Healthcare for the WHOLE FAMILY

By Cassie Johnson

On our cover, pediatrician Dr. Liz McGregor is getting a checkup from two-year-old Sophia Flanary. Dr. McGregor is a pediatrician at Four Rivers Internal Medicine (FRIM) and Quick Care in Paducah. She is a nurturing and compassionate physician accepting new patients from newborns through their teenage years.

Meet Dr. Liz McGregor

Dr. McGregor grew up in Lexington and attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate, medical school, and her residency. She and her husband Jonathan have been married for 12 years and have three beautiful daughters - Charley (10), Brooks (7), and Andersyn, (6).

“Initially, I went to medical school thinking I wanted to be an OB/GYN,” Dr. McGregor told me. “After my very first pediatric rotation, I knew pediatrics was for me. I loved every aspect of it from the well-child exams to taking care of the sickest patients in the NICU and PICU.”

WE OFFER:

• Walk-ins welcome

• We serve adults and newborns

• Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases

Your Primary Care

Dr. McGregor recommends regular wellness for all her patients. A primary care pediatrician is important to maintain your child’s health not just for visits when they are sick. Regular visits help both patients and parents establish a relationship with their pediatrician so they are comfortable addressing any topic or concern.

“Every child should have routine well-visits,” Dr. McGregor said. “It is concerning that some parents stop taking their children for regular check-ups once they start school. Children can develop conditions such as high blood pressure, weight problems, or diabetes just as adults can. There are chronic conditions that develop during childhood that children should be routinely screened for such as certain heart conditions, psychological illnesses, and scoliosis.”

During the first few years of life, well-visits are more frequent. Typically once a child reaches two years old, visits are scheduled every year.

• Women's health

• Yearly well child checkups including newborns

• Wound care, including Incision and drainage

• Labratory on-site

• Vaccinations

• School/Sports physicals

• Diabetic management

• Electrocardiogram (EKG) testing

• Suturing of minor lacerations

Dr. McGregor stresses the importance of keeping these visits to ensure your child is developing and growing appropriately. Seeing the same pediatrician at each visit ensures that your child is treated by someone familiar who knows their baseline health and history.

“I love my job for so many reasons!” Dr. McGregor said excitedly. “I love it mostly because of my patients. It’s a wonderful experience being a pediatrician and following them from birth through their teenage years. I love getting to know their families. I appreciate that most kids are healthy and my job is to ensure they stay that way. Even when kids get sick, they are resilient and typically handle sickness much better than adults.”

When it comes to patient care, Dr. McGregor knows teamwork and repetition are key factors. She credits her FRIM & Quick Care coworkers for making her job easier and appreciates she couldn’t do it without them. All of the providers at Quick Care are experienced and ready to take care of your family’s healthcare needs. Providers include Dr. Jason Lorch, DO; Dr. Elizabeth McGregor; Cainan Jones, DNP; Latisha McClain, DNP; Anna-Reid Malone, DNP; Erin Cantrell,

Quick Care and Pediatric

FRIM & Quick Care offers two types of clinics for pediatric patients. Most people are aware of the Quick Care clinic which is mainly for acute illnesses or injuries. School and sports physicals can be performed through Quick Care, however, Dr. McGregor advises when possible physicals should be performed by your child’s regular pediatrician.

The second type of clinic is the regular pediatric clinic for patients who have established care with Dr. McGregor.

“I perform their well-child visits and administer vaccines, but will also see my patients for acute illnesses and injuries,” said Dr. McGregor. “When children come through our Quick Care clinic but don’t have a primary physician, we encourage them to establish care either with me or another local pediatrician.”

Dr. McGregor is in the clinic and available for consultation on weekdays. Other providers in the office are qualified and comfortable treating pediatrics. Even if Dr. McGregor is not there, patients and staff can still reach her for a consultation.

Locally Owned

FRIM & Quick Care began in 2012 and remains one of the area’s only locally-owned healthcare facilities. Over the last thirteen years, their mission has remained the same - to provide high-quality care and treat patients as they would treat their family members. Dr. Lorch has been with the practice since it started.

“We now have five full-time and three part-time providers who can treat both children and adults,” Dr. Lorch said. “Your entire family can be treated under one roof. Our patients range from newborn to 102 years old.”

Urgent Care Without the Urgent Fee

Open seven days a week, Quick Care offers many services for pediatrics and adults including an on-site lab. They help patients avoid the emergency room when possible. The staff at Quick Care ensures you receive prompt service when you can’t be seen by your primary physician. Quick Care offers urgent care without the urgent care price tag. Their healthcare costs are substantially lower than hospital-based facilities.

Find Your Medical Home

A medical home isn’t a building - it’s an approach to providing comprehensive primary care. Everyone wants to be known as a patient, not a number. FRIM & Quick Care combine place, process, and patient-centered healthcare. They offer care where a physician partners with the family they are treating and establishes regular ongoing care.

“There is a comfort zone that comes with established healthcare relationships,” Allison Clark, Office Manager said. “We want our patients to feel confident about the care they are receiving. Everyone deserves healthcare delivered by well-trained providers that are accessible, comprehensive, family-centered, and compassionate.”

Children and adults are welcome at the walk-in clinic where no appointment is needed. Patients that are established have the benefit of making appointments for both acute and chronic concerns.

FRIM & Quick Care accepts most insurance plans, most Kentucky Medicaid, and Medicare cash pay options. Both children and adults are welcome for established care and walk-in services. Their hours are Monday – Friday, 7 am to 6 pm, and Saturday – Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm. The office is located at 3131 Parisa Drive, just off Jackson Street in Paducah. You can reach them by phone at 270.444.8000. Visit quickcarepaducah.com and follow them on social media. On their new patient portal, you can make appointments, check lab results, see your records, and ask health questions. Visit healow.com or download the free app for iOS and Android devices to set up your portal account. 