Family Medicine at CGH Fulton Medical Center
Physician Assistant, Kimberly Teats-Garrison and Nurse Practitioner Lynne Coffey discuss family medicine care at CGH Fulton Medical Center.
Featuring:
Kimberly Teats-Garrison, PA-C is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI and attended Northern Illinois University for her undergraduate.
Lynne Coffey, FNP | Kimberly Teats-Garrison, PA-C
Lynne Coffey, is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She has been a NP for 8 years, working in bariatric, general and vascular surgery, women’s health, pediatrics and family practice. She received her master’s degree as and family nurse practitioner and her BSN in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. In addition, Lynne is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, LapBand Total Care and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.Kimberly Teats-Garrison, PA-C is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI and attended Northern Illinois University for her undergraduate.
Transcription:
Deborah Howell (Host): Most of the time, we wait until there’s something wrong with us before we go to the doctor. But maybe it’s time to think about taking ourselves and our family to the doctor to be well and to stay well. Welcome to our podcast, About Your Health. I’m Deborah Howell and we’re here today with Kimberly Teats-Garrison, a Physician Assistant at CGH Fulton Medical Center and with Lynne Coffey, a Nurse Practitioner also at CGH. Today, we’re going to be talking about family medicine at CGH Fulton Medical Center. Thank you so much for joining us Kimberly and Lynne. Lynne, let’s start with you. What type of care doe CGH Fulton Medical Center offer?
Lynne Coffey, FNP (Guest): We are going to be providing primary care for all patients, infants through geriatrics for their wellness, prevention, and then treatment of diseases as well. And then we also will have same day walk in appointments.
Host: Now Kimberly, tell us about your connections to the Fulton community and why you enjoy practicing here so much.
Kimberly Teats-Garrison, PA-C (Guest): So, I was actually born and raised in a community not very far away from Fulton in Erie. It’s another rural community nearby. So, coming back to work in another rural community, very close to home was very special for me and allows me to get those connections that I wanted with patients in the first place and part of why I went into medicine.
When I got out of school, just a couple of years ago, I actually began my practice in Fulton with another company and so a lot of my patients are actually from the Fulton Clinton area and whatnot so going back into the area is extremely rewarding for me and I can’t wait to be there.
Host: Oh, that is awesome. Your patients are very lucky. What kind of treatment do you provide for walk in care?
Kimberly: So, for walk in care, we’ll be seeing those acute same day visits for the colds, the sinus infections, just not feeling well, maybe somebody bumped into something and hurt themselves, things like that and of course, like we’ve already said, that’s sort of in addition to our same day chronic conditions and whatnot for out other patients as well.
Host: That’s awesome. Because I bump into something almost every day. What are the hours available at CGH Fulton?
Kimberly: CGH in Fulton will be working Monday through Friday doing the primary care appointments that we generally do as well as the walk in visits on the same days. In addition, we will now be working on Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to noon doing just the walk-ins on those days.
Host: Now Kimberly and Lynne, you are so congenial, both of you. Tell us about your approach to family medicine.
Lynne: I like to be able to give up to date knowledge and education on their health and on their problem and then we work together, the patient and I, to make a plan that best suits them.
Host: And how is a nurse practitioner different from a physician assistant? I think a lot of people are confused about that.
Lynne: Yeah, so actually we are very similar. We are both considered providers, so we are able to take care of patients, treat and to diagnose them. We are considered kind of like physician extenders, I guess you could say. We work independently but we do have a provider that we can consult if needed. And basically, the only thing that’s really different about us is that we have a little bit different way of schooling. Mine is basically nurse based and more primary care based usually. And a physician assistant usually is based more through medical care and specialties.
Host: Got it. The specialty angle. Okay great and Lynne, what drew you to this type of medicine?
Lynne: As a nurse, i worked in NICU and Labor and Delivery, NICU is neonatal intensive care unit. And so, being able to bring that to treat all levels of patients, something that I really enjoyed and so, being able to do that, I can do that as a family nurse practitioner so I can see anyone from infancy up to geriatrics. And so that really allows me to treat anyone and I really enjoy being able to have a different patient that’s coming through the door all the time. And I like being able to follow the patients from a young age until they are older. So, that’s what drew me to family practice.
