Here are some of the newer health care options for our area:


HouseCall Doctors
Everyone knows what it’s like to go to the doctor these days. Despite the fact that you feel bad (usually the reason for going to the doctor), you have to get dressed, travel to the office, sign in and wait – sometimes for an hour or more, and then be shuffled back to be examined by a doctor who probably has 30 other patients to see. Christopher Mullins, D.O., was on the other end of that cycle at his North Carolina practice.
                “I had a traditional practice and was being forced to see 35-40 patients a day,” explained Mullins. “I couldn’t spend as much time with each patient and I really wanted to find an alternative.”
                The Virginia native was also looking for a new house – hopefully near the water in his home state. The answer for both situations ended up being a home and practice at Smith Mountain Lake. Mullins, his wife and five kids found a house on the water and he started HouseCall Doctors.
                HouseCall Doctors is a Mobile Medical Practice where the doctor will come to your home, vacation rental or even your workplace. While many people feel like house calls are only for homebound patients, Mullins discovered that anyone can get a house call.
                “Medicare and most insurances actually cover house calls, it’s just that most doctors don’t do them anymore,” said Mullins. “House calls are actually better because the patient feels more comfortable in their own environment, and the doctor gets to see the patient’s surroundings and get to know them better.”
                One of the reasons Mullins is drawn to this type of practice is because he is a D.O. That means that not only is he Board Certified in Family Practice, but he specializes in Osteopathic manipulation.
                “A D.O. has a different approach. We look at the whole situation and treat the whole body,” Mullins explained. “We offer everything a doctor can do added with the manipulation skills of a chiropractor. We have a more holistic approach and also focus on preventative medicine.”
                HouseCall Doctors is now making house calls all over our area. Mullins has a special interest in diabetes care and pediatrics. For more information, call 540-297-7762.

Carilion
Internal Medicine – Westlake
                The monopoly has finally moved our way. For years, the Carilion family has grown and absorbed many private practices. Even though they expanded all over Roanoke, Franklin County and Bedford, a trip to a Carilion facility could still take an hour for some lake residents.  To remedy that situation, Carilion has opened an Internal Medicine office across from Westlake Towne Center.
                The facility features two board certified doctors who specialize in comprehensive adult care. Dr. Kenneth Theland and Dr. Virginia Thelan are a husband-and-wife team who both work part time and tag-team the patient responsibilities. Kenneth is a graduate of the Michigan School of Medicine; and Virginia, often called Ginny, attended Marshall University School of Medicine and Bowman Gray School of Medicine.
                The Westlake office is geared toward adult care and only sees patients age 16 and up. Their focus is to offer care for ongoing conditions including diabetes, while at the same time providing typical family practice care. Through the Westlake office, you will be linked to all of Carilion’s state-of-the-art health care such as cardiac care, Level 1 Trauma Center, neurosurgical care and more. The new facility offers convenient options for x-rays, lab work and personalized attention. Call 540-721-2689 for more information.

Westlake Medical Equipment
                When Adam Owen of Westlake Medical Equipment delivers to his Roanoke customers, they always question why he would base his regional supply company at Smith Mountain Lake. His answer is simple, “We’re at Smith Mountain Lake because we’re needed in the area.”
                In July of 2003 Adam started the company here because no other supply company would even consider the possibility. Available for delivery, shipping or pick-up at their Westlake location, he carries oxygen equipment, respiratory supplies and nebulizers, medical uniforms and shoes, personal care products, diabetic supplies, and even manual and power wheelchairs. For the residents of the area, his business offers even more than the big companies.
                “I’m here to cater to their needs and service each customer regardless of what they require. Some companies have started limiting what kinds of supplies their customers can order. We’re here to keep anything our customers need available and in stock,” Adam said. “We will also work with local practices so they know that their supplies will always be in stock and they won’t have to wait for them to be shipped.”
                Most of Adam’s business is home delivery, but he also works with private facilities such as Hospice. While he carries the full line of Durable Medical Equipment (DME), he has found that some of his products, especially his Limited Edition Dansko shoes, are hot items for other professions such as teachers and restaurant staff.
                Adam’s motto is “Have van. Will travel.” Whether you are right here at SML or in Floyd, Pulaski, Roanoke, Christiansburg or Bedford, Westlake Medical can bring your medical supplies right to your front door. For more information, call 540-721-9013.