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ENLARGE
Neurosurgeon: Dr. Lawrence Maccree is a new neurosurgeon at the Roseburg Clinic. He performs surgery on people who have conditions affecting areas such as the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. Maccree moved from Detroit to Roseburg in search of a quieter community to raise his family.
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ENLARGE
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Exam: Dr. Cynthia Abacan, right, checks the thyroid of patient Jenny Radmer last week. Abacan, who’s an endocrinologist, is a new doctor at The Wellness
Clinic in Roseburg. She originally hails from the Philippines.
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ENLARGE
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Dr. Mia Scheufele, a neurologist, began her new job at the Roseburg Clinic in July. She works with people who have health problems such as migraines, strokes, Parkinson’s disease or carpal tunnel. Part of her job is reading electroencephalograms, a test used to look for brain activity abnormalities.
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ENLARGE
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(left to right).
Top Row: Abacan, Dubrow, Maccree Middle Row: Micek, Ondracek, Ramsey. Bottom Row: Sathianathan, Spence, Scheufele. |
The hospital room where Dr. Cynthia Abacan expected to find a patient was empty. Bewildered, she asked for help and was directed to another area of Mercy Medical Center. The hospital is under construction and she was in a closed-off section.
"I was so embarrassed," she said, laughing.
Abacan, who's an endocrinologist, is a new doctor at the Wellness Clinic in Roseburg and is learning her way around. The construction doesn't help.
"I'm finding out what it's like to be the new kid on the block," said Abacan, who's from the Philippines.
Abacan is one of nine new doctors in Douglas County who are working at the Wellness Clinic, Mercy Medical Center, Roseburg Clinic, Umpqua Community Health Center and Apogee Medical Group.
They were recruited by a committee of between eight to 20 health professionals. The number depends on how many people are involved in the hiring process.
The group recruits doctors year-round, but most of the new doctors arrive in late summer because they've just finished their schooling, said Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, committee chairman. The committee formed three years ago and has brought about 30 physicians to town.
The group recruits doctors based on a community-needs assessment survey, which is conducted annually by Solucient, a research company for health care businesses based out of Evanston, Ill.
The company compares the area's population and age of residents with the number of doctors serving the area and determines where there are gaps in service, said Kathleen Nickel, spokeswoman for Mercy Medical Center.
Committee members introduce potential doctors to local health professionals and take them on tours of the medical facilities. They work closely with the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce to connect potential doctors with clubs or groups in the community. Real estate agents show the doctors what kind of housing is available.
"It's difficult to get them here, and we want them to stay here," Nickel said.
Many of these physicians are trained in urban areas and it can be difficult to recruit them to a rural community, Dannenhoffer said.
Part of the committee's job is to show them what's attractive about rural life. For instance, there are fewer traffic jams and lots of outdoor recreation, he said.
It's important to have the new doctors stay in town because it gives Douglas County residents a chance to receive care locally, Dannenhoffer said. They don't have to travel to places such as Eugene or Medford.
Three of the new doctors, Abacan, Lawrence Maccree and Mia Scheufele, recently talked about their reasons for deciding to practice in Roseburg. Maccree likes the idea of raising a family here. Abacan wants to be part of a new culture and Scheufele was attracted to the area's beauty and its outdoor recreation.
All three are excited about their future in the community.
<b>NEW CULTURE</b>
After finishing an internal medicine internship, residency and fellowship in Cleveland, Abacan decided she wanted to stay in the states to practice medicine.
Abacan, who grew up in Meycauayan in the Bulacan Province, Philippines, originally thought she would return to her native country to work.
"I was so embarrassed," she said, laughing.
Abacan, who's an endocrinologist, is a new doctor at the Wellness Clinic in Roseburg and is learning her way around. The construction doesn't help.
"I'm finding out what it's like to be the new kid on the block," said Abacan, who's from the Philippines.
Abacan is one of nine new doctors in Douglas County who are working at the Wellness Clinic, Mercy Medical Center, Roseburg Clinic, Umpqua Community Health Center and Apogee Medical Group.
They were recruited by a committee of between eight to 20 health professionals. The number depends on how many people are involved in the hiring process.
The group recruits doctors year-round, but most of the new doctors arrive in late summer because they've just finished their schooling, said Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, committee chairman. The committee formed three years ago and has brought about 30 physicians to town.
The group recruits doctors based on a community-needs assessment survey, which is conducted annually by Solucient, a research company for health care businesses based out of Evanston, Ill.
The company compares the area's population and age of residents with the number of doctors serving the area and determines where there are gaps in service, said Kathleen Nickel, spokeswoman for Mercy Medical Center.
