#United States #MDVIP #Woodstock #Emily Chan

A New Approach to Primary Care in Woodstock

In a significant development for healthcare in the Shenandoah Valley, Dr. Emily Chan has inaugurated her MDVIP-affiliated family medicine practice in Woodstock, Virginia. This new primary care option focuses on prevention and aims to foster deeper relationships between physicians and patients. As rural healthcare faces challenges such as shortages and limited access, this initiative offers a much-needed lifeline for local residents.

Meeting Community Needs

With a background in clinical outpatient primary care since 2019, Dr. Chan is well-acquainted with the specific healthcare needs of her community. Her approach emphasizes a personalized model, recognizing that the individuals in Woodstock and surrounding areas have long struggled with prolonged wait times and insufficient medical resources. Most of the existing providers belong to a single health system, which has led to a lack of choice and accessibility for families seeking care. Dr. Chan's experience prior to her new practice has often seen her appointments booked out for months, underscoring the demand for her services.

The Virginia Department of Health reports that chronic disease conditions have led to nearly 1.8 million hospitalizations, revealing how critical accessible preventive care is, particularly in rural areas. By offering a more flexible scheduling model and comprehensive preventive exams, Dr. Chan is poised to change the landscape of healthcare in this community.

A Holistic Approach to Family Medicine

What sets Dr. Chan apart is her commitment to long-term relationships with her patients. Rather than a transactional model of care, she strives to understand her patients on a personal level, acknowledging the small yet meaningful details that affect their health and well-being. This familiarity is essential when caring for multiple generations within a family, allowing her to spot potential health patterns over time. As an extension of this personalized approach, her practice will intentionally limit the number of patients to ensure quality care and depth of service.

In sync with MDVIP’s philosophy, which involves a smaller patient panel size and longer patient visits, Dr. Chan’s practice will enable her to invest more time in understanding what influences her patients’ health, thus prioritizing prevention over reactive treatment. This strategy is important in a context where community members often turn to emergency services due to unaddressed chronic issues.

Building Community Trust

Dr. Chan’s deep-rooted connection to the Shenandoah Valley engages her on a personal level. As a single mother active in local schools and community events, she embodies the very essence of community care. Her familiarity with local culture and relationships allows her to provide more relevant and responsive healthcare services.

She notes, “I get to know my patients on a personal level. In a short appointment, I remember details that matter, be it family milestones or plans for the year ahead. With MDVIP, I can delve deeper into my patients’ health issues and focus on prevention rather than merely reacting.” Her dedication to truly understanding what her patients are going through enhances the continuity of care that is crucial for effective family medicine.

Ben Stapleton, COO of MDVIP, echoed Dr. Chan’s sentiments, stating, “Communities like Woodstock deserve primary care that’s not rushed or transactional. Dr. Chan knows local families well, and this new practice will help relieve some of the pressures that rural healthcare faces.”

An Exciting Future

The MDVIP model, which champions preventive methods combined with personalized patient insights, represents a significant evolution in healthcare delivery. Dr. Chan’s practice not only aims to alleviate the immediate pressures faced by the region’s healthcare system but also seeks to instill long-term changes in patient care dynamics in Woodstock and beyond.

This opening is a step forward for MDVIP as it broadens its reach, offering families in Woodstock a more approachable and mindful healthcare experience. Dr. Chan's qualifications, including her medical degree from Ross University and her Family Medicine residency at the University of Maryland, bolster her capability to lead this transformative practice.

As she begins enrolling patients at her new practice located at 641 North Main Street, Woodstock, the community can look forward to an innovative model that prioritizes health management, deeper patient-doctor relationships, and active engagement in preventive care. With her, healthcare in the Shenandoah Valley can indeed become more personal, effective, and community-centered.