It was 2015 and I was just getting started with my new practice. A breath of fresh air. After years of working inside the health system, I realized the focus is managing illness, not wellness. The focus was not on building relationships with your patients, getting to know them beyond the small talk, learning their story, meeting those who care for them, and definitely not on making health care delivery simple and efficient. I had no idea where this career move would go. I was nervous and scared of course, but happy.  
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I was rounding at the hospital as a hospitalist as I was still building my new practice when I met a wonderful young man. On my patient list it had said pneumonia as the reason for his hospital stay. I entered the room in my usual way, a knock, a wave, as I walked in with a big smile.  
 
“Hi there! I’m Dr Ahmed, just one of the hospital medicine doctors. How are you?” I said, not realizing my world was about to change.  
 
He managed to smile despite how ill he was from this long hospitalization. His family was at the bedside and greeted me upon entry. As this was my first time meeting him, I summarized his care so far to demonstrate to the family and him that I reviewed his chart in detail before coming so they can rest assured I will smoothly take over his care from my partner.  
 
He had an immune disease that made him susceptible to recurrent pneumonia. Each time he had pneumonia, the bacteria became more resistant to the antibiotics used to treat him that we literally came down to 1 antibiotic that would kill this bug. In addition, his lungs were getting scarred with each illness, leaving less viable lung tissue that could provide him oxygen.  
 
His family started to share his story. They shared with me how he has been battling not only his multiple pneumonias, but also his insurance company. They were taking him to multiple appointments between pulmonologists, infectious disease, immunologists, and multiple tests. The patient and his family could tell when a pneumonia was developing but by the time they would get a hold of the right doctor, he was already in trouble. He would be rushed to the ER. This routine was not only exhausting but kept putting him in the hospital.  
 
I listened to them carefully. By this time I had found a comfortable spot on the windowsill to sit. My brain was flooding with emotions. I was frustrated by the thought of this young man getting hospitalized multiple times and being away from family and friends. I was upset with the system that was not communicating properly and how difficult it was to get a hold of someone to get him the care he needed. If the family can tell when a pneumonia was starting, why was it so hard for them to get the treatment they needed to prevent a hospitalization? Then I was amazed. This young man still smiles and says “thank you” and “please” and “sorry to be a pest, but…” If I was in his shoes I probably would be upset and angry all the time! Not him. That was not in his DNA. He was different. He was unique. He was kind at heart.  
 
I slid off the windowsill as my mental clock screamed “Time is up! You need to see the rest of your patients! Hustle!” I fought this thought away and re-focused. You see, when you work in the system, we all have a mental clock that keeps us moving. Ten minutes here, five minutes there, this is how we get through rounds at a reasonable time with an average patient list of 15-18 patients all with multiple health issues happening at the same time. But, this time, I was different. I was not working for the system anymore so I was in charge of my time, not the system.  
 
I shared my practice with them and my frustration with the system. I told his family they are our teammates in caring for him. Therefore, all necessary resources must be readily available to them when they identify a health crisis is at hand. There should be no phone trees, voicemails, instead a human being there to help. That was my vision for health care. So I took him on as a patient in my private practice. I left the room with hope and determination to change the patient experience.  
 
In the following months and years, we battled his health insurance to cover an antibiotic that was the only one that would kill the bug causing his pneumonia. Several appeal letters were sent and we received denial after denial. His family, by the Grace of God, had a resource in the family who was able to get samples of this antibiotic. So, we hoarded this medication to treat him. It is absolutely amazing how the most powerful nation in the world allows its citizens to have to experience this much difficulty in seeking medical treatment.  
 
He went to Mayo in Minnesota and my team and I directly discussed his case with the team there. The Mayo team appreciated the communication and were able to treat him. He also was evaluated for a lung transplant. Initially he was denied and was high risk. We went to Texas for another opinion and they agreed to give him a chance with a lung transplant!  
 
