At WMed Health, we are a teaching organization that offers a team approach to your care. Your care team includes faculty physicians, resident physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, allied health staff, and other learners.
Understanding Your Care Team
At WMed Health, our physicians and staff work as a team. You will be treated by faculty and resident physicians. They work together with the clinical staff members to make sure you receive safe and high-quality care.
What is a faculty physician?
A faculty physician is a fully-trained and licensed medical professional who has completed medical school and all specialty training. The faculty physician is in charge of your care.
A faculty physician:
- Leads the care team
- Reviews your test results
- Helps determine the best treatment plan
- Supervises resident physicians involved in your care
What is a resident physician?
A resident physician is a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is now receiving additional training in their specialty area. Resident physicians work closely with the faculty physicians to deliver your care.
A resident physician:
- Reviews your history and performs physical exams
- Orders and reviews tests
- Helps determine and direct your care plan
- Answers questions regarding your care plan
What should you expect during your visit?
A resident physician will often be the physician you see. He/she will discuss your care plan with a faculty physician before you leave the office. You may see the faculty physician as well. Either way, both physicians will work together to make decisions about your care.
If I have questions about my care, test results, or my health after I leave, who should I ask?
Your resident physician is responsible for responding to your questions in a timely manner. You can reach them through MyChart or calling our office at 269.337.4600
What if I don’t recognize the physician's name on my bill?
A faculty physician will be the billing physician. In addition to the resident physician, you may or may not see this physician during your clinic visit. Either way, the faculty physician is always on site supervising the resident physician and oversees your care plan.
What can an academic health center offer you as a patient?
- Multiple perspectives: You will have a variety of different levels of physicians involved in your care so all possibilities can be considered
- Up-to-date knowledge: As they prepare for board certification, resident physicians are required to be aware of the most current guidelines and treatment plans
- Connection to hospital partners: Our resident physicians rotate at Beacon Health System and Bronson Healthcare sites, allowing continuity of care for patients requiring an inpatient visit.
Residency clinics offered at WMed Health include:
- Family Medicine
- General Pediatrics
- General Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Medicine-Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
Call 269.337.4600 today to schedule your next appointment with WMed Health.