Committee members introduce potential doctors to local health professionals and take them on tours of the medical facilities. They work closely with the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce to connect potential doctors with clubs or groups in the community. Real estate agents show the doctors what kind of housing is available.
"It's difficult to get them here, and we want them to stay here," Nickel said.
Many of these physicians are trained in urban areas and it can be difficult to recruit them to a rural community, Dannenhoffer said.
Part of the committee's job is to show them what's attractive about rural life. For instance, there are fewer traffic jams and lots of outdoor recreation, he said.
It's important to have the new doctors stay in town because it gives Douglas County residents a chance to receive care locally, Dannenhoffer said. They don't have to travel to places such as Eugene or Medford.
Three of the new doctors, Abacan, Lawrence Maccree and Mia Scheufele, recently talked about their reasons for deciding to practice in Roseburg. Maccree likes the idea of raising a family here. Abacan wants to be part of a new culture and Scheufele was attracted to the area's beauty and its outdoor recreation.
All three are excited about their future in the community.
<b>NEW CULTURE</b>
After finishing an internal medicine internship, residency and fellowship in Cleveland, Abacan decided she wanted to stay in the states to practice medicine.
Abacan, who grew up in Meycauayan in the Bulacan Province, Philippines, originally thought she would return to her native country to work.
But once she began to practice medicine in the United States, she became excited about the type of research being done and the technology available here. The Philippines is a third-world country without a lot of resources, she said.
She also liked knowing she would have more independence in her practice. In the Philippines, younger doctors are overseen by veteran physicians for a longer period of time, she said.
"I thought it would restrict my growth as a doctor," the 32-year-old said.
When a friend, Dr. Gabriel Bou Merhi, who's now a co-worker, told her about an opening in Roseburg, she decided to apply. She was looking for jobs all over the nation, but found Roseburg had a congenial medical community.
Abacan said most importantly, she wanted a positive working environment. The job can be stressful enough without issues with co-workers, she said.
"People have been so warm and sincere," Abacan said.
Abacan began work in August at the Wellness Clinic and cares for patients who have health issues such as diabetes, thyroid or pituitary gland problems. She loves her job because she's fascinated with how the human body works.
"One body part talks to another part of the body and you're able to make up the story of what's going on," she said.
Abacan, who's single, is keeping busy with her new practice and furnishing her apartment. She hopes to get more involved in the community once she's settled.
<b>FAMILY ATMOSPHERE</b>
The philosophy that a small town is a good place to raise a family brought Maccree, a neurosurgeon, to Roseburg.
Maccree and his wife, Tiffany, have four children: Brittany, 16, Haley, 13, David, 11, and Cassandra, 3. Maccree just finished a rotating internship and neurological surgery residency program in Detroit, and was ready for a quieter community.
"Detroit never entered our minds as a permanent stop," Maccree said. "We were going to look elsewhere."
He and his wife, who's a homemaker, didn't want to raise their children in a place with a lot of crime. They previously lived in the Los Angeles area, while Maccree earned his medical degree.
Maccree, 39, started his job at the Roseburg Clinic in August after being recruited to the area by Dr. Jerry Boggs, a neurologist. He chose Roseburg over other smaller communities because he liked the mountains, trees and weather. He and his wife bought a house on 80 acres of land in Umpqua. They now have four dogs, some goats and a horse.
"We're trying to become farmers," Maccree said, chuckling.
The family is also finding their niche in the community. Maccree has joined the Rotary Club, while his children are active in sports and band at their schools. They also attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She also liked knowing she would have more independence in her practice. In the Philippines, younger doctors are overseen by veteran physicians for a longer period of time, she said.
"I thought it would restrict my growth as a doctor," the 32-year-old said.
When a friend, Dr. Gabriel Bou Merhi, who's now a co-worker, told her about an opening in Roseburg, she decided to apply. She was looking for jobs all over the nation, but found Roseburg had a congenial medical community.
Abacan said most importantly, she wanted a positive working environment. The job can be stressful enough without issues with co-workers, she said.
"People have been so warm and sincere," Abacan said.
Abacan began work in August at the Wellness Clinic and cares for patients who have health issues such as diabetes, thyroid or pituitary gland problems. She loves her job because she's fascinated with how the human body works.
"One body part talks to another part of the body and you're able to make up the story of what's going on," she said.
Abacan, who's single, is keeping busy with her new practice and furnishing her apartment. She hopes to get more involved in the community once she's settled.