I have to pause and share with readers how significant this is. I did a video call and he was in his apartment prior to transplant. He took multiple medications and nebulizer treatments just to keep breathing. His entire day was involved in helping his lungs oxygenate. Despite all of these challenges, he kept working at his job. He was determined not to miss work. Even when he was at the hospital, he would try to get work done. How incredible is that?? You have to understand, work gave him a purpose to fight and he deeply cared for his customers. He cared about his employer and his team. He embraced his responsibility. Throughout his illness, I was so amazed at how flexible his employer was with him. It seemed like the entire company were his cheerleaders and they were ready to help him along the way. It is a tremendous lesson for all employers.  While I took care of his health issues, he was teaching me about resilience, kindness, the importance of having a positive mindset; and showing me how to treat my future employees and how important an organizational culture of compassion would be for my future team. It truly was a privilege and a blessing to have this incredible experience. 
 
After his lung transplant, he had about 2 years of incredible health. He was breathing better, having full conversations without coughing, walking without oxygen, and just doing great. My subsequent visit with him was incredible. Here is someone who would be constantly coughing throughout the conversation and now his voice was strong.  
 
Over the next few months, we started to develop a pneumonia here, a cough there, and he was treated accordingly. But, soon, on CT imaging, we started to see what we all feared. The scarring of his lungs started. It truly was a “oh shit” moment as I reviewed his images one day. Despite this, he battled with a smile and kindness.  
 
As a physician, there are times when you look at a radiographic image or set of lab results where you have a gut wrenching thought. While you wrestle this horrible thought, you become mindful of the surrounding glare from the patient and their family members. You have to quickly be mindful that although you have a bad feeling about something, you must reserve that thought until you complete the work up. Every physician has that feeling, that concern or belief, when they first see chaos on paper or radiographic image. At the same time, you must keep your composure and prepare the patient and their family members for what may lay ahead.  
 
After several more months, while I was rounding at the hospital, I received the dreaded phone call. As I was whooshing room to room like a downhill skier maneuvering the halls and going room to room, I stopped and stared at my phone. “LiveActive Member” it read. Before I answered the phone, I had a terrible feeling it was him. It was.  
 
He had called because he was having excruciating pleuritic chest pain. This was pain each time he took a breath. As his lungs expanded, the nerve fibers burned with pain signals bursting at the seams. He had this before and we were able to calm it down with medications, but this was different. He was screaming in pain and could not even complete his sentences. I calmed him down and knew this was a losing battle.  We ultimately had to send him to the hospital. 

His oxygen needs increased while the team worked on his pain. He started to require very high concentration of oxygen. Even then, he was insistent on getting home so he can return to work. But his body would not comply. His lungs continued to fail and he agreed to hospice care while in the ICU. 

I finished up my last patient at the office and made the final click of my mouse to close all the windows on both computer monitors. I closed my eyes. It was an exhausting day. My wife, our Chief Operating Officer, came to my office. The two of us are the last to leave the office for many years. We both enjoy the quiet after hours that fill our office after our entire team heads home after a hard days work. 

"You should go visit him tonight," she said with a soft voice after she had settled quietly into one of the chairs across my desk. 

I was still staring at my black monitor screens, just exhausted from the day. My feet felt heavy. 

"I can drive and you just sit and relax. Or I can just go with you to keep you company!" She said in her usual upbeat excited voice. 

The two of us headed out, left her car in the parking lot, and got in my car to head to the hospital. Once we arrived to the ICU, I met his family and shared my condolences. I then walked over and held his hand. 

I was relieved. He was finally comfortable. He wasn't struggling to breath, he wasn't in pain. He was truly resting. He was on some sedative medications and on high flow oxygen. His family shared with me that they were trying to get him on lower oxygen to move him to the hospice floor and he was now full comfort care. While we visited, we shared stories, had some laughs as we reflected on some stories, and reflected on all the challenges we all went through while taking care of him. 

I turned towards him as I was saying goodbye to the family and noticed his chest rise was getting more spaced out. Something in my gut was telling me his time is very near. It was as if he was listening to our stories, our laughs, and when I stood up to leave, his soul was content and ready to move on. It was an incredible experience for me. As I said a final prayer for him, I left the room. 
 