Host: Kimberly, what do you offer your patients that benefit them the most in your opinion?
Kimberly: I think from my standpoint, something that I offer patients is maybe different than what they are used to or the older style of practicing is that I think they are very comfortable coming into our office and know that want to take the time to listen to them, explain everything to them and make it more of a conversation where we both are involved in their care, not just me making the decisions for them. But the patient listening, being interactive and saying yeah, you know what, I am comfortable with that and I understand why we are doing it as well.
Host: You know we are so stressed out here in America day to day. Are you seeing more cases surrounding mental health?
Kimberly: I think that’s a big part of our practice. Which is really great because I think that it’s always been there, but we just weren’t willing to talk about it so much as we are now and I saw – my biggest comparison is we see broken bones, we are able to fix things like that or a lab on a paper. You can’t so much see mental health. So, it’s something that’s kind of been a social faux pas sort of to talk about and I think it’s great that we are finally getting there and providing the care that they need.
Host: Sometimes for teens especially, they just need an ear that’s no their parents to give voice to what’s going on with them. Do you have some kind of accommodation for teenagers?
Lynne: Our office is open to everyone, so teenagers are definitely able to come in to be seen because we see anyone from infancy to geriatrics. They can come in without parents in the state of Illinois under certain manifestations. So, if they are coming in for any sexual transmitted disease treatment, pregnancy, in that realm; then they can come in on their own. CGH does have their own policy that if they are not coming in for those reasons and they are under the age of 18; that they must have an adult present with them.
Host: Anything else you’d like our listeners to know?
Kimberly: We are very eager to be back in the Fulton area, both of us having ties as Lynne herself is actually from the Fulton area. So, we’re just thrilled to be having this opportunity with CGH to come into the area and we cannot wait to be there and to bring our practice with us and to gain more patients and just make it a better community overall.
Lynne: I just think being able to make an impact on the same communities that raised us is huge and we are just so very lucky that we are going to have this opportunity.
Host: Well thank you so much Kimberly Teats-Garrison and Lynne Coffey for taking time out of your busy day to be on the podcast. We really do appreciate it. Both Lynne and Kimberly are accepting new patients of all ages and walk-ins Monday through Friday at CGH Fulton Medical Center. That’s at 1130 17th Street, Suite B Fulton, Illinois. And for more info, please visit www.cghmc.com/Fulton. I’m Deborah Howell. Thank you for listening to this episode of About Your Health. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share on your social channels and be sure to check back in soon for the next podcast. Have yourself a terrific day.
Deborah Howell (Host): Most of the time, we wait until there’s something wrong with us before we go to the doctor. But maybe it’s time to think about taking ourselves and our family to the doctor to be well and to stay well. Welcome to our podcast, About Your Health. I’m Deborah Howell and we’re here today with Kimberly Teats-Garrison, a Physician Assistant at CGH Fulton Medical Center and with Lynne Coffey, a Nurse Practitioner also at CGH. Today, we’re going to be talking about family medicine at CGH Fulton Medical Center. Thank you so much for joining us Kimberly and Lynne. Lynne, let’s start with you. What type of care doe CGH Fulton Medical Center offer?
Lynne Coffey, FNP (Guest): We are going to be providing primary care for all patients, infants through geriatrics for their wellness, prevention, and then treatment of diseases as well. And then we also will have same day walk in appointments.
Host: Now Kimberly, tell us about your connections to the Fulton community and why you enjoy practicing here so much.
Kimberly Teats-Garrison, PA-C (Guest): So, I was actually born and raised in a community not very far away from Fulton in Erie. It’s another rural community nearby. So, coming back to work in another rural community, very close to home was very special for me and allows me to get those connections that I wanted with patients in the first place and part of why I went into medicine.
When I got out of school, just a couple of years ago, I actually began my practice in Fulton with another company and so a lot of my patients are actually from the Fulton Clinton area and whatnot so going back into the area is extremely rewarding for me and I can’t wait to be there.
Host: Oh, that is awesome. Your patients are very lucky. What kind of treatment do you provide for walk in care?
Kimberly: So, for walk in care, we’ll be seeing those acute same day visits for the colds, the sinus infections, just not feeling well, maybe somebody bumped into something and hurt themselves, things like that and of course, like we’ve already said, that’s sort of in addition to our same day chronic conditions and whatnot for out other patients as well.