<b>FAMILY ATMOSPHERE</b>
The philosophy that a small town is a good place to raise a family brought Maccree, a neurosurgeon, to Roseburg.
Maccree and his wife, Tiffany, have four children: Brittany, 16, Haley, 13, David, 11, and Cassandra, 3. Maccree just finished a rotating internship and neurological surgery residency program in Detroit, and was ready for a quieter community.
"Detroit never entered our minds as a permanent stop," Maccree said. "We were going to look elsewhere."
He and his wife, who's a homemaker, didn't want to raise their children in a place with a lot of crime. They previously lived in the Los Angeles area, while Maccree earned his medical degree.
Maccree, 39, started his job at the Roseburg Clinic in August after being recruited to the area by Dr. Jerry Boggs, a neurologist. He chose Roseburg over other smaller communities because he liked the mountains, trees and weather. He and his wife bought a house on 80 acres of land in Umpqua. They now have four dogs, some goats and a horse.
"We're trying to become farmers," Maccree said, chuckling.
The family is also finding their niche in the community. Maccree has joined the Rotary Club, while his children are active in sports and band at their schools. They also attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a neurosurgeon, Maccree will perform surgery on people who have conditions affecting areas such as the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. He enjoys his job because he often sees immediate results after surgery. People will wake up from the procedure and say they feel better.
"I hope to provide them with good surgical care," he said. "They can stay in town instead of going out of town for care."
<b>
GREAT OUTDOORS</b>
The rolling hills and Douglas fir trees in Roseburg instantly reminded Scheufele, a neurologist, of her childhood.
She lived in a small community about an hour northeast of Frankfurt, Germany, for six years as a child, and says the gorgeous landscape is similar.
Scheufele drove through Roseburg for the first time on a road trip in February 2004 and fell in love with the area. She was so excited about the locale, she decided to make Roseburg her home.
Scheufele looked up Boggs, and asked if there was room for another doctor in town. She had just finished a residency in neurology and a fellowship in neurophysiology in Dallas, Texas. Scheufele, who's single, grew up in Dallas, and her family still lives there.
At first, Boggs wasn't sure if there was a need for another neurologist, but then he became swamped with patients and asked her to apply, she said.
Scheufele, 31, began her new job at the Roseburg Clinic in July and has stayed busy. She works with people who have health problems such as migraines, strokes, Parkinson's disease or carpal tunnel. Scheufele diagnoses and treats the problem unless the treatment involves surgery.
Scheufele likes her work because it requires her to use problem-solving skills to figure out how to help patients.
"A typical day never seems boring," Scheufele said.
Outside of work, Scheufele is enjoying the outdoors, which is what brought her here. She's an avid bicyclist and has joined the Umpqua Velo Club. The bike riding in the area is the best she's ever experienced, she said. In two months of riding, the club hasn't taken the same route twice. She also enjoys hiking and has already climbed Mount Thielsen. Once winter arrives, she hopes to start cross-country skiing.
"It feels like I've been here a really long time already," she said. "I feel so comfortable."
"I hope to provide them with good surgical care," he said. "They can stay in town instead of going out of town for care."
<b>
GREAT OUTDOORS</b>
The rolling hills and Douglas fir trees in Roseburg instantly reminded Scheufele, a neurologist, of her childhood.
She lived in a small community about an hour northeast of Frankfurt, Germany, for six years as a child, and says the gorgeous landscape is similar.
Scheufele drove through Roseburg for the first time on a road trip in February 2004 and fell in love with the area. She was so excited about the locale, she decided to make Roseburg her home.
Scheufele looked up Boggs, and asked if there was room for another doctor in town. She had just finished a residency in neurology and a fellowship in neurophysiology in Dallas, Texas. Scheufele, who's single, grew up in Dallas, and her family still lives there.
At first, Boggs wasn't sure if there was a need for another neurologist, but then he became swamped with patients and asked her to apply, she said.
Scheufele, 31, began her new job at the Roseburg Clinic in July and has stayed busy. She works with people who have health problems such as migraines, strokes, Parkinson's disease or carpal tunnel. Scheufele diagnoses and treats the problem unless the treatment involves surgery.
Scheufele likes her work because it requires her to use problem-solving skills to figure out how to help patients.
"A typical day never seems boring," Scheufele said.
Outside of work, Scheufele is enjoying the outdoors, which is what brought her here. She's an avid bicyclist and has joined the Umpqua Velo Club. The bike riding in the area is the best she's ever experienced, she said. In two months of riding, the club hasn't taken the same route twice. She also enjoys hiking and has already climbed Mount Thielsen. Once winter arrives, she hopes to start cross-country skiing.
