by Autumn Bishop, LMH Health Marketing Communications Manager
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| photos | provided by LMH Health |
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The importance of health care is not lost on the residents of smaller communities, which is why local clinics are so important in those areas.
Eudora and Baldwin City facilities
More than 46 million Americans—about 15% of the population—live in rural areas. Many of these areas face health-care shortages with few options for residents to receive routine and emergency care. Douglas County is fortunate to have primary-care clinics not just in Lawrence but also in the surrounding communities of Baldwin City and Eudora.
Importance of Primary Care
Routine medical care is important for people at all stages of life. Visits to a primary-care physician help keep children healthy by allowing the provider to follow their growth and development, and provide routine vaccinations. Adults benefit from regular health checks through opportunities to manage chronic conditions and provide early detection of new ones.
Dr. Maribeth Orr
“When you’re building a house, you start with a foundation. That’s what a primary-care provider is, the foundation for your overall health and well-being,” explains Dr. Maribeth Orr, a physician at Eudora Family Care. “The world of medicine is huge, and your primary-care provider can be your go-to person to help you get started.”
Having a primary-care provider also allows patients to talk with an expert about preventative measures to keep them from getting sick in the future.
“You can’t always feel when your blood pressure is high or predict when it will happen. We make sure you’ve got it under control, that you’re exercising and eating right to help keep you healthy and well,” says Dr. Bonnie Cramer, physician at Family Medicine of Baldwin City (FMBC).
Patients have the option of same-day appointments with the providers in Baldwin. Telecare visits are also available to help accommodate patients.
In Eudora, patients benefit from walk-in care from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the clinic.
“Life is unpredictable, and you never know from day to day what your needs will be, especially from a health-care perspective. When the school nurse calls and says you need to come get your child because they’re sick, it’s important to have the convenience to get them seen and their needs met right away,” Orr says.
Eudora Family Care treats a number of conditions during walk-in hours, including cough, congestion and cold symptoms; earache; eye irritation or redness; minor strains and sprains; sore throats and more. Visit lmh.org/eudora for a full list of conditions for which walk-in patients can be seen.
Caring for Their Communities
Dr. Bonnie Cramer
Family Medicine of Baldwin City and Eudora Family Care are blessed to have clinicians who live and work in the community. Cramer lives and works in Baldwin City.
“I grew up on a farm. I went to school in a small town, and I’m a small-town person,” Cramer says. “Our goal was always to live in a small town and raise our kids there. I really enjoy the small-town feel and the people.”
Orr grew up in Eudora and now lives just north of town in the Eudora School District. She stayed in her hometown to raise a family.
“I’ve got four children—one who’s graduated and three who are in the Eudora School District now,” she explains. “My family is here, and my husband’s family is, too. It’s super comfortable and a great place to live.”
Advantages of Rural Care
“Having a primary-care clinic locally benefits our patients because they don’t have to leave town for their care,” Cramer says. “When someone is very sick and doesn’t feel like they can drive a great distance, we’re here to take care of them.”
Even when they aren’t sick, having to travel to get health-care needs met can add a barrier for some patients. Having care available in the community instead of having to drive 25 or 30 miles helps remove that barrier.
“It’s easy to put off care when you have to drive a greater distance,” she continues. “If you remove the hassle, it makes you more likely to see a doctor. In turn, this helps to improve the overall health of the county.”
Local care doesn’t just benefit the community members the clinics serve. The benefits carry over to other communities in the county, as well.
“Think of the county as one big baseball field. Someone has to cover left field, and we take care of that need,” Orr says. “We have to be a strong team member and take care of these needs so the whole county can be covered and supported with good health services and availability.”
Healthy communities aren’t just a result of having primary care available nearby. The providers at these rural clinics are integral to the fabric of their towns.
“People ask me all the time for recommendations,” Orr says. “They want to know if there’s a local dentist or eye doctor in Eudora. They talk to me about car care and ask about a local vet. We help other local businesses through these relationships.”
Local Connections
The clinicians at Family Medicine of Baldwin City also partner with the public schools and Baker University to provide care to students.
“We provide care for a lot of Baker students. FMBC is the local clinic they come to when they need care,” Cramer says. “The physicians at Baldwin and Eudora also team up with OrthoKansas to help with sports physicals each year for local middle and high school students.”
Orr previously worked with Eudora Middle School through a program called Cardinal LinkUP, where she was paired up to mentor students once a month. Conversations range from life and day-to-day activities, to stress and more.
“What I found from this experience is the lessons learned helped me,” she explains. “We talk about issues with confidence, feelings, fear—just human interaction. I’ve learned a lot. There’s a lesson in everyone.”
Why Choose Local Care?
“In a small town, we really take the time to get to know our patients as people so we can provide better, more intuitive care,” Cramer says. “When you understand someone as a person and have that connection, it’s easier to provide good care. We’re here and truly care for our patients on that personal, small-town level.”
The benefits of a small-town feel and getting care close to home is a theme that also resonates for Orr.
“Dr. (Joseph) Hawkins and I both live in Eudora, and we have a vested interest in the community’s health and happiness,” she says. “We’re here to provide the care you need when you need it, and we’re just in your backyard.”
LMH Health has 10 primary care clinics across Douglas, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties to meet your needs close to home. Visit lmh.org/primarycare to find a physician to help you stay healthy and well.
LMH Health has 10 primary care clinics across Douglas, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties to meet your needs close to home. Visit lmh.org/primarycare to find a physician to help you stay healthy and well.
