if a medicine isn’t tolerated or needs adjustment.  Learn more about Liz Deck, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, DNP 

"How does the flu vaccine work and help me?" Influenza vaccination. Tammie Henderson, FNP-C, Primary Care Provider at Riverside Healthcare, explains how the vaccine introduces a weakened version of the virus (not live) so your body builds antibodies. Hear about reduced risk (about 40–60% in a well-matched season), shorter illness duration, milder symptoms if you still get sick, and common post-vaccine reactions like arm soreness or low-grade fever.  Learn more about Tammie Henderson

Worried your injury will take longer to heal or leave lasting limits? Mitch Cronk, PT, DPT, CLT, Outpatient Rehab Manager at Riverside Healthcare, explains which clinic technologies may help and when they're used. He walks through blood flow restriction (with Doppler-guided cuffs) for muscle strengthening after surgeries like ACL repair; vestibular infrared goggles and nystagmus recording for vertigo evaluation; stroboscopy for visualizing vocal cord motion in speech concerns; the solo step harness for safe gait training after stroke, brain injury, or spine issues; SaeboArm systems to provide repetitive assisted arm movements after neurological injury; and the BioDeck to quantify balance and track concussion recovery against normative sway data. Throughout, he emphasizes that these tools supplement therapist expertise, support individualized treatment plans, and are available across Riverside clinics to increase access to specialized rehab services.

Worried a small infection could suddenly become sepsis? Melinda Mattox, RN, SCRN, CPHQ, Quality Improvement Coordinator at Riverside Healthcare, explains how routine infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or cuts can sometimes trigger a dangerous, body-wide immune response. Listeners will better understand the immune dysregulation behind sepsis, why prompt treatment of infections matters, the role of wound care and primary care, and why Sepsis Awareness Month emphasizes early recognition.