Page 26 - Scene Magazine 42-06 June 2017

Annual Report
Bronson Family Medicine – Helmer Road
Having a primary care doctor, phy- sician assistant or nurse practitioner is an important foundation for making sure your health needs are met. But, like many communities around the country, Calhoun County has faced a shortage of primary care providers. To help fill that gap, Bronson Healthcare recently opened the doors to a new family med- icine practice in Battle Creek.
Bronson Family Medicine – Helmer Road is a 14,000 square foot building just off I-94 at Helmer Road. It is staffed by a team of five providers who offer preventative and routine care for fami- ly members of all ages – from babies to older adults.
“Since becoming a part of the Bron- son Healthcare system in 2011, Bronson Battle Creek has been committed to ad- vancing the health of the community, as well as making access to healthcare eas- ier,” says Jim McKernan, chief operating officer of Bronson Battle Creek. “This
practice will help alleviate the shortage of family doctors in Calhoun County and meet the growing demand from residents who want to establish care with a Bron- son doctor in Battle Creek.”
Bronson Battle Creek is currently pursuing designation as a teaching hospital which is expected to further expand healthcare access, assist with recruiting new family medicine physi- cians, and contribute to the economic vi- tality of the community. The new family medicine practice will help support this initiative, giving future doctors a place of employment within the same commu- nity in which they trained.
The new practice has many unique features. It is designed using lean principles and laid out to reduce patient wait times. The de- sign improves workflow
Photo: Battle Creek area leaders joined Bronson Healthcare to celebrate the opening of Bronson Family Medicine-Helmer Road during a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 18, 2017. Left to right: Laurel Barber, V.P. Operations, Bronson Medical Group; State Senator Mike Nofs; Mike Way, Sr. V.P. Facilities & Real Estate, Bronson Healthcare; Dr. Bob Isacksen, Pres., Bronson Medical Group; Dave Walters, Mayor of B.C.; Carla Herbert, Practice Proj. Dir., Bronson Healthcare; Todd Champion, Proj. Mgr., CSM; Lynn Ward Gray, B.C. City Commissioner; Todd McDonald, Corp. Pres., CSM; Rebecca Fleury B.C. City Mgr.;
and Mark Crawford, V.P. of Community Health Services, Bronson Battle Creek
and communication allowing each patient more time with his or her provider.
Bronson Family Medicine uses the Epic electronic health record system. Pa- tients can use Bronson MyChart to view test results, refill prescriptions, sched- ule appointments, and send messages to their doctor. Plus, doctors can see their patients’ health information on Epic to better coordinate care and collaborate with specialists.
The five providers at Bronson Fami- ly Medicine – Helmer Road include Dr. Simone Bruemmer, Dr. Carl Kinzel, Dr. Gianna Service, and family nurse prac- titioners Ashley Conklin and Judy Cro- nin. They are all accepting new patients. The practice, located at 2900 Watkins Road, has extended hours on Mondays, from 7am to 7pm as well as on Satur- days from 8am to noon. To schedule an appointment call (269) 245-5430.
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