Emory Healthcare continued its expansion in metro Atlanta, recently adding a second local doctor’s office into its primary care network — Internal Medicine of Newton County led by Dr. James Stillerman.
The office will be renamed Emory Internal Medicine of Newton and joins Emory Newton Medical Associates, which joined Emory Specialty Associate’s primary care network earlier in September.
Dr. Henry M. Patton, lead physician of Newton Associates, said at the time that the partnership is part of Emory’s efforts to create an accountable care organization (ACO), a comprehensive healthcare system encouraged by the healthcare reform Affordable Care Act.
At its heart, an ACO is designed to create partnerships of healthcare providers, such as hospitals, specialists and primary care doctors, with the goal of decreasing duplication of tests and services, thereby keeping costs down. Theoretically, a patient would be able to turn to an ACO for all of his healthcare needs; the difference from an HMO is that the patient does not have to stay within the ACO.
Emory Internal Medicine of Newton will continue to provide services through its five-physician practice and staff. Services include diagnoses and treatment of adult diseases, including disorders of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, lung, kidneys, blood and circulation and endocrine system.
“This partnership presents a tremendous opportunity for Emory Healthcare to partner in the delivery of first-class internal medicine resources in the growing Covington and Newton County area,” said Donald Brunn, president of Emory Specialty Associates. ”The partnership also provides an opportunity to continue building community-based, cutting-edge programs that attract additional physicians to their practice, while assuring improved access within Newton County by local experts in a growing medical community.
“Emory Healthcare is committed to seeing expanded access to local care providers in the metro region. Citizens of Covington and the surrounding communities will continue to benefit from the outstanding care available at their local hospital, while gaining expedited access to highly specialized care in Atlanta through the Emory Healthcare system. We are honored to continue our strong commitment to investing in the future of health care across the many landscapes of Georgia.”
Stillerman and his wife opened the practice in 1990 after completing training at Emory.
“Covington was the perfect community to establish our practice and raise a family. It was important to find a community with a good hospital and close access to Emory’s specialist care for our more challenging cases,” Stillerman said.
“Each of the physicians with Emory Internal Medicine of Newton has received a portion of their medical training at Emory and, therefore, have a connection to Emory. This next phase will enhance that connection,” Stillerman continued. “Our goal with this partnership will be to continue to provide quality care for Newton and surrounding counties, and support our local hospital and physicians, while improving access to Emory’s experts and referral source.”
Internal Medicine physicians, also called "Internists,” are required to have included in their medical schooling and postgraduate training at least three years dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. While the name "Internal Medicine" may lead one to believe that internists only treat "internal" problems, this is not the case. Internal Medicine physicians treat the whole person, not just internal organs.
Emory Internal Medicine of Newton is located at 4181 Hospital Drive, Suite 401, in Covington. For appointments or more information call (770) 787-4700 or visit www.emoryhealthcare.org (keywords: Emory Internal Medicine of Newton)
