Ikigai Physician Group

Come join our awesome team!

Happy Birthday Barb!

We are so grateful for your thoughtfulness and compassion. Thank you for being so crucial to the lives of our patients and employees.

The world is a better place because you are in it.

"There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Rest. It is so important to take time off work and enjoy downtime with family and friends.

IPG will be closed on the following days in December:
- Tuesday, December 21st, 2021
- Friday, December 24th, 2021
- Saturday, December 25th, 2021
- Friday, December 31st, 2021

Wishing you, and your loved ones, a restful & safe holiday season.

Your healthcare used to be a pretty simple relationship between you and your physician. Then, many other players realized money could be made through complexity, regulation, and administrative overhead. Today, many physicians are working for the system because there are no alternatives.

At IPG we are building something different. We serve a community that wants to bring back the simplicity of a direct physician/patient relationship.

Who does your doctor work for? Do the agencies those doctors work for work for you?

At IPG our doctors work directly for you. No middle managers, no regional administration, no religious hierarchy... Healthcare simplified between a physician and a patient the way it should be.

IPG would like to congratulate our colleague Stephanie Dittmer M.D. for her recent recognition by the Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society for “outstanding contributions she continues to make on behalf of the Medical Society and physicians in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.”

“Given the amazing quality of physicians in Humboldt County, I am humbled and honored to be recognized in this manner.” Dittmer, responding to receipt of the honor added, “I find that our medical society gives us the opportunity to meet each other with a common goal of working through the challenges of being healers in this health care system.”

The Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society (HDNCMS), founded in 1886, is one of 38 local county medical societies of the California Medical Association, and is also affiliated with the nationwide American Medical Association (AMA). HDNCMS’ membership consists of over 200 physicians whose purpose is to “promote the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health, and the interests of the medical profession.”

Way to go Stephanie!

We’re hard at work preparing to open our new clinic in Fortuna, but we couldn’t resist taking a moment for some Halloween fun! Stay tuned to this page for details about our opening and how to become a new patient with us.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Ikigai! 🧡🎃🖤☠️🧡🎃🖤👻

IPG would like to wish Dr. Stephanie Dittmer a very happy birthday today. Our community is very lucky to have such a caring and passionate physician who is dedicated to improving health outcomes for so many.

Please join me in wishing her the best in the comment threads below!

Medicare covers ambulance transport but only under certain circumstances. Know before you go.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/08/does-medicare-cover-ambulance-services.html

Does Medicare cover ambulance services? It’s important to understand key details of Medicare ambulance coverage.

We encourage our community to continue to take precautions because this isn't over yet. Please do yourself, your loved ones, your friends and community a favor and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/07/17/1017075240/delta-variant-is-spreading-fast-and-new-cases-are-rising-is-time-to-mask-up-agai

With The Delta Variant Spreading Fast, Is It Time To Mask Up Again? The highly contagious delta variant is causing a surge in new cases. Here's what you need to know about how to keep yourself and your family safe.

"The Japanese have a word, "ikigai" (生き甲斐, pronounced [E-key-guy]), to describe a person's "reason for being." A person finds ikigai at the center of what they are good at, what the world needs, what they can be paid for, and what they love. Our mission is to create a sustainable culture of support for physicians within the full scope of their work for the community."

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/375832

Looking For A Business Idea? Start With Your Purpose Here's a completely different way of developing a business idea. Instead of focusing on a problem worth solving, focus on the purpose that drives you.

Tired of waiting for your appointment? Our Doctors wait on YOU!

We have found kindred spirits working in the Bay Area! Want to know what we are building here in Humboldt? Check out this video about Healing Grove Health Center.

https://youtu.be/KxeEQUY1Tww

Concierge Care...For The Poor? (w/Angela & Brett Bymaster) A family doctor and an engineer do what government couldn't: provide amazing care to both rich AND poor. A bright spot lesson in grassroots healthcare reform...

Thank you to Healing Grove and Z-Dogg for the inspiring video! Beautiful work you are doing.

Concierge Care For The Poor (w/Angela and Brett Bymaster) A family doctor & an engineer do what government couldn't.

