Mission Health opens new practice for adults, seniors

Press release

From Mission Health

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2012) Mission Health is pleased to announce the opening of Mission Adult Medicine, its newest practice specializing in adult and geriatric care. Staffed with a board-certified geriatrician, Mission Adult Medicine takes a unique approach to adult care by managing a patients overall health during key stages of life. Access to a team that includes a board-certified physician practicing holistically is a privilege, particularly in western North Carolina.

“I am very committed to my patients overall care,” said Lorena Wade, MD, Physician at Mission Adult Medicine. “Our team is focused on the whole health of the patient, both preventive and chronic disease states.”

Mission Adult Medicine, located at 900 Hendersonville Road, focuses on the care and treatment of adults ages 18 years and older. From preventive care to chronic disease management, the practice provides comprehensive care designed to address the full spectrum of an adult patients needs. One such need is geriatric care. With a licensed geriatric physician on staff, Mission Adult Medicine is able to diagnose, treat and manage diseases and conditions that require a special approach for older adults.

Our philosophy is that age is not defined by the number of years you have lived but rather defined as to the age at which you function mind, body and spirit, said Ellen Marie Kaczmarek, MD, Physician at Mission Adult Medicine. It is critical to provide services specialized to adults and even more important that we engage them earlier in their own health so that they may live long and healthy lives.

Dr. Wade, Dr. Kaczmarek and nurse practitioner Marilyn Madden provide a multidisciplinary approach to adult care encouraging patients to see their physician as not only a medical provider but a life-long health coach, said Kristi Sink, MHA, Vice President of Ambulatory and Ancillary Services for Mission Health. Their extensive background in adult care provides a warm and welcoming experience for the patient and their family. We are excited for them to join Mission Health in pursuit of achieving its BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.

Mission Adult Medicine is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call (828) 213-8235.

About Mission Health

Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the states sixth-largest health system and the regions only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. In 2012 Mission Health was named one of the nations Top 15 Health Systems by Thomson Reuters the only health system in North Carolina to receive this recognition.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, and the regions only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in over 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Childrens Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Womens Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the systems flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care and is the busiest surgical hospital in North Carolina. It also includes Mission Childrens Hospital the regions only childrens hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 8,800 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.