My phone buzzed at 2 am. "LiveActive Member". It was his mother texting me that he had passed. 

You would think that I would burn out by allowing myself to be so close to my patients? It is actually the opposite. Prior to starting my private practice where I create real relationships with my patients, I was just working shifts. Getting through the day. When I did experience a patient death, it was usually anger. Why did the system not allow them to get their meds that may have caused this stroke or heart attack or preventing appropriate follow up, etc? 

Now, I have the privilege to battle with my patients. Fight for them, think with them, guide them as they navigate our health care maze. You feel you gave it your all and patients and their families take notice. You do it together. You battle together. What an honor and privilege to be part of such a significant aspect of human life. Why do physicians give up this incredible opportunity? How have we allowed the business of health care to become more like the manufacturing industry - volume over quality. And if quality is being incentivized, it is surrounded by heavy regulations where the cost of achieving quality service is greater than the reimbursement. So why do it? 

Our health care system is on the verge of massive change. Many physicians have already taken back control of their profession and career by going back to private practice. Ultimately, the support of our patients is what helps us achieve this goal. Your support, allows us physicians to think more clearly, give our patients a little more, strengthen our family bonds who support us and help us be most effective on a daily basis. As many thank you's I get from my patients family members, I tell them "No, thank you for supporting me to do this." 
 
​- Dr Ahmed
 

Remember the days when commercials of men and women swimming up to the screen with big smiles would shake their luscious wet hair to show off how an expensive hair product helped them grow their hair? These were expensive treatments that required continuous treatment and the minute you stopped using the product, hair loss would return. This happens because the treatment is temporary. Fast forward to today and we now have a treatment option that uses YOUR OWN GROWTH FACTORS to stimulate hair growth. 

Studies have shown platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulates hair growth naturally. Current treatments include Minoxidil, which comes in pill form or foam shampoo. There are different concentrations of Minoxidil, but 5% has shown to be most effective. The pill form of Minoxidil comes with potential side effects, which includes cardiac side effects. Other treatments include Finasteride. This is a oral pill that is taken daily and again, has potential side effects. Finasteride is not FDA approved for use in women and actually is a category X medication, which means it cannot be used in pregnant women. 

So, it becomes obvious PRP is the way to go. In addition, studies have shown microneedling after PRP injection improves hair growth. Here is what the PRP process looks like:

www.LiveActiveAesthetics.com for more information

Here is a quick look at the anatomy of a hair follice:

* We inject at the "Inner root sheath" or just above the "hair bulb".

So exactly, which growth factors are in PRP? Here is a list:

• Epidermal Growth factor (EGF)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
• Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
• Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-B)
• Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
• Insulin Growth Factor (IGF)

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Studies have shown that people have the most benefit with 4 treatments which can be spaced as early as weekly or the preferred monthly treatments. Some may choose not to numb the scalp, but I prefer to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. My team and I numb the area to assure our patients are as comfortable as possible. 

Since these growth factors are your own, there is no rejection or allergic reaction. This is a natural way of facilitating hair growth. 

PRP can also be used with facial microneedling procedures with SkinPen. This helps with eliminating scarring, acne, wrinkles, and tightens the skin. 

There are many innovations taking place in the practice of medicine and LiveActive intends to bring these innovations to our patients at an affordable price. 

I hope this blog of educational and informative. As fall begins, this is the time to consider laser treatments like BBL, Halo, PRP, and microneedling. This is all part of living healthy and maintaining our largest organ of our body - OUR SKIN! 

Dr Ahmed 

Unfortunately, as with any piece of health news, there are lots of social media posts, articles, and opinions. The purpose here is to set the record straight and hopefully be concise and informative for my readers. So here it goes:

WHAT THE HECK IS "MONKEYPOX"? 
No, it does not come from monkeys and the planet of the apes will not become a reality. Stop it. 

