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LGBTQ+ Health Provider To Open 6 Tampa Bay Clinics. What To Know.

Metro Inclusive Health, a Tampa Bay area LGBTQ+ health care provider, plans to open six new clinics across the region this year.

During the local pandemic-era population boom, the organization saw a surge of people seeking treatment, with some driving over an hour for an appointment, said Priya Rajkumar, co-chief executive officer and chief operating officer.

"It's about bringing the care back into the communities … that don't always have access," Rajkumar said. "We know how challenging public transportation is in the area."

The nonprofit, founded 30 years ago, will close its existing health centers in St. Petersburg and Ybor City and move employees to the new, smaller locations. No layoffs are planned, Rajkumar said.

The Metro Inclusive Health centers in Clearwater and New Port Richey will remain.

One of the new clinics, at 2235 Central Ave. In St. Petersburg, will start seeing patients Thursday. The nonprofit previously had a thrift store at the property.

Metro Inclusive Health is working out leases for the other five locations. They are planned in or near south St. Petersburg; the area where the Gandy Bridge reaches Pinellas County; Brandon; and multiple spots in Tampa.

All new clinics are expected to open by 2024, Rajkumar said.

Patients will receive greater personalized care, she said. The clinics will offer the nonprofit's existing services.

The organization, with 184 employees, provides primary care, counseling, HIV treatment and testing for sexually transmitted infections, among other services.

The current St. Petersburg and Ybor City locations will keep seeing patients until the new clinics launch.

Last year, Metro Inclusive Health treated nearly 31,000 people, a roughly 14% increase from 2021.

The organization, with reported revenue of almost $33.2 million in 2020, will save money by moving out of the larger St. Petersburg and Ybor City centers, which have extensive property upkeep costs, Rajkumar said. The nonprofit hopes to use the savings partly for staff retention and development, she said.

The existing St. Petersburg location, in the Historic Kenwood neighborhood, is 47,000 square feet. In 2019, Metro Inclusive Health held a grand opening for the renovated headquarters and clinic, which had added an event hall and a coworking office space.

© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS A view of the staff work areas at Metro Inclusive Health's new clinic, at 2235 Central Ave. In St. Petersburg, on April 20. The nonprofit is expanding around Tampa Bay this year.

By contrast, the new Central Avenue clinic is 3,800 square feet, according to Brian Bailey, chief marketing and business development officer.

"Our goal is when someone walks through the door at one of these locations they don't get lost in a massive space," Rajkumar said.

WICHITA SENIORS CAN NOW ENJOY TRANSFORMATIVE PRIMARY CARE THAT LEADS TO BETTER HEALTH

Dedicated Senior Medical Center starts new era of affordable VIP care to older adults in central Kansas

WICHITA, Kan., April 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ChenMed, a leading provider of concierge-style primary care for older adults, with more than 125 centers in underserved neighborhoods across 15 states, is now welcoming patients at its first Dedicated Senior Medical Center in Wichita and central Kansas. Thousands of local seniors can now benefit from personalized, high-touch, value-based care from friendly primary care providers at the Dedicated Grove Center (2402 East 13th Street North) near the Wichita State University campus.

Dedicated Senior Medical Center celebrates its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Brandon Whipple (far right) and beloved first patients, "Wichita Dedicated King" (Roy Bean) and "Queen" (Victoria Lopez).

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple helped cut the ribbon at the official grand opening noting how Dedicated providers give their cell phone numbers to 100 percent of their patients, encouraging texts or calls anytime; plus, welcome same-day and walk-in appointments for patients in need.

"The City of Wichita is proud to welcome Dedicated Senior Medical Center to our community, not only because it offers wrap-around services for seniors at one location, but it also will be a catalyst for economic development in a part of the city that needs more businesses and services," said Mayor Brandon Whipple, City of Wichita, Kansas. "More than 800 residents already have joined the Dedicated family of patients, and everyone in our wonderful city, especially our older residents, deserve outstanding medical care from primary care providers who treat them like family."

Dedicated provides superior, coordinated care focused on seniors with Medicare Advantage, many of whom have multiple major and chronic conditions. Fully focused on preventive care, Dedicated earns patient trust by delivering VIP service during every visit or call. The care team dramatically improves health outcomes in underserved communities in ways that are consistent with Governor Laura Kelly's goal of providing better healthcare to all Kansans.

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An April 2022 survey (N=185) of Midwest region residents ages 65 or older and responsible for their healthcare decisions found, that among respondents self-identifying as likely to be switching their doctor:

42% report, "It is too difficult to get an appointment when I need one."

33% say, "I do not believe I am getting the care I deserve."

25% declare, "My doctor does not treat me with love, respect and kindness."

Dedicated locates centers in communities where a lack of access to high-quality primary care and other social determinants of health has negatively impacted longevity for many years. These barriers have shortened average life spans by as much as 20 years when compared to others living in nearby more affluent zip codes. So, the innovative medical practice is working to address what Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Heralded more than 50 years ago: "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane."

