FA L L I S S U E 2 0 2 6
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Member Plus Family Health
The Island Clinic That Still Picks Up the Phone On Bainbridge Island, even people with excellent health insurance know the frustration of needing care and finding no one available. Long wait lists, overbooked practices, and appointments scheduled months in advance have become commonplace. That's often what brings new patients to Member Plus Family Health. "They're booking out to January and February at the big providers," said practice manager Laurie Isenman. "And we don't do that." Tucked into a welcoming clinic on Bainbridge, Member Plus has spent more than 13 years offering a different approach to primary care—one built on access, relationships, and time rather than patient volume. Despite its longevity, many island residents still discover the practice by chance. The practice currently includes family physicians Blain Crandell, MD and Lisa Dropp, MD as well as licensed massage therapist Laurence Crandell. On September 1, they will welcome Richard Saint Cyr, MD, a board certified family physician with more than 25 years of experience. His expertise includes lifestyle medicine, preventive care, public health, and the management of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Recognized as a USA Top Doctor in family medicine for 10 consecutive years, Dr. Saint Cyr is also known for sharing evidencebased health education through his blog, videos, and social media platforms. Member Plus operates on a membership model designed to give patients greater access to their physicians. Members pay a monthly fee in exchange for comprehensive primary care, longer appointments, and same- or next-day visits for urgent medical concerns.
The practice also makes room for patients who cannot easily come to the clinic. Physicians continue a longstanding tradition of making home visits for newborns, a custom begun by founding physician Dr. Greg Keyes, who once offered to examine a staff member's newborn at home rather than expose the infant to a waiting room full of sick patients. Today, doctors also provide home visits for nursing home residents and patients who are homebound or lack family support.
"We block urgent care appointments every day for our patients," Isenman explained. "If someone calls with an earache or says they just found a lump in their breast, we get them in right away. There's no putting them off."
In an era when many medical offices rely on automated phone systems and call centers, Member Plus has chosen a different approach. "We don't have a phone tree. We don't have answering services," Isenman said. "We pick up the phone."
Patients with true emergencies—such as chest pain, severe illness, or suspected fractures—are directed to the emergency department or urgent care. The philosophy is simple: reserve hospitals for emergencies while keeping as much care as possible within primary care.
After hours, calls go directly to the physician on call rather than a third-party service. While it's never intended to replace 911, it allows patients with urgent but non-emergency concerns to speak with a doctor who already knows their medical history.
The practice cares for patients across every stage of life, from newborns to its oldest patient, now 103 years old. For Isenman, that continuity is one of the clinic's greatest rewards. "Some of the babies who came in swaddled are now teenagers who walk over after school," she said.
"If someone develops a urinary tract infection overnight," Isenman said, "Dr. Crandell can meet them here at the clinic and start them on antibiotics."
Over the years, the physicians have built relationships with many young patients that extend beyond annual checkups. "They'll stop by after school if they've had a rough day, and we work them in," said Isenman. Sports physicals and college health clearances are a regular part of the practice, reflecting Bainbridge's active student population. Specialty care is also a cornerstone of the practice. In addition to routine gynecologic care and Pap smears, Dr. Lisa Dropp has developed a particular focus on women's health and hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Crandell's areas of special interest include dermatology, sports medicine, and celiac disease.
To further improve responsiveness, the clinic is adding a registered nurse who will work remotely, helping triage patient messages so physicians can spend more time focused on face-to-face care. Time itself has become one of the practice's defining features. "We don't do 15-minute appointments," Isenman said. "Minimum is 30 minutes. Most are 45." Those longer visits create space for conversations that are increasingly difficult to have in traditional primary care settings. Sponsored Content
The practice remains open to new members, but growth is intentionally measured— typically adding just one or two patients each week. "We have to maintain what we've promised to our members," Isenman said. That means balancing the community's growing need for accessible primary care with the commitment already made to existing patients. By limiting growth, preserving longer appointments, and ensuring same-day access for urgent needs, the practice believes it can continue delivering the level of care that defines its mission.
In many ways, Member Plus represents a blend of modern medicine and old-fashioned community care. Patients benefit from preventive medicine, digital communication, and evidence-based treatment, while still experiencing the kind of personal relationships that once defined family medicine. It's a place where physicians may visit a newborn at home, where urgent concerns are seen the same day, and where calling the office still means hearing a human voice on the other end of the line. For many Bainbridge families, that simple promise has become one of the clinic's greatest strengths. For more information, call 206.842.3222 or visit memberplusfamilyhealth.com.
What Member Plus patients have to say . . . We have been with Member Plus Family Health for over 20 years now. The care we receive is always consistently professional and mindful. Dr. Crandell, Dr. Dropp, Heidi, Leah, Laurie and Eva make every visit a positive experience. A family practice who we can call anytime, knows every member of our family and actually spends the time to listen to our health concerns, that’s priceless!
Carlyn & David H. Everyone at Member Plus Family Health is thoughtful and caring. They really listen to patients and give them the right medical advice, including sending patients to first rate specialists when appropriate. All the team members, including administrators and receptionists, are friendly and helpful.
Tren & Nancy G. It is difficult to imagine better and more accessible healthcare than that provided by Dr. Crandell and Dr. Dropp and all the superb nurses and staff at Member Plus Family Health. The people there not only demonstrate top notch skills and efficient and effective care but go to great lengths to provide prompt care and dedicated follow-up. The pro-active care (we care more about you than you do for yourself ) provided literally saved my life. Primary health care physicians who make me feel like I am family - great grand-dad in my case - but being part of a family is as wonderful as it is rare.
Fred T.