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PLATTSBURGH — Local physician Dr. Brenda Phillips has provided medical care to the North Country for nearly two decades.
For 18 years, on a part-time basis at Great North Woods Medical, she served patients of all ages, though a good percentage of her practice focused on geriatrics, the medical care for seniors.
Originally from Vermont and a graduate of the University of Vermont and the Vermont College of Medicine, Phillips recently decided to switch gears and since Jan. 1 has been a full-time physician for Meadowbrook Health Care Facility in Plattsburgh.
While at Great North Woods, Phillips had scheduled time to care for patients who were admitted temporarily to Meadowbrook's Rehabilitation Unit.
But two major events happened within the past few years that led her to a full-time presence at the nursing home/rehab center.
First of all, Meadowbrook adopted a new model of hiring full-time doctors to provide medical care for its resident population.
"Prior to that, we had 15, 20, 25 physicians from the community who would each provide physicians services" for patients who were connected to their primary-care practice, said Paul Richards, administrator at Meadowbrook.
NEW MODEL AT WORK
The new model has paid dividends for both the area's physicians and Meadowbrook, he added.
With two full-time doctors on staff, the facility could provide more consistent care for both its regular and temporary residents, and outside doctors gained more time to focus on their private practices.
The second event was related to the focus Phillips places on her own personal health.
"It's all based on exercise," she said. "I run regularly, and my route often passes (Meadowbrook Medical Director) Rick Lacki's house."
One day a few months ago, he happened to be outside, and she stopped to talk to him. The conversation led to the upcoming retirement of Lacki's fellow physician at Meadowbrook, Dr. George Starr.
Knowing of the highly regarded reputation the medical community has for Phillips and her work, Lacki asked if she would consider filling the soon-to-be-vacated position.
After some thought and conversation with her husband, Mike, she decided to accept the offer.
"I was already familiar with the excellent staff on the sub-acute ward," she said. "I knew I'd enjoy this medicine. It's been a terrific opportunity for me."
IMPROVED CARE
Lacki and Phillips work regular 9 a.m.-to-5 p.m. shifts during weekdays, visiting each resident on a regular monthly basis and tending to the daily medical needs of patients as issues arise. They also share on-call duties during weekends and nighttime hours.
Every medically related event at Meadowbrook goes through one of the two doctors.
"There are often very intense medical needs when working with long-term care," Phillips said. "The residents have very fragile medical needs, which is all the more reason to have a physician's presence on a daily basis."
"It has definitely improved the continuity of care," Richards said. "Moving to this model has really enhanced the quality of care."
Having a regular presence at the facility also helps the doctors work more closely with family members, Phillips added. Under the old model, she was seldom on site when family members were present, she explained.
Leaving her private practice was a difficult decision, and she admittedly misses the patients that she developed friendships with over the past 18 years. She said she is "overjoyed" whenever she sees them in the community.
But she accepts her new role and recognizes the need she fills in this very specialized health-care setting.
"It's very interesting medicine. I'm learning all sorts of new things about the geriatric population. You don't realize how many 90- and 100-year-olds there are."
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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