Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Physicians Regional – Crossroads Plaza Walk-in Clinic

By Randall Kenneth Jones

As patients, we place extraordinary value on care, efficiency, attention-to-detail and, of course, convenience. We simply love to maximize our time.

With the January 18, 2016, Grand Opening of the Physicians Regional – Crossroads Plaza Walk-in Clinic, patients in East Naples have much to celebrate. The brand new facility is located in the Crossroads Shopping Center across from the Physicians Regional – Pine Ridge campus. The clinic offers walk-in appointments seven days a week.

“I am proud at how quick the word got out,” says Practice Manager Melissa Jessup. “I did a seminar in the Vineyards area recently and the residents seemed to be quite excited. Patients seem to feel better knowing there’s a convenient, walk-in clinic nearby. They don’t have to call for a last-minute doctor’s appointment and they don’t have to wait in the ER. Patients appreciate alternatives. When it’s my turn to be a patient, I know that I do.”

According to Jessup, the walk-in clinic is best suited to non-critical care. “We’re the ideal location for those who find themselves saying: ‘I have the sniffles’ or ‘I think I have the flu.’”

As always, individuals experiencing more serious symptoms—such as shortness of breath or chest pain—should dial 9-1-1 and/or seek emergency medical care.

The Physicians Regional – Crossroads Plaza Walk-in Clinic is staffed with two highly skilled advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs): Aimee Bermudez and Brunette Bastien.

While a physician (or medical doctor) will have formal education and training in medicine (to include the treatment of diseases using drugs, procedures and/or surgery), a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced education and training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of common and chronic illnesses.

Though a nurse practitioner can treat almost as many ailments as a medical doctor, should physician input be required, the clinic is located right across the street from the Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge campus.

Physicians Regional Healthcare System is comprised of two Naples hospitals with more than 300 physicians who offer advanced medical care in more than 45 specialties and subspecialties. The Joint Commission recently named the Physicians Regional Healthcare System a Top Performing hospital for heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and immunization.  No other hospital in the area achieved this distinction.  Additionally, the Pine Ridge campus holds full accreditation as a chest pain center from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

As patients, we also value our relationships with those responsible for our health care—so let’s get to know a bit more about Aimee and Brunette. Why wait?

How would you describe your approach to
patient care?
Aimee: My approach to patient care has always been holistic—this means you treat the patient as a whole by taking into consideration their physical, mental, spiritual and environmental health.  My experience in the medical field has shown me that all aspects of a human being should be treated to promote optimal health.

Brunette: Personally, I like to discuss patient health problems and listen to patient opinions. My role is to advise patients with factual data and diagnostic testing, but the patients are ultimately in charge of making their own decisions. My job is to provide the best information possible to assist with that decision making.

What type of response have you had to the
new facility?
Aimee: Patients find it beneficial to walk through our doors without an appointment and know our providers will take care of them. We offer treatment for minor illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, earaches, sore throat, urinary tract infections and more.

Brunette: All my patients have responded very positively. Some like the convenience. Some comment on the fast pace while others have mentioned that coming here is less expensive than going to ER. Others have come in just to check us out because they have heard about us on the radio, online or by word of mouth.

Just last Sunday I heard a patient comment: ‘I felt so bad. I was wondering where to go and I found this facility online. It was so close to me and I did not even know about it.’

What excites you the most about being part of this new facility?
Aimee: I am excited to be part of a team that makes patient care a priority. Our new Walk-in Clinic will help to decrease the wait times for our patients while providing high quality care.

Brunette: What always excites me is the ability to contribute to someone’s health—to help someone get better. That’s what we do—we help people get better, we educate, and we promote good health.

What is the most common advice you tend to give all patients?
Aimee: The general advice I give all my patients is that exercise and water are your best friends. This easy and effective combo can prevent many ailments and contribute to preventive health care.

Brunette: Your body is special to you—and nobody knows it better than you. Taking care of yourself is supposed to be your priority. Take time within your busy day to exercise, eat healthy, take your vitamins, and use your primary provider as a health counselor to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Physicians Regional – Crossroads Plaza Walk-In Clinic is located in the Crossroads Shopping Center (across Napa Blvd. from Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge) in between Walgreens and Publix.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, please call Physicians Regional Medical Group  239-348-4280 — or better yet: just WALK IN!