The award honors a Michigan Health Center clinician who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and commitment to providing quality health care to Michigan residents.

Dr. Romero is recognized for providing care that bridges linguistic and cultural barriers to health care access. He is a native Spanish speaker. “My goal is to create a hub for the Latino community, a place where patients feel safe, with trusted providers and outreach resources,” he says.

At Packard Health Dr. Romero’s day is filled with patients young and old. Word of mouth in the community attracts parents, cousins, and whole families to a family practice where everyone knows everyone. “Care is improved when a caregiver knows about a patient’s life – money worries, immigration uncertainty, rent due, 3 jobs and all the emotional and physical strains these circumstances entail, “ he said.

“Dr. Romero builds strong relationships with each of his patients in the most tender way, as he accompanies them on their journey to wellness,” said Ellen Rabinowitz, Health Officer, Washtenaw County Health Department and Packard Health board member. “I’ve referred a number of my friends and family to him because I know that they will receive great care.  Dr. Romero, and all of the providers at Packard Health, take their time with each patient, and deliver comprehensive care that addresses all of the patient’s needs.”

In a note to Packard Health staff, he expressed his appreciation. “This honor is at its core a Packard-wide award and a reflection of the incredible time and work everyone at Packard puts in to care for our patients. It’s this commitment to serving our under-served community that makes Packard so unique and what makes it such an honor to work alongside each of you in our shared mission. This really is a special Packard family.“

After college, Dr. Romero worked in a variety of fields including consulting and law without feeling like he had found his professional calling. It wasn’t until he was on a soul searching cross-country road trip that he turned to his wife in the Arizona desert with a sudden but hesitant clarity and stated, “I think I want to be a doctor”.  Many in our community are so glad she said, “Yes! That’s it.”

The post Dr. Ronald Romero honored as Clinician of Year by MPCA appeared first on Packard Health.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

•  Maternal-Infant Care Services
  Preconception counseling, prenatal visits, postpartum care for Mom following delivery, and pediatric care for beautiful newborns!
•  Contraceptives – many options, let’s talk!
•  Cancer screening
•  Education, screening & treatment for sexually-transmitted infections

INFANTS, CHILDREN, TEENS

•   Same-day appointments for sick kids; Wednesday evening and Saturday morning appointments for busy schedules!
•  Childhood immunizations and vaccines
•  Guidance on child development, parenting, sleep-training, etc.
•   Sports medicine and treatment of teen athletes
•   School, sports and camp physicals

The post Packard Health is family-friendly appeared first on Packard Health.

Before The Visit

Make a list and prioritize it – questions, concerns, and details of any symptoms.

Make a list of all medications, including doses and frequency of prescription and non-prescription drugs, plus herbs, supplements and vitamins.

Make a list of other medical providers you are seeing, including mental health professionals. Include contact info.

Ask a friend or family member to come with you if that would be helpful. This person can help listen, takes notes, and offer support.

At the Doctor’s Office

Actively help to make a road map. In the first few minutes of the visit you and your provider work together to decide on what you’ll accomplish based on health history, test results, and your list of questions and concerns.

Take notes. You’ll remember everything the doctor says, including important new instructions.

Prepare to share. Be honest about about diet and sexual history, exercise, smoking, alcohol and drug use. Don’t be embarrassed – your provider has heard it all before.

Questions are the Answer! There may be lots of new information – condition, treatment, tests, new medications. If you’re not sure about something, ask again. If you get home and don’t understand – call the office. You are patient and partner, so don’t hesitate to ask questions.

You should leave your provider’s office feeling that your concerns were heard and acknowledged. Together, you and your provider should come up with a health care plan that feels like the right fit for your needs.

Good preparation for a visit is good for our health!

The post Your medical visit – How to prepare appeared first on Packard Health.

“Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care.” 

As Packard Health and our partners in the community focus hard on the most vulnerable citizens in Washtenaw County, there’s energy, innovation and commitment in the air. Packard Health is honored to be a part of this unfolding story. Here are two examples of great news and hard work.

$650,000 in Federal Funding to Serve Our County’s Most Vulnerable

Packard Health went after federal dollars for our community – and a call from Rep. Debbie Dingell’s office delighted us with the news – we got it! The renewable annual grant funding will aid our county’s homeless and uninsured, and enables us to bring our unique, integrated model of care to more patients. We currently see 7,000 patients a year, and we’ll work to reach an additional 3,000 with a new office in Ypsilanti and expansion of care at the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor. You’ll be hearing lots more.

Exploring Supportive Housing Linked with Health Services

Ann Arbor was the scene of an inspiring CSH Social Initiative Fund SIF Conference last week, part of a national 5-year initiative to address rising health care costs by pulling people with the most complex issues out of the revolving door of crisis health services. Packard Health is exploring ideas with Avalon Housing to grow an effective new model that blends housing and cost-effective health services for our most vulnerable – the complex homeless who bounce from shelter to hospital to detox center to the streets again.

Packard Health has been an important community safety net for 43 years. We’re strengthening those strings as never before and I extend heartfelt appreciation to all who work to make that so.

Dr. Raymond Rion
Director Ejecutivo

The post Good, good works appeared first on Packard Health.