We’re excited to introduce the physician leaders who are helping guide our mission by spotlighting a member of our IPCN Board. This month, we asked Dr. Michael Weizman of Our Family Doctor about what inspires his work with IPCN.
1) What is your vision for healthcare in Western North Carolina?
“As a family medicine clinician and private practice owner, I envision a healthcare landscape where physicians have both the support and community-wide integration that allow us to continue practicing independently. While private practice doctors like me appreciate the value that integration and alignment with hospitals and other healthcare organizations like IPCN provide, we stand by the belief that the most exceptional primary care is delivered to our patients in the setting of a patient-centered medical home. After twenty-five years in private practice, it remains my firm belief that this approach must be maintained to ensure the best health outcomes for our community.
That said, I also believe that all patients should have access to excellent primary care, regardless of their health insurance or socioeconomic status. While there are trends within the healthcare space that entice doctors to choose a more restricted panel of patients, the doctors at my practice remain committed to serving the widest range of patients, doing our part to help meet the needs of our community.”
2) Why did you join IPCN’s Board?
“It is no secret that the most vulnerable within our community tend to suffer the worst health outcomes. This includes the economically and socially disadvantaged within our Medicaid and Medicare populations. IPCN, as a nonprofit clinically integrated network, is committed to health equity in our region and focused on serving the most vulnerable patients. The staff of IPCN works tirelessly to ensure all our patients, regardless of their socioeconomic situation, have access to exceptional care management. Whether this includes social determinants of health screening, closing healthcare gaps, providing patient education, or helping our patients meet evidence-based health goals, primary care clinicians need all the support IPCN can offer to achieve our shared objectives.”
3) Why does your practice align with IPCN?
“My practice, along with the other primary care practices that have chosen to align with IPCN, has made this choice because we trust the IPCN team to deliver on their promise to focus on health equity and help providers deliver exceptional healthcare for all. We look forward to this partnership in the coming years and know that the ultimate beneficiaries will be our patients.”
