Personalized HealthCare of Tucson
A MEMBERSHIP MEDICAL PRACTICE
Team-Based-Patient-Centered
The Medical Home
The Medical Home is a healthcare delivery model whereby patient treatment is coordinated through their primary care Medical Provider to ensure they receive the necessary care when and where they need it, in a manner they can understand. The objective is to have a centralized setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, and their personal Medical Providers, and when appropriate, the patient’s family.
- The Medical Provider leads a team of individuals who collectively take responsibility for appropriately arranging care with other qualified professionals, including care for all stages of life (acute care, chronic care, preventive services, and end of life care.)
- Care is coordinated and/or integrated across all elements of the complex health care system (e.g. subspecialty care, hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, family, public and private community-based services.)
- Quality and Safety measures support the attainment of optimal, patient-centered outcomes.
- Enhanced access to care is available through open scheduling and new options for communication between patients, their personal physician and practice staff.
ABOUT PHC
Mission Statement
At Personalized HealthCare of Tucson we are committed to excellence in the delivery of comprehensive healthcare to our patients. Our goal is to build a strong Medical Provider-Patient Partnership to deliver personalized evidence-based medicine and current technology, combined with the best community health and wellness resources. We strive to be a leader in the field of primary care to improve the health outcomes of our patients.
Medical Philosophy
Achievement of optimal health is a journey, not an office visit. In 2010 we identified the need to change from a traditional medical practice to a Medical Provider-Patient partnership model. In this model, the Medical Provider puts a priority on building a relationship with the patient that promotes empathy in medicine by removing the barriers between the Medical Provider and the patient created by traditional models of healthcare delivery. This allows us to provide our patients with the highest level of medical care in the community by maximizing accessibility, clinical competence and communication.
MEDICAL PROVIDERS
Steven Wool, MD FACP graduated from Duke University College of Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with extensive training and experience in Family Medicine and Geriatrics. He was Chief of Medicine at Tucson Medical Center from 2005-2009 and has served as clinical staff at Tucson Medical Center and in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Steven Wool has been in private practice in primary care in Tucson since 1985. He established Personalized Healthcare of Tucson in 2010 to provide his patients with the highest level of medical care by maximizing accessibility, clinical competence and communication.
Aldine Chandler, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She graduated from the University of Arizona with her Medical Doctorate, Alpha Omega Alpha, the highest scholastic distinction attainable. Aldine Chandler completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, ranked #1 nationally for Primary Care training by US News & World Report in 2016.
Emily McGlamery, PharmD is a pharmacist registered in the State of Arizona. She graduated from Drake University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She completed her pharmacy residency at the Southern AZ VA Hospital and practiced there for 8 years prior to joining PHC. As part of the PHC Medical Provider team, she oversees medication management at PHC and is available to patients for consultations about medications, chronic disease management, and to determine medication needs for travel, arrange travel clinic appointments for required vaccinations, and to provide prophylactic medication prior to travel.
Kathleen B. McLeod, DNP, MAOM, FNP-BC received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2015. She has 20 years’ experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has extensive experience in Neurology. Kathleen McLeod was the first Nurse Practitioner at TMC One with her own patient practice in Primary Care. She has been mentoring and educating Nurse Practitioners since 2002 and is currently a Faculty Associate in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University. Prior to that her nursing career at TMC included being the Coordinator of the Trauma Program for 12 years, Administrative Director of Pediatrics/PICU, Interim Director of the Emergency Department and also serving as flight nurse.
Christine Downey, DNP, MSN, AGNP-C is located at the PHC office at Hacienda at the Canyon. She received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2015 and is Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a primary care provider. She has over 20 years’ experience utilizing personalized evidence-based medicine and current technology, combined with the best community health and wellness resources to optimize health outcomes for her patients. Christine has specialized in endocrine diseases, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In addition, she is an experienced Diabetes Educator, and has applied that focus throughout her career to improve patient quality of life and medical outcomes.
