Coronavirus Brings Trinity Family Physicians’ Televisits to Forefront of Practice By Deborah Bostock-Kelley From acne, diabetes management, immunizations, depression, skin cancer screenings and treatment, to well-woman visits, and nutritional counseling for weight loss, Trinity Family Physicians literally has a patient covered, A to Z. A list a half of a page long on their website showcases the vast number of issues they treat. Little did board-certified family physicians of Trinity Family Physicians, husband and wife team, Dr. Stephanie Eldridge and Dr. Amir Shirmohammad (Dr. Shirmo) know that adding convenient telemedicine services to accommodate their patients’
12 DECEMBER 2020
schedules would become their main connection to them in early 2020. Serving elementary schoolers to senior citizens in Trinity and beyond since 2007, the doctors knew same-day and next-day appointments, early morning and late hours would help their patients, as well adding two Physicians Assistants, Rachel Azzarelli and Ian Simpson would increase their availability. “Our patients have been really happy with our Physician Assistants and we are proud
to have them. We continue to increase our availability in the practice because of having the providers working under our direction and close supervision,” said Dr. Shirmo. But the doctors could never have foreseen a pandemic making their new, state-of-the-art telemedicine services absolutely paramount to the practice. “Who could predict telemedicine wouldn’t be just for comfort and convenience, but a pandemic? When the pandemic occurred, we were
able to transition almost all of our patients to televisits immediately. Patients were able to get care without a lapse in their healthcare. Our staff did an incredible job to make that transition. We really have been keeping the momentum going as best as we can despite this pandemic,” said Dr. Shirmo. “As we enter the next phase of getting people back out into the workforce, I think it important for people to realize that we’re still here and we’re still able to care for them through the televisits, as well as in the office.” Though an initial in-office appointment is needed to enroll in telemedicine – with two types available,
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com