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Post New Event| Doctor leaves clinic to start ‘modern medical home’ | | Print | |
| Written by Peter Burke | Press Banner | |
| Thursday, 25 September 2008 | |
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There is change afoot for the Boulder Creek Medical Clinic, as mainstay doctors move on and the clinic works to restore a high level of service for its patients.  Dr. Amy Solomon (center), shown in front of Johnnie’s Market in Boulder Creek wtih Melissa Stone, will open a new holistic practice in Ben Lomond. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
Two full-time doctors, Jim Riley and Adam Yarme, left the clinic to work closer to their young families in Santa Cruz. Dr. Amy Solomon is preparing to leave the clinic to start her own holistic practice in Ben Lomond.
So the search is on for new medical talent.
“We’re looking toward an exciting future with fresh new doctors,” Solomon said, who will be intimately involved in hiring new physicians before she leaves.
When Catholic Healthcare West’s Dominican Medical Foundation purchased the Boulder Creek clinic more than a year ago to save it from a difficult financial situation, the doctors had high expectations.
“The transition was really necessary for financial survival,” said Solomon. “They really brought us up-to-date with Medicare regulations,”
However, services like Saturday and extended hours, laboratory services and extra staff were cut back as the clinic tried to conform to the corporate model, often leaving patients without the personal relationships they had with doctors and staff.
“It has been a hard 14 months with a lot of changes, and we acknowledge that,” said Solomon.
However, things are again shaping up for the clinic, according to Solomon. Before she leaves, the clinic is hiring new, highly-qualified doctors and is working to mend the issues that have caused distress since the transition.
“With the right communication with the town, I think things will smooth over,” Solomon said.
Solomon’s dream
Solomon is almost giddy with excitement about her plan to open a “modern medical home” in Ben Lomond within the next three to six months.
Her clinic is patterned after an idea from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, a conservative group looking for better health care.
Solomon plans to schedule group appointments with people who have similar ailments.
“There is very solid research that people manage their disease better with group work,” Solomon said.
Patients can ask questions and share what works and what doesn’t in the group setting.
“And the doctor is not burned out, because you’re not telling that same story 100 times a day,” Solomon said.
Also, non-traditional medicine such as massage and acupuncture, as well as a specialist in addiction, might join her new practice.
Melissa Stone, the owner of Balance Studio Spa in Felton, has already shown interest in joining the practice, and Solomon is working to involve other health care professionals in the valley.
An online system allowing patients to schedule appointments and access their medical records will allow Solomon to cut back costs for patients. She plans to accept insurance, including Medicare, and work to help those without insurance.
“We’ll work something out to make it feasible for all of our patients — even the uninsured,” Solomon said.
Solomon envisions having much personal contact with patients and making referrals to specialists in the valley as needed.
“(I’m excited about) being able to focus on prevention and wellness — which I really see as what the whole country needs to do as medicine — rather than treat disease after the fact,” said Solomon.
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Hits: 685 Comments (7)
  written by Drew3, September 26, 2008
I got a massage from Melissa Stone once and she is the best..gives great advice and tips on meditation as well. I am glad she is teaming up with a DR so we can have whole holistic health in this valley.
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 written by Debie Nervina, September 26, 2008
Love melissa Stone!
Awesome massage as well as uplifting personality. Go to her web site at http://www.balancestudio.org/ she has something for everybody... guaranteed! report abuse
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 written by Susan Hammer, September 27, 2008
I have received care from both Melissa and Amy and cannot imagine a more competent, caring pair. I can't wait to join your upcoming practice. I encourage anyone to attend a class or get a treatment at Balance Studio, or to see Dr. Solomon in Boulder Creek.
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 written by JD, September 29, 2008
Good health is something to work for and can not be taken for granted. Do your wellness maintanance with Melissa and Amy, their holistic approach will help keep your life balanced by connecting the mind, body, and spirit. I say hooray for a new approach to wellness in the San Lorenzo Valley.
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 written by Trevor Bottorff, RRW, CSC, September 30, 2008
My children have seen Dr. Solomon regularly since our family moved to Boulder Creek over two years ago and she is wonderful.
I work with Melissa in another treatment modality and have been worked on by Melissa and can honestly say sharing her energy in my life always feels like a positively charged experience. report abuse
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 written by PSL, October 02, 2008
You work your body and mind with Melissa's fitness classes that end with a meditation. You leave feeling balanced and ready to face the day. The messages are fabulous. Melissa has the touch to zone into the most needed area's. Everyone should experience the healing touch of Melissa. I am thankful to have an amazing gem like Melissa in our area.
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 written by Dyane Leshin-Harwood, October 02, 2008
Melissa Stone is a healer. After going the traditional drug route for my bipolar disorder, which resulted in terrible side effects, I decided to go an alternative route and I am using 8 different "healing agents" in the alternative medical field. Massage and chakra work is part of my healing process. Melissa gave me an incredible massage in which she worked with my chakra system. I was skeptical, at first, but I felt markedly better after just one treatment with her. I will be going back to her this month, and frankly, I cannot wait. I also bought her new book and am very excited to read it as well. We are so fortunate to have Melissa in our community. She has a true gift.
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