Transition of Walk-In with MMA has ‘Gone Smoothly’

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Since placing the Walk-In Care Center inside the same building with Mena Medical Associates (MMA), Mena Regional Health System is seeing the benefits of the two being under one roof. The final transition of taking the non-urgent, after hours Walk-In clinic to MMA occurred in August 2015. “The goal of moving the Walk-In was to provide convenience for our patients by having all family practice providers in one central location,” explained Sonya Maye, Marketing Director for MRHS.

Having an in-house laboratory has allowed patients to have lab work completed at the clinic, eliminating an additional trip to the hospital for laboratory services. The MMA lab is expanding their laboratory information system that will provide most basic lab orders to be tested and processed in-house, providing additional convenience.

Another benefit is patients that visit the Walk-In and do not have a current primary care physician (PCP), can be provided with the option to be connected with a Mena Medical Associates PCP during their visit, where follow up appointments can be made. Additional parking and extra waiting rooms are also conveniences provided by the move.

“The new location of the Walk-In allows providers from MMA to easily transition from their clinic practice to assist with needs of the Walk-In, if scheduling permits,” said Maye. Several of the staff plays ‘double-duty’ under one roof, giving patients all-around care.

Dr. Steven Forrest is the Medical Director for the Walk-In Care Center and also provides care at the center, in addition to his family practice at MMA.  Kelly Krause, PA, is the full time provider at the Walk- In.  Additionally, Stephen Luker, DO and Eric Webb, PA, also serve patients at the Walk-In, along with their practices at MMA.  Several PRNs that share Walk-In hours are Melinda Ericson, PA; Jason McCandless, PA; and Clay Ellison, PA.

Chip Koeppin, DNP, recently joined the MMA Medical Staff team and will also care for patients at the Walk-In Care Center.  Koeppin received his Doctor of Nursing Practice from Concordia University of WI, Mequon, WI.  Most currently, he managed the daily operations of 21 clinics in the retail setting in the Phoenix Metro area.  His wife, Jodi Koppein, is a Certified Occupational Therapist.

In addition to the Medical providers at Mena Medical Associates, the facility also houses Hot Springs Cardiology Clinic and Urology Clinic. Dr. Tauth, Dr. Bowen and Dr. St. John from the Hot Springs Cardiology Clinic rotate schedules to provide cardiology care to the community, preventing the expense and inconvenience of traveling for that service. Dr. Brian Telle, Urologist from Hot Springs Urology Clinic, also conducts a monthly clinic at MMA.

Currently, the providers at Mena Medical Associates are; Steven Forrest, MD; Sherilyn Webb, MD; Stephen Luker, DO; Eric Webb, PA; and Chip Koppein, DNP.

The hours of Mena Medical Associates are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and the Walk-In Care Center hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

“The transition of the Walk-In Care Center has gone smoothly and has proven to be very convenient for our patients, as well as our providers.  We appreciate the support and patience received from our community during this transition.  Our goal is to continue to provide excellence in patient-centered health care.  We look forward to the New Year as we continue to care for our community and the surrounding areas in 2016.” Jay Quebedeaux, CEO.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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