by Mari Radtke
Representatives of Cherokee Regional Medical Center(CRMC) and new operator of the Sutherland Clinic hosted and question and answer open house in Sutherland on Thursday October 17. Approximately 35 people attended.
CRMC Ceo Gary Jordan led the informational meeting. He shared information with those in attendance about the status of the clinic’s hours, staffing and services that will be available. He introduced other staff also available for more specific questions.
The Sutherland Clinic is the 5th CRMC local clinic. The medical center operates clinics in Cherokee, Marcus, Holstein and Aurelia. Now a 5th clinic in Sutherland is part of their portfolio. Patients can be seen in the clinic of their choice. Each of the clinics operated by CRMC is named by its community. This is to show commitment by CRMC to the community it serves.
Jordan explained that the clinic will be open limited hours while it scales up equipment and new staff, but appointments are now available through the medical center. He reassured the crowd that they can keep their current specialty doctors if that is their choice.
Transferring medical records was presented as a fairly easy transaction. Some paperwork must be signed by the patient for them to be transferred, or go to your care provided and pick up the hard copy yourself.
Insurance approval requests are underway. Medicare and Medicaid formalities are also underway. Jordan explained this can sometimes happen quickly and sometimes not so much. Every effort is underway to make a patient transition to the Sutherland Medical Clinic as easy and as speedy as possible.