Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 67 Endocrinology Gets a Boost in Great Falls Dr. Heidi Peynado De Pena is an endocrinologist at Benefis Health System in Great Falls. She values listening and strives to maximize each patient's quality of life through her attentive care. Why did you choose endocrinology as your specialty? My first exposure to medicine was through this specialty. When I was about 11 years old, my father was very sick, and his physicians struggled to find a diagnosis. It was a very scary time for my family. My dad was eventually helped by an amazing doctor, an endocrinologist, and I remember how caring she was toward my dad. The moment I saw her, I knew my dad was going to get better. That experience really shaped me. What are the most common cases an endocrinologist sees? Diabetes is the most common disease we see in endocrinology, but we also see many patients with thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and bone diseases. How would you describe a great day at work? Any day when I feel I've had a small part in helping patients resolve big problems is a great day. The treatments we use may seem simple to me, but they make a huge difference in people's lives. I also really appreciate days when I get to help resolve diagnostic challenges people may have been dealing with for a long time. What is generally involved in finding a diagnosis? Laboratory tests are the basis of how we determine diagnosis and treatment. Besides dynamic blood work testing, we also use computed tomography imaging to evaluate pituitary and adrenal pathology and ultrasound to evaluate the thyroid and parathyroid glands. How do you help patients succeed in their long- and short-term health goals? I try to set attainable goals for my patients. I aim to understand their day-to-day living habits, strengths, and limitations, and then adapt our plan as needed. A plan does no good if it cannot be implemented. Can primary care providers manage endocrine conditions, or do these conditions require specialty care? Primary care providers are usually very good at managing endocrine conditions, but patients with complicated conditions benefit most from specialty endocrinology care. Your primary care provider will perform a thorough initial workup before referring you to an endocrinologist to help you get the most efficient care. Do you have any personal mottos, rules to live by, or frequently used words of wisdom? I try to change my "have to" for "get to." For example, "I don't have to go to work. I get to go to work." "I don't have to cook dinner. I get to cook dinner." It is not lost on me that I am very lucky to be where I am, and that I am currently living part of my dreams and what I prayed for so much. I try to pick myself up when I need to with my "get to" philosophy to remind myself how blessed I am to be where I am right now. Heidi Peynado De Pena, MD Endocrinology A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Benefis.org

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