Olympic Valley Clinic

02/11/2026

✨ We are excited to announce that Lindsay Felker, CNM, DNP, has joined our clinic and is now accepting new patients! ✨

"I am honored to begin serving women as a women’s health provider, caring for patients from the teenage years through past menopause. With over 20 years of nursing experience, I provide compassionate, supportive care focused on the whole person at every stage of life.

I graduated as a Certified Nurse Midwife from the University of Utah in 2020. My practice focuses on caring for women with complex needs, including fertility concerns and mental health conditions. I believe patients deserve care that looks at the full picture of physical health, emotional well-being, and social well-being, and I work closely with patients to develop care plans that feel respectful, individualized, and empowering.

I have lived in Grays Harbor for the past three years with my spouse, who is a local firefighter, and our children. Outside of work, our family loves spending time in Hawaiʻi, exploring national parks, and learning new things together on our hobby farm."

📣 Lindsay is currently accepting new patients.

📞 Call our office 360-482-5300 to schedule.

02/06/2026

⚖️ Why Is Weight Loss So Much Harder in Midlife — Even When You’re “Doing Everything Right”?

The Menopause Society recently released a research update called:
“Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity” (March 2025)

Here’s the real-life version of what it says — and what you can actually do with the information:

✨ First: this is NOT a willpower problem.
As we age (and especially through perimenopause and menopause), our bodies naturally:
• Burn fewer calories
• Store more fat around the abdomen
• Fight weight loss more aggressively

Lower estrogen doesn’t cause weight gain by itself, but it changes where fat is stored and increases health risks like heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, and more.

🥗 Lifestyle changes still matter — but they’re often not enough alone.
Diet, exercise, and behavior changes are always the foundation.
But research shows many people regain weight because the body adapts by:
• Increasing hunger hormones
• Slowing metabolism
• Making weight loss harder over time

That’s where medications can help.

💊 So… what do weight-loss medications actually do?
Anti-obesity medications don’t “cheat” the system — they treat the biology of obesity by:
✔️ Reducing appetite
✔️ Increasing fullness
✔️ Slowing digestion
✔️ Helping regulate blood sugar and insulin

🧠 The most effective options right now?
Medications in the GLP-1 family (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) lead to the most significant and sustained weight loss and also improve:
• Blood sugar
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Heart disease risk

Some people lose 15–20% of their body weight with these medications.

❤️ Important heart-health update:
Semaglutide is currently the only weight-loss medication proven to reduce heart attacks and strokes in people with obesity and existing heart disease.

⏳ One of the most important takeaways:
Weight-loss medications are not short-term fixes.
Just like blood pressure or diabetes meds, they usually need to be continued long-term to maintain results. Stopping often leads to weight regain — and that’s not a failure.

🧩 How do you know if medication is an option for you?
In general, these medications may be considered if:
• BMI ≥ 30
• OR BMI ≥ 27 with weight-related health conditions

The “right” option depends on your health history, goals, preferences, and insurance coverage.

💡 The bottom line:
Obesity is a chronic medical condition, not a personal flaw.
Modern treatments are more effective than ever — and for many people, medication is a legitimate, evidence-based tool alongside lifestyle changes.

This post is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual medical advice.

02/06/2026

🌙 Why Am I SO Tired During Perimenopause & Menopause?!
New research finally explains it — and what actually helps.

The Menopause Society just released a new article:
“Sleep Disturbances in Midlife Women: Prevalence, Correlates, and Treatments” (Jan 2026)

Here’s the plain-English version — and what you can actually do with this info:

✨ First, you’re not imagining it.
Up to 70% of women in midlife struggle with sleep. The most common issue isn’t trouble falling asleep — it’s waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep.

🔥 Hot flashes aren’t the only culprit.
Sleep problems in midlife are linked to:
• Hot flashes & night sweats
• Anxiety or low mood
• Stress, trauma, or big life transitions
• Alcohol or cannabis (even when used for sleep!)

