Red Feather clinic begins partnership with Miramont

By Stephen Clearheart Johnson
North Forty News

Red Feather Medical Clinic is partnering with the new medical provider in Wellington, Miramont Family Medicine of Fort Collins.

"I'll be able to spend more time with my patients," said Dr. Janice Weixelman, O.D., who founded the Red Feather clinic. At one time, Weixelman also had a clinic in Wellington.

Miramont is augmenting the Red Feather clinic with additional administrative staff to fully incorporate electronic medical records. Also, the new staff is updating and refreshing the inventory of supplies and medicines.

For several years, Weixelman has divided her time among a number of medical jobs, including being the only doctor in Red Feather Lakes. Now, she said, "I'll be able to stop moonlighting...I can just be a doctor."

Miramont opened its Wellington clinic at 8017 First St. on Feb. 2, two days after Cheyenne Regional Medical Center closed its medical center at 7859 Sixth St. CRMC's clinic had served the Wellington area for two and one-half years. Upon leaving, it transferred 2,800 patient records to Miramont.

Dr. John Bender, who with his wife, Teresa, owns the Miramont practice, said in a recent interview that the Wellington clinic "is now breaking even," which bodes well for the future.

He said Miramont is looking at various sites in Wellington for a new building. Its current location is the former home of Wellington Eye Care.

According to Weixelman, services in Wellington will increase to include "diabetes education and management, expanded lab services, urgent care and, eventually, specialty clinics."

"We plan to add X-ray and expand hours at both locations," she added.

The Red Feather clinic had been exploring ways to become a certified Rural Health Center, which would boost revenue with increased Medicare payments and help attract new staff through added financial incentives. Bender noted that because Miramont is a for-profit organization, it will apply for status as a "federally qualified equivalent."

Weixelman is confident in the new arrangements. "Miramont has the administrative personnel and knowledge to attend to the business of medicine, and Dr. Bender recognizes the importance, similarities and differences that can ultimately lead to the success of both clinics," she said.