Marissa covers health and fitness in Clark County.
Recent Stories
Time to take coronary health to heart
Clark County’s second-leading cause of death is preventable with diet, exercise
America’s heart is in need of a workout.
Drugs, death and a broken-hearted dad
A Woodland father tells teens at a Vancouver substance abuse treatment center about his son's long struggle with addiction
Frank Hoetker looked out at the dozen teen boys sitting before him. They sat in chairs leaned against the back wall of the room, arms folded across their chests. One fidgeted with a music player. A couple of others used colored pencils to sketch on paper. Hoetker greeted the boys — all patients at Daybreak Youth Services, a Vancouver inpatient substance abuse treatment center — and explained the reason for his visit. Hoetker wanted to tell them a story. But not just any story — his son Darby’s story.
Public health offers prescription discount cards
Clark County Public Health is reminding residents they can save money on prescription drugs.
PeaceHealth Southwest addresses those who refuse blood transfusions
When Brenda Jordan awoke from her medically induced coma, she was devastated.
Pain patients rebuild lives wrecked by addiction
They say they were overprescribed at Payette Clinic before drug agents raided it
Some of the faces and stories of the Payette Clinic are familiar.
Bell said she taught herself, others
Advanced registered nurse practitioners can prescribe narcotics
Advanced registered nurse practitioner Kelly Bell acknowledged in her July deposition that she was self-taught in pain management control.
Vancouver’s former Payette Clinic: A Legacy of Pain
Despite complaints, investigations, death, 3 nurse practitioners could be prescribing again
The three nurse practitioners linked to a teenager’s overdose death and investigated for overprescribing narcotic medications could have their prescription pads back in hand.
Drug companies oppose bill to make them take back medicine
More than 200 organizations across the state -- law enforcement agencies, health departments, health care professionals, substance abuse prevention coalitions and environmental groups -- are joining forces to fight prescription drug abuse.
Local health firm loses state pact
47,000 Medicaid patients affected; 80 workers could lose jobs
About 47,000 Medicaid patients in Clark County may soon be forced to find new doctors. But so far, patients have no reassurance there will be enough local physicians willing to serve them.
Student’s nonprofit lifts sick children’s spirits through music
PORTLAND — Five-year-old Darian Atterbury stared curiously at the visitors in his room.
