by Anne Hilow

Dr. Cary Wheeler, D.O. recently accepted the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) position at Alexander Valley Healthcare. Born and raised in Redondo Beach, she and her family live in Ukiah.

Why did you become a physician?
While obtaining my Sociology degree, with a minor in Spanish, at Chapman University, I studied abroad in Central and South America. It was there I witnessed extreme poverty as well as a dire need for healthcare. Deeply affected by the experience, I chose medicine to help those in need with a special interest in providing quality medical care to people with limited access. After matriculating through Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, I completed my Family Medicine Residency at Kingman (AZ) Regional Medical Center. I’m board certified in Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Addiction Medicine and certified in integrative holistic medicine.

As a D.O. or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, you underwent additional training than allopathic doctors (MDs)?

An osteopathic physician has the same training as an allopathic doctor (MD) with the addition of training in a type of musculoskeletal therapy known as osteopathic manipulation. Osteopathic medicine takes a more ‘whole body’ approach to diagnosis and treatment. Osteopathic manipulation can be used to treat many conditions like musculoskeletal pain, headaches, joint pain and, recurrent ear infections in children and much more.

Why a CMO?

I’ve been with AVH a long time and have a vision of how we could improve patient care. With the new Health and Wellness Center on the AVH roadmap, we’ll be growing and will need a solid foundation in place.

What about COVID-19?

The only way we’re going to stop this pandemic sooner is by getting vaccinated. I encourage everyone to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. If you don’t do it for yourself, then do it for your elderly grandmother, next door neighbor or your kids.

What’s your favorite hobby?

I recently started woodworking. My first project was a loft bed for an exchange student we hosted. I have also made a desk and dining room table. Currently I am learning about Japanese joinery. Japanese tools are more elegant and don’t require as much force.

You’re also a mother?

I have three daughters ages 9, 12 and 18. My oldest daughter was two years old when I began medical school, my second was born during my fourth year and the third during my third year of residency.

Dr. Wheeler and the other providers at AVH are accepting new patients and all insurances. For more information including schedules for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, please contact Alexander Valley Healthcare at: 707-894-4229 or AlexanderValleyHealthcare.org.

by Lynette K. Chandler

How many steps would you take to learn about the historical homes and other buildings in downtown Cloverdale? The Cloverdale Historical Society has developed a walking tour brochure of Historical Downtown Cloverdale that takes you to 36 locations that were part of Cloverdale’s history. Titled 5000 Steps to Times Gone By this Walking Tour gives you pictures, and stories of buildings, people, places, and times gone by. Which is the oldest business
building? Which buildings might be haunted? Who was the first female mortician in Cloverdale and where did she practice? Where is an orange tree that is over 100 years old? Where did the Citrus Fair begin?

You can start or end your tour at the Gould Shaw house, the oldest documented home in downtown Cloverdale. Here you can walk through the home, enjoy a cup of coffee in the lovely garden, and walk through the History Center Museum to see the original bank vault, the old stagecoach, original tools used in farming, logging, and the wine industry, and our ongoing exhibits. The most recent limited exhibit presents unique (and not to be missed) baskets made and donated by Pomo Indians and provides information about the Pomo Indians and their culture.

Come pick up the walking tour brochure at the History Center, 215 North Cloverdale and begin your journey to the past.

by Gina Berry, MS, RD, CLT
Sponsored by

You may have heard about the microbiome – a collection of microorganisms such as bacteria that live in our intestinal tract (and weigh around 2 pounds!) But, most people have never heard of the virome! This is a group of trillions of beneficial viruses that we share our body with and your virome is as unique as your fingerprint. Scientists are just beginning to understand this essential human ecosystem. Many of these viruses have important jobs throughout the body. One function researchers have discovered is that some viruses in your virome actually regulate our microbiome and keep the bacteria in check so that bacteria don’t override our bodies. Viruses also seem to play an important role in the regulation of our immune system, autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, and mental health.

One way we can ensure that we have a healthy virome is to foster a healthy microbiome since there is a symbiotic relationship between them. Eating plenty of fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables, especially locally grown
produce, will help improve diversity of intestinal organisms. Also, be sure to eat foods that contain probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, or pickled vegetables.

Friday, December 3, 2021

4:30 – 8:00 pm

Downtown Cloverdale