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D r. William Hazle, psychiatrist and director of the Behavioral Health Unit at Portneuf Medical Center, has provided psychiatric care to patients in Soda Springs, Malad City, and Afton, Wyoming from his Portneuf Medical Center office since July, 2007.
Using the advanced technology and equipment of the Cooperative  Telehealth Network operated by The Hospital Cooperative, Dr. Hazle and his patients each sit before a video camera and monitor, and converse in real time even though they could be more than 100 miles apart. The Cooperative Telehealth Network is one of many like it across the country that bridge barriers to health care in rural areas posed by distance and the lack of medical specialists close by.
| Dr. William Hazle talks to Sherie Alvari, licensed social worker at Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs via the Cooperative Telehealth Network in his office at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. |
On March 3rd, Dr. Hazle conducted his 100th patient consultation via the telehealth network. The Steele-Reese Foundation Special Project Fund and the Archie B. Teater fund for Children with Disabilities of the Idaho Community Foundation provided funding to assist patients who are unable to pay or whose insurance does not cover mental health care. |