Karma Miller, FNP-C received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2014 and her National Certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners soon afterwards. Karma practiced in a Vascular Surgery Clinic in Tucson for two years prior to joining Personalized HealthCare. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Karma worked for 18 years as an RN in the Cardiovascular ICU. At PHC she specializes in wound-care, and in peripheral arterial and venous diseases. In addition, she assesses, diagnoses and treats acute and chronic heath problems and provides well-women exams and triages urgent same day, next day and walk-in appointments.
Nicolle A. Ciffone, MS, ANP-C, AACC, FNLA. Nicolle is located at the PHC office at Hacienda at the Canyon. She is a Clinical Lipid Specialist with over 20 years’ experience and is the founder of the Arizona Center for Advanced Lipidology, from 2015 to the present. She provides advanced lipid specialty services for patients in both the medical office and in acute care settings. She worked in the largest cardiology practice in Tucson for 15 years, providing advanced practice nursing for patients with cardiovascular disease, including establishing a medical diagnosis, developing, evaluating and implementing a plan of care for her patients to promote, maintain and restore health.
Jil Feldhausen, MS RDN is a registered dietitian with over 30 years’ of experience. She is a nationally known lecturer and author of three books on nutrition. She coordinates the Annual Health Enhancement Evaluations which are the cornerstone of the PHC Wellness Initiative. Jil is available to PHC patients for nutritional counseling, and management of chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. Appointments with Jil can be scheduled by contacting the PHC office at 547-1661.
OFFICE SUPPORT
We Have the Right Person For Your Needs
Patient Services:
Leslie Krasne, Patient Coordinator, is responsible for organizing the post-medical visit check-out including physician instructions, referrals, obtaining prior authorizations for diagnostic testing and imaging and pharmacy referrals.
Raquel Madrano, Medical Receptionist, responsible for assisting patients with check-in for their office visits, scheduling patient appointments and verifying that all pertinent information is correct and current. Raquel coordinates and assists new patients with the new patient paperwork, and works with the patient and their Medical Provider to schedule their new patient appointments.
Michelle Pike, Medical Receptionist, is located at the PHC office at Hacienda at the Canyon. Michelle is responsible for assisting patients with check-in for their office visits, scheduling patient appointments and verifying that all information is correct and current. Michele also coordinates and assists new patients with the new patient paperwork and assists the patients and their Medical Provider with scheduling of new patient appointments.
Medical Services:
Sarah Olsen Medical Scribe, is responsible for assisting the medical providers by documenting dictated patient history and physical examination findings, preparing lab orders, documents visit notes, and prescriptions. Sarah provides the appropriate paperwork to the patient to checkout at the end of their visit.
Kim Barger, Lead Medical Assistant, is a certified Medical Assistant and a phlebotomist. Kim interacts with the Clinical Operations Manager on Medical Assistant staff issues. Kim provides coverage for the Medical Assistants, sees patients scheduled for Medical Assistant visits for blood pressure checks and injections and provides coverage for laboratory blood draws. In addition, she assists the Medical Providers by taking the patient’s medical history, taking vital signs, performing EKG’s, preparing lab orders, documenting visit notes, answering patient messages, and calling in prescriptions.
Cashay Woodberry, Certified Medical Assistant, facilitates the Medical Provider-Patient visit by taking vital signs, performing EKG’s, preparing lab orders, documenting visit notes, answering patient messages, calling in prescriptions, giving immunizations and taking the patient history. Cashay assists the Medical Providers as needed before and during the patient medical visit.
Cricket Dittemore, Certified Medical Assistant, facilitates the Medical Provider-Patient visit by taking vital signs, performing EKG’s, preparing lab orders, documenting visit notes, answering patient messages, calling in prescriptions, giving immunizations and taking the patient history. Cricket assists the Medical Providers as needed before and during the patient medical visit.
Dhaily Ortega-Compra Medical Assistant, is located at the PHC office at Hacienda at the Canyon. Dhaily facilitates the Medical Provider-Patient visit by taking vital signs, performing EKG’s, preparing lab orders, documenting visit notes, answering patient messages, calling in prescriptions, giving immunizations and taking the patient history. Dhaily assists the Medical Providers as needed before and during the medical visit.
