4 minute read
Your Care is providing accessible, affordable health care for all
By Katy Yoder, Correspondent for The Nugget Newspaper
Dr. Eric Wattenburg and his wife, Debora Wattenburg, lead a team of dedicated, health professionals focused on providing quality, compassionate healthcare. In 2013, the Wattenburgs realized their dream of running their own clinic, when they opened Your Care in Redmond. The move ensured the couple’s commitment to exemplary patient care and the opportunity to serve and live in Central Oregon.
Debora is Your Care’s operations director and Eric is the medical director. Their backgrounds and education make the partnership a winning combination. Owning the clinic has offered the Sisters couple the opportunity to bring medical care back to what they know it can be.
“We are here serving our community as they need it and when they need it,” said Debora.
Your Care does walk-in same day medical care, urgent care, has a department dedicated to local businesses and occupational health and has even been able to help people with wellness physicals. Businesses often need their expertise to ensure Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division regulations are being followed.
“We can join a company’s health and safety meeting. We’re committed to keeping our community healthy as a whole and doing whatever it takes. We love working with the schools, too. When we’re asked, we’ll do what people need. I’m a community member and the person people can talk to. We travel throughout the community doing flu shot clinics for local businesses and have even been known to go to someone’s home when they couldn’t get to us,” said Debora.
Your Care is an option for locals and visitors alike.
“We serve the tourism base in Sisters and welcome everyone. We want all our patients to feel safe and in caring hands.” For the Sisters area, patients find that the clinic is easier to get to than alternatives in Bend.
“Hop on the highway and two turns and you’re here,” said Debora from the clinic, which is located at 3818 SW 21st St., Suite 100, in Redmond.
The Wattenburgs raise cattle on their property and enjoy a variety of outdoor sports. They’re often out on their property taking care of their livestock. Debora enjoys riding, working the cattle on her horse, and she and Eric enjoy flyfishing together.
“We love it here and put our kids through the Sisters schools system,” Debora said. “The community has been so good to our family and we’re so grateful. We appreciate every opportunity to give back. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We are committed to keeping the heart of our community in healthcare.
“We take all insurances and have a large percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients and a discounted cash rate,” added Debora. “We serve many of our Central Oregon first responders and are honored to do so. Our son’s a first responder and a paramedic and firefighter in Central Oregon. I’m so passionate about serving those who serve our community. My dad’s a retired police lieutenant.”
The Wattenburgs’ emphasis is to serve people and businesses medically and make everyone’s lives easier.
“We are a pressure release valve for many businesses. If you don’t feel well on the weekend, we don’t want them to be afraid about going to a doctor. We’re a gap filler and a bridge,” said Debora.
Understanding that money is tight for many Central Oregonians, the Wattenburgs and their staff try to make medical bills a lot less painful than the injury or illness that brought you through their doors.
“We’re the option when you don’t actually need an Emergency Room. If you can’t get into your primary doc and it’s not life or limb threatening, you’ll get the care you need in our clinic,” Debora explain ed. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Christmas Day. Due to community demand, extended hours are coming soon. The Your Care staff includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants and an administrative team dedicated to making the office run smoothly. In addition to Dr. Wattenburg’s practice, every Sunday at 5 p.m. he takes calls on Central Oregon’s KBND 1110 AM/100.1 FM, offering advice about listeners’ medical questions. A variety of topics are covered, all in language that’s easy for people to understand and use constructively in their own lives.
“It’s all about serving our community, families and the businesses here. We’re so passionate about it because we are part of the community,” Debora said. Originally from a remote area, Eric’s rural background and time spent treating and caring for patients without a lot of healthcare options, confirmed his desire to do full-span healthcare. Back then Debora said that patients sometimes showed up on their doorstep.
For more information visit www.yourcaremedical.com.
‘Your Health Your Care’ talk radio show by Dr. Eric Wattenburg on KBND.
Photo provided