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection that results in a rash similar to smallpox. It is an orthopoxvirus that is in the same genus as variola (causative agent of smallpox) and vaccinia viruses (virus used in smallpox vaccine). 

TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THIS LITTLE GUY...
Monkeypox was first isolated in Denmark in the late 1950s from a colony of monkeys from Singapore that were going to be used for polio virus research. In the decades that followed, there were more outbreaks in lab animals in the US. The first disease in humans was identified in 1970s in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
Since the discontinuation of smallpox immunization, which does protect against monkeypox, most cases have occurred in Central and West Africa. In the US, the first cases were seen in 2003. Since that time, there were a few cases popping up here and there which were mostly due to travel. 

SO...WHAT IS ALL THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT?
Between 2018 and 2021, 7 cases were diagnosed in the United Kingdom. 4 of these cases were related to travel to endemic countries and 2 cases resulted from household transmission from one of the travelers and 1 health care worker acquired it through contact.
 
Fast forward to 2022. Let’s go to Europe where we see the reported case. By July 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern. Thousands of confirmed cases in dozens of countries were reported. 

HOW DO WE GET INFECTED?

1. Animal to human transmission – Contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluid or through a bite. Raw meat consumption from an infected animal will obviously increase risk of transmission. Some examples of infected animals include squirrels, rats, and prairie dogs.
2. Human to human transmission – Direct contact may occur with infectious sores, scabs, or bodily fluids. The port of entry is mucous membranes and micro abrasions; so very close contact would have to happen. Transmission can also happen through shaking infected linens and other infected materials. Prolonged face to face contact is how respiratory secretions can transmit this virus to another human. Finally, the virus can cross the placenta from mother to fetus. Therefore, this virus may cause congenital monkeypox.

Once lesions are scabbed over and new tissue is being produced, the infectivity risk is reduced. 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ACUTE INFECTION?
Every bug likes to “cook” for a bit in the human body – otherwise known as incubation period. This is the time period from exposure to onset of symptoms. Monkeypox ranges from 5-13 days but can also range 4-21 days.

1. Fevers, headaches, lymph nodes swelling, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue – lasts up to 5 days
2. Rash – within 1-4 days after fever onset. This will continue for 2-3 weeks. Usually concentrated to the face, but can occur on palms of hands, soles of feet, eyes, and other parts of the body. 
3. Secondary infections may occur – pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of brain), loss of vision
4. Blood work abnormalities – Abnormal liver enzymes, elevated WBC, low platelets, and low albumin (vague)

WHO IS AT MOST RISK FOR INFECTION AND POOR PROGNOSIS?**Immunocompromised individuals. These include anyone with history of active cancer, on active chemotherapy, taking medications that suppress their immune system. 

RISK OF DEATH?
Very low, especially in the US. Hospitalizations occurred due to pain control, secondary infections, and had favorable outcomes.
 
WHEN SHOULD AN INFECTION BE SUSPECTED?
Rash WITH other symptoms AND exposure history. Since this virus is transmitted through close human contact with respiratory secretions, any genital lesions with exposure history must be investigated.
 
WHAT LAB TESTS SHOULD BE ORDERED?
​Viral testing – Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Skin lesions or abscesses can be cultured as well. Throat swabs are available but not used to confirm diagnosis.

HOW CAN WE PREVENT THIS?
Isolation and standard precautions. PPE use in health care settings helps spread of the virus in the hospital. 

1. Home isolation from family members and pets, cover skin lesions, facemask, gloves if addressing lesions directly, and hand hygiene
2. Consistent condom use 12 weeks after recovery recommended by WHO

 
ANY TREATMENT OPTIONS?
No Ivermectin please. Tecovirimat is the first antiviral indicated for the treatment of smallpox that was approved in 2018. Brincidofovir, analog of cidofovir, was approved in US 2021. Both of these agents are not available for commercial sale.
 
