Utah Hemophilia Foundation

Happy 2010!!! It’s a New Year and if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to think about scheduling your annual comprehensive clinic visit. People with bleeding disorders who regularly attend their comprehensive clinic visits live longer, healthier lives (Soucie et. al. 2000). We are committed to providing you the most up to date comprehensive care of your bleeding disorder. Your annual comprehensive clinic visit is an extremely important component of that care. The adult clinics take place the first Thursday of the month (with Dr. George Rodgers), while the pediatric clinics are held on the remaining Thursdays. If you missed your 2009 comprehensive clinic visit, be sure and call us ASAP to schedule. The number to call to schedule for both clinics is 801-662-4726.

As many of you are aware, because the IHTC is a partially federally funded hemophilia treatment center, it is eligible to participate in the Federal 340B Factor Program. In addition to providing you with a discounted price on all factor products, all funds realized through the “Factor Program” go toward patient care provided through the IHTC. An example of the use of these funds would be to annually fund the outreach clinic to southern Utah. Traditionally, we have received funding for this outreach clinic through various sources, which are only able to commit one year at a time. The goal is to include this annual clinic in the IHTC’s annual budget and fund it indefinitely. Several insurance plans have already expressed an increasing interest in our new 340B Factor Program. If you are interested in participating in the 340B Factor Program, or if you have additional questions about the program, please feel free to call Susan Earl, MSW (801-662-4557). Susan will be happy to discuss the 340B Factor Program with you. Also important to mention, to participate in the 340B Factor Program, it is a federal requirement to attend your annual comprehensive clinic visits.

The IHTC is again planning the outreach clinic this spring to St. George. The date is to be determined, but it will likely be April or May. This clinic will run in conjunction with a UHF educational event. We have had excellent attendance the last several years and are very excited to be able to offer this again in 2010.

We are excited to welcome back Penni Haven, our Hemophilia nurse coordinator, from her medical leave. Penni plans to return the 2nd week of February. We are welcoming Lori Baron, our new Hematology nurse coordinator, who has been filling in for Penni during her leave. Although Lori is new to this position with the IHTC, many of you may already know her, as she has been a clinic nurse in oncology at Primary Children’s for over 15 years. Lori brings with her a wealth of knowledge in pediatric nursing care. We would also like to wish our previous Hematology nurse coordinator, Sue Gohn, all the best with her new position in the surgery clinic at Primary Children’s. Thank you to all who have been patient with us as we have been short-staffed during Penni’s leave.
 
Again, Happy New Year from the IHTC Staff!
Dr. Yaish, Dr. Rodgers, Renee, Penni, Lori, Susan, and Heidi