One key consideration after a move, is finding key service providers, particularly a primary care…read morephysician (PCP), any medical specialists, and a dentist. And since Gayle and I came to Genoa from the Bay Area, driving up to 4 hours each way to maintain my John Muir providers wasn't going to work.
So one day, I went into my United Healthcare (UHC) website to look for a PCP. I also asked around and got scattered opinions about various Doctors. I also understand that finding a PCP and being one can be a challenge. Looking at online listings can seem a little confusing and intimidating, so I'll be honest here. I picked Dr. Rowan because he was listed as both a PCP and a Cardiologist, because Rowan is my Mom's maiden name, and her Dad (who immigrated from Scotland to Milwaukee) was a Dr. James P. Rowan. And no, he's not related. I asked. But by coincidence, Gayle's best friend's husband is also his patient.
As it turns out Dr. Rowan was incorrectly listed by UHC as a PCP, but since I needed a Cardiologist, I made the appointment anyway. And as I had a previous experience where my Bay Area Cardiologist (Dr. Sally Davis) caught a lung-related issue that my then PCP missed, this was my most important medical provider choice. I still need to work on my PCP option, but after yesterday's appointment, there's really no hurry.
My appointment was at the Renown facility on East 2nd Street. Dr. Rowan also sees patients at their South Meadows facility, which is a bit closer to my home in Genoa. My appointment was very straightforward and efficient starting at the front desk, to office reception, to medical assistant, to the good doctor himself. It also helped for this initial visit, that I had written down all my prescriptions (which he renewed) and key medical history dates. That definitely helps with all those forms.
I left feeling very comfortable being in good hands and the overall state of my health. It was also great to hear that after almost 7 years being on the same list of medications, that 1 or 2 of them could drop off. I found Dr. Rowans manner to be interactive and amiable, with the right questions and discussions at the right times.
I'll be back in 6 months and I look forward to it. By then, I should also have my full Medical/Dental team in place. In the meantime, there will be some Lab analysis, hope for relatively soon COVID vaccination, and other MyChart notices to consider and good health to maintain.