"Older adults deserve compassionate, affordable care," says Joel Meyer, M.D., regional chief medical officer for Dedicated Kansas and Missouri. "Our clinicians provide the love, dignity and respect older adults deserve, as we transform their health in ways proven to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 33 percent."

In addition to Mayor Whipple, the festive, ribbon-cutting ceremony also included participation by Wichita City Council members Maggie Ballard (District 6) and Brandon Johnson (District1); Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan and members of the Wichita Police Department; members of the Wichita Fire Department; Wichita State University mascot, WuShock, and members of the Spirit Squad; the Wichita Sky Kings Dance Team; Wichita Thunder hockey team mascot, Thunder Dog; area faith leaders, including Pastor Brandon Redic of The Bridge Church; dignitaries; and dozens of area seniors. The event featured local music and cuisine, plus center tours.

Dedicated providers at the event explained how their medical practice fulfills its purpose by being accountable for helping their patients achieve better health.

The Dedicated staff provides personalized, friendly care and ensures their patients can get the care they need when they need it. Dedicated's care teams give patients their cell phone numbers and respond quickly to patient calls or texts. Dedicated also offers same-day appointments, whenever needed. Additionally, Dedicated centers help reduce barriers to healthy living and help seniors benefit from community services.

"Our care teams are advocates for every patient we are blessed to serve," explains Brian Hilgenfeld, M.D., Dedicated Wichita Grove's center medical director. "We honor, respect and treat patients like members of our family, and our high-touch, accessible service leads to improved health, helping keep seniors healthy and at home, instead of hospitalized."

The highly personalized care at Dedicated leads to happier and healthier patients, as noted by a 2022 third-party survey of more than 76,500 ChenMed patients:

94.8% report provider satisfaction.

95.3% agree their doctor listens to them.

97.0% feel their doctor shows respect.

About Dedicated Senior Medical Center:Dedicated is part of ChenMed, which today operates more than 125 centers in 15 states. The hyper-growth company employs outstanding primary care physicians and specialist doctors who are empowered to do whatever it takes to deliver VIP service; to detect and effectively manage high-risk diseases; and to reduce hospital sick days for Medicare-eligible seniors, many of whom are living with multiple and major chronic conditions. ChenMed is a privately owned medical, management and technology company that delivers the high-touch and personalized primary care Medicare-eligible seniors need to enjoy better health. Named one of Fortune 2020 "Change the World" companies, twice a "Most Loved Workplace" by Newsweek Magazine, and a certified Great Place to Work® by the Great Place to Work Institute, ChenMed brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to the neediest populations. See ChenMed's 2022 Impact Report.

Dedicated Senior Medical Center logo (PRNewsfoto/ChenMed)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.Prnewswire.Com/news-releases/wichita-seniors-can-now-enjoy-transformative-primary-care-that-leads-to-better-health-301810991.Html

SOURCE ChenMed

Finding A Primary Care Provider

In addition to the criteria above, there are a few other things to keep in mind when choosing your doctor for family medicine, pediatrics, women's health, or men's health.

Clinic Location

Choose a primary care doctor who practices in a location that is convenient. That could be a place close to where you live, or may be a clinic that is close to where you work if you think most of your visits will take place during daytime hours. Some physicians and APCs also practice in multiple clinic locations, so you may be able to find a provider who can see you in clinics near your home and your work.

Clinic Hours

Another important thing to check is the hours a clinic is open to see patients. If you have a hard time getting in during "regular" business hours, finding a clinic that has extended morning, evening, and weekend appointments can fit your lifestyle better. This makes it more likely you will be able to get in to see your doctor not only when you are sick, but also for regular check-ups.

Appointment Availability

Before choosing a primary care provider, find out if he or she is accepting new patients. If yes, find out how long it usually takes to get a new appointment. Clinics that have a wait time of several weeks or even months to see a doctor might not be the best choice for every patient, especially those who need to see a doctor frequently for urgent or acute care. Find out if the clinic offers same-day or next-day appointments in case you need to get in for an urgent visit when you get sick. Many of our primary care physicians leave slots open on their schedule for same-day or next-day appointments.

Some doctors also see patients virtually through our Virtual Care services. These visits offer convenient hours and same-day availability for non-emergency care through your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Certifications and Training

Check the doctor's credentials—not just the type of degree that he or she has, but also whether they stay up-to-date on the latest advances and changes in medicine through board certification or affiliation with groups like:

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Physicians

American Geriatrics Society

Your Ability to Connect with the Provider

Along with finding a physician or APC who is competent and skilled at what they do, it's important that you feel comfortable with him or her. During your first visit:

Make sure the provider communicates with you in a way you understand.

Make sure you feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your health concerns.

Find out how you can communicate with the doctor's office. Many offer electronic communication through an online patient portal to make it easy to ask simple questions, receive lab results, or get medication refills between appointments.

Evaluate the staff in the office (like nurses, medical assistants, and receptionists) to ensure you are comfortable with them, since you will talk to them to schedule appointments, help with medication refills, and more.

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