The Dan Harmeling Medical & Wellness Center
Healthcare with heart. Introduced by Alan N., Dr. Stefan Harmeling conveyed his vision "of an integrative and holistic medical center to improve equal access to quality healtcare and transform the health and wellness of our Hawaii Island community." The existing Aloha Nui Family Practice, located at 69 Lanihuli Street, would be expanded to an 8200 s.f. facility under a new name, The Dan Harmeling Medial & Wellness Center. This facility would enable attracting and retaining an integrated staff of physicians, family nurse practitioners, nursing staff, and business administrators. Dr. Harmeling explained his approach to healthcare and how this facility would improve the health and wellness of our community.
How does the Dan Harmeling Medical & Wellness Center plan to transform how primary healthcare is provided and delivered in our community with compassion, affordability, and quality?
- Comprehensive Care. Comprehensive care includes meeting the physical and mental health needs, as well as acute care, chronic care, and prevention and wellness. Providing comprehensive care requires a team of care providers. This team will include physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nursing staff, business administrators, and partnerships with gyms and Hilo Medical Center. The Center hopes to actively hire young physicians by offering a team approach where the administrative hassles and business risks would be alleviated.
- Patient (or Client)-Centered. Patient-centered means relationship-based with an orientation toward the whole person. Partnering with patients and their families requires understanding and respecting each patient’s unique needs, culture, values, and preferences. This approach supports patients in learning to manage and organize their own care at the level the patient chooses.
- Coordinated Care. The Center would coordinate care across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, and community services and supports. Such coordination is particularly critical during transitions between sites of care, such as when patients are being discharged from the hospital.
- Accessible. The Center would provide service with shorter waiting times for urgent needs, enhanced in-person hours, around-the-clock telephone or electronic access to a member of the care team, and alternative methods of communication such as email and telephone care.
- Quality and Safety. The Center would demonstrate a commitment to quality through feedback, certifications, training, and continuing education.
