Throughout our 100 years, Doylestown Health has been consistently and compassionately caring for our community while continuing to evolve in a variety of ways to meet the needs of our patients.
“During the last few decades, especially, we’ve seen exponential growth in not only our reputation but the quality of care we can deliver,” says Scott Levy, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Doylestown Health.
Our First Residency Program and Practice
One of the most notable leaps we’ve taken toward our future is starting our first medical residency program — the Family Medicine Residency program — this year. As part of this program, our Family Medicine residents rotate through the many clinical areas of the health system, guided by supervising (attending) board-certified physicians in a variety of specialties. This program fosters a higher level of learning throughout the health system for not only the residents but for the all the physicians and clinical teams involved in the program.
“I look at this as a major crossroads, evolving to the next generation... In other words, a culture of learning. This requires our entire team to be up to date on technology and advances in medicine,” says Dr. Levy. “It also helps us with recruiting... Where we stand right now at our centennial is evidence of our commitment to continue to provide high-level, high-quality care to people of this region.”
A major part of our residents’ experience is working in primary care, taking on patients of their own. Our new primary care office, called Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice, which opened in July 2023 at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, provides residents with hands-on experience preparing for their futures as board-certified Family Medicine physicians. Working alongside practicing Family Medicine physicians, our residents are caring for patients with a variety of diagnoses (many are chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma) from diverse backgrounds.
Satisfied Patients
One of those new patients, Barbara Smith* of Hatboro was frustrated with her primary care office in another health system but loved the idea of being a part of the Doylestown Health network. Barbara interviewed the attending physicians and residents at Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice first, saying she also appreciates being a part of a learning environment. She decided to make the switch.
“I like helping people, so I’m helping the residents. They take their time with me, so they’re really helping me,” says Barbara, who has seen the same resident for two separate health issues.
“One of the times I visited, I had a [symptom] of Raynaud’s syndrome in my one finger and I was very nervous about it. The resident and the attending were able to really calm me down and helped me,” she says. “The facility is very soothing…The people there are so nice, and the doctors are extremely thorough. I felt very comfortable.”
Barbara adds that it’s also comforting to know if her resident physician is not available, she can see someone else relatively quickly as walk-ins are also an option.
Similarly, Erik Melling of Doylestown explains that he chose to schedule an appointment at the practice because he needed a new primary care practice. After visiting Doylestown Hospital’s Emergency Department for severe orthopedic pain, he learned he needed to follow up with a primary care physician. His prior primary care practice couldn’t see him for about six weeks because he had to be reinstated as a patient as it had been years since he was there. Not able to wait that long, and after a few phone calls, his wife learned of Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice. She was able to schedule an appointment for him.
“The staff got me in quickly. I was seen by two MDs (resident and physician), so that was nice… The resident doctor was very kind,” Erik says, explaining that he is happy with his choice. “They are treating me for Lyme Disease and I’m already getting better.”
Eager Residents
Over the past few months, the residents working in the practice are becoming more comfortable in their patient interactions, so their skills continue to grow along with their enthusiasm, according to Dr. Levy.
One of those eager residents, Veneela Koppolu, MD, explains that she’s thrilled to be able to establish a “patient panel” (the collection of new patients she will see regularly) and a rapport with her patients.
“I am able to build that relationship with them. I feel like if we’re able to continue that relationship, we can decrease the barriers to healthcare,” she says. Dr. Koppolu adds that as part of their training, each resident spends one full month in the practice, as well as several half days a week through the rest of the year seeing their panel of patients at the practice.
Dr. Koppolu explains each patient interaction starts with a resident examining the patient first. Then the resident discusses the plan with the supervising attending physician. “We work together to address the problem from an evidence-based perspective, and develop an optimal management plan tailored to the specific patient,” she says. After that point, the attending and the resident join the patient to discuss the plan of care.
“Our attendings are well-experienced, excellent physicians. They wholeheartedly support us and are deeply committed in training us to become compassionate and competent physicians,” says Dr. Koppolu. “My fellow residents are thoughtful, engaging physicians who look out for each other and always keep the big picture of the whole patient in mind.”
It’s not just the attending physicians and residents who are great to work with but so are the patients. “I’ve found that our patients are willing to take care of their health,” she says. “To make for the best patient-doctor relationship, it is extremely important for patients to feel their problems are being heard. They feel valued under our care and it’s our goal to keep building that trust so they understand that we are here to improve their health and well-being,” Dr. Koppolu says.
Plus, the friendly front desk staff make it easy for patients to schedule appointments, fill out paperwork, and refill prescriptions, according to Dr. Koppolu.
She adds, “It’s a privilege to take care of the community where I live. Happiness is a big deal for me, and my residency program and the community which I serve is an essential part of that.”
Important Facts to Know
Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice is a comprehensive Family Medicine practice and does the following:
- Treats all age groups — from newborns to the elderly
- Cares for patients with acute and chronic conditions
- Accepts all insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid
- Welcomes patients without insurance
- Provides same-day, walk-in appointments for urgent needs
To schedule an appointment with Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice, call 267.864.0020.
To learn more, visit Doylestown Health Family Medicine Residency Practice.
*Name changed for privacy
About Primary Care
Our board-certified Doylestown Health Primary Care physicians provide preventive healthcare, healthy lifestyle education and compassionate treatment of illness for all members of the family. As a partner in health, we strive to meet the unique needs of each patient, with referrals and patient advocacy if the care of a specialist becomes necessary.
About Doylestown Health
Doylestown Health is a comprehensive healthcare system of inpatient, outpatient, and wellness education services connected to meet the health needs of the local and regional community. The flagship of Doylestown Health is Doylestown Hospital, a not-for-profit, community teaching hospital with 242 beds and a medical staff of more than 600 providers who deliver the highest quality care in over 50 specialties. Renowned locally, regionally, and nationally, Doylestown Hospital provides superior healthcare and offers advanced surgical procedures, innovative medical treatments, and comprehensive specialty services. Now in its 100th year of service in central Bucks County, Doylestown Hospital is proud to educate and train the next generation of physicians through its family medicine residency program. Consistently ranked among the best hospitals in Pennsylvania and distinguished in both infection prevention and patient experience, Doylestown Hospital is the only hospital in Pennsylvania to achieve 17 consecutive ‘A’ grades for patient safety from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Learn more at doylestownhealth.org.
