How do you care for you lungs? Do you practice deep-breathing exercises? Do you workout daily and hydrate often? How is your posture? There are many ways to improve the health of your lungs, but when something goes wrong and you need medical attention, it’s comforting to know you’re in good hands. After all, the lungs are considered the third most important organ in the human body following the brain and heart.
Following its mission to provide top-notch care to all of its patients, Grays Harbor Community Hospital welcomed Dr. Richard Felt to its team of healthcare professionals earlier this spring. Specializing in pulmonology and critical care, Dr. Felt brings 35 years of experience in the field of pulmonology and critical care to his role at the hospital.
It was the early 1980s when Dr. Felt first discovered his interest in pulmonary and critical care medicine. “After graduating from medical school at Oregon Health and Sciences University in 1980, I did my Internal Medical Residency in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Indiana University Medical Center,” recalls Dr. Felt. “Because of my fascination with pulmonary diseases and critical care illness, I pursued a pulmonary and critical care fellowship in Portland, Oregon, at Oregon Health and Sciences University.”
After finishing his residency at Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Felt went on to practice in Eastern Washington and Idaho before relocating to Washington. His desire to be close to the salty air of the Washington Coast led him to Grays Harbor, and Dr. Felt joined Grays Harbor Community Hospital on May 1, 2015.
In his role at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Dr. Felt provides pulmonary and critical care consultation, occasional on-call, and helps with the development of the pulmonary rehabilitation program at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. With his multi-decade experience, his expertise is greatly valued.
In addition to the exceptional care Dr. Felt provides for his patients, he’s also active in the community, offering up his expertise during educational seminars like “Living with COPD,” which he will host at the Aberdeen Rotary Log Pavilion on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2011. With factors like air pollutants, genetics and respiratory infections all contributing to the development and progression of COPD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites tobacco smoke is the leading cause of COPD.
Primarily affecting people between the ages of 65 and 74, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Felt both encourage avoiding the above mentioned contributors and seeing your doctor regularly, as early detection can help changes the disease’s progress in some patients. For those already diagnosed with COPD, treatment can help decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms and pulmonary rehab and individualized treatment programs can increase quality of life.
In addition to avoiding toxins that can be harmful to the health of your lungs, Dr. Felt says routine vaccinations, adherence to a medical regimen, and regular exercise are key to keeping your lungs in tip-top shape. Dr. Felt practices his breathing and gets his heart rate up in his spare time engaging in activities like hiking, biking and skiing — three outdoor activities that help get the blood flowing and the lungs open.
Dr. Felt will discuss all of these topics and more during his upcoming seminar at the Aberdeen Rotary Log Pavilion on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m.
For more information about Dr. Felt or to schedule an appointment in his internal medicine clinic, call 360-537-6496. For additional information about Grays Harbor Community Hospital and any upcoming seminars, visit Grays Harbor Community Hospital online or contact the hospital by phone at 360-532-8330.
