3 minute read
HEALTH
By Dawn Burleigh Photos by Janna Fulbright
QAfter two years of planning, Dr. Amy Townsend opened Magnolia Direct Primary Care just two weeks after COVID-19 Crisis began.
“I trying to find the worse time to open,”
Townsend said with a smile.
She was watching a model of the Direct
Primary Care (DPC) and was an advocacy for the type of healthcare it offers. The timing just happens to fall into the beginning of the coronavirus.
With 14 years of experience, she became frustrated with the system and the quality of care she could provide within the system.
“I moved to in patient medicine and acute care hospital medicine,” Townsend said. She held positions such as Medical Director of St. Mary’s and Administration with Christus. “I was in charge of the medical staff,” Townsend added. All providing her with the experience needed to run an office solo. Prior to making the change to DPC, she traveled back and forth from St. David in Austin, Texas. Direct primary care is a model for delivering primary care, and only primary care. The doctor charges each patient a monthly fee, generally ranging from $50 to $200, in return for timely, convenient access to him or her and a buffet-like menu of mostly basic primary care services. “Direct Primary Care eliminates the frustration,” Townsend said. “Before I could not provide the care for the patient I wanted to give. This eliminates the middleman intrusion. It provides more time and care for patients.” Intrusions such as insurance. “I don’t have to pay an entire staff, so it reduces overhead,” she added. It also allows Townsend to get back to the basic when primary care becomes not expensive. “I am able to tell my patients exactly how much something will cost so there are no hidden surprises,” Townsend said. Items such as lab work, or x-rays. Townsend added there is a limit to the number of patients she can accept because she schedules appointments to include 30 minutes to an hour for each patient. “I want that personal relationship with my patients,” Townsend said. “I want to know how they are doing. I will never see 30-40 patients a day like some offices.” Payment options are a set price a month, based on age, making it affordable for small businesses to offer their employees’ health care. Most plans are $50 a month. She does not see children under 13.
MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
Annual comprehensive physical exam Preventative care Well women exams Management of chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, asthma, COPD, etc.) Acute care for illnesses and minor injuries (excludes emergency care) Virtual visits by email, text, and phone
In office tests like EKG, spirometry, urinalysis, and rapid strep tests Access to discounted laboratory and radiology testing Minor procedures like cryotherapy of warts, incision and drainage of abscesses, sutures, skin biopsies, splinting, and Pap smears
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Nebulizer treatments Hospital follow-ups Townsend received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. She then went on to pursue her Medical Degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where she graduated with honors. She completed her residency training with Louisiana State University Family Medicine Program in Lake Charles, where she served as co-chief resident.
Magnolia Primary Care is located at 2845 Texas Ave, Suite 100 in Bridge City and can be reached at 409-313-6277.
“This is a need a need I saw within our community,” Townsend said. “Without insurance, people are avoiding the care they need early on to avoid a catastrophic health costs.”
Orange EXIT 878 OFF IH-10 Hours: M, T, W, S 9am-6pm • Thur & Fri 9am-7pm • Sun 12pm-5pm 883-5712
