What's New
RHS: Committed To The Community
For
some time Drs. Meehan, Leeper, and Schwartz (the Cresco Eye Clinic)
have recognized the need for an eye surgeon, but realized that
Cresco could not provide the volume necessary to attract a full-time
eye surgeon. They searched for a surgeon willing to practice in
Cresco on a part-time basis; personalities had to mesh (they would
share office space); and quality of surgical expertise was paramount,
after all, the reputation of the Eye Clinic was at stake.
In an interview with Dr. Brad
Schwartz, Foundation Director Gwen Kirchhof examined the collaborative
effort that exists among the Cresco Eye Clinic, surgeon William
Waugh M.D., and the Regional Health Services hospital and surgical
staff.
The goal of this integrated team was to provide cataract surgery
in our own community. The team’s primary focus: the care
and the needs of the patient come first. This community- focused
patient care expanded the eye care services available to our residents
by combining resources and expertise, thus enabling patients to
receive cataract surgery close to home.
The Cresco Eye Clinic refers potential cataract surgery candidates
to Dr. Waugh. Dr. Waugh performs the cataract surgery at the hospital
on the first day. On day two the doctors at the Eye Clinic take
over, performing the follow-up care that is necessary after surgery.
This eliminates inconvenient trips for patients and family outside
the community.
Dr. Schwartz added that a relationship of trust had to be developed
and that communication was essential. The relationship would best
be described as a "courtship" since Dr. Waugh would
be commuting to Cresco. This flies in the face of the traditional
competition that often exists between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
In this situation, the teamwork that developed has fostered continuous
improvement in the services that are available in Cresco. Dr Schwartz
describes Dr. Waugh as a special breed of surgeon; unique, innovative,
and a trend-setter, elevating cataract surgery to new levels with
his pioneering surgical techniques.
The team’s collaborative efforts spur ideas, encourage feedback,
and keep everyone energized in what Dr. Schwartz calls a "win-win-win
situation." The patient wins because he can receive care
in his own community, the Eye Clinic wins because it can provide
care locally, and the hospital wins because it can offer a specialty
service often reserved for a larger facility.
The most important aspect of the collaboration among Meehan Leeper
and Schwartz, Dr. Waugh, and the hospital is that quality healthcare
is being delivered by a caring team committed to our community.
