Polara Health to open a new Integrated Health Center in Prescott, highlighting the power of whole person care in shaping a person’s overall quality of life
Whole person care at Polara Health represents a fundamental shift in our approach to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing not only physical health but also an individual’s emotional, social, and mental well-being. It is an approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of all these aspects in shaping an individual’s overall health and quality of life.
Whole person care improves health outcomes and creates a more patient-centered and empathetic experience where patients feel heard, valued, and understood; something we all desire and need in our lives.
One key aspect of whole person care is its focus on patient-centeredness, which involves actively listening to patients, understanding their unique needs, preferences, and goals, and involving them in decisions about their care. This approach helps build trust between patients and healthcare providers, leading to better treatment adherence and outcomes. Additionally, by considering the various dimensions of a person’s health, whole person care can help identify and address underlying issues that may contribute to health problems, leading to more effective and sustainable interventions.
Recognizing the entirety of needs, whole person care goes beyond treating symptoms or medical conditions. It acknowledges that an individual’s well-being is influenced by multiple factors including relationships, personal resources, healthcare education, access to care, equity in access, and the environment in which one lives. These factors are identified as the “Social Determinants of Health” by the National Institute of Health, and we are committed to addressing the factors of health for each of our clients through a whole person care approach.
To infuse the whole person care approach into our work, Polara Health is pairing primary care with psychiatric services. The new Polara Health Integrated Care Center at Gail Gardner Way will provide whole person care, addressing the entire healthcare needs of individuals. Our Gail Gardner office is scheduled to open in late spring/early summer. Polara Health currently offers Primary Care services out of our Windsong Drive location in Prescott Valley and our Ruth Street location in Prescott. For those interested in Polara Health’s Primary Care services, please call our main number at 928.445.5211. Polara Health accepts all insurance.
We’d like to introduce some of the practitioners who are making a difference in our community.
Outpatient Medical Director Courtney Routson is an Arizona native who began her career more than 20 years ago. Courtney has experience in hospice, outpatient surgery, and intensive care, and is now passionate about integrative psychiatry, psychotic disorders, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Courtney provides whole person care, identifying the patient’s version of health and building on the quality of life they desire.
Primary Care Physician Lisa Emmans is an Arizona native who initially trained in Emergency Medicine and moved into Internal Medicine, accumulating nearly three decades of experience in both fields. Dr. Emmans will be caring for individuals facing substantial life challenges and also for those needing a primary care doctor in our area.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Shurine Pate finished her Doctorate Degree with a specialty in adults and geriatrics in primary care. Her focus has been on palliative care and advanced directives. Shurine’s passion was taking care of individuals with diseases at the end of life but now wants to focus on treating these diseases early so that she can improve the quality of life for her patients.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Hewitt has vast experience in Pediatric Psychiatry, Crisis Stabilization, Inpatient Psychiatry, and Primary/Urgent Care. Jennifer realized she has a passion for working with those with mental health challenges.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jalili Arabi delivers excellence in patient care. She brings to Polara Health vast experience and interest in psychiatric care.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Cece Saimo has been in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years and is passionate about giving back to her local community. Cece’s experience includes Hospice Care, Wound Care, Cardiac Telemetry Nursing, and Psychiatric Nursing.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Cheri Wilcher is dual degreed in advanced nursing and has been a nurse for more than 40 years. Cheri brings to Polara Health many years of experience working in community mental health.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Huggins is dual certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Elizabeth is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an individual’s recovery journey.
Whole person care at Polara Health is not just a model; it’s a commitment to treating individuals with the dignity, respect, and personalized attention they deserve. By integrating primary care with psychiatric services and addressing the social determinants of health, we strive to create a healthcare experience that is truly transformative.
Our team of dedicated practitioners is here to support each person’s unique journey toward better health, ensuring that no aspect of their well-being is overlooked. Together, we are shaping a future where healthcare is not just about treating illness but about nurturing the whole person.
Learn more at polarahealth.com.
SIDEBAR
Chino Valley Community Health Fair
Join us for free services and resources April 19th at Chino Valley High School for this free event that’s open to the public. Go to the Events page at polarahelath.com for more information.