Take a few seconds to vote for one of the best physicians in Humboldt County! https://www.northcoastjournal.com/AEBlog/archives/2021/06/02/best-of-humboldt-2021 #/gallery/282191498/?fbclid=IwAR2ATdaF3Ex-LrK-N8ZssBdEMgkuX30MIOtBgab9D1-XZer3-44Sj53NFfY

Best of Humboldt 2021 It's going to be twice as nice

"Consumer advocates argue that arbitration is far less transparent than the federal court system and denies consumers the opportunity for a trial by a jury of their peers. The outcome of these cases is rarely public and there are typically fewer options to appeal."

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/18/new-bill-aims-to-allow-patients-to-sue-health-insurance-companies-.html

New legislation aims to allow patients to sue health insurance companies Democrats have introduced new legislation that will allow patients to sue health insurers instead of being forced to use arbitration to resolve disputes.

https://scitechdaily.com/regular-caffeine-consumption-from-coffee-cola-or-energy-drinks-affects-brain-structure/

Regular Caffeine Consumption – From Coffee, Cola, or Energy Drinks – Affects Brain Structure Coffee, cola or an energy drink: caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Researchers from the University of Basel have now shown in a study that regular caffeine intake can change the gray matter of the brain. However, the effect appears to be temporary. No question .....

Our IPG physicians and staff are fully vaccinated and recommend full vaccination for all of our patients!

https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/Scary-long-haul-symptoms-found-in-many-16203350.php

Scary 'long haul' symptoms found in many COVID patients, Stanford researchers say More than 70% of COVID-19 patients studied report having at least one “long haul”...

Excellent article detailing the one of the many reasons we are flipping the script with IPG. Healthcare should be about health, care, and the relationship between provider and patient.

The Wall Street Journal: The Crushing Burden of Healthcare Microregulation.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-crushing-burden-of-healthcare-microregulation-11619622081?mod=flipboard

The Crushing Burden of Healthcare Microregulation To improve patient care, doctors need freedom from the intrusive rules set by insurers, medical societies and government agencies.

What are you risking if you don't sign up for our new Connected Care program?

https://ikigaiphysicians.com/ikigai-updates/

Enjoying the virtual Civic Health Conference today!

Tired of waiting? Check out our Connected Care program today. Get treatment the way you deserve.

https://ikigaiphysicians.com/ikigai-updates/

https://www.facebook.com/161620493865596/posts/4427757890585147/

Bringing your kids in for regular check-ups helps ensure their health and development is on track, and it sets an example for healthy habits they can carry on into adulthood. We've got goodies to make it a fun and positive experience. Families who bring in their baby for a wellness check will receive a free diaper bag! Call (707) 923-3921 to schedule an appointment!

Family Resource Center Southern Humboldt

Sure...we might be a little biased but hey... evidence is evidence.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/12/19/506144346/patients-cared-for-by-female-doctors-fare-better-than-those-treated-by-men

https://www.today.com/video/for-physician-moms-facebook-group-offers-community-and-support-110445637657?playlist=mmlsnnd_todayarchivesmonday&fbclid=IwAR0iuEFbT1kv69WfHWvPs6H4F2ZnMMSQWyhahL7vxPf5CivOm_Pw3SYpN_I

The strength of Female Identified Physicians is undeniable....

For physician moms, Facebook group offers community and support Women in medicine juggle long hours with caring for their families, while getting paid less than men on average. But now a Facebook group is offering physician moms new support and a powerful voice for change. NBC’s Erin McLaughlin reports for TODAY’s Women Are Essential series.

Burnout leads Shoreline doctor to open first Black owned direct primary care clinic in Washington.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/shoreline-doctor-medical-burnout-swedish-coronavirus-covid-19/281-1faed8d4-31f2-4776-b303-ddc2810bead9

Seattle's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and More | Seattle, Washington | king5.com Local News and Information for Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas. KING5.com is the official website for KING-TV, your trusted source for breaking news, weather and sports in Seattle, WA. KING5.com

Despite 20% of the US population living in rural areas like Humboldt, only 9% of physicians practice there, and only 3% of medical school graduates intend to do so.

Our physicians are committed to this community. If you are looking for a long term relationship with your family practice physician look no further. Follow this link to sign up for our new patient list!

tinyurl.com/ipg-patient

New Patient Interest

Exciting new start for IPG!

Physicians adopt new model for Fortuna private practice Despite the challenges, a group of Humboldt County physicians is trying to buck the odds and start a private practice with a more sustainable model.