Administrative Services:
Chris Boggs, Practice Manager, oversees PHC of Tucson Office at 5210 Farness Drive and PHC at Hacienda at the Canyon Office at 3900 Sabino Canyon Road. Chris has degrees in Business
Administration-Health Care and Human Resources. Chris has extensive experience in Medical Practice Administration and expertise in new technologies allowing PHC to increase the efficient of the busing processes. Her experience in Human Resources is invaluable in improving the interface between the patients and the practice.
Veronica Herget, Clinical Operations manager/Certified Medical Assistant. Veronica coordinates the front and back office functions to ensure a seamless Medical Provider-Patient experience. Veronica provides coverage for the medical assistants and front office staff on an as needed basis. An important part of Veronica’s responsibilities is providing administrative assistance to the Practice Manager, Chris Boggs.
Linda Attarian, Patient Liaison/Administrative Support, facilitates new patient memberships, annual membership re-enrollment, and assists patients with non-clinical questions and issues. In addition, Linda provides support to the Medical Providers and administrative staff with strategic business planning, marketing and public relations.
Dora Tempkins Medical Billing Specialist, assists patients with all insurance billing and membership enrollment fees. Dora answers questions about Explanation of Benefits (EOB’s) that patients receive from their insurance company, helps to resolve insurance and billing issues, and processes co-pays and payments. Dora reviews all incoming insurance reimbursements for errors and resolves discrepancies with insurance companies.
Membership Benefits
Joining PHC enhances your overall healthcare by providing options and services that are not available in traditional primary care practices. These comprehensive patient-centered services form the cornerstone of your personalized health care plan and allow each patient to individually and selectively tailor our services to meet their medical and wellness needs.
Membership Medical Practice Benefits:
- Enhanced Access to Medical Providers
- Same day or guaranteed next-day appointments available for urgent medical issues
- A Medical Provider from PHC is available by telephone after business hours and on weekends to assist patients with urgent medical issues
- Medical Providers spend as long as each patient needs to have their medical and wellness issues addressed to their satisfaction
- Medical Focused Health Enhancement Evaluation
- Comprehensive body composition analysis
- Nutrition assessment
- Flexibility, mobility and strength testing
- Aerobic endurance appraisal
- Individual lifestyle enhancement recommendations
- Referrals to PHC Value-Added Community Partners as appropriate
- Expedited referrals to qualified specialists as needed for urgent issues.
- On-site Registered Dietitian for nutritional counseling and management of chronic disease states with nutritional components such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.
- On-site pharmacist for medical management of prescriptions and oversight of drug therapy and potential side effects
- On-Site Clinical Laboratory Services
- Coordination of integrative services, including adjunctive alternative treatment modalities
- Periodic Patient educational seminars on current medical topics from experts in various specialties
- Assistance with planning for travel, including arranging travel clinic appointments for recommended vaccinations and providing prophylactic medication prior to travel
- Assistance with medical issues involving family members and other visitors from out-of-town
Get Started
Personalized HealthCare of Tucson (PHC) is focused on “Bringing Personal Back to Medicine”. We are pleased that you are considering making us your “Medical Home”. The Medical Home is a health care model with a centralized setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, their Medical Provider, and family and community.
If you decide that membership in PHC is of interest to you, please contact our office at 520-795-4100 and you will be connected with our Membership Liaison. You will be provided with information about the practice and a new patient paperwork package. After the paperwork is returned, a new patient appointment must be completed to establish your care in this medical practice. The new patient appointment is an extensive review of your medical history and medications, current health status and current medical issues. You should retain your current medical care until the new patient appointment is concluded. At this time, we are conducting the initial New Patient Appointment via a telemedicine medical visit. If it is determined that an in-office appointment is needed, that will be scheduled at that time.
FAQ
Is Personalized HealthCare of Tucson a Concierge Medical Practice?
