Primary Care: Why it’s Primary

Primary care focuses on big-picture, interrelated components of physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. At St. Vincent Medical Clinic, it involves healthy lifestyle promotion, disease prevention education and medical treatment for patients of all ages. These services are delivered by two highly experienced nurse practitioners.

In February 2021, St. Vincent Medical Clinic’s Joette Eyser, NP-C, will be joined by Rick Hammack, NP-C, with clinical hours and patient appointments offered six days a week. As primary care providers, Joette and Rick perform exams, diagnose illness, prescribe medication and much more. As generalists, they act as the first contact and principal point of continuing care for a patient and coordinate other specialty medicine and therapies when they’re needed.

“It’s a one-stop-shop. We treat acute conditions, like a cold. And it’s where potential chronic health issues like diabetes, hypertension or arthritis can be identified and halted,” says Joette. “The combination of familiarity, trust and regular baseline screenings make the difference. I’m interested in overall wellbeing; a patient’s physical and emotional health over time.”

Rick notes that some people only visit a doctor or clinic only when we’re sick or hurt. But at a primary care visit, a patient can ask about other health concerns to open the door to a long-term and trusting relationship with a primary care provider.

Rick draws on experience ranging from emergency medicine to small-town family practice, to a role as a hospitalist in a large healthcare system. “Regardless of the environment, it’s active listening and building a rapport with an individual that facilitate health and healing,” says Rick.

Joette Eyser – NP-C is seeing patients now at St. Vincent Medical Clinic. Rick Hammack – NP-C is accepting appointments now for February 2021. Call 719-486-1264 to schedule an appointment today.