By Traci Peterson, Special to the Star-Telegram for the Star-Telegram
ARLINGTON — Phyllis Truitt, 80, knew she needed to find medical care closer to her Arlington home after her husband’s death in September. In the past, the couple had good health and didn’t mind traveling two hours to a familiar hospital in Temple for yearly physicals.
But picking a new doctor nearby wasn’t easy. She found long wait times for appointments or refusals to take on more Medicare patients. So she turned to the Internet and stumbled upon something brand new — a Texas Health Your Health Center in Arlington.
The Texas Health Resources clinic at 616 Matlock Centre Circle is staffed by an advanced practice registered nurse, also known as a nurse practitioner, and caters specifically to senior citizens and Medicare patients. The initiative is a joint effort with Texas Health Physicians Group.
Officials say the clinic is a way to address the need for additional care in areas with high Medicare patient populations.
“There is just a feeling of personal interest, of thoroughness,” Truitt said of the new clinic, where initial appointments with nurse practitioner Vanessa Murphy last an hour. “I found that I could be accepted for an appointment quite readily, and when I came in I was really impressed with Vanessa.”
A nurse practitioner provides nonemergency acute care and chronic-condition management and coordinates with an off-site physician who serves as medical director for the clinic. The model allows more time to talk about concerns and plan for a healthy lifestyle. Same-day appointments are available if needed.
