Most people think about seeing their healthcare provider when they're sick. While we're always here when illness or injury strikes, some of the most important care happens when you're feeling well. An annual wellness visit is one of the best investments you can make in your health. These appointments focus on prevention—helping identify potential health concerns before they become more serious and supporting you in maintaining your overall well-being. During your visit, we'll

Tiny, delicious, and packed with nutrition, blueberries are one of nature's healthiest foods. Eat them fresh, frozen, or blended into a smoothie, blue berries provide an impressive combination of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and powerful plant compounds that support nearly every system in the body. Here are some reasons why eating blueberries can improve your health. 1. Rich in Powerful Antioxidants Blueberries are among the highest antioxidant-rich fruits available. Their deep

The start of a new school year is an exciting time filled with fresh opportunities, new teachers, and busy schedules. It can also be one of the busiest seasons for families. Taking a little time now to prepare can help make the transition smoother and keep your children healthy throughout the school year. Here are a few items to check off your back-to-school health checklist: ✔ Schedule Annual Wellness Visits An annual wellness exam is the perfect opportunity to make sure you

Sorry to say, but there isn't a single vitamin or supplement that can replace healthy daily habits. The small choices you make each day—sleeping well, eating nutritious foods, staying active, managing stress, and keeping up with preventive care—work together to keep your immune system strong throughout the fall and winter. The simple, everyday habits mentioned above can help support a healthy immune system. Start with sleep. During sleep, your body repairs itself and strengt

As our community continues to face an extremely challenging wildfire season, I thought it would be helpful to send a few reminders about emergency food preparedness. During an evacuation, which has already affected many people in our community, the first priority is to leave. However if you have time to pre-plan or prepare your evacuation, start now to pre-plan food safety and food access. Pack Shelf Stable Food If you have time, pack a bag of shelf stable pantry items to t

Wildfire smoke has become an unfortunate part of summer life in the mountains. Even healthy individuals may notice coughing, irritated eyes, headaches, or shortness of breath when air quality declines. For children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions, smoke exposure can be especially concerning. A few practical steps can help protect your lung health: • Check local air quality reports before planning outdoor activities. • Keep windo

Mountain summers are meant for adventures outdoors, but smoky days sometimes call for a change of plans. The good news is that some of the best family memories can be made right at home. Here are a few ideas for keeping children engaged and connected indoors: Build an Indoor Fort Adventure Blankets, pillows, and imagination can transform a living room into a castle, spaceship, or mountain cabin. Add books and flashlights for extra fun. Host a Family Cooking Night Invite child

It finally feels like summer (depending on the day). Summer is one of the best times to enjoy everything Colorado has to offer. We all know the warnings about Colorado sun exposure. But they are worth restating. At our high elevation, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are stronger, meaning your skin can burn more quickly than you might expect. Even on cooler days, UV exposure can lead to sunburn and long-term skin damage. A few simple precautions can help keep your family safe:

Sometimes preparation can feel boring. But it can pay off big-time! Whether heading out on road trips, camping adventures, hikes or family vacations, take a few minutes to make sure your family is prepared with a well-stocked health kit. Having basic supplies on hand can help you manage minor injuries and illnesses without disrupting your plans. First Aid Basics Your kit should include: Adhesive bandages in various sizes Gauze pads and medical tape Antiseptic wipes Antibiotic

Tomatoes are one of the most nutrient-dense fruits commonly found in kitchens around the world. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system, promotes skin health, and helps the body absorb iron. Tomatoes also provide vitamin A, an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function. With their low calorie content and high water percentage, tomatoes make a nutritious addition to a balanced diet. One of the most not

Some of the misinformation about bone health that you can still find online states that bones stop growing after you turn 18, it is impossible to strengthen bone after age 50, osteoporosis only happens in women and that Vitamin D supplements are all you need to rebuild and repair bones after a fracture. WRONG, Wrong, wrong.

Dehydration doesn’t always show up as extreme thirst. More subtle signs include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, dry skin, and even trouble concentrating. It can also make existing conditions - like migraines or kidney issue worse.

As the school year wraps up and families start shifting into summer mode, it’s a great time to pause and do a quick health check for your kids. Transitions, like the end of school, can bring changes in routine, sleep, activity, and even mood. A little proactive attention now can help set your family up for a healthy, active summer. Here are a few key things we encourage parents to keep an eye on: Physicals and Forms Summer activities and sports often require physicals. Gettin

Well, spring has sprung, and even though it feels different this year without the snow, new plants are popping up, and spring veggies are on the way! This time of year, the produce we can get is really remarkable – green onions, asparagus, sugar snap peas, strawberries, fresh greens, baby carrots and the list goes on! Fresh vegetables are some of the most nutrient-dense foods per calorie - naturally low fat, high in fiber and high in plant-rich antioxidants and anthocyanins.

Spring in the Rocky Mountains is beautiful — but it also brings one of the most common questions I hear this time of year: "Is this allergies… or am I getting sick?" In our area, spring allergies are very common, especially with triggers like sage, grasses, dust, and changing weather patterns. These symptoms can sometimes feel very similar to a cold, which makes it confusing. Here’s a simple way to tell the difference: Likely Allergies Sneezing Itchy eyes, nose, or throat Cle

One of my favorite parts of working in Direct Primary Care is hearing what patients love most about their experience. Many people tell us they didn’t realize healthcare could feel this different. Here are five things we hear most often: 1. Longer Visits Patients love having time to talk, ask questions, and not feel rushed. Visits are focused on you — not the clock. 2. Easy Communication Need to ask a quick question? Patients appreciate being able to call, text, or message the

Karen Casey and Amanda McIntosh I’m super happy to announce that Leadville really showed up for our steps contest – thank you. Our two winners were Janelle Stefanic and Amanda McIntosh. Janelle kept a beautiful written record of her activity said that what motivated her was that she really wanted to win, and she did (but she declined a picture). Do you recognize the name Amanda McIntosh? Well, you should! Amanda is the only woman to win the Leadville 100 two consecutive year

Stress is one of the most common health concerns providers see today, even when patients come in for something else. It isn’t just “in your head.” Your body reacts to pressure the same way it would react to danger. Hormones rise, muscles tense, and your nervous system goes on alert. When this happens occasionally, it’s manageable. When it happens constantly, it can start to take a toll. Physical Signs of Stress Stress affects the entire body. Common symptoms include: Headache

Bringing your medications to an appointment at RMFP might seem like a small step, but it’s one of the most important ways we keep you safe. Over time, prescriptions change, specialists add treatments, and supplements get added. Without regular review, outdated or duplicate medications can remain on your list. A medication review allows us to confirm that every medication still has a purpose, check for interactions, and make sure doses are correct. Sometimes we even discover a

Introducing gentle, mindful movement into your routine can significantly improve strength, mobility, and body awareness. As we sleep each night, the body becomes still and the fascia — the continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds and supports every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and blood vessel — can temporarily stiffen. Intentional movement helps rehydrate and mobilize this tissue, reducing stiffness and improving range of motion. With consistent practice, we begin t