On-Call MD/Physician Coverage

Peak Health has pioneered a unique system for on-call coverage.  The physicians rotate call coverage every 7 days, switching on Wednesdays.  The physician who is on-call does not have office appointments and is available via the 'on-call' pager (alphanumeric messages can also be sent via an internet form).

Rather than have only one day per week of office hours, the on-call MD will be available to see patients at Mount St. Mary's during regular clinic hours on any day on an as-needed basis.  We have arranged our service so that our FNP can contact the MD if she is concerned that a student needs to be seen by a physician urgently, in which case the physician will make every reasonable effort to see the patient within 1-2 hours on the same day.  If it is a situation that can wait and/or there are several students who wish to be seen by an MD on that particular week, advance arrangements may be made to have the on-call physician come to the clinic.  

There are no maximum or minimum number of hours per week that the physician will be present at the clinic.  The on-call physician will also provide substitute on-site coverage in the event of the FNP's absence.

In addition, our FNP has a Nextel cellular phone capable of two-way radio conversations directly with any of the four physicians.  Although we may not always be present on-site, it is vital to us that FNP can practice comfortably with appropriate backup at her fingertips and the students will have their needs met in a timely, convenient manner.