🧠 The #1 recommended treatment? CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
And no — this is NOT “just therapy” or “talking about feelings.”

CBT-I helps you:
✔️ Retrain your brain to stop associating the bed with frustration
✔️ Reduce nighttime anxiety and racing thoughts
✔️ Reset your sleep drive and body clock
✔️ Break habits that accidentally make sleep worse (like going to bed too early or staying in bed awake)

📍 How do you actually get CBT-I?
You have options:
• Ask your primary care provider for a referral
• Look for a therapist trained in CBT-I
• Use evidence-based programs and apps (like CBT-I Coach)
• Some programs are virtual and don’t require weekly in-person visits

⏱️ Most CBT-I programs last 4–8 weeks, and studies show it works as well as sleep medications — without the side effects.

💊 What about hormones or sleep meds?
• Hormone therapy can help sleep if hot flashes are the main issue
• Prescription sleep meds are usually not recommended long-term
• Treating anxiety, depression, pain, or sleep apnea can dramatically improve sleep

💡 The big takeaway:
Sleep problems during menopause are common, real, and treatable. You do not have to just “push through it.”

This post is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual medical advice.

01/25/2026

We’re Hiring: Referral Coordinator

📍 Olympic Valley Clinic, PLLC
🕒 Part-time (with potential to grow)

Olympic Valley Clinic is a small, patient-centered medical clinic looking for a detail-oriented and reliable Referral Coordinator to help manage referrals, patient communication, and general administrative support.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys staying organized, communicating with patients, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Primary Responsibilities:
•Process and track outgoing referrals
•Communicate with patients regarding referral status and next steps
•Answer phones and respond to patient messages
•Coordinate with specialty offices and insurance as needed
•Maintain accurate documentation and filing (electronic and/or paper)
•Provide general administrative support to the clinic

Qualifications:
•Previous medical office or healthcare experience preferred (especially referrals), but willing to train the right person!
•Strong organizational and communication skills
•Comfortable using computers, EMR systems, and phone systems
•Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
•Friendly, professional, and patient-focused

Schedule & Pay:
•Part-time hours (exact schedule to be discussed)
•Hourly pay based on experience

If you’re organized, dependable, and enjoy working in a small healthcare setting where you truly make a difference for patients, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 To apply: Please send us your resume at olympicvalleyclinic@gmail.com

01/09/2026

Call 360-482-5300 or email olympicvalleyclinic@gmail.com to Schedule

01/05/2026

✨ Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women Program is now live ✨

Many women come to me saying the same thing:
“I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

Hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect nearly every part of life — energy, mood, sleep, weight, focus, intimacy, and overall well-being. These changes don’t follow a strict timeline, and symptoms can look different for every woman.

I’m excited to share that my Hormone Replacement Therapy Program is now live. This program focuses on listening, education, thoughtful lab evaluation, and individualized treatment plans — because hormone care is never one-size-fits-all.

✔️ 30-minute consultations
✔️ Targeted, evidence-based lab testing when appropriate
✔️ Personalized hormone therapy options
✔️ Ongoing follow-up and support

💻 Learn more and schedule your consultation by emailing us at olympicvalleyclinic@gmail.com or call the office at 360-482-5300. You can also get more info at our website, https://www.olympicvalleyclinic.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-program

You deserve to feel good in your body again. 💛

- Ashley Taylor, MSN, FNP

Call 360-482-5300 or email olympicvalleyclinic@gmail.com to Schedule

12/31/2025

08/25/2025

Residence of Elma with school age children, the Elma health fair is going on right now from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Elma elementary. Come get a free burger from Randy and check out all the different booths, free sports physicals also.

08/21/2025

Montesano back to school event was a success. Free sports physicals all day. Thank you to my amazing FNP student Jessa who is just the best and is going to be amazing practitioner.

06/17/2025

We are looking to hire a Family Nurse Practitioner. Please check out the indeed link if interested. Thank you.

Olympic Valley Clinic

04/30/2025

We will be closed Thursday, May 1st. Enjoy the sunshine!