Vaccination for smallpox eradicated this from the world. Now with growing cases of Monkeypox, vaccinations are starting again. But again, these are not readily available at this time. US has 2 vaccines in its stockpiles: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. CDC does not recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox at this time
 
Here is a list of phone numbers for KS health departments:

• Kansas City Health Department number for communicable disease and prevention: 816-513-6152
• Jackson County Health Department: 816-404-6415
• Clay County Health Department: 816-595-4200
• Platte County Health Department: 816-858-2412
• Johnson County Health Department: 913-715-2819
• Wyandotte County Health Department: 913-573-8855

 
Currently, no widespread vaccination programs in MO and KS, but both states have stored vaccines.

​Please review CDC website for more information. 

Cheers, 
Dr Ahmed
 

Human beings are not meant to be static beings. The human body is dynamic. It does an incredible job at adapting, cleansing, healing, and building to treat and prevent injury. It does all of this instantly. The human body recognizes challenges, adjusts its processes and mechanisms to address and resolve those challenges. It is absolutely incredible!
Therefore, change is a natural phenomenon for all of us. So why is it so hard for us to make changes? Why do we fall short of our goals? Why do we say things like "I wish I could..." or "If only this didn't happen, then I would have done..."
Each one of us can achieve great things. Whatever dreams we have, we can achieve. The solution is our mindset, our life philosophy. Here are 3 key elements to making dramatic life changes.

1. Understand that we ALL have similar experiences, but the difference is how we respond to it.

"The same wind blows on us all; the wind of disaster, opportunity, and change. Therefore, it is not the blowing of the wind, but the setting of the sails that determine our direction in life." - Jim Rohn

We must learn from the experiences that happen to us. Those who have faith may recall ancient stories where God says He puts us through experiences to teach us, to prepare us, so that we are ready to achieve our dreams. We may think we are ready, but we're not. Experiences may happen to us so that we learn certain lessons like what can go wrong, what elements or structure needs to be in place, and what kind of people we may need to surround ourselves with in order to achieve our goal. There is always a Master Plan and our job is to navigate, learn, adapt, and keep moving forward with gratitude. Knowledge and experience make us stronger, informed, and more prepared. I am telling you, majority of the time when we embrace this mindset, our success will be far greater than the goal we had originally set for ourselves.

2. There are certain things that will not change.

Seasons and time won't change. Similarly, bear markets and bull markets will come and go. Interest rates will fluctuate. Taxes will exist. All these things will not change. Once you understand this, your mindset completely changes. In the economic summer, you will prepare for winter. In a bull market, you will prepare for a bear market. When interest rates are low, you prepare for rates to rise. Once you achieve this mindset, you perceive challenges with ease. No challenge is ever too great to conquer. You embrace and appreciate each moment as every experience in life has a purpose and value.

3. You must be willing to change

"Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom." -Jim Rohn

What drives you? What do you enjoy? Figure out what gets you excited about life. Once you figure out what gets you going and what hinders your progress, then your mind and body will be fueled with energy. Maybe you need to get away from negativity, stop watching the news, mute certain text messages, leave certain social media platforms to allow yourself to immerse into what you enjoy.

Get moving physically and emotionally. Learn how to make yourself better, how to apply what you learned to your daily routine. Stop being a drifter in life and take an active role. Look forward to each week, each day, each hour with certain goals. Imagine what you can accomplish in a month, a year, a lifetime with this discipline!

Finally, write things down. Hold yourself accountable. If you are trying to lose weight, then the formula is burn more energy than you consume. Use MyFitnessPal and other apps to document your meals, create a excel spreadsheet to document your workouts, have a plan. Each day, reflect on your progress and make short term goals that work towards your ultimate goal.

These 3 principles will bring dramatic change into your life. Focus on implementing them today so that change will come as soon as tomorrow.
​
To a life filled with gratitude,
Dr Ahmed

To find the Pfizer, Moderna or J&J vaccines available in your area, please visit the link below. As of 04/05/21, our clinic has the J&J vaccine in stock.

