The Power of Prompt Care

On a Wednesday morning, Wendi Schipper of Bristow woke up with a sharp pain in her right side. It was the kind that made her stop in her tracks. “I knew something wasn’t right,” she said. Although Wendi rarely goes to the doctor, she decided to go to the Walk-In Clinic at Waverly Health Center.  

Within minutes of checking in, Wendi was in an exam room. The nurse quickly assessed her condition, took vitals and outlined the plan to get answers. “They made me feel comfortable right away,” she said. “Everything was clearly explained, and they didn’t waste any time.” 

Wendi had a hunch about what was going on. Both her husband and son had experienced an appendicitis, and the symptoms seemed familiar. “When you press on your side and it hurts more when you let go, I knew what that meant,” she recalled. 

After her exam, the Walk-In Clinic provider sent her to the Emergency Department (ED) for further testing. They ordered lab work and a CT scan and while she was there, she met an experienced nurse who stood out. “She really knew her stuff and explained everything she was doing and how the different departments worked together,” Wendi said. 

After her CT scan confirmed an appendicitis, the nurse let her know she’d be heading to the surgical department to meet WHC’s general surgeon, Dr. Ivey. Wendi’s surgery began at 1:30 p.m., was over by 2:15 p.m., and she was on her way home by 5 that evening. “It all happened fast, but I felt completely taken care of,” she said. “Dr. Ivey and Margo, the PA in the ED, were wonderful.” 

During her surgical follow-up appointment, Dr. Ivey removed her sutures, and Wendi began to reflect on her health in a new way. “Before this, I never really thought about having a primary care doctor,” she admitted. “But going through this experience made me realize how important it is to have someone who knows your health history and can help catch problems early.” Motivated by that insight, she took a proactive step. “I walked over to Christophel Clinic and scheduled an appointment with our newest family practice provider, Dr. Dupic.”