"It feels like I've been here a really long time already," she said. "I feel so comfortable."
<b>PROFILES OF DOUGLAS COUNTY'S NINE NEW DOCTORS</b>
There are nine new doctors in Douglas County. Following is biographical information about each physician.
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Cynthia Abacan, endocrinologist
<b>WHERE:</b> The Wellness Clinic in Roseburg, 2395 N.W. Stewart Parkway
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Abacan earned her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. She completed an internal medicine internship, residency and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 957-5750
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Marcus Dubrow, emergency
<b>WHERE:</b> Mercy Medical Center’s Emergency Department
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Dubrow earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He completed an emergency medicine internship and residency at Oregon Health & Science University.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-2414
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Lawrence Maccree, neurosurgeon
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 272 Medical Loop, Suite D
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Maccree earned his medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. He completed an internship and neurological surgery residency program at Garden City Hospital, outside of Detroit.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-3399
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Jennifer Micek, family practice
<b>WHERE:</b> Umpqua Community Health Center, 544 W. Umpqua, Suite 206
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Micek earned her medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. She completed an internship and residency in family practice at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Cold Water, Mich.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 672-9596
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Ted Ondracek, pathology
<b>WHERE:</b> Mercy Medical Center’s pathology department
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Ondracek earned his medical degree at the University of Iowa. He completed a residency in pathology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-2483
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Bruce Ramsey, internal medicine
<b>WHERE:</b> Apogee Medical Group, Mercy Medical Center
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Ramsey earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed an internship at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., and a residency in internal medicine at Legacy Portland hospitals.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1773
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Jairus Sathianathan, internal medicine
<b>WHERE:</b> Apogee Medical Group, Mercy Medical Center
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Sathianathan earned his medical degree at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Brookdale University Hospital in New York.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1773
<b>WHO:</b> Christopher Spence, general surgeon
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 2801 N.W. Mercy Drive, Suite 330
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Spence earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed an internship and residency in surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-3600.
<b>WHO:</b> Mia Scheufele, neurology
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 2460 N.W. Stewart Parkway, Suite 200
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Scheufele earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. She completed an internship in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and a residency in neurology and fellowship in neurophysiology at UT Southwestern/Parkland in Dallas.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1282.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
There are nine new doctors in Douglas County. Following is biographical information about each physician.
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Cynthia Abacan, endocrinologist
<b>WHERE:</b> The Wellness Clinic in Roseburg, 2395 N.W. Stewart Parkway
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Abacan earned her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. She completed an internal medicine internship, residency and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 957-5750
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Marcus Dubrow, emergency
<b>WHERE:</b> Mercy Medical Center’s Emergency Department
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Dubrow earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He completed an emergency medicine internship and residency at Oregon Health & Science University.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-2414
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Lawrence Maccree, neurosurgeon
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 272 Medical Loop, Suite D
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Maccree earned his medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. He completed an internship and neurological surgery residency program at Garden City Hospital, outside of Detroit.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-3399
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Jennifer Micek, family practice
<b>WHERE:</b> Umpqua Community Health Center, 544 W. Umpqua, Suite 206
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Micek earned her medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. She completed an internship and residency in family practice at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Cold Water, Mich.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 672-9596
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Ted Ondracek, pathology
<b>WHERE:</b> Mercy Medical Center’s pathology department
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Ondracek earned his medical degree at the University of Iowa. He completed a residency in pathology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-2483
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Bruce Ramsey, internal medicine
<b>WHERE:</b> Apogee Medical Group, Mercy Medical Center
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Ramsey earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed an internship at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., and a residency in internal medicine at Legacy Portland hospitals.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1773
<b>WHO:</b> Dr. Jairus Sathianathan, internal medicine
<b>WHERE:</b> Apogee Medical Group, Mercy Medical Center
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Sathianathan earned his medical degree at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Brookdale University Hospital in New York.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1773
<b>WHO:</b> Christopher Spence, general surgeon
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 2801 N.W. Mercy Drive, Suite 330
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Spence earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed an internship and residency in surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-3600.
<b>WHO:</b> Mia Scheufele, neurology
<b>WHERE:</b> Roseburg Clinic, 2460 N.W. Stewart Parkway, Suite 200
<b>EDUCATION:</b> Scheufele earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. She completed an internship in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and a residency in neurology and fellowship in neurophysiology at UT Southwestern/Parkland in Dallas.
<b>INFORMATION:</b> 677-1282.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
