Stephanie Kimmes: “The Time is Precious”

Stephanie Kimmes, a pediatric and family nurse practitioner who joined the HELPcare Clinic practice in May 2022, is this week's guest on our Take Charge with HELPcare podcast.

Here are a few highlights of the interview, which we also featured in the current edition of HELPcare Herald, in which Stephanie shares what she appreciates about the HELPcare Clinic model:

What really appealed to me was the freedom, you know, the freedom to be able to practice in a way that I wanted to practice. Having experience in large systems, health systems, and also in smaller ones as well, in small clinics, I was realizing that I wanted to have that ability to have the time with people. 

And so what appealed to me (about HELPcare) was, is that the way it's set up is that we could have that initial visit and have that time that you don't see in other health care systems, whether large or small. 

The time is precious. That's the biggest thing for me. I think a lot of what is missing in healthcare today is the ability to listen and have the time to listen to people's stories.

I'm always asking patients “What are your health goals? What are what do you want out of this visit?” And I I kind of chuckle because they kind of look at me sometimes like “What are you asking? I didn't know I had an option to tell you what I would like!”

I think that our model of care is for those people like me who maybe don't fit the mold, prescribed mold of the larger, you know, kinds of health systems. 

There is the ability to practice in ways that are variety of ways, you know, like as in the settings, like in person, telephone, video options, the ability to bring in other family members as appropriate. I practice by my faith, my Christian faith, and if the opportunity presents itself, I’m able to share things that can perhaps help them in their faith journey. That is, I can pray with them if they feel that is something they want. That has really been well received for those who wish to have that opportunity.

As we prepare to celebrate Stephanie's third anniversary of joining HELPcare Clinic next month, we're grateful for her contributions to creating the welcoming, caring experience HELPcare Clinic members have come to appreciate.

Here's the full episode:

To get a new audio episode of Take Charge with HELPcare each Monday, be sure to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or watch the video edition by subscribing to the HELPcare YouTube channel.

To learn more about employment opportunities at HELPcare Clinic, visit our HELPcare Careers page.

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Lee Aase

Lee Aase is the founder of HELPcare LLC, which provides comprehensive membership, marketing and management services for provider-owned HELPcare Clinics, as well as metabolic health education and coaching for people interested in restoring health and reversing disease through lifestyle changes. Lee and his wife Lisa live in Austin, MN and have six married children and 18 grandchildren.