To integrate residents into the rural community, continuity clinic starts at Chehalis Family Medicine beginning in the first year. Residents have full days in the clinic even in their intern year during hospital rotations so that clinic can be home base.
At Chehalis Family Medicine we care for patients from all of Lewis County. Most patients seen in our clinic are on Medicaid/Medicare insurance plans. Our patients have complex medical issues in addition to significant social stressors which provides residents the opportunity to learn to care for a broad range of pathology and utilize community resources.
Our clinic is a Patient Centered Medical Home and was recognized on January 26, 2015 with a NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) Level 3 Recognition.
At Chehalis Family Medicine, residents have the opportunity to work with a tight-knit group to help care for an underserved rural population. All our team members are an integral part of resident education.
We have a PharmD on Faculty and a second-year ambulatory care pharmacy resident as part of our clinical team. They are integral to resident education and patient care to help co-manage patients with complex medical issues and polypharmacy. Their expertise includes but is not limited to diabetes, heart failure, COPD/Asthma, and psychiatric conditions. They are available on site for consults, topic discussions, and patient care in the form of joint visits.
We have a faculty Behaviorist who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She works as part of the interdisciplinary team to help co-manage complex patients. She is available on-site to see patients for individual counseling, in joint visits and is available for curbside consults. She also assists in collaborating with local agencies to help patients navigate various community resources.
“Having pharmacists in clinic allows us to feel much more comfortable
managing conditions that otherwise we might have to refer out. With medications
being our predominant resource to help patients manage disease states,
a pharmacist is the perfect person to consult with to help navigate these
complex situations.”
Dr. Rein Lambrecht, Assistant Program Director
"My growth has been fostered in large part by the support and guidance of our clinical staff. They make clinic fun and welcoming and are a huge part of what makes Chehalis Family Medicine my home away from home." Jacqueline Gorzynski, MD Class of 2024