Lakeview Clinic, Ltd.

03/10/2026

If you have no family history of colon cancer; is a screening necessary?
Lakeview Clinic's General Surgery team says, YES.
According to Dr. Todd Elftmann, “current recommendations for colonoscopy in patients without family history begins at age 45”. Colorectal cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms, and early detection is crucial". Dr. Timothy Thormodsgard adds, "The majority of colon cancer cases occur in people with no family history of colon cancer, so screening is important even if you have no family history."
Despite this, many people refrain from having this potentially life-saving procedure. In order to help ease concerns, a panel of Lakeview providers have addressed common concerns on Lakeview's blog. Read their responses to concerns with the link below. 👇
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Lakeview physicians address common concerns and questions about colonoscopies in this informative article.

03/06/2026

Colorectal cancer continues to be a major problem in the United States. This cancer affects any portion of the large intestine, or the colon in medical terms. The re**um involves the last 15 cm of the colon. In 2023, colorectal cancer was the fourth leading overall cause of cancer and second leading overall cause of cancer deaths. It is estimated that about 1 in 24 people will develop colorectal cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can be vague, and many patients don’t have any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of disease. Colonoscopies are the gold standard screening option, and it is typically fully covered by your health insurance. This is the only test that both detects and prevents colorectal cancer. You can learn more and request a colonoscopy on our website. https://bit.ly/lv-colonoscopy

03/04/2026

Today on March 4th we stand together for Brain Injury Awareness Day!
At Lakeview Clinic, our team showed support for individuals and families affected by Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) by proudly wearing green; the official color of TBI awareness. 💚

Traumatic brain injuries can result from falls, crashes, sports impacts, and other accidents, and affect how the brain works, from memory and thinking to coordination and emotions. Raising awareness helps shine a light on this often invisible injury and the lives it touches.

Let’s also talk prevention:
👉 Always wear your seatbelt when driving or riding in a vehicle.
👉 Use properly fitted helmets for biking, skating, snow sports and other activities.
👉 Take steps to prevent falls at home; like using handrails, securing rugs, and improving lighting.

Small steps matter, & when we protect our brains, we protect our futures. 💡💚

03/03/2026

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It affects many women, often more than we realize. It’s not “just bad period pain,”it can cause chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, and even impact fertility.

📌 When Can It Start?
Endometriosis can begin as soon as after your first period, and symptoms often show up in your teens or early 20s, even though many aren’t diagnosed until their late 20s or 30s. Some people experience symptoms for years before getting answers.

Symptoms to Watch For:

✨ Painful periods that interfere with daily life
✨ Constant pelvic or lower back pain
✨ Pain with in*******se
✨ Pain with bowel movements or urination
✨ Heavy bleeding or spotting between periods
✨ Infertility concerns

👉 Early awareness and care can make a big difference. If you’ve been struggling with pain or discomfort that doesn’t feel “normal,” you deserve answers and real solutions.

📖 Dr. Spencer Ferrell, MD has written an helpful article on our blog that breaks down what endometriosis is, how it affects your body, and treatment options available including medications, surgery, and personalized care plans.

Read more on Lakeview Clinic's blog. (LINK BELOW)
🔗 https://bit.ly/lv-blog-endometriosis
You’re not alone. Understanding your body is the first step toward better health, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Learn what endometriosis is, symptoms, treatment options, and how it can impact mental health.

03/02/2026

Joint pain affecting your daily life? 💥 A steroid injection may be worth considering if:

• You want to delay or avoid surgery.
• You need improved pain relief and mobility to fully participate in physical therapy.
• You’re looking to reduce reliance on NSAIDs, Tylenol, or other pain medications.
• You’re compensating for pain and risking additional injuries.
• Pain is disrupting your sleep or limiting certain activities.

Learn when steroid injections make sense and what to expect by reading Dr. Leah Clark's article.
Link below 👇
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Learn about steroid injections, including ultrasound guided injections, and get the answers to commonly asked questions about these treatments.

02/26/2026

Healthy eating doesn’t have to feel restrictive — it can actually be delicious and fun! 🌿✨ Trying new, wholesome recipes is a simple way to make healthier living something you look forward to.

Lakeview physician Dr. Leah Clark shares one of her go-to favorites from Lisa at Downshiftology:
Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
🔗 Recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/greek-sheet-pan-chicken/
🎥 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXRINU_tjs8

Why Dr. Clark loves it:
🍽️The blend of flavors is amazing with bright, zesty, herby veggies paired with juicy, tender chicken
🥗Perfect for meal prep
🍽️Easy cleanup (sheet pan for the win!)
🥗An instant family favorite; even her kids love it

Health benefits:
🥦Made with natural, fresh ingredients
🥦High in vegetables and protein
🥦Lower in carbs

Make it your own:
Add more (or less!) of your favorite vegetables
Serve over rice, lentils, or mashed potatoes if you’d like
Substitute chicken breast if preferred

Healthy eating can be simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. What new recipe will you try this week? 🍽️💚

This Greek sheet pan chicken is an easy, all-in-one dinner recipe with juicy chicken thighs nestled around vibrant, Mediterranean vegetables.