​As of 04/02/21, we have been notified our clinic will be receiving the J&J Covid-19 vaccine the week of 04/05/21. If you are a current patient, please contact our office if you are interested in signing up to be contacted when the vaccine becomes available to us.  
In the meantime, we have gathered a list of resources below offering one of the three Covid-19 vaccines currently available (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson). These resources include pharmacies, major hospital systems and county health departments which continue to receive vaccines in limited supply.

Pharmacies
​1) Walmart
2) Sam's Club
3) Health Mart Store - contact locations by phone
4) Cosentino's 
5) Hy-Vee
6) The Kroger Co. (including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Ralphs, King Soopers, Smiths, City Market, Dillons, Mariono's, Pick-n-Save, Copps, Metro Market) - contact locations by phone 
7) Medicine Shoppe and LeaderNET - contact locations by phone
6) Full list of Pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for Covid-19 Vaccine

TIPS:
-We encourage you to also contact pharmacies outside of your local city/county if you are willing and able to drive a little further to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. You may be able to receive a vaccine sooner this way.
-Please call & ask if you can be placed on a "back-up" list at pharmacies. At the end of the day, if there are extra doses left, pharmacies may contact you to offer a vaccine that same-day instead of throwing out the unused dose and wasting it.
-If you already have a Covid-19 vaccine scheduled in the future and end up receiving one elsewhere sooner, please make sure to notify your originally scheduled vaccination site you received a vaccine so they can open up your spot to others on the list. 

​Hospital Systems
1)  AdventHealth
2) Menorah Medical Center
3) Overland Park Regional
4) Olathe Health
5) Saint Luke's Hospital
6) University Of Kansas Health System
7) Kansas City VA Medical Centers 

County Health Departments
KANSAS
1) Johnson County Kansas
2) Wyandotte County
3) Contacts for ALL Kansas counties

MISSOURI
1) Kansas City
2) Jackson County
3) Platte County
4) Clay County
5) Cass County

Community Vaccine Initiatives
1) Operation Safe, Clay County
2) Negro League's Baseball Museum, Hy-Vee Partnership

March 28, 2021 KSHB news article VACCINE LOCATIONS KS & MO
www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/kansas-city-area-covid-19-vaccine-planner-for-march-28-april-3

TRACKING THE VACCINE:  KCTV5 NEWS APP ALERTS FOR SMARTPHONES
KCTV5 News has a free news app that has Covid-19 Vaccine alerts which will notify you of appointment openings in Kansas & Missouri. Please download their app to stay-up-to date on openings by clicking here: COVID-19 VACCINE ALERT NOTIFICATIONS

Yes! It is true, I found love. It is so beautiful. Magical. Direct primary care.

Of course, I am trying to be humorous here. Before people lose their minds, yes, my wife, Arshia, is my other true love ;-). She manages it all and puts up with my crazy ideas. God bless her. I am still amazed how she agreed to support a scrawny kid waiving his old school medical bag and yelling "I'm mad at this health care system and I am gonna show people a better way to do it!"

2020 was a challenging year for all of us indeed. BUT, I always look at challenges as lessons. Sometimes in life we are not ready for the things we want to do and life throws challenges at us to get us ready for big endeavors. These lessons make us stronger, more creative, and more informed. In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw millions of Americans turn to their tablets, phones, and computers to visit with their doctors. The country all of a sudden started practicing direct care! Medicare changed its rules and said use ANY video conferencing ability, including FaceTime to visit with your doctor. Use whatever!

Hmmm, I remember screaming this back in 2014 holding my rugged medical school bag, wearing roughed up scrubs, and doing house calls with this crazy idea!

I was already doing telemedicine visits prior to the pandemic and my patients and I became even closer this year. We struggled together. As an Internal Medicine physician and Hospital Medicine specialist, it is so rewarding to manage the chaos in the hospital. But, to take care of people through various settings including the outpatient clinic, long term acute care hospital, assisted living, and finally home is the most rewarding experience.

To see someone who was in the hospital for an acute COVID-19 pneumonia for more than 50 days with a trach and feeding tube come off the assistance of a ventilator and literally walk to their car on discharge day at our long term acute care hospital is the best feeling in the world!

