Primary Care Doctors Specialize in You

Your Munson Healthcare pediatrician, family doctor, or internist may also be called your primary care provider.

• Pediatricians treat newborns and children up to age 21 to help them stay healthy physically, mentally, and socially.
• Family medicine doctors are trained to treat patients of all ages.
• Internal medicine doctors treat adult patients starting at age 18.

Family care doctors, pediatricians, and internal medicine specialists have offices in all northern Michigan communities served by Munson Healthcare to help you and your family get well and stay well.

Your primary care office is your medical home and the right place to start when you need non-emergency care. These physicians care for you during all stages of your life, from first days to last days. They meet your general healthcare needs, manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes, and help you live a healthy life.

• Allergies and minor allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Check-ups and regular screenings
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Diabetes
• Exercise and nutrition counseling
• General medical questions and/or concerns
• High cholesterol or blood pressure
• Management of a chronic condition
• Mild fevers in adults and children
• Mild to moderate pain or discomfort
• Minor cuts and burns
• Preventative and diagnostic screenings, such as cholesterol tests, breast exams, and prostate exams
• Sprains, aches, and fractures
• Vaccines and immunizations
• Well-child visits, back-to-school, and routine check-ups

*The symptoms above are guidelines and not a complete list.

Primary care providers collaborate with other specialists to ensure you receive the right level of care in treating an illness or condition. They also help coordinate care across all settings, including home care and long-term care facilities.

Most family care offices offer same day appointments and on-call physician weekend hours. Some clinics also offer physician staffed weekend and evening hours.  

Most Munson Healthcare primary care locations offer Virtual Visit services. Virtual care allows you to seek diagnosis and treatment from the comfort of your home or other private setting.

Wherever you live in northern Michigan, primary care doctors can be found in or near your community.

You and Your Doctor: A Vital Relationship

An excellent way to stay as healthy as possible is to have a trusted, comfortable, long-term relationship with a family care provider. As a partner in your health, your primary care doctor listens to what you have to say and takes the time to get to know you and your family. He or she will promote your health and well-being by responding quickly to acute conditions, managing chronic conditions, and preventing future conditions that could jeopardize your health.   

Your primary care doctor may help you:

• Manage medical conditions to keep you as healthy as possible
• Avoid trips to the emergency room
• Avoid hospitalizations and surgeries by identifying health issues earlier
• Enjoy better overall health
• Live longer
• Lower your healthcare costs

Well Child Visits

Well child visits are important to assess the health and well being as your child grows. During your well child visit, your provider will assess which vaccines your child needs to protect them from preventable illnesses and diseases. Learn more about the recommended vaccine schedule for your child based on their age.

Primary Care vs. Internal Medicine: What’s the Difference?

Family practice physicians are primary care physicians who deliver a range of acute and chronic care services to patients of all ages, and in some cases can provide obstetrical care as well. In addition to diagnosing and treating illness, they provide preventive care, including routine checkups, health-risk assessments, immunizations, and screening tests.

An internal medicine specialist (internist) is a primary care physician who provides comprehensive care for adults only, particularly as they age and have multiple health issues. Internists are trained to understand disease prevention, wellness, mental health, and effective treatment of common and complex problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system, GI tract, heart, lungs, and reproductive organs.

Pediatricians are family practice physicians who specialize in the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care includes preventive healthcare and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. Pediatricians consider biological, social and environmental influences on the developing child, and the impact of disease and dysfunction on development.