Host: That’s awesome. Because I bump into something almost every day. What are the hours available at CGH Fulton?
Kimberly: CGH in Fulton will be working Monday through Friday doing the primary care appointments that we generally do as well as the walk in visits on the same days. In addition, we will now be working on Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to noon doing just the walk-ins on those days.
Host: Now Kimberly and Lynne, you are so congenial, both of you. Tell us about your approach to family medicine.
Lynne: I like to be able to give up to date knowledge and education on their health and on their problem and then we work together, the patient and I, to make a plan that best suits them.
Host: And how is a nurse practitioner different from a physician assistant? I think a lot of people are confused about that.
Lynne: Yeah, so actually we are very similar. We are both considered providers, so we are able to take care of patients, treat and to diagnose them. We are considered kind of like physician extenders, I guess you could say. We work independently but we do have a provider that we can consult if needed. And basically, the only thing that’s really different about us is that we have a little bit different way of schooling. Mine is basically nurse based and more primary care based usually. And a physician assistant usually is based more through medical care and specialties.
Host: Got it. The specialty angle. Okay great and Lynne, what drew you to this type of medicine?
Lynne: As a nurse, i worked in NICU and Labor and Delivery, NICU is neonatal intensive care unit. And so, being able to bring that to treat all levels of patients, something that I really enjoyed and so, being able to do that, I can do that as a family nurse practitioner so I can see anyone from infancy up to geriatrics. And so that really allows me to treat anyone and I really enjoy being able to have a different patient that’s coming through the door all the time. And I like being able to follow the patients from a young age until they are older. So, that’s what drew me to family practice.
Host: Kimberly, what do you offer your patients that benefit them the most in your opinion?
Kimberly: I think from my standpoint, something that I offer patients is maybe different than what they are used to or the older style of practicing is that I think they are very comfortable coming into our office and know that want to take the time to listen to them, explain everything to them and make it more of a conversation where we both are involved in their care, not just me making the decisions for them. But the patient listening, being interactive and saying yeah, you know what, I am comfortable with that and I understand why we are doing it as well.
Host: You know we are so stressed out here in America day to day. Are you seeing more cases surrounding mental health?
Kimberly: I think that’s a big part of our practice. Which is really great because I think that it’s always been there, but we just weren’t willing to talk about it so much as we are now and I saw – my biggest comparison is we see broken bones, we are able to fix things like that or a lab on a paper. You can’t so much see mental health. So, it’s something that’s kind of been a social faux pas sort of to talk about and I think it’s great that we are finally getting there and providing the care that they need.
Host: Sometimes for teens especially, they just need an ear that’s no their parents to give voice to what’s going on with them. Do you have some kind of accommodation for teenagers?
Lynne: Our office is open to everyone, so teenagers are definitely able to come in to be seen because we see anyone from infancy to geriatrics. They can come in without parents in the state of Illinois under certain manifestations. So, if they are coming in for any sexual transmitted disease treatment, pregnancy, in that realm; then they can come in on their own. CGH does have their own policy that if they are not coming in for those reasons and they are under the age of 18; that they must have an adult present with them.
Host: Anything else you’d like our listeners to know?
Kimberly: We are very eager to be back in the Fulton area, both of us having ties as Lynne herself is actually from the Fulton area. So, we’re just thrilled to be having this opportunity with CGH to come into the area and we cannot wait to be there and to bring our practice with us and to gain more patients and just make it a better community overall.
Lynne: I just think being able to make an impact on the same communities that raised us is huge and we are just so very lucky that we are going to have this opportunity.
Host: Well thank you so much Kimberly Teats-Garrison and Lynne Coffey for taking time out of your busy day to be on the podcast. We really do appreciate it. Both Lynne and Kimberly are accepting new patients of all ages and walk-ins Monday through Friday at CGH Fulton Medical Center. That’s at 1130 17th Street, Suite B Fulton, Illinois. And for more info, please visit www.cghmc.com/Fulton. I’m Deborah Howell. Thank you for listening to this episode of About Your Health. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share on your social channels and be sure to check back in soon for the next podcast. Have yourself a terrific day.