At LiveActive Primary Care, we have accomplished something really significant. Direct Primary Care is a mindset, attitude, a philosophy. It is not just a way to practice medicine in an office and go home at night. No. It is more than that.

We take this attitude and mindset of preserving the sacred relationship between physician and patient and apply it to ALL settings of health care. We intend to show the world that direct primary care influences ALL aspects of care in our health care system. It means we do not allow third parties to dictate what care someone gets. It means we get creative. We tie loose ends. We create game plans. We communicate with the entire team of people who will help someone live their best quality of life. It means breaking down silos and leveraging each of our talents to serve our community at the highest level.

Our team has grown quite a bit in just a few months. We demand 2 things when we are approached by someone who wants to join our team. One, you have to smile and laugh...genuinely! Two, you have to have passion for what you do and be willing to take your talents to the highest level. No fear. Our organizational philosophy is that each one of us brings unique talents and experiences and we should respect that. If we allow it to thrive and be challenged, we all benefit from the exceptional service that is created. We do not allow any barriers to get in our way of providing the best care to our community.

So, going into 2021, we are preparing to take our attitude of direct primary care even further. Currently, we provide services in assisted living facilities, hospital, long term acute care hospital, our office, and at home. There is more work to be done. Why can't cardiology or pulmonary services provide direct care? Why not? Why can't we eliminate readmissions to hospitals for things that can be managed by hospital trained providers in the community? Can hospital services be done at home? Why not? Why are there soups of specialists in complex cases? Do we really need to have so many specialists involved? Are we treating to optimize quality of life or padding statistics or did we forget to even understand a patient's definition of quality of life before we even started a treatment plan? So much more to come...

If you or a loved one would benefit from our love for direct primary care, JOIN US! To enroll, click on the link - JOIN NOW.

A sincere thank you to all my wonderful family, friends, colleagues, dear patients and their families for your continued support and trust.

Here is to a blessed and healthy 2021!

Your physician,
Dr. Haseeb Ahmed

In my humble opinion, I think you should. I trust our country and our researchers. I trust the FDA process. I have faith that every study has been and will be conducted with the utmost care and thoroughness. The FDA is notorious for being complete and having a rigorous process when approving new treatments.  

Please discuss your concerns with your primary care physician. Review the CDC website. Ask questions. Stay safe. We all have become stronger and more informed as a result of this terrible pandemic. 

UPDATED 01/12/2021: With Missouri and Kansas in the initial phases of their vaccine distribution plans, some counties are allowing residents to sign up to be notified when they're eligible. This is a great new article that lists how to get on the Covid-19 vaccine list for certain counties: https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-01-12/kansas-city-heres-how-to-reserve-your-spot-in-line-for-a-covid-19-vaccine?fbclid=IwAR15z4Ni9FLxqrDbn8r_omTqYVUGcfUlFtT1jmz9F6Ec9tunLEO0xnF-Fv4​

Your physician, 
Dr Ahmed

Hey guys!  Nurse Heather here.  For those who don’t already know, I am a licensed and registered dietitian.  Yep, you read that right – nurse and dietitian.  Weird, right?  And to answer your question, no, it was not my original plan to take that career path.

I first obtained my bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Iowa State University and went on to complete my dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  After graduating and obtaining my license and registration, I worked in long-term care and acute-care settings.  I loved interacting with and educating patients!

As time went on, I found myself wanting to do more for my patients than my degree allowed – I wanted to impact more than their nutrition, I wanted to provide hands-on care, and I wanted more opportunities to build a deeper connection with my patients.  *Insert nursing school here.*  One quick year later, I had my second bachelor’s degree, this time in nursing, from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Long story short, I am grateful to be in a unique situation now where I get to utilize both my nursing and dietetics degrees.  I do enjoy nutrition, and I believe it is the foundation to healthy living – that is why I am excited to start offering nutrition sessions to our members in the near future!  As we work out the kinks, I plan to occasionally post nutrition-related tidbits here, so stay tuned for some healthy insights as we start navigating the holiday season!





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