You At Your Best

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 | JANUARY - NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 15 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The sight of a father crying happy tears in the delivery room always hits Alexis McCollum, M.D., in the heart. "That one will get you every time," she says. Dr. McCollum, board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, recently joined the active medical staff of Northwest Health, practicing at Willow Creek Women's Clinic. From a young age, she was very goal and task oriented, liked science and set her sights on working in the medical field. She thought at that time that she wanted to be a veterinarian. "I'm deathly afraid of snakes, so that was out for me," she says. Dr. McCollum initially thought she wanted to be a pediatrician when she was in medical school. This changed during her third year rotation, when she decided she would rather be in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. "I fell in love with it," she says. "Nothing else compared." Dr. McCollum says the most important thing she can offer her patients is education on what is being done and why. She is a big proponent of women having autonomy over their own bodies, which is why it is important for her to help women arrive at the best decisions for themselves. A lot of her work is focused around the delivery of babies and recovery. Dr. McCollum said it's fulfilling to see real- time end results with her patients. Dr. McCollum sees patients from the age of puberty and older. She treats routine and complex obstetric and gynecologic conditions including, prenatal care, pelvic pain, birth control, and abnormal bleeding. Outside of work, Dr. McCollum enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband have two daughters, four and six years old. Dr. McCollum received her medical education at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Ark. She then completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the university. Her practice is located at 4301 Greathouse Springs Road, Suite 100 in Johnson, and she is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 479-757- 1730 or visit NW-Physicians.com. METRO CREATIVE SERVICES The beginning of the year is an ideal time to get organized and set oneself up for productive months ahead. It's also a good opportunity to take inventory of seldom-used items and clear out as much clutter as possible. The amount of stuff the average person owns can affect how easy or difficult it is for that person to get organized. In 2014, professional organizer Regina Lark estimated the average American home contains 300,000 items. And it's not just adults who love to collect and keep things, as kids contribute to the problem, too. British research, as published in The Telegraph, indicates the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys, playing with just 12 in a typical day. All of these belongings contribute to disorganization and lost time. A study by Esure Home Insurance found looking for lost items accounts for 10 minutes of wasted time each day. Getting organized can take perseverance. However, it is possible. Use these strategies to get organized in the months ahead. Observe the "one-in, one-out" rule Practice the rule of giving away or discarding one item per each new item that comes into your home. This approach can keep a cap on the new things you own. Skip the freebies Resist the temptation to accept items that are being given away by family, friends, retailers. etc. Politely refuse these unnecessary items, which will only pile up. Rent items rather than buying them Renting rather than buying is another way to stay organized. Avid readers can rely on the public library for their weekly reads. Instead of purchasing new formal wear to wear to a wedding, rent tuxedoes, suits or evening gowns. Make lists of what needs to be done Writing down tasks can help them become more manageable, and a list can also ensure a task is fully completed. Physically checking off a to-do list can be quite satisfying, providing motivation to finish the rest of the list. Take a catch-up day Those who feel bogged down by a backlog of responsibilities can take a day off from work to catch up on chores and tasks. Fit a few things in over the course of the day. Plan ahead for meals and other tasks Use the calendar to plan out the week or the month. When you know what to expect, instead of spending time figuring out what to make or which task to do each day, you can be more efficient about getting it done. Getting organized is a common goal. It's entirely achievable with a positive attitude and some dedication. Shared habits of organized people From young science student to OB/GYN

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