TOP PHOTO: “It’s important for members of our community to put their health first and to feel comfortable getting the care they need,” said Emily Lynch, D.O., a family medicine physician with Tennova LaFollette Medical Center Clinic – South.

KNOXVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – If you’ve put off seeing your doctor for fear of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus, the team at Tennova Medical Group wants you to know it’s safe and important to come in.

Precautions for your safety include scheduling well visits in the morning and ill visits for the afternoon, masking of all patients and providers, checking the temperatures of all clinic visitors, screening clinic staff multiple times during the shift, asking that only the patient comes in, and enhanced cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.

“It’s important for members of our community to put their health first and to feel comfortable getting the care they need,” said Emily Lynch, D.O., a family medicine physician with Tennova LaFollette Medical Center Clinic – South. Coming this spring, Dr. Lynch will also see patients at the new Tennova Primary Care – Caryville. “We know it’s been a challenging year and want to help patients stay on track with their health. An ongoing relationship with a provider you know and trust can help you make a plan to reach your health goals for the long term.”

Here are five reasons to make an appointment (423.907.1700) for your next well visit or checkup without delay.

  1. Check on your general health. The clinic has a record of your health metrics over time, including cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and others. If any numbers are trending in the wrong direction, your doctor can help you make a plan to get back on track with lifestyle changes, diet or medical treatment.
  • Manage chronic conditions. Ongoing medical concerns, whether diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or others require regular monitoring by a provider to keep them from progressing to life-threatening levels. Regular checkups can help you avoid a medical crisis.
  • Identify issues early with routine screenings. The practice keeps records of your screening exams to help you remember when it’s time to get your colonoscopy, mammogram, bone density test, prostate exam and other screenings. Early identification of many illnesses can give you the most options for treatment and better outcomes.
  • Stay current on vaccinations for your protection. While you’re hearing plenty of news about the COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of other vaccinations to prevent disease as your immune system weakens over time, such as annual flu shots, tetanus shots every 10 years, and vaccines for shingles and pneumonia. The practice will remind you when it’s time to get your immunizations.
  • Keep prescriptions updated. Bring a full list of your medications, including any over-the-counter medications, so your physician has a complete picture of what you’re taking. An annual review can identify possible side effects or medication conflicts.

Of course, the best reason of all is peace of mind about your health. Tennova Medical Group has nearly 150 providers at convenient locations across the region—including Clinton, Knoxville, LaFollette, Powell, Jefferson City, Newport, Maryville, Morristown and Oak Ridge—to make it easy for you to access care close to home. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/17/2021-NOON)