FOCUSED ON THE PATIENT

bagan strinden Vision Has created a customer oriented atmosPHere

At Bagan Strinden Vision in South Fargo, patients can expect a warm reception and a fulfilling experience. The staff shows sincere kindness, from the front desk personnel to the technicians who lead patients to one of nine exam/surgical rooms. Included on each staff member’s nametag is his or her hometown, which always sparks conversations. These small touches help to set the tone for patient care from start to finish, and the calming atmosphere puts any nerves to rest.

Surgeons Dr. Steve Bagan and Dr. Tom Strinden have performed thousands of vision correction procedures and have established a solid reputation over the

“Our practice is largely made up of word-of-mouth referrals,” Dr. Bagan said. “If you take good care of people, they’ll send their friends and family. But we also welcome new patients to call us directly.” last 30 years. The doctors serve patients of all ages and are seeing third and fourth generations continue their care at the facility.

The team can provide services from general eye exams to cataract surgery, all under one roof. They use cutting-edge technology and specialize in the newest surgery options including LASIK, implantable contact lenses, cataract surgery with bifocal implants, corneal transplants, and cosmetic surgery. The doctors are caring, and helping people motivates them.

“A good day for me is one where I can stay busy helping people with visual issues,” said optometrist Dr. Dan Levin. “Patients feel comfortable coming here. Our staff makes them feel at ease.”

Appointment scheduling follows the office’s patient care philosophy. The doctors’ schedules allow extra time with patients to make sure all questions and concerns are addressed and to ensure that patients never feel rushed.

“I love what I do,” Dr. Strinden said. “I’m able to address a wide variety of eye issues because of technology and surgical advances.”

When it comes to eye problems, Dr. Strinden says there is very little that is left unknown. For most patients, the answers are within reach, and the doctors can apply technology to those issues as a way of increasing a patient’s quality of life, which includes independence from eyeglasses.

Joan Altenbernd had worn glasses for 45 years. She recently had cataract surgery with bifocal TECNIS® Multifocal lenses. This lens implant helps eyes function as if they are younger and reduced Altenbernd’s need for glasses. Altenbernd went from being legally blind to being able to see clearly, both at distance and near, just two days after her surgery, which she describes as painless.

“Your eyesight is so critical to your independence,” Altenbernd said. “It’s a huge responsibility for the doctor to have, but I had faith and now, having good vision is phenomenal.”

The doctors agree that it’s gratifying to see patients walk out the door with smiles on their faces.

“Our tagline states ‘Experience You Can Trust,’” Dr. Bagan said. “There are very few problems that we can’t handle right here. We’ve seen just about everything in our combined 70+ years of experience.” [AWM]

To learn more visit BaganStrindenVision.com or call 701-293-8242.

Jenny Craig

succeed at W e ig H t m anagement W i t H P o siti

Mother of modern dance Martha Graham, who lived to be 96, once said, “The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment, it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with and it should be treated with honor.”

This sentiment is shared by Kirsten Johannson, Fargo Jenny Craig franchise owner since 1993. Johannson was once overweight herself, and she has dedicated the last 18 years of her career to helping others find peace within themselves through weight loss and maintenance — and by making positive lifestyle choices.

Jenny Craig was founded in 1983 in Australia as a weight management program that incorporates nutrition and exercise with weekly, private, one-onone counseling for women, men, teens, diabetics, and seniors. Dietitian-approved pre-packaged meals and snacks help dieters with portion control and meal

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planning. Jenny Craig consultants assist clients transitioning to their own foods in phases throughout the weight loss process.

“We teach our clients how to create a healthy relationship with food, build an active lifestyle, and develop a balanced approach to living,” Johannson said. “We service and maintain so many ‘things’ in our lives ... but often put ourselves and our health last.”

New Jenny Craig clients complete an in-depth profile that reveals motivation for weight loss, eating style and preferences, levels of activity, and the clients’ mindset toward losing weight.

“We tailor the program,” Johannson added. “It’s about personalizing to fit our clients’ lifestyles … not adjusting their lives to fit our program.”

Locally, Jenny Craig offers two programs. The Premium Success Program is a one-time fee of $399 plus the cost of food. Entrees and snacks range from $14 to $18 a day. The second program, the Metabolic Max Program, is $599 plus the cost of food. The Metabolic Max Program includes an armband that clients can wear to enter data in regard to the calories consumed and calories burned through exercise. Both programs provide weight loss and maintenance support as well as unlimited comeback privileges if needed. Currently, Jenny Craig is offering a trial membership during which new clients can pay $36 for six weeks plus the cost of food.

Successful weight loss clients will earn half of the program fee back once they’ve reached their goal weight and have kept off the weight for one year.

“I think many of us tend to overestimate the amount of physical activity we’re getting and underestimate the amount we consume,” Johannson observed. “Life throws us curveballs and stressful situations, and it can be easy to slip into bad habits. “I work at maintaining my weight, too, with (mostly) healthy eating and consistent workouts, but when I get lax with my goals, a ‘layer of lifestyle’ appears! Time to reel it in! Its progress ... not perfection!”[AWM]

L earn more about Jenny Craig weight management programs at 701.277.0321, or visit the Fargo Jenny Craig location at 4101 13th Avenue Southwest.

Wearing a black graduation cap and gown, Carol Weiss walked with her head held high to her final chemotherapy treatment.

As she came through the door draped with party streamers at the Roger Maris Cancer Center, friends, family, and her medical caregivers were there to celebrate this Fargo woman’s medical journey.

Faced with a diagnosis of cancer that had metastasized, spreading to her lungs, she has chosen to fight her disease with a sense of fun and plenty of parties. Her caregivers say that the attitude she’s shown has not only helped her healing, but touched everyone she encounters in the hospital corridors.

“I call myself the richest woman in town,” Weiss said with an infectious laugh. “I’ve been overwhelmed with love.”