Publication

Arbor Health—Rapid Care Clinic

This walk-in clinic functions much like an urgent care. It is designed to provide medical services for the patient with an illness or injury that does not require an emergency room visit—but can't wait for an appointment with their primary care provider. It is currently open Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with future plans to be open daily. This new service has met a real need for access to medical care in East Lewis County, as noted in our patient growth since its late January opening.

Patients seeking walk-in care

• January—14
• February—63
• March—82
• April—86
• May—81
• June—179
• July—260
• August—240
• September—246
• October—250
• November—304
• December—221

Fabiola Puga, MD

Working in family medicine is a dream come true for Dr. Puga. She's originally from Mexico—and has lived in England, New York, Florida and even Yakima for one year as a girl—but she's super happy to be in East Lewis County now. She enjoys all aspects of family medicine and caring for all ages.

"I went into medicine because of my love for science, and my passion to help people led me to family medicine," she says. "I love all patient populations, but I am particularly keen on women's health, elder care, prevention of diseases and wound care."

Dr. Puga works at the Morton Clinic and Morton Hospital. She is available for appointments at 360-496-5145. She is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Crystal Florek, ARNP

Nurse practitioner Crystal Florek fills two roles for Arbor Health. She is a regularly scheduled provider in the Rapid Care Clinic and a women's health provider in the Specialty Clinic. Both of these patient-care services are housed in the Morton Clinic building.

Florek's approach to patient care is based on helping her patients make the best health care decisions for themselves that they can. "The most rewarding thing I find about being a medical provider is shared decision-making," she says. "I like allowing my patients to have some autonomy with their care, as each patient has individual needs and health care goals."

Florek can be reached for women's health appointments by calling 360-496-3641. The Rapid Care Clinic does not take appointments.

Jason Whitney, ARNP

It almost feels too early to introduce nurse practitioner Jason Whitney, as he has yet to start his role as medical provider of the new Arbor Health–Packwood Clinic. Along with his medical assistant and the receptionist, he is eager to get started—it's just remodeling delays on the building that are holding them back. In the meantime, we have kept him working full-time—filling in at the Morton Clinic before Dr. Puga's arrival and then in the Randle Clinic, temporarily filling the vacant full-time provider position—until his own clinic opens.

Whitney comes to Arbor Health with a wealth of experience in family medicine, pediatrics and emergency care—making him a great fit for a rural primary care clinic.

Once the clinic opens, he will be available for appointments at 360-496-3777.

Categories: New Providers