The term “concierge” medicine is used to describe many types of medical practices, such as direct care and membership medical practices, where a fee is collected to provide benefits that are not covered by insurance. PHC is a membership medical practice and charges a membership fee, bills insurance, collects co-pays, and co-insurance. In return for the fee, the patient receives benefits such as faster appointment scheduling, adequate time to address your medical needs, enhanced access to your physician and many additional services. PHC maintains accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies.
Other types of Concierge Practices such as direct primary care practices typically charge a much higher fee than membership practices and do not bill insurance. Direct primary care is considered by the State of Arizona to be a service distinct from health insurance. Direct primary care Providers do not participate in any insurance plans and therefore do not maintain accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies. Direct primary care practices collect a fee from the patient to belong to the practice and provide unlimited outpatient access. However, the patient must still have health insurance that meets the minimum essential coverage mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Why should I pay an annual membership fee?
The primary benefits to the patient of belonging to the PHC primary care practice include services that are not available in traditional medical practices. This includes more time with your Medical Provider, same day or next day appointments for urgent medical issues, timely scheduling of routine appointments, and access to a Medical Provider from the practice after office hours and on weekends. There are many more benefits, which are described in the topic heading “Benefits of Belonging” section of this website.
Do I need health insurance?
You should maintain your insurance coverage. Although many of the wellness services we provide are not covered by traditional health care insurance, all of the traditional medical services are. These traditional medical services are billed to your medical provider. In addition, medical insurance coverage is strongly recommended to cover the costs of hospitalizations, surgery, medical imaging, laboratory analyses, medical therapies such as cancer treatment, etc.
Do I still need to pay my copays?
If you are seen for a medical visit, whatever co-pays your insurance provider requires will be charged at the time of the office visit. Co-pays are a requirement imposed on medical practices by insurance companies. It is considered fraud by Medicare and private insurance plans if the required co-pay is not collected, and a physician may lose their credentialing with Medicare or a private insurance company.
When is the annual fee due and what are the payment options?
The Annual PHC membership renewal process begins on July 1 of each year, and the patient membership year begins September 1. The annual membership fee can be paid once a year, or monthly. There are no administrative fees for monthly payments.
Will I have to wait to get an appointment?
Patients needing urgent same day or next day appointments will be accommodated. In the event that your personal physician is not available due to scheduling issues or vacation, urgent medical issues may be handled by the available Medical Provider.
Is there an extra fee for immunizations, lab tests and procedures done at the office?
Immunizations are available at the office for Influenza, Tdap, Tetnus, Pneumo-Vax, Previnar, Hep-A, Hep-B, Hep A-B ComboFlu shots, depending on availability of the particular vaccine. Medicare does not cover immunizations for Tetnus, TDap or Hepatitis. If you need an immunization that is not covered by your insurance or medicare, you are responsible for the entire cost. Immunizations covered by Medicare or individual insurance plans, lab tests, and procedures such as Spirometry, EKG, Joint Injections, and Incision & Debridement are billed to insurance. A co-pay is not required for immunizations if they are administered separately from a scheduled Medical Provider visit.
If I have to go to the hospital, will you oversee that care?
In Arizona, a patient’s care in a Hospital is overseen by a Hospitalist. This is more efficient and safer for a patient, as the Hospitalists are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our Medical Providers provide coordination of care and work closely with your Hospitalist while you are in the Hospital to provide coordination of care.
How do I join your practice?
You may contact Personalized HealthCare of Tucson at 520-547-1661 to inquire about joining the practice. Please refer to the New Patient Letter found under the section “Get Started” on this website and click on the button “How to Join” for a detailed description of the process of joining the practice.
CONTACT PHC
Personalized HealthCare of Tucson
(520) 795-4100
5210 E FARNESS DRIVE
TUCSON, AZ 85712
frontoffice@phcoftucson.com
PHC at Hacienda at the Canyon
3900 SABINO CANYON ROAD
TUCSON, AZ. 85750
(520) 829-0858
frontoffice@phcoftucson.com
