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Most physicians you see have an “MD” after
their name.
✦
But there’s another type of
physician that is also fully trained and quali-
fied. These are doctors of osteopathy, also
known as DOs.
SKILLED PHYSICIANS
DOs complete four years of
medical school. They also spend three to eight years in
internships, residencies and fellowships.
Although there are DOs in every medical specialty,
most practice in primary care fields, such as family
medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology. Like
MDs, they must pass state licensing examinations in
order to practice.
When you see a DO, you can expect the latest in
medical techniques and services. DOs diagnose and treat
DOCTOR OF
OSTEOPATHY?
DOs practice a hands-on system of
gentle pressure, stretching and resis-
tance to move muscles and joints.
Welcome!
illnesses and prescribe medicine, and some perform sur-
gery. They also are trained to treat the patient as a whole
person and to emphasize wellness and healthy lifestyles.
These physicians help relieve the growing shortage
of physicians in the U.S. Their contribution is especially
important because DOs often practice in rural and urban
areas where access to medical care can be difficult.
HEALING TOUCH
DOs focus special attention on the
musculoskeletal system. They practice a hands-on sys-
tem of gentle pressure, stretching and resistance to move
muscles and joints.
This technique is called osteopathic manipulative
treatment. It’s one tool DOs use to help prevent, diagnose
and treat illnesses.
A GROWING FIELD
About 7 percent of physicians in the
U.S. are DOs, and that number is rapidly rising. Today,
about 1 in 5 medical students is attending an osteopathic
medical school.
Sources: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine; American Osteopathic
Association; U.S. Department of Labor
WHAT IS A
H. SCOTT MOUNTS, ARNP
H. Scott Mounts, ARNP, is
no stranger to the patients
of the Columbia Basin.
Samaritan Family Medicine
is excited to welcome him
back to Moses Lake. Mounts
has a passion for treat-
ing patients with complex
health problems, offering
a partnership in healthier
lifestyle choices to those with diabetes and other com-
plicated medical issues.
At the top of his priority list is compassionate care—
making sure you and your family receive individualized
treatment as part of our Samaritan family.
After earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing
from Pacific Lutheran University, he obtained his master
of science degree in nursing from the University of Wash-
ington. He is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner.
In his spare time you will find Mounts and his wife en-
joying their hobby farm and bountiful garden on 5 acres
in Moses Lake.
If you have questions or would like to schedule
an appointment, call
793-9780
.
ELAINE PETERSON, DO
Elaine Peterson, DO, was
born and raised in north
Seattle and started working
with children at an early
age, coaching gymnastics.
She worked as a preschool
teacher, emergency medical
technician and researcher
prior to attending medical
school. After an undergrad-
uate degree in biochemistry, she attended medical school
at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and
completed her residency at the University of California,
San Francisco Fresno.
Dr. Peterson sees patients ages birth through 18 years
at Samaritan Healthcare and knows the needs of each one.
It’s the way she provides care—with personal attention, lis-
tening and advocating for your child’s best health. It’s not
one-size-fits-all care. It’s listening first and teaching second.
Dr. Peterson is looking forward to meeting the families
of our community and helping your children grow and
thrive. In her spare time, you will find her enjoying all
of the outdoor activities the Columbia Basin has to offer,
from kayaking to hiking.
If you have questions or would like to schedule
an appointment, call
766-9450
.
LEXIE ZUVER, DO
Samaritan Family Medi-
cine is thrilled to introduce
Columbia Basin native Lexie
Zuver, DO.
Dr. Zuver grew up in
Othello, Washington, and
wanted to practice medi-
cine in a similar rural com-
munity. So it’s a joy for her
to come back home, where
she can provide complete care and encourage health for
area residents.
Dr. Zuver completed her doctorate in osteopathic medi-
cine at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in
Yakima, Washington, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree
in health sciences at Corban College in Salem, Oregon.
She finished her family medicine residency at Southern
Colorado Family Medicine in Pueblo, Colorado.
Dr. Zuver just had her first baby, so she really under-
stands the health care needs of parents and families. She
gets to know her patients—listening and working with
each one and helping them choose a healthier lifestyle.
Dr. Zuver treats her patients the way she would want to
be treated. It’s how family medicine should be.
If you have questions or would like to schedule
an appointment, call
793-9780
.
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T H E
S A M A R I T A N