Immediate Care Medical's Mary Ann Yehl Talks Healthy Holiday Habits

Mary Ann Yehl of Immediate Care Medical Walk-In understands that life's unexpected bumps and bruises, flu and fevers are made simpler with the combination of convenience and compassion.

Patch: Immediate Care works to combine quality medical care with the convenience of a walk-in office. How do you balance those two objectives?

Mary Ann Yehl: Immediate Care is able to combine quality care with efficiency by having an excellent staff. This process begins with the front desk making the sign-in process quick and keeping paperwork to a minimum. Next, our medical assistants are trained to expeditiously take the patient's vitals and a focused medical history. The physicians and nurse practitioners have been trained in urgent care to gather a pertinent history and do a thorough, yet quick, exam. Our providers are well versed in computer charting which also assists the process. We have a great team that works well together. It is also very helpful we have so many centers; if anyone on staff has a question, they easily find the answer by calling another center.

Patch: What made you want to become involved in health care?

Mary Ann Yehl: I had a great love of science since my early childhood, with a great grandfather and grandfather who were physicians and a cousin who is a nurse, so it was merely choosing to become a nurse or doctor. I went to college and chose nursing, then went on to become a nurse midwife and nurse practitioner. Although I enjoyed practicing as a midwife very much, I craved more knowledge and proceeded to medical school. Urgent Care has been a great fit for me as I enjoy the challenge of an unknown diagnosis and the procedures in urgent care. The relationships with patients are the best part, as even though we are urgent care, patients tend to return to our office.

Patch: Immediate Care is an emergency room alternative for non-life threatening medical needs. What are some examples of conditions that Immediate Care address?

Mary Ann Yehl: Urgent care is a great choice for many medical needs but not every medical need. If a person is experiencing symptoms of life threatening or severe medical conditions, they should seek ER care (examples are heart attack, stroke, sever head injury or abdominal injury, gunshot wounds, broken bones protruding through the skin). There is an extensive list of services on our website.

Patch: What is your definition of success?

Mary Ann Yehl: Success, to me, is being able to fulfill my purpose in life with my family, my work and my community. It is also being able to learn from my success and failures.

Patch: How are you involved in the Red Bank community?

Mary Ann Yehl: Having grown up here, it has been refreshing to be practicing so close to home. Having previously worked in the Red Bank area, it is nice to see former patients again. Immediate Care is a big proponent of community outreach in the centers. There is a school health fair we are going to participate in as well at the breast cancer sponsored events. We do a Thanksgiving food drive and a drive for winter items such as coats hats gloves and scarves at Christmas time. Red Bank is a great community with an abundance of small businesses, and we’re excited to become a part of it. I have been walking to the downtown shops, and am delighted to meet our neighbors and hear such excited responses about us opening.

Patch: How does Immediate Care distinguish itself from the competition?

Mary Ann Yehl: The quality of our staff from the front desk to the providers are our best asset. We have great locations and beautiful, sparkling clean office, but it is the staff that is the heart of the center and what keeps patients coming back.

Patch: What does Immediate Care bring to the community?

Mary Ann Yehl: Immediate Care brings a very important piece to the Red Bank community: health. There is no other urgent care center located in Red Bank. It a great asset to be able to run in get a medical check-up right next to your work or home. We have excellent hours, making it easy to come from the train station or sports game to the office or before a holiday even on a weekend.

Patch: What are three tips you could give readers to help maintain their health?

Mary Ann Yehl: Three tips for readers: continue your current exercise regimen during the holidays, pick two of your favorite foods to indulge on (leave the rest), and do not sacrifice sleep.

Patch: How do you maintain good health and dieting during the holidays?

Mary Ann Yehl: Anyone who knows me knows that I can't and won't stay up late. I get up very early to accomplish all I need to do,but always go to bed early to maintain enough sleep time. I enjoy holiday eating very much, but try to pick a few things that are my favorites and stick to those indulgences. I also try to eat a high-protein snack before going to any holiday events so I am not tempted to eat the first things I see from hunger. Exercise is a large part of combating holiday stress and pounds as well!

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about Immediate Care?

Mary Ann Yehl: Visit our website, or call us at (732) 933-4100.

Photo courtesy of Immediate Care Medical Walk-In