Doctor Blum Introduces Medical Team

NEBRASKA CITY – CHI Health St. Mary’s described the team approach to medical care at Nebraska City Rotary Club’s Wednesday meeting.

Dr. Stacy Blum said her team includes a care coordinator, physician assistant, health coach, social worker and health insurance coder. She said the team puts her in position to focus what she imagined  a medical doctor would do.

Blum: “It wasn’t to push buttons. It was to take care of people and with the patient-centered medical home I’m able to do that again.”

She said while she may not have the time to sit and talk with patients about nutrition, exercise and stress reduction,  she has an amazing team that does.

Blum: “I love our model. My family loves me not doing everything. I love my team. They truly bring a joy to my day. They make me love coming to work again… I truly believe I am now giving better care than I did, by far.”

The team features care coordinator Sarah Pursell and  Physician  Assistant  Brea Smith-Proffit,  who told Rotarians about her role in a patient’s visit .

Smith: “Prior to seeing them I kind of look at the old records, obtain their history, kind of know what I’m walking into before I go in there. I get to know you. I talk to you about your concerns, things you want to bring up that day. I also talk about the preventative medicine things.”

Registered Nurse Paola Hincapie said she values the team approach with Dr. Blum.

Hincapie: “I’m loving it. The fact that I’m not only able to pick her brain and it’s not just a doctor, but I can ask her questions and she is so friendly and accessible and willing to teach us, helps me not only professionally but also in my personal life. So I’m very blessed to be a part of her team.”

Dr. Dan DeFreece, CHI Health St. Mary’s president, said the team approach to the all of the work and all of the decisions allows  the facility provide better and more comprehensive care.