Primary Care

Our focus is on keeping you healthy and making you the center of your care. We partner with you to manage your health with a focus on prevention. If you have a disease or illness, we will support you with a wide array of physicians and specialists. Together, we build a relationship that can last a lifetime.

We provide high-quality care in an environment where you can feel comfortable and understood in a positive and convenient setting. We’re here when you need us.

Prevention-focused primary care doctors and clinicians

Regular visits with a primary care physician or clinician will ensure we help identify, monitor and control health risk factors before they become problems. Early identification and treatment, when needed, is the best way to avoid more serious complications later.

We get to know you, as well as your health care needs. As your advocate, we help you navigate the health care system and focus on:

• Well visits and physical exams
• Routine monitoring, screening and health maintenance, with a focus on disease prevention
• Vaccinations
• Education and health promotion

Patient-centered medical homes

A patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is where health professionals work as a team to better manage your care and prevent potential health problems While still a new concept in primary care, it is part of our philosophy to put the patient at the center of everything we do.

With the PCMH model of care, it’s all about empowering you. In a patient-centered medical home, you work with a care team that includes your primary care clinician, who knows you and proactively works with you to address your health needs.

For example, the PCMH care team of a patient with diabetes would work together to ensure the highest quality and value of care occurs. A care navigator will contact the patient between scheduled visits to follow up on their current health concerns, or possibly to remind them they are due for a test or vaccination. A dietitian may work with the patient on weight-loss, and a pharmacologist may recommend a different combination of medications with fewer side effects.

If you are part of a patient-centered medical home, the PCMH team will proactively anticipate your current and future health needs, rather than have you wait for a future office visit to discuss those needs.

Community care teams

A community care team (CCT) is a group of health care professionals from many fields who work together to care for people with multiple chronic diseases. CCTs help you manage your conditions and connect you to the resources and support you need.

We have several CCTs that support multiple primary care practices. If your doctor recommends a CCT for you, you will get a phone number so you can call a member of your CCT whenever you have questions or concerns about your health. CCTs help you:

• Effectively manage your health
• Prevent unnecessary hospital stays
• Avoid trips to the emergency room (ER)
• Identify helpful community resources
• Assist with some of the social barriers to health care, such as transportation or the cost of prescriptions

Primary care for every person, every need

Our primary care clinicians serve as the entry point for most of your medical care. We deliver specialized services for:

• Wellness and self-care
• Acute illnesses
• Chronic illnesses
• Serving the entire spectrum of patients
  • Women
  • Children
  • Seniors
• Mental and behavioral health concerns

Types of primary care clinicians

The best health care professional is the one you best relate to and feel partnership with. Because our doctors and clinicians meet the highest standards, choosing your primary care clinician is easy. At Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), our primary care team includes:

Family medicine clinicians see people of every age – from infants to seniors. Family medicine health care professionals are knowledgeable about the body and mind at all ages of life. Most have earned board-certification in family medicine. Family medicine clinicians manage a broad array of health concerns including: preventive health for infants, children, adults, and seniors; chronic disease diagnosis and management; dermatologic care; sports medicine; and provide office procedures such as skin biopsy and joint injection.

Internal medicine clinicians, also called internists, care for people age 16 and up. Internal medicine clinicians are educated and board-certified in the understanding of the internal organs of the adult body, and have significant training in multiple medical specialties. Like family medicine doctors, they provide a wide range of care including disease prevention, chronic disease management, and the care of acute medical conditions. They have expertise in the management of patients with multiple chronic medical illnesses.

Geriatrics clinicians (geriatricians) care for individuals who are age 65 or older and who have three or more medical conditions. They have specialized education in geriatric medicine to address the unique care needs of adults over age 65, including primary care, medication management and physical and mental assessments related to falls, memory issues and other aspects of aging.

General pediatricians treat children and are experts in children’s physical and mental health needs. If your child needs special care, our pediatricians work closely with pediatric specialists with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital so your child can receive the specific care they need.

Advanced practice clinicians, such as certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNP) and physician assistants (PA-C), are highly trained health care professionals who can serve as a primary care clinician for most patient needs. Advanced practice clinicians work under a doctor’s supervision.

Accessing care

You can conveniently make appointments with an LVHN doctor or clinician by calling the office or calling 888-402-LVHN (5846). You also can schedule through MyLVHN.org or the MyLVHN mobile app. You can also obtain walk-in care at our ExpressCARE locations or even receive care from the comfort of home via LVHN Video Visits.