That mix of services changes from time to time, and some new changes are on the horizon for 2012 -- while others have recently occurred.

Specifically:

• In August 2011, pharmacist Leslie Shimp, Pharm.D., began seeing patients on an appointment basis to help manage medications. 
   
• Also in August, dietician Ruth Blackburn, MPH, R.D., began offering consults with patients on an appointment basis regarding management of diabetes, high cholesterol, weight problems, and blood pressure control. 
   
• U-M pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Robert Hensinger, M.D., began seeing young patients at Chelsea in early fall. 
   
• On Feb. 13, Rodney Dewyer, M.D., will move his General Medicine practice to U-M’s Briarwood Medical Group. Patients can choose to follow him or transfer their care to one of the 16 U-M Family Medicine physicians practicing at Chelsea, or to general medicine physicians at other U-M health centers including the West Ann Arbor health center. 
   
• After Feb. 18, general surgeon Jose Soriano, M.D., will no longer be affiliated with U-M, and will move to another practice within the Chelsea community. Patients who require follow-up care to past procedures performed by him will be able to receive it at any of the General Surgery clinics including Brighton, Domino’s Farms, and the Taubman Center on the main campus in Ann Arbor.
   
• In April, Jane McCort, M.D. will move her General Medicine practice to U-M’s East Ann Arbor Health Center and Kathryn Dietz, M.D. will move her General Medicine practice to U-M’s Saline Health Center. Patients can choose to follow them or transfer their care to one of the 16 U-M Family Medicine physicians practicing at Chelsea, or to general medicine physicians at other U-M health centers including the West Ann Arbor health center. 
   
• In spring, Chris Hood M.D. of the U-M Kellogg Eye Center will begin offering a new Ophthalmology service at Chelsea.
   
• Also in April, U-M’s Alison Gizinski, M.D., M.S., will begin offering specialized Rheumatology services at Chelsea.

The Chelsea Health Center will continue to offer a wide range of other services, including Family Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry/Behavioral Health, Spine Clinic services, Acupuncture, Women's Health and Sports Medicine. An MLabs blood draw station, which offers convenient access to U-M’s full range of testing services, is also available.

Pregnant patients who receive prenatal care at Chelsea Family Medicine will continue to be able to deliver their babies at U-M’s all-new Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital.

The Chelsea Health Center even offers WebVisits, a secure way to consult with a U-M physician online. And a Baby Care Basics class is offered on a regular basis for expectant parents.

The decision to end General Medicine and General Surgery services at Chelsea is a complex one and was not made lightly. The U-M Health System recognizes the inconvenience it may pose to some patients, but remains committed to serving the Chelsea community. We are working to find new positions for staff displaced by this transition.