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4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST MAY - BEST NURSES | SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 PROFILE: NORTHWEST MEDICAL Dr. Kevin Lollar Focuses on Empathy Kevin Lollar was always consid- ered a smart kid. He was the fi rst in his family to go to college and knew as early as seventh grade that he wanted to go to medical school. He sees being a doctor as his calling. Dr. Lollar, an otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeon, is a member of the active medical staff at Northwest Health. He practices at the Ear Nose & Throat Center of the Ozarks located at 6823 Isaac's Orchard Road in Springdale. Dr. Lollar explains that he always took any opportunity he could to be in and around the medical fi eld so he could gain experience. In college, he worked in a research laboratory, a hospital pathology department and also performed EKGs. Dr. Lollar says he chose his special- ty because he likes performing surgery and seeing results quickly in his patients. He also loves the broad spectrum of pa- tients and problems that the ENT specialty encompasses. The most fulfi lling part of his job is getting to know his patients, Dr. Lollar says. He makes sure to explain the science and the details to his patients. "I like taking that extra time," he said. Dr. Lollar believes it's important to treat his patients like people and not just procedures. It's important to take a step back and look at the situation from his pa- tient's perspective. He explains that doc- tors do procedures many times, but for a patient, it may be their fi rst and only time. That can be a very big deal for the patient. It's also important to provide pa- tients with empathy, Dr. Lollar says. "They haven't had the advantage of going to medical school, so I enjoy fi nding different ways to translate complex med- ical jargon into everyday language," he says. Dr. Lollar tries to put himself in his patient's shoes. He asks himself if he were in that situation, how would he want to be treated, or how would he want his family to be treated. "So, the golden rule goes a long way," he says. Otolaryngology encompasses most things above the collar bone, but Dr. Lol- lar says he fi nds allergy treatment and si- nus surgery to be the most interesting to treat. He commonly treats allergies, recur- ring tonsillitis, nasal airway obstruction, chronic and recurrent sinus infections, thyroid problems and ear surgeries for hearing loss. He treats patients of all ages. When asked if he offers any unique services, Dr. Lollar says he offers allergy drops under the tongue instead of allergy shots. Dr. Lollar earned his medical de- gree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and com- pleted a 5-year Otolaryngology – Head and Neck surgery residency at the Univer- sity of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics in Columbia, Mo. He also completed a one year Rhinology Fellowship at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Mel- bourne, Australia. SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Kevin Lollar, MD, FACS, FAAOA Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeon Nurses are often the fi rst people patients see when visiting hospitals. Ac- cording to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources Services Administration, there were 2.8 million registered nurses, includ- ing advanced practice RNs, and 690,000 licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, in the United States between the years of 2008 and 2010. Nurses fi ll many roles in the med- ical community, assisting doctors and helping to make in-patient stays more comfortable for men and women who are ill or injured. Specialized nurses, such as nurse practitioners, may even serve as the primary healthcare provider, offering di- agnoses and writing prescriptions. While there is a specifi c week set aside to show appreciation to nurses, many people agree that they deserve rec- ognition throughout the year. Any instance is a good time to give back to nurses, and the following are a few ways to honor the nurses in your life. • Play caretaker to him or her. Nurs- es tend to the needs of others all the time, but some nurses do not get the respite they deserve. Those who want to show appre- ciation to a nurse who has helped them in their lives can present the nurse with a gift card for a massage and soothing spa treat- ment. • Cater a meal. Offer to cater a meal at the hospital or medical offi ce so that all nurses on staff can benefi t. If there is one nurse in particular you want to treat, give that nurse a gift card to a nearby restau- rant. • Provide foot relief. Nurses spend hours on their feet, and that can cause pain or stiffness throughout the body. Present a gift card to a store that specializes in com- fort shoes or custom orthotics. A certifi - cate for a pedicure or foot massage would no doubt be appreciated as well. • Create a charmed existence. Charm bracelets are the rage right now, and nurses may appreciate a bracelet that highlights their career path with specifi c charms. For something they can wear on the job, treat nurses to a Steth-o-Charm™, which is a charm that slides securely onto stethoscopes. These charms come in many designs and can make for a memorable gift. • Give a decorative badge reel. Nurses must wear identifi cation or have swipe cards on their person to gain access to areas of hospitals. Many badges are standard items without any fl are or style. A colorful or decorative badge reel can be a nice way to brighten up a nurse's day. • Give verbal or handwritten thanks. One of the easiest and most heartfelt ways to show your appreciation to nurses is to simply tell them how you feel. Offer a handwritten note or speak with a nurse in person. Such a simple gesture does not take much effort, but it is bound to make an impact. -Metro Creative Services How to Show a Nurse That You Really Care