Throughout her journey as a health practitioner, Dr. Kimetha Fairchild has aspired to one particular goal: To create health-literate patients, she said.
"I'm big on education," she said. "I want to educate patients to help themselves. I want them to understand what the processes are and how they affect them."
She has joined the practice at Fulton's newest walk-in clinic, managed by SSM Health Medical Group. It is opening this week at 350 County Meadows Drive (next to the state Department of Motor Vehicles).
Fairchild said she worked as a physician's assistant before going to medical school and becoming a full-fledged physician. She earned her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Netherland Antilles.
She did her residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia, which connected her to the Fulton area.
"I moved here from (Gainesville) Florida, to do my residency, and I did several rotations in Fulton," she added. "I liked the people, and I like the town."
Fairchild is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, plus other associations, and fluent in Italian. Sailing is a passion, and she has skippered a 50-ton sailboat more than halfway around the world.
"I've traveled extensively and plan to keep on doing that," Fairchild said, laughing.
Fairchild said she previously worked at the Family Health Center with locations in Columbia, specializing in family medicine.
The new SSM family practice clinic will have a reception from 4-6 p.m. on Monday to introduce Fairchild and other staff to the Fulton-area community. Office manager Katie Riechmann said people can call 844-776-9355, ext. 2, by noon Monday to RSVP for the open house.
"They can also get a free first-aid kit (if they pre-register)," she said.
People also will meet Fairchild at the reception, Riechmann added.
"Dr. Fairchild is wonderful; she's great," she said.
The clinic also will have a full-time nurse practitioner, Kelly Schokmiller, Riechmann added. People may call 573-642-4500 to schedule appointments.
Riechmann and Jessica Royston, communication and marketing consultant for SSM, were helping prepare the new clinic last week for its first day of business, which will be Tuesday.
"We're still waiting for the signs," Royston said.
Riechmann gave a short tour of the new facility, which has a front waiting room, nurse's station, lab area and professional space. Each of the five patient exam rooms has a networked computer, she noted.
"SSM is totally electronic with health records, which can be electronically shared with any SSM facility," she said.
Riechmann added SSM also has staff who can help patients with their medical insurance, making sure procedures are covered and pre-approved.
The new clinic will take appointments and walk-in patients who need small procedures such as care for sprains. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about SSM Health Medical Group's services in Mid-Missouri, go online to ssmhealthmidmo.com.
IF YOU GO:
SSM Health Medical Group
Walk-in clinic open house
When: 4-6 p.m. Monday
Where: 350 County Meadows Drive, Fulton (next to DMV)