02/26/2026

Once kids move past the early childhood years, it can feel like annual wellness visits aren’t as important; especially if they’re not due for vaccines. But for older children and teenagers, these visits are just as critical, even if no shots are needed. If your child or teen is overdue for their annual visit, consider scheduling during their spring break. You can schedule with the link provided - https://bit.ly/lv-schedule-child-well-visit - or call our scheduling desk at (952)442-4461.
Learn more about the importance of wellness visits here: https://bit.ly/lv-teen-well-visits

02/24/2026

Lakeview medical providers and staff provide comprehensive care when your day takes an unexpected turn due to an injury or illness. Same-day appointments are reserved each day so patients can be seen for acute needs such as cold/flu symptoms, injuries, or earaches. While your provider may not be available for your same day appointment, rest assured you will receive quality care from a regular member of our provider team.
In clinic appointments are available from 8:00 – 4:40 on weekdays and 8:00 – 11:40 on Saturdays in Waconia. Clinic hours are 8:00 – 5:00 Monday – Friday & 8:00 – 12:00 Saturday.
Call (952) 442-4461 to schedule.

02/24/2026

Has it been over a year since your child, teen, or college student has had an eye exam? Schedule with the link provided - https://bit.ly/lv-schedule-eye-exam - or call our appointment desk at (952)442-4461. Annual eye exams ensure your kids are up to date with there glasses and contact lens prescriptions. As kids grow their vision often changes as well. Staying up to date with eye exams not only ensures they have the best possible vision, but helps screen for potential visual health issues. While health issues related to vision are more common in older adults, they are still sometimes found during routine exams in children.
If your child is diabetic, regularly uses a steroid for disease management, or suffers from a visual health issue, it is likely their eye exam will be covered by medical insurance rather than requiring a vision plan or out of pocket payment. We always encourage you to contact your insurer to verify coverage prior to scheduling eye exam appointments.
Lakeview Optometrists, Dr. Bradley Ludwig, Dr. Tracy Jackson, and Dr. Thomas Bryan have a wide range of experience in treating and diagnosing visual health issues and are highly skilled in providing accurate glasses and contact lens prescriptions. They all manage care of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration; coordinating care with eye specialist & surgeons if needed.

Optometrists at Lakeview Clinic conduct eye exams, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses), and diagnose eye diseases.

02/20/2026

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice. This helps us open up the spot for another patient who may be waiting for care. 💙 Thank you for helping us support our community by keeping care easily accessible!

02/18/2026

Have you heard the term A-Fib but aren't sure exactly what that means, Prasun Mandal, DO outlines Dr. Mandal is the newest member of Lakeview Clinic’s Family Medicine team. He sees patients of all ages in the Waconia clinic.

What Is A-Fib?
o Atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib, is a common heart rhythm condition
o The heart beats irregularly and often too fast, which can affect blood flow

Common symptoms include:
(Some people feel symptoms, others do not.)
 Heart palpitations or fluttering/quivering heartbeat
 Fatigue
 Shortness of breath
 Lightheadedness
Untreated A-Fib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure

Who Is at Risk
o Risk increases with age
o More common in people with:
 High blood pressure
 Heart disease or prior heart surgery
 Diabetes or sleep apnea
o Lifestyle factors such as excess alcohol use and obesity can also play a role

How A-Fib Is Diagnosed
o Review of symptoms and medical history
o Heart rhythm testing, such as an EKG
o Sometimes longer-term heart monitoring is needed

Treatment Options
o Medications to control heart rate or rhythm
o Blood thinners to reduce stroke risk
o Procedures like cardioversion or catheter ablation for some patients
o Lifestyle changes, including exercise, weight management, and limiting alcohol

Be sure to inform your primary care provider if you feel you've experienced symptoms of A-Fib.

02/18/2026

🌍✨ From Chaska to the Olympics! Dr. James E. Carrabre of Lakeview Clinic is making a global impact as a medical official at the Olympic Games. Learn how his expertise in family and sports medicine helps keep athletes safe, healthy, and competing with integrity on the world’s biggest stage, and how he brings that same care back to our community every day. 💪🏽🏅

📖 Read more:

Learn about Dr. James E. Carrabre's role as a medical official with the IBU at the Olympics.