When unexpected health concerns arise and your primary care physician isn’t immediately available, navigating your healthcare options can feel overwhelming. For individuals who rely on GBMC Health Partners advanced primary care practices, Padonia Plus emerges as a valuable solution, offering prompt and efficient care without the drawbacks of typical urgent care centers or emergency rooms.
Choosing between an impersonal urgent care facility, where your medical history is inaccessible, and a potentially overcrowded Emergency Department (ED) with extended wait times, especially during peak periods, can be stressful. Padonia Plus provides a streamlined alternative. Here, you’ll be seen by a GBMC provider who has direct access to your comprehensive medical records, can seamlessly communicate with your regular primary care physician, and efficiently schedule any necessary follow-up appointments.
Dr. Jon Hennessee, the lead provider at Padonia Plus and a primary care physician at GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Padonia, emphasizes the advantages of this approach. “The ED is often not the ideal setting for patients who don’t require emergency-level care, primarily due to potential lengthy waits and higher costs,” Dr. Hennessee explains. “Conversely, while urgent care facilities offer quicker access, their providers typically lack familiarity with your medical background or your primary care doctor’s insights. We firmly believe that Padonia Plus offers a superior option for patients experiencing acute health needs who are unable to secure immediate appointments with their primary care physicians.”
GBMC is committed to providing exceptional patient care, treating each individual with the same consideration and compassion they would extend to their own family members. This vision drives the providers at GBMC to deliver a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of care that is precisely tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Padonia Plus is staffed by experienced Certified Nurse Practitioners Florence Gichaiya, CRNP, and LaShanda Roberts, FNP-BC. They provide care during convenient hours: weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find Padonia Plus conveniently located within the same building as GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Padonia, at 63 E. Padonia Road in Lutherville.
Dr. Hennessee advises that if you believe you need medical attention, your first step should always be to contact your primary care office. They can guide you on the most appropriate course of action.
“It’s important to remember that the ED isn’t necessary for all urgent situations, such as a broken arm,” Dr. Hennessee points out. “At GBMC Health Partners Padonia, including Padonia Plus, we can provide services like X-rays and facilitate prompt appointments with specialists like orthopedics if required.”
While Padonia Plus currently focuses on primary care and immediate needs, there are future aspirations to incorporate specialized services to further enhance patient care. For now, in addition to comprehensive primary care services, patients benefit from on-site access to X-rays and laboratory services, ensuring efficient diagnosis and treatment.
“Our primary goal is to ensure patients receive the most effective and efficient care possible,” Dr. Hennessee concludes. “At GBMC, we strive to make Padonia Plus feel like a seamless extension of your regular primary care experience. Just as you would expect from your own doctor, our providers at Padonia Plus will thoroughly discuss your options with you and collaboratively determine the optimal treatment plan for your specific situation.”
