Holistic, Patient-Centered Care at Our Internal Medicine Practice in Rural South Carolina
Welcome to our internal medicine practice, nestled in the heart of rural South Carolina. We are a team of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing comprehensive medical care to our valued patients. Our mission is simple: to take care of the entire patient with a focus on managing complex health issues in-house, minimizing referrals to outside specialists.
At the helm of our practice is our senior member, an esteemed physician with a rich history of 25 years in private practice, 20 of which have been spent establishing and managing our current practice. His wealth of experience in internal medicine coupled with the profound understanding of our community’s health needs serves as our guiding compass.
Working closely with him is our co-owner, a seasoned nurse practitioner who has been an integral part of our practice’s growth and success over the years. Three years ago, we welcomed a family practitioner to our ranks. With her diverse background and unique skill set, she quickly became a vital part of our team and recently earned a well-deserved partnership.
Our physician assistant, with 12 years of service in our practice, provides unwavering support, bridging the gap between doctors and patients with seamless communication and care. Another key player in our team is our nurse practitioner, who has been with us for six years and has consistently displayed unparalleled dedication to our patients’ wellbeing.
In our quest to provide exceptional patient care, we must acknowledge the essential contributions of our medical assistants, who have honed their skills over several years of dedicated service. They form a cohesive unit between our professional and medical staff, ensuring seamless coordination and communication. Equally vital to our practice’s success is our front office team, who manage scheduling with precision and maintain an organized atmosphere. Their efforts, combined with those of our diligent insurance team, contribute to our practice’s financial stability. At the center of this intricate web of talent is our experienced office manager, who skillfully governs all aspects of the practice, bridging gaps between departments and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. It is through the combined efforts of our entire team that we can truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and the community we serve.
What sets us apart is our proactive approach to healthcare. Our focus is not just on treating ailments but on managing the overall health of our patients. We serve a primarily Medicare population, offering a host of in-house services to cater to their multifaceted health needs. This includes conducting necessary labs prior to routine visits to assess various parameters like lipids, thyroid disorders, anemia, and electrolyte disturbances.
Our advanced diagnostic capabilities feature a range of ultrasound studies, such as echocardiograms, carotid artery duplex, and renal artery duplex scans. We’re also equipped to perform diagnostic ultrasound studies for various abdominal, pulmonary, and pelvic disorders. For our patients suffering from musculoskeletal issues, we offer comprehensive ultrasound studies followed by ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections, all facilitated by our certified ultrasound technologist.
Our practice takes great pride in the expertise of our certified ultrasound technologist, who has been with us since the very beginning. Her dedication to expanding her skill set and embracing new ultrasound techniques has been instrumental in the evolution and growth of our diagnostic capabilities. As our practice has evolved, she has shown an unwavering commitment to excellence by pursuing certifications in various areas of ultrasound technology, enabling us to offer a comprehensive range of ultrasound studies to our patients. Her open-minded approach to integrating the latest ultrasound advancements into our practice ensures that we stay at the forefront of innovative diagnostic solutions. The invaluable expertise she brings to our team not only enhances our ability to provide accurate diagnoses but also enables us to deliver more effective treatment plans for our patients’ diverse health needs.
In our continuous pursuit of offering state-of-the-art services, we recently introduced autonomic nervous system studies. This includes evaluations of respiratory sinus arrhythmia, Valsalva ratio, and tilt table testing. During these tests, we monitor heart rate, blood pressure, cerebral blood flow using transcranial Doppler, and cardiac output using impedance cardiography.
As we move forward, our practice is poised to tackle even more complex cases that are not well understood, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Central Sensitization Syndrome, fibromyalgia, and post COVID-19 long-hauler syndrome. To care for these difficult-to-diagnose patients, we have expanded our services to include intermittent intravenous fluid administration, intravenous lidocaine infusions, and intravenous vitamin C infusions.
Recognizing the need for a holistic approach to these conditions, we also incorporate alternative therapies to help reduce the hypervigilant state and oxidative stress experienced by these individuals. This includes the use of antioxidants and embracing techniques such as music therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and more.
At our practice, we believe in listening to our patients, understanding their needs, and offering individualized, comprehensive care. Our goal is to help our patients live healthier, fuller lives, right here in the heart of rural South Carolina.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks, as we elaborate on our understanding of how the complex problems disturb the overall health of our patients and share insights on how we are addressing these challenging health issues with compassion and innovation.
Steven E. Freeman, MD, PhD
