MARYSVILLE – Community Memorial Healthcare (CMH), Marysville, is pleased to announce the addition of an endocrinology clinic to the lineup of outpatient services. This clinic is primarily hosted through telemedicine technology, and is available through Complete Endocrinology, Lincoln, Neb. Emily Plautz, PA-C, conducts telemedicine appointments with patients at CMH in Marysville; Dr. Madeline Jones-Ryan, DO, is the consulting physician. CMH outpatient clinic nursing staff assists with the in-office appointment.
“This model is something new for us,” said Curtis Hawkinson, CMH chief executive officer. “We’re grateful to be able to provide this type of needed service through the use of technology, especially for many of our diabetic patients. This is just one more example of our efforts to reduce travel time for patients and bring specialist care closer to home.”
Endocrinology is the medical specialty that focuses on disorders of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is made of glands located throughout the body that produce hormones involved in important body processes such as blood sugar regulation, growth, and reproduction. Examples of endocrine glands include the pancreas, thyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary, ovaries, and testes.
Conditions that can be treated through the new clinic at CMH include adrenal gland disorders, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis/bone metabolism disorders, pituitary disorders, thyroid disease, transgender care, and more.
The Complete Endocrinology provider and education team includes physicians, physician assistants, certified diabetes educators (CDEs), registered dietitians (RDs) and a clinical pharmacist. Their approach to each patient is individualized and includes discussion, education, and a physical exam, with lab work or imaging studies as needed.
Provider Emily Plautz says she really enjoys endocrinology; she feels it is important for patients to understand their endocrine condition and management, including lifestyle changes or medications and devices. She loves gathering and analyzing information, and then using that information to help others develop a plan toward improving their health. Plautz has a Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb.. She is board-certified as a PA-C from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and is a certified diabetes educator from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (CDCES).
Dr. Jones-Ryan’s focus is on caring for the whole person – mind and body – versus just the disease. Using her background and training, she works with her patients to develop successful strategies that take into account various aspects of their life. As a person with type 1 diabetes, Dr. Jones-Ryan has a special interest in helping patients live with their diabetes. She is a big proponent of diabetes technology and how new advances in this area can improve the health and lifestyle of her patients. Dr. Jones-Ryan received her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Mesa, Ariz. She completed her endocrinology residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
New endocrinology patients should be referred by their primary care provider to Complete Endocrinology, Lincoln, Neb. An initial appointment will be at the Complete Endocrinology office in Lincoln with follow-up appointments conducted through the CMH outpatient clinic in Marysville.
Existing endocrinology patients can schedule a telemedicine appointment by calling the Community Memorial Healthcare outpatient clinic at 785-562-2311.
During a telemedicine appointment, CMH outpatient clinic nurse will review the patient’s list of medications, track any recent health changes, and take the patient’s vital signs. A foot exam may also be necessary. This information is then securely transmitted to the endocrinology healthcare provider. A special telemedicine device is used to conduct the appointment, and the nurse will help the patient connect with the healthcare provider on the device’s screen.
“We’ve been using this technology for a few months now, and we feel the process is going very smoothly,” said Tam Gordon, CMH director of outpatient services. “It’s incredible the connections we’re able to establish for our patients via technology.”