Frequently Asked Questions

Since you are a member of another tribe, you are welcome to be seen here at the medical clinic or by our dentists. You just wouldn't be under our contract health - you would be using the contract health from your own tribe. If you'd like to make an appt here, call the medical scheduling desk at 906-632-5230.

Any of our medical providers here can help you with diagnosing and treating possible sleep apnea, making outside referrals if needed.  Just call 632-5230 to talk with a scheduling clerk and make an appointment.  Good for you for taking charge of your health!

If you would like help losing weight, one of our Registered Dietitians would be glad to help. If you are a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, please call the health center closest to you and ask to speak to a dietitian:

•    Sault Tribal Health & Human Services and Mackinac Straits Health System
906-643-8689 or 1-877-256-0135 (St. Ignace)

•    Manistique Tribal Health Center
906-341-8469 or 1-800-401-0043

•    Grand Island Chippewa Community Center in Munising
906-387-4614 or 1-800-236-4705

•    Sault Ste Marie Tribal Health & Human Services Center
906-632-5210 or 1-877-256-0009

If you are not a Tribal member, or if you do not live near our health centers, find a registered dietitian in your area by visiting www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

If you would like help losing weight, one of our Registered Dietitians would be glad to help. If you are a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, please call the health center closest to you and ask to speak to a dietitian:

•    Sault Tribal Health & Human Services and Mackinac Straits Health System
906-643-8689 or 1-877-256-0135 (St. Ignace)

•    Manistique Tribal Health Center
906-341-8469 or 1-800-401-0043

•    Grand Island Chippewa Community Center in Munising
906-387-4614 or 1-800-236-4705

•    Sault Ste Marie Tribal Health & Human Services Center
906-632-5210 or 1-877-256-0009

If you are not a Tribal member, or if you do not live near our health centers, find a registered dietitian in your area by visiting www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

1. You have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
2. You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery.
3. You have digestive problems.
4. You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
5. You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby.
6. Your child or teen has issues with food and eating healthfully.
7. You need to lose or gain weight.
8. You are caring for an aging parent.
9. You want to eat smarter.
10. You want to improve your performance in sports.

If you are a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, please call the following health centers:

•    Sault Tribal Health & Human Services and Mackinac Straits Health System
906-643-8689 or 1-877-256-0135

•    Manistique Tribal Health Center
906-341-8469 or 1-800-401-0043

•    Grand Island Chippewa Community Center in Munising
906-387-4614 or 1-800-236-4705

•    Sault Ste Marie Tribal Health & Human Services Center
906-632-5210 or 1-877-256-0009

To find a registered dietitian in your area, please visit www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

During your first visit, an RD may do an assessment, asking you questions that may include medical and family history, labs, lifestyle, diet, medication or supplement use, and personal dietary goals.  The assessment visit usually takes about 1 hour to complete. The RD works with each client on ways to reach personal dietary goals based on the assessment. The RD will then schedule follow-up visits to monitor progress toward achieving the goals.

A registered dietitian (RD) is a healthcare professional who is certified by the national Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).  RDs have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, have completed a dietetic internship with supervised practice, and have passed a national exam.  RDs are required to complete continuing education hours required by the CDR.

The link below will take you to sparkpeople.com's frequently asked fitness questions and the answers to those questions:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/ask_the_experts_questions.asp

It is important to find new ways to deal with stress – go for a quick walk, talk with a friend, take a few deep breaths, or take a warm bath. Always tell yourself smoking does not make stress go away – in fact it only makes things worse in the long run.

Some people gain some weight when they quit, but it is usually less than 10 lbs. Some of the weight gain is because of a change in your metabolism while some may be due to eating more after you quit. The good news is that by watching what you eat and adding in some extra exercise, it is possible to quit without gaining any weight. If you find yourself wanting to snack instead of smoking, choose healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables, or chew sugar-free gum. If you gain some weight when you quit smoking, a Sault Tribe registered dietitian may be able to help you lose those unwanted pounds!

Based on your health history, current medications, and past quit attempts, your healthcare provider or tobacco cessation counselor will help you decide which medication is most likely to help you succeed and what dosage is appropriate. No one medication is right for every person. Some medications such as the nicotine patch, gum, and lozenge are available over the counter while others require a prescription from your doctor. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about which medication will work best for you.

The following people are eligible for the program:

• Sault Tribe members.
• Other Federally Recognized Native Americans.  
• Sault Tribe employees who carry health insurance that covers tobacco cessation medications.
• Non–Native spouses with insurance may utilize the program if they meet all other eligibility requirements.  Insurance may be billed and co-payments and deductibles will apply.

Other requirements include:

• Patients must have a current Sault Tribe healthcare provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assitant).
• A prior appointment with a Sault Tribe healthcare provider may be required to enroll in the program if it has been more than 6 months since you last saw your provider.
• To increase your success in quitting, an appointment with a tobacco treatment consultant will be required prior to receiving cessation medications.

To enroll in the program, tell your Sault Tribe healthcare provider you are ready to quit and ask for a referral. If you already meet all eligibility requirements, please call (906) 632-5210 or call your local Tribal Health Center.