MASON CITY, IA - Tommy Thomas lives on a farm near Little Cedar, and while he still has to travel to the hospital in Mason City for those big visits, he tries to make his normal check-up appointments closer to home."Well it's what, 10-12 miles compared to 45?”
Recently with new additions at Mitchell County Regional Health Center, making those "close to home" appointments has been easy.
“It's just faster, it doesn't take all day."
In fact, the Health Center in Osage has seen a major boost in numbers since adding providers like OB/GYN, and Orthopedics.
These doctors come from Mercy Medical Center, Mayo Clinics and private practices. They visit the facility, sometimes on a weekly basis.
Jayne Olsen, the Specialty Clinic Manager says, “I think what's surprising is how well the public has embraced the new providers that come in."
Olsen explains, they expanded their services because patients needed close access to certain kinds of care. But it also cuts down on the cost of gas
"Especially if they come for a checkup, a 10 to 15 minute appointment, they don't have to go all the way to Mason City."
And the increase in specialty clinic business also boosts numbers for other services at the Health Center.
"These providers are using other services. They send patients for X-rays and labs, reschedule surgery. So it's more than just a doctor visit."
And patients, like Thomas say it's nice to receive that special care.
"They do their best for you, so yeah, it's a very friendly place."
