Check Up
Sarah Towne, MedNorth’s head doctor, talks health care
As chief medical officer of MedNorth Health Center, Sarah Towne sees firsthand the ongoing changes in health care.
The North Fourth Street clinic, formerly known as New Hanover Community Health Center, has been in place for decades to treat residents from underserved areas. But as the practice, along with the health care industry overall, expands its mission, Towne is helping lead those changes.
“People think we are here just for people who don’t have insurance, but that’s not the case,” says the family medicine doctor, pointing out that the center, which uses a sliding fee based on patients’ income levels, is available to anyone who wants their health care needs met.
Towne went to medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after working as a nurse for fifteen years. She has worked in a variety of medical settings but feels at home in community health.
“This kind of work is not for everyone,” Towne admits. “We are all in the same boat. You can either raise up as neighbors or try to sink everybody. This is not every man for himself.”
MedNorth has evolved into a one-stop shop for patients’ medical care, officials say.
The full-service health center provides primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, family medicine, behavioral health, dental care, laboratory services, and a pharmacy, all in one location.
“We are unique in that from my standpoint, I am able to integrate so many things in my care,” says Khadijia Tribie, pediatrician at MedNorth. “We can do the child’s first dental visit during the well-child visit. We take care of it right here, right now.”
MedNorth is working diligently to ensure that everyone receives the care they deserve.
“Patients can’t afford to go to the doctor, they can’t afford to go to the dentist, they can’t afford anything,” Towne says. “There are a lot of people in a lot of trouble. But if you’re not going to help everyone out, then what’s the point?”
Towne says she is concerned that patients are finding it more difficult to find doctors willing to accept Medicaid.
“We need to change the way we do health care in the United States,” she says. “The bottom line is we need to see people get what they need.”
MedNorth, which has integrated electronic records, works closely with New Hanover Regional Medical Center to provide continuity of care for its patients and has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a patient-centered medical home and by health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center.
“Many of our patients have complex medical problems. They can come here for all of their care and see the same provider each time and develop a relationship with them,” nurse practitioner Carla Savinon says.
Towne adds that having a behavioral health department is an asset because “when we look at interventions – medically and behaviorally, jointly – it makes a huge difference.”
Having a dental care department is another asset of the center, in addition to an on-site pharmacy.
“We want to increase access to care for patients living in the Wilmington area and all the areas in and around the Wilmington area,” Chief Dental Officer Maria Thompson says. "We will be here for them when they need us."
To view more of photographer Chris Brehmer's work, go to www.chrisbrehmerphotography.com
