Community health care where it’s needed most

“Mercy Medical Associates at Eastwick has one main goal—to provide quality, comprehensive care for patients, right in the community where they live,” says internist Cheryl Jackson, MD.

Easy access to primary care services is especially important for people in underserved communities, where some residents lack finances, free time or means to travel for treatment, she notes.

“At Eastwick, our one-stop location offers a variety of services for adults dealing with common chronic conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease,” says Dr. Jackson, who is affiliated with Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

She also serves as medical director of four primary care clinics, including Eastwick, that are part of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic—a regional health system with four hospitals and affiliated primary and specialty care services.

“We also have a high population of community members with diabetes. Unchecked diabetes can lead to stroke and heart failure, so we help them stay on top of it,” Dr. Jackson says.

Post-pandemic uptick

Many people postponed medical care during the pandemic. “We’re seeing an increase in visits now for conditions that have gone untreated for a couple of years. We urge people not to wait any longer; the sooner you see a doctor, the better,” Dr. Jackson says.

The multispecialty Eastwick medical team also provides family medicine services and preventive screenings, including for breast and colorectal cancer, as well as checkups and immunizations. Also on site is a separate physical therapy office, and a medical group that treats patients with kidney disease; both are affiliated with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.

“It’s also useful that we can connect our patients to a wide range of additional health care services,” Dr. Jackson says. As part of the integrated Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic system, Eastwick is linked to its extensive medical referral system.

“Because of this, we can help patients arrange consultations with other medical specialists. And we can assist community members with things like arranging home health care; or getting treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, which can often be difficult to access.”

Growing for the future

The Eastwick facility underwent a full-scale renovation in 2022, upgrading to a modernized waiting room and patient care areas. “This was a welcome improvement—and it underscores Mercy Fitzgerald’s commitment to the growth of community clinics,” Dr. Jackson says.

More progress and expansion is ahead: Eastwick will add women’s health/gyn and cardiology services in the summer of 2023. “In the future, we plan to expand endocrinology services for diabetes and kidney disease, and gastroenterology for patients with digestive issues,” she continues.