In the healthcare business, an ounce of prevention can be less expensive than 10cc of medicine. That approach to treating patients is one of the core principles of Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic, located in the Canterbury Professional Park, off SR 54, two miles east of I-75.
Welcoming senior citizen patients insured by Medicare Advantage plans is one way Dr. Mahmud Ahmed, M.D., fulfills his medical practice’s healthcare vision.
“The concept of Medicare Advantage plans is to provide the best possible care with the least use of medical resources — such as tests and medications — without cutting corners, which also saves money,” he says. “The idea is to keep the patient from getting sick.”
Medicare Advantage plan providers that Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic accepts are Freedom Health, Optimum HealthCare, Humana Gold Plus, CarePlus Health Plans and WellCare.
You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan from three months before your 65th birthday to three months after, during the annual election period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 of each year, when Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage. They also can enroll during the general enrollment period Jan. 1 through March 31 of each year, with coverage beginning July 1 of the same year, and during special enrollments based on individual circumstances.
More information about enrollment options can be found online at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Dr. Ahmed’s professional perspective was shaped by practicing medicine for 13 years in Canada, which has a substantial national health plan, after earning his M.D. degree from Dow Medical College of Karachi University in Karachi, Pakistan.
He completed his medical training at Winnipeg General Hospital and St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Ahmed is Board-certified in internal medicine and specializes in cardiology.
He is happy to explain how his clinical experience in Canada compares with medical practices in the U.S.
“Here, doctors do test after test after test,” he says. “In Canada, you do the test that provides the most information.”
Established in 2000, Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic provides primary medical care with an emphasis on providing services for senior citizens.
According to Marcus Dunmire, Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic’s office manager, taking proper care of patient health with medical screenings before a medical emergency arises or chronic health condition develops is an important part of Dr. Ahmed’s approach to medicine.
“We do offer a lot more tests (on-site) than a typical internal medicine practice would offer,” he says.
Among the tests that can be performed onsite include glucose checks, electrocardiograms (EKG), spirometry to check lung capacity and tuberculosis skin tests. The clinic also offers a non-invasive onsite colon cancer screening as an alternative to a colonoscopy.
Other services available include school and sports physical exams, Department of Transportation physicals, flu shots, vaccinations for things like tetanus and the flu (but no children’s vaccines), anti-inflammatory injections like cortisone shots, blood tests (phlebotomy) and nebulizer treatments for respiratory distress.
Dunmire adds that the staff works hard so the patient experience goes beyond encounters with stethoscopes and tongue depressors. “The staff is a big part of the experience,” Dunmire says. “With patients, we always want them to feel important. We take pride in how we treat our patients and in making sure that whatever issues they have are taken care of here.”
And when it comes to treating illness, sooner is almost always better than later.
“So, when we have a patient who needs to see a doctor, we’re always going to try to get them in the same day,” Dunmire says.
That’s an approach to medicine appreciated by George Taber, who says he has been a patient at the Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic for eight years.
“Dr. Ahmed and his crew are all great,” the Zephyrhills resident says. “He has a very caring attitude. He doesn’t rush you in and out and you’ll have answers to your questions before you leave.”
Elaine Faria, also a resident of Zephyrhills, likewise speaks highly of the medical treatment she’s received at the clinic.
“I think they’re the best around,” she says. “It’s a triple plus. The staff is wonderful, Dr. Ahmed is wonderful and the physician assistant, Kirti is wonderful.”
Certified Physician Assistant Kirti Patel, PA-C earned her MPAS (Master Physician Assistant Studies) from Nova Southeastern University in Orlando and is Board-certified in her profession. She says an attentive ear is as important as a healing hand.
“It’s hard to treat the patient if you can’t listen to them,’’ Kirti says. “Listening to the patient’s concerns allows me to bring whatever clinical knowledge I have to help them.”
One of the reasons Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic is able to respond in a flexible and caring manner is the availability of two medical doctors and a physician assistant to accommodate its patient population.
In addition to Dr. Ahmed, Neeraj Mahajan, MD also is on the staff. He is Board-certified in family medicine and graduated from Gajra Raja Medical College of Jiwaji University in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. He completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY.
Mental Health Services, Too
Besides having their physical health taken care of, patients also can avail themselves of mental health counseling through Mindful Inspiration Counseling, LLC.
Erum Ahmed, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist) provides the counseling services. She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida’s School of Behavioral Sciences in Tampa.
“It’s not just taking care of medical problems, but the whole person,” says Erum, who is Dr. Ahmed’s daughter.
Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic also carries out its work beyond the patients who come through its doors. The practice often holds presentations about medical issues for Wesley Chapel residents gathered in their community clubhouses and churches.
“We are glad to speak on any health issue,” says Dr. Ahmed. “The idea is to keep our community healthy.”
The good work performed by Dr. Ahmed and his team recently received an award from Freedom Health/Optimum HealthCare for achieving high marks on the Healthcare Effectiveness Data & Information Set (HEDIS), which health plans use to measure a provider’s performance level of care and service.
Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic is one of three clinics operating as Healthflo Medical Clinics, Inc. The other two clinics are in Bushnell and Ridge Manor. Readers interested in a healthcare relationship with Dr. Ahmed and his team should use the name “Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic” if they do their own research online and to determine if their insurance plan is accepted.
For more information, call Wesley Chapel Medical Clinic at 994-0800 or see the ad on pg. 24. The clinic is located at 5819 Argerian Dr.
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