Geary Community Hospital is transitioning to the hospitalist model of care.

Joe Stratton, GCH Chief Executive Officer, said this approach is not anything new in the healthcare business today. It will enable GCH to develop into a better hospital with more benefits to patients and families.”

Hospitalists are physicians whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Dr. Jenkins primary focus will be care for family practice and unassigned admissions to the hospital. “After careful consideration, I believe this is the right decision for our community, the hospital and my career as a physician,” statd Jenkins. He will remain the medical director of Home, Health and Hospice and become the director of the AlphaCare clinic.

The hospitalist addition does not affect the Internal Medicine and Surgery Departments encompassing Dr.’s Mace, Lochamy, Craig, Otoo, Hachem and Bollman. They will still be responsible for the admission and care of their patients when in the hospital and business will remain the same.

Dr. Teran Naccarato will be joining Dennis Sewell, PA-C, effective September 8 in Medical Arts Building I Suite 305. Once Jenkins begins in the hospitalist position, Naccarato can then assume Jenkins’ patients. “It has been an honor serving as a primary care physicial at GCH and I believe Dr. Naccarato will be a great fit for our hospital and community,” said Jenkins.

“Several benefits are provided by moving to this model including, lower readmissions to the hospital, fewer patient transfers to out of town hospitals and will assist GCH in recruiting additional physicians, ” said Stratton. “These changes will enable us to enhance the quality healthcare we provide and promote the well-being of those we serve.