Physicians at Northwest Plaza provide expert care in one convenient location
By Greg Bennett, utahvalley360.com
Located on the corner of 500 West and Bulldog Boulevard in Provo is a medical facility perfect for treating a number of medical maladies — from aerospace consultations to varicose vein treatments.
The Intermountain Healthcare clinics located in the Northwest Plaza are close enough to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center to provide all the advantages that come from a major hospital with a personal touch that can only be found in a clinic.
The Northwest Plaza houses a number of clinics, an InstaCare and an auditorium that hosts numerous public education forums.
Most importantly, the facility provides a place for knowledgeable and caring medical professionals who put best practices into play to meet the needs of patients.
Intermountain Heart & Lung Surgical Associates/Intermountain Vein Clinic
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Assisting family practice physicians and cardiologists around the valley in treating locals with this common concern is a group of professionals at the Intermountain Heart & Lung Surgical Associates in the Northwest Plaza.
Throw in pulmonary concerns, and these specialists become even more valuable. The surgeons at the clinic primarily use the Northwest Plaza offices for consultations and follow-ups to surgical procedures.
“We’re able to help patients learn more about the procedures and ensure proper recovery afterward,” says John Mitchell, M.D.
Treating any surgical concern from the bottom of the neck to the lungs, these surgeons perform a number of procedures including adult cardiac surgery, coronary revascularization (bypass surgery), valve surgery. They also treat some adult congenital disease. The specialists also perform lung surgery to treat lung cancer and pneumothorax (collapsed lung). In fact, Consumer Reports recently named this surgical team as one of the top 10 percent of heart surgery programs in the country.
The surgeons can also treat hyperhidrosis — or sweaty hands. Besides being socially disengaging, the condition can also be hazardous in certain professions.
Housed within the facility is the Intermountain Vein Clinic. Opened in January 2010, the vein clinic has provided relief from varicose veins to grateful patients throughout Utah Valley. Eight in 10 of the clinic’s patients are women, and the majority of the injuries to the veins are due to pregnancy.
“The vein clinic has been very successful and beneficial to the community,” Dr. Mitchell says. “And talk about appreciative patients. Wow.”
The procedure is done in the clinic and takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Usually patients go back to work the next day with no bed rest. The procedure is done using radiofrequency, which — when compared to laser treatment — reduces the risk of vessel perforation.
“We believe it’s safer,” Dr. Mitchell says. “It does take a few minutes longer, but the energy isn’t as intense. The burn doesn’t occur as quickly.”
Intermountain Utah Valley Aerospace Medical Clinic
Utah Valley might not be the first place that comes to mind for a clinic that specializes in aerospace medicine. Maybe Houston (home of NASA) or Seattle (home of Boeing)?
Local experts James Stewart, D.O., and Marc Robins, D.O., are both board certified in aerospace medicine. With a growing aerospace industry throughout the Wasatch Front, an international airport nearby and two universities within minutes of the clinic — BYU offers aerospace engineering and UVU provides aviation training — the clinic meets the needs of the growing aerospace population.
“Aerospace medicine is a cognitive specialty area,” Dr. Stewart says. “The specialty involves the determination and maintenance of the health and performance of those who fly in air and space.”
Both Dr. Stewart and Dr. Robins received their training through the military and have spent numerous hours in aircraft. This experience allows them to consult patients with knowledge and first-hand experience.
At its core, the clinic assists aerospace professionals with getting the certifications they need to perform their jobs.
“We’re unique because we usually work on healthy people and try to figure out how to keep them that way,” Dr. Stewart says.
Air transport pilots are required to be evaluated yearly, while other pilots are less frequently certified.
The Utah Valley Aerospace Clinic helps aerospace companies moving to the area. The physicians consult with companies to make sure they’re doing all they can to keep employees happy and healthy.
“We’re excited about the growth in the aerospace industry up and down the Wasatch Front in the next few years,” Dr. Stewart says.
Intermountain Provo Neurological Clinic
Matthew Butrum, M.D., is part of a team devoted to managing and treating neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, dementia and multiple sclerosis.
The neurologist enjoys working with primary-care physicians in diagnosing ailments, consulting on treatment and meeting the needs of the patient.
“Communication is important,” Dr. Butrum says. “Sometimes there are symptoms that don’t come from the neurological condition — they might come from a simple sinus infection — and we have to talk through those things.”
Neurologists manage treatment of neurological conditions. While many of the ailments they see can’t be cured, there are strides toward treating symptoms.
“There are new developments and research,” Butrum says. “It used to be you could get a diagnosis and move along. Now, especially with MS, there are medications that help fight disability.”
A neurologist assists in determining a diagnosis, or they can confirm the diagnosis of the primary care physician. Sometimes, if the symptom is obvious — like a seizure — a neurologist is brought in to immediately determine course of care.
Intermountain Utah Valley Internal Medicine Clinic
The term “internal medicine” is somewhat of a misnomer. While the term has origins in Germany, the practice would be better described as adult care. Internists specialize in treating adults — especially those with chronic problems like diabetes, heart disease, bone disorders and arthritis.
“We do a lot of preventative medicine, but it’s usually with regard to issues older people deal with — diabetes, high cholesterol — things like that,” says Matthew Mainord, M.D.
In fact, internal medicine specialists address nearly all concerns other than pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology.
“We’re experts at managing medications, especially for people who have a number of medical concerns,” Dr. Mainord says.
Internists consult with necessary specialists with the perspective of treating the whole patient. For example, a medicine for joint pain prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon could cause stomach problems in the patient. An internist can ensure medications don’t cross react.
“Once you get up to five or six different medications, there is a much higher likelihood of cross reaction,” Dr. Mainord says. “An internal medicine doctor can help with those decisions.”
Intermountain Northwest Plaza
1134 N. 500 West, Provo
Intermountain Utah Valley Heart & Lung Surgical Associates/Intermountain Utah Valley Vein Clinic: (801) 357-7081
Intermountain Utah Valley Aerospace Medicine Clinic: (801) 357-1FLY
Intermountain Provo Neurological Clinic: (801) 357-4070
Intermountain Utah Valley Internal Medicine Clinic: (801) 357-7323
Intermountain Provo InstaCare: (801) 357-1770