PRIMARY CARE REIMAGINED
PRIMARY CARE REIMAGINED
lab draws / tests , minor procedures , and physical exams are also available . For those with chronic conditions , such as hypertension and diabetes , followup visits including blood pressure and blood sugar checks are available . Baylor Scott & White is continuing to strive to deliver more convenient , cost-effective alternatives to urgent and emergency care with expanded walk-in clinic hours in more locations .
Clinics Expansion : Hill Country Marble Falls is at the epicenter of rapid regional growth , with more retirees and others settling here and throughout the Hill Country . In 2013 , Baylor Scott & White opened a specialty clinic and later a medical center to serve the growing area ’ s needs , offering an elevated level of health care excellence close by . Since then , the population has continued to grow and so has our need to expand our primary care presence in the Hill Country .
“ We hear all the time how much people appreciate having excellent quality health care close to home ,” says Tim Ols , president of the Hill Country region for Baylor Scott & White . “ We ’ re growing and expanding to continue to meet our community ’ s needs .” Baylor Scott & White also runs seven primary care clinics in towns from as far south as Johnson City to as far north as San Saba . Upcoming clinic additions will include a state-of-the-art family medicine clinic in Burnet and a new clinic in growing Spicewood . Specialty care is growing too — since the specialty care clinic opened in 2013 , patient volumes have grown from 500 per month to 500 per day . A $ 1.8 million clinic renovation currently planned will accommodate more specialists and expanded treatment areas .
The specialty care presence is an important component for those patients needing services beyond what primary care provides . Karen Gupton , director of operations for the Specialty Clinic in Marble Falls , says , “ We offer care in 25 different specialty areas , and for a rural area like Marble Falls , that ’ s amazing . In the past , people moved away as they grew older to be closer to their health care provider . Now , they ’ re staying and the area is attracting retirees and young families alike .”
“ People here are excited as we continue to grow our primary care and
specialty care presence in the region ,” says Blake Jamail , director of operations at the Primary Care Rural Health Care Clinics for Baylor Scott & White – Hill Country region . “ As the ring of development around Austin continues to move westward , Hill Country towns like Spicewood , Burnet , and others will experience rapid growth .”
Our primary care efforts will continue to serve the best interests of our patients , with innovative programs and clinical expertise that residents of Central Texas can count on . The patient care journey starts with primary care : it ’ s the front door to patient care excellence , and a path to specialty care for patients who need it . In the words of Dr . Reis , “ Primary care is challenging , fascinating , and rewarding . We celebrate and grieve , laugh and cry together with our patients . We treasure those long-term relationships . That ’ s why we do it .” n
10 THE CATALYST Fall 17 | bswhealth . com