What Arizona Docs Are Saying - Rural Health in Arizona

Why do you work in rural Arizona?

To improve access to high quality integrated healthcare to rural communities. —Arthur Chou, MD

I grew up in rural areas and it is where I always wanted to work and practice. —Jose L. Vega III, MD

I have a passion for serving communities like the one in Yuma, where I grew up. I am bilingual and enjoy providing care to Spanish-speaking patients. —Mary Garcia-Kumirov, MD

Family ties to the area on and around Navajo Nation. I have the opportunityto bring services to traditionally underserved and marginalizedcommunities. —Mathew Nelson, DO

I grew up in a rural town in Washingtonstate and felt that rural areas often lack access to healthcare and other resources.—Janeen Bjork, MD

I like to help patients to be healthier and make a difference in their lives. —Ching Wang, MD

I was drawn to the peaceful lifestyle, the leadership of the organization and the knowledge that I was needed and could make an impact on the community I was to serve. —Darlene Melk, MD

I like the more relaxed pace, short commute, and chance to get to know people better. —J.R. LaVoy, MD

I love helping underserved patients in the area that I am from. —Benjamin Williams, DO

Having lived in northern Arizona since 2004, I enjoy the diversity and complexity of rural medicine and rural communities. —Ann Newland, MD

What is your biggest frustration about rural health in Arizona?

Low reimbursement rates, challenges with recruitment, and the tendency for systems to beurban-centric when trying to develop policies that will affect rural areas. —Arthur Chou, MD

Availability and access to certain specialists. — Jose L. Vega III, MD

Lack of access to essential resources, like specialty care and mental health services.—Mary Garcia-Kumirov, MD

Lack of readily available resources for mypatients such as specialized diagnostic testing. —Mathew Nelson, DO

Distance to travel to specialists and lack of specialists willing to come into town.—Janeen Bjork, MD

Lack of certain specialized care.—Ching Wang, MD

It is very difficult to retain good primary care providers. In addition, it is hard to see patientsstruggle to get the services they need due to our rural location. —Darlene Melk, MD

Difficulty recruiting skilled staff, distance to sub specialists in the city. —J.R. Lavoy, MD

Difficulty getting patients into specialists and lack of resources. —Benjamin Williams, DO

Recruiting and retaining highly qualified clinicians! —Anne Newland, MD

What is your pitch to recruit physicians to practice in your town?

Great opportunity to develop innovative programs, make a large positive impact on those who really struggle toget access to high quality care, hone their clinical skills with highly complex patients, enjoy the benefits of ruraltowns (low traffic, great outdoors, great cost of living), and be an important and influential member of small and tight communities. —Arthur Chou, MD

Lifestyle and more enjoyment of your own time.—Jose L. Vega III, MD

If you are looking to serve a rural community withexcellent food choices and easy access to the cultural haven that is Mexico, then practicing in Nogales, AZ isfor you. —Mary Garcia-Kumirov, MD

I cannot imagine a more rewarding experience thanbuilding sustainable bridges across the oft-times deep chasms between illness and wellness... and we have aWalmart! —Mathew Nelson, DO

Beautiful area, work-life balance but not for everyone.—Janeen Bjork, MD

Medium size city, balance of work and life, less stress,no rush hour, close to several large cities within driving distance, organization’s mission. —Ching Wang, MD

Our health center offers a reasonable pace (lower volume) with support staff in place to assist with bridging barriers to care. We offer providers the opportunity to participate in leadership or provider led projects. —Darlene Melk, MD

The overall ambiance of our practice. Also, we completed a complete remodeling of the facility and we are building a new facility at our second location. —J.R. Lavoy, MD

Great location with plenty of outdoor activities nearby with an awesome team and people that desperately need care. —Benjamin Williams, DO

Practicing in a rural community lets you grow your skill set as a clinician because you have to be able to handle a

How does telehealth improve the care you deliver?

It is crucial to reach patients in rural areas since transportation can be a major social determinant of health (SDOH). —Arthur Chou, MD

It helps patients with busy schedules and who have difficulty with access to transportation. —Jose L. Vega III, MD

It provides patients with an alternative model of care, especially those still weary of close contact with others in the era of COVID-19. —Mary Garcia-Kumirov, MD

Provides patients with a safe and convenient avenue to care. It removes barriers and provides wider access. —Mathew Nelson, DO

Has been especially important with COVID and allowing patients the safety of getting care from their homes. —Janeen Bjork, MD

Access medical care with less exposure, travel and/or work. —Ching Wang, MD

Telehealth allows me to see patients who live remotely and have trouble seeing our providersin the clinic. —Darlene Melk, MD

We have a limited number of patients who havethe necessary skills & equipment to participate in telehealth activities. —J.R. Lavoy, MD

Increased availability to specialty care without the 6-hour drive to Phoenix.—Benjamin Williams, DO

Telehealth can make it easier for patients to see their providers, if they have good broadband access! —Anne Newland, MD ■

Learn more about the participating physicians: Go to www.arizonaphysician.com