Pend Oreille Health Care is focusing on patients

SANDPOINT — Michelle Anderson, family nurse practitioner, found out within a month of opening Pend Oreille Health Care that she was pregnant with her second child. (Her first child only 6 months old at the time.)

Worried about how she would be able to manage a new practice, a pregnancy, maternity leave, and a toddler on top of all that, a mini miracle happened. Jane Hoover, a certified asthma educator asked to join the practice and thus the partnership began.

Pend Oreille Health Care is a nurse practitioner-owned and operated health care clinic located at 710 Superior St., Suite B, in Sandpoint. The facility can be reached at 265-2225.

Anderson and Hoover both wanted more control over how they practiced health care where they could focus on the things that drew them into health care to begin with, which was taking the time to get to know the patient and therefore better affect their health care.

“I did not want to see a patient every 15 minutes,” Hoover said.

It’s a philosophy that Anderson shares.

“Getting to know the patient is the best way to know what is going to work best for them,” she said. “Partnering with the patient is what we do. The most common phrase we hear from new patients is, ‘you guys really listen.’ ”

Their patients also like the way the practice is set up.

“Jane Hoover is knowledgeable on current issues and preventive measures,” patient DeeAnn Smith said. “She always takes time for my questions. I appreciate her care and guidance on my health concerns.”

Fellow patient Catherine Perusse agreed.

“Pend Oreille Health Care and Michelle Anderson have been everything I could want in my medical care provider,” she said. “I feel valued, cared for and respected in a whole new way. Michelle always listens to my concerns and addresses them by providing options and allowing me to make the decision that is right for me.  This is truly medical care the way it should be.”

When it came time to start the business, Anderson recalled hearing about the Idaho Small Business Development Center at several Greater Sandpoint Chamber lunch meetings and couldn’t think of a better place to get guidance.

“It was local for the most part, which made it easy for me considering I have small children,” Hoover said.

 Hoover found the organization came highly recommended by multiple small business owners.

Their advice for others thinking of starting their own business? Put together a business plan.

“Planning and having a business plan will help more than you can imagine,” Anderson said. “It may seem insurmountable to put together that business plan, but it helps lay out things and provide a blue print better than any other thing out there.  Perseverance, stay tough and strong through the beginning and also stay positive and focused. It sure is good being your own boss.”

Idaho SBDC at the North Idaho College exists to help businesses thrive and grow by providing no-cost business coaching, high-impact business training and free resources to business leaders. 

Information: (208) 666-8009 or visit www.IdahoSBDC.org