T.J. Samson | Destination Health | February 2019

2 DESTINATION HEALTH At 35, Ty Bowles, APRN, FNP-C, is young at heart. That’s easier to do when you have two kids at home. At times, he says—with just a hint of a laugh—he can even be a bit of a goofball. It’s a side of his friendly personality that makes Bowles particularly well-suited to his new role as a primary care provider for both kids and adults. But make no mistake, Bowles is serious when it comes to your family’s health. Last fall, he joined the T.J. Health Cave City Clinic. His goal is to offer close-to-home primary care for those in Cave City and surrounding areas. He works with colleague Paula West and collabo- rating physician Elizabeth Combs Royse, MD. HEALTHY FROM THE START As a family medicine nurse practitioner, Bowles sees children ages 2 years and up and adults of all ages. When it comes to children, he offers a variety of services, such as: Well-child checkups. Your kiddos need regular checkups, even when they’re feeling fine. It’s a chance for them to become estab- lished with a provider who can get to know their health history, track their growth and development, and answer any questions—for instance, about your child’s health, safety or nutrition—you may have. Immunizations. Kids need to stay up-to- date on several shots that help protect them and those around them against serious, poten- tially deadly diseases. Sports and school physicals. These ex- ams help ensure that kids can safely participate in physical education and school sports. Care for minor injuries or illnesses. You want your kids to be on their way to feel- ing better. Same-day appointments are available for things like coughs, colds, sore throats, cuts and scrapes. NOT JUST FOR KIDDOS Maybe it’s time for your yearly checkup. Or maybe you’d like to quit smoking. Or maybe you need help keeping a chronic health prob- lem under control. Bowles and his colleagues at the Cave City Clinic are here to help. A Glasgow native, Bowles started his career at T.J. Samson as a phlebotomist (a provider who draws blood for tests or other purposes). Later, he earned a degree as a registered nurse and worked in the emergency department for several years. But Bowles longed to work in primary care. Eventually he returned to school to become a nurse practitioner—a registered nurse with advanced training. His biggest influence was his family’s physician, the late William Marrs, MD, who valued friendships with his patients. “There’s an opportunity, in primary care, to build friendships with people as well as treat them,” Bowles says. 1 Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Donating blood: Learn the facts 10 th i ngs you may no t know abou t th i s l i f e s av i ng ac t 2 A donation equals about 1 pint of blood and usually takes about 8 to 10 min- utes to draw. 3 A single car crash survivor can require as many as 100 pints of blood. 4 The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in his or her body. 5 Type O blood is the most needed for donation because it can be used in people with all blood types. 6 All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and other infectious diseases. 7 You can donate either whole blood or specific components of blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. 8 Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days after they’re collected. 9 Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection. 10 One donation can potentially save up to three lives. Source: American Red Cross Type O One 5 days Wellness Time for an appointment? T.J. Samson’s Cave City Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call 270-773-2111. From tots to adults Pr ima r y c a re i n Cave Ci t y