Thursday, February 28, 2013
LIBERTY
Primary-care physicians at Humility of Mary Health Partners Physician Associates’ new Church Hill Family Health Center practice in the tradition of family doctors.
“Our patients seem satisfied with the facility and the care. Some have said, ‘You actually listened,’” said Dr. Angela Matthews, DO, one of three doctors at the Church Hill Family Health Center, 4694 Belmont Ave. in front of Giant Eagle.
The other physicians there are Dr. Crispin Barlatt, DO, and Dr. Harriet Lemberger-Schor, MD.
The hours of the center, which began accepting patients in November 2012 and officially opened early in February this year, also are patient-friendly. The health care facility opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday to accommodate patients before they go to work or school, and closes at 4 p.m.
Same-day appointments also are available, said Dr. Barlatt.
The doctors offer full-service primary care for all ages, with the help of a staff of two registered nurses, two medical assistants and two receptionists.
HMHP Physician Associates (HMHPPA), a network of physicians and health care professionals, has 50 practice and clinic locations in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties offering medical homes to patients.
Network doctors use one electronic medical record, resulting in stronger, more-coordinated care throughout the system, said Noel Stickle, Church Hill practice manager.
Also, patients can check their own medical information through MyChart, which can be accessed online or through a mobile application, Stickle said.
The Church Hill center has nine examination rooms and a laboratory for drawing and checking blood and urine and strep throat, he said.
“We do physical examination for children and adults and minor skin procedures,” said Dr. Lemberger-Schor.
Most primary-care physicians are in private practice; but those in the HMHPPA are employees of HMHP, and as such have access to the broader resources available through a larger organization, Dr. Lemberger-Schor said.
“We are going to do a patient-satisfaction survey to determine what we are doing right and what we can do to improve their visit here,” Dr. Matthews said.
“We want the practice to be what the community needs,” Dr. Barlatt said.
The newest HMHPPP was located in Liberty because the community is thriving and growing and has a bright future. People who were in manufacturing are finding other jobs, said Dr. Barlatt.
“Hopefully, this practice will contribute to the economic upswing in Liberty and is a reflection of improvement in the community at large,” Dr. Lemberger-Schor said.
“All three doctors are accepting new patients,” she said.