The Care I Deliver is the Care I Want My Father to Receive

Jennifer Hinkle, MD

At the heart of every health care professional lies a commitment to providing the best possible care for patients. At CenterWell Senior Primary Care and its sister brand, Conviva Care Center, this commitment drives us to treat each patient with the same level of care and compassion we would want for our aging family members and loved ones. As a physician, I am proud to be part of a team that embodies this approach, ensuring that the care I deliver is precisely what I would want my own father to receive.

Too often, patients receive care that addresses only their medical conditions. At CenterWell and Conviva, our outlook is more holistic, focusing on the overall well-being of our patients. We ensure they receive the necessary physical, emotional and social support to live their healthiest lives. Empathy and personal connection are fundamental aspects of the care we provide. We treat each patient as a unique individual, considering their specific needs and goals. This comprehensive and compassionate care is what I believe everyone deserves.

This holistic approach is an integral part of our value-based care model, designed to optimize outcomes through comprehensive, preventive patient care management. CenterWell and Conviva employ a care team approach, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, social workers and others who assist in holistic care delivery. This, along with longer visits and more frequent appointments, helps to significantly reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations and is integral to providing an overall better quality of life for senior patients.

In fact, since joining CenterWell, I have been able to spend up to 50% more time with my patients compared to what I often see at other practices. This extra time is especially beneficial for patients living with multiple chronic conditions who often require more complex and ongoing care, such as managing prescription medications, changing symptoms and lifestyles, and frequent adjustments of treatment plans and strategies. But to me, this extra time with patients is the best part of my day; I get to listen to the life stories of veterans, community leaders and everyone in between, allowing me to understand their core values and provide treatment that is tailored to their life, not just the general senior population.

My father, who is in his 80s, has had several disappointing experiences in health care throughout his life, leading him to avoid preventive and other medical visits altogether. While CenterWell or Conviva have not yet come to my father’s hometown, a value-based system like theirs would give him more time with physicians, helping to foster trust and effectively address his concerns. He would also benefit from the additional support of a care team, particularly in navigating medication issues and home care needs, which could be effectively managed through CenterWell’s integrated home health and pharmacy services.

I love the hard work and dedication that goes into each day at CenterWell, where our teams strive to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. However, I also value time for myself, and my family and friends, which is facilitated through our true commitment to work-life balance. Having time to myself at the end of the workday helps ensure I have the energy to maintain a high standard of care. This balance has enabled me to pursue personal interests, maintain my mental and physical health, and spend time with my father – who inevitably asks me for medical advice – ultimately making me a more effective and compassionate physician.

CenterWell also offers many opportunities for professional development, including monthly Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities, leadership training, tuition reimbursement and mentorship. These initiatives are designed to ensure our physicians stay at the forefront of medical advancements and best practices. These programs and the mentorship from leaders at my organization have been invaluable in my development, providing me with insights and advice that have shaped my professional journey.

For any physician looking to make a meaningful impact in senior care while enjoying an enriching work environment, consider the benefits of joining a value-based care organization like CenterWell. Here, you not only get to enjoy the work-life balance that is so often elusive in our field, but also have the opportunity to practice medicine in a setting where you would want your own loved ones to seek care.

To learn more about careers at CenterWell Senior Primary Care or its sister brand Conviva Care Centers, please visit CenterWellCareers.com or ConvivaCareers.com.