By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star

Stroll into the Capstone Family Medicine at the new Mat-Su Regional Medical Center on Snowmobile Drive, and you’ll notice something a little different.

Just inside the door is what looks like an ATM. But instead of spitting out cash, it dispenses medicine. The InstyMeds machine is just one of the new services Capstone is offering Eagle River patients.

The Capstone Family Medicine staff (left to right) includes administrative assistant Kirsten Landmesser, medical assistant Kelsey Johnson, Dr. Steve Parker and medical assistant Jessica Batson. They are running a just-opened family practice in Eagle River. Psychologist Mark Andres (not pictured) offers mental services and a second doctor, Heather Jones, will join the practice in the fall. Star Photo by Jill Fankhauser

Parker, who moved to Alaska just days before the clinic opened, is excited to offer prenatal care and obstetrics to women expecting babies.

“That’s a very fun part of the practice and probably the most satisfying - and it’s always at two or three in the morning - but it’s such an incredible thing,” Parker said.

Parker, a former Army doctor, has hospital privileges at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. He lives nearby the hospital and commutes into Eagle River since he expects to deliver babies at the hospital and wants to be close by.

“I would think new moms would want that,” Parker said.

He’s cared for hundreds of mothers and has only missed a couple of deliveries, he said. And in cases of cesarean sections, he will assist the hospital’s obstetrician for the surgery.

Parker also said one of the benefits of having hospital privileges at Mat-Su is he can follow through with a patient’s care if admitted.

“When the patient is sick, you are there,” Parker said. “Not only do you get the opportunity so see the patient here for their blood pressure check, but if a patient got pneumonia or something like that, you could be there for them at the hospital. It’s someone you’re comfortable with and who you’ve built a level of trust with.”

Capstone should be able to provide about 95 percent of a patient’s health needs at the clinic, Parker said. There is an on-site lab to process blood work for common blood tests, a procedure room to remove skin legions, perform vasectomies and complex gynecological care and a mental health office.

“It’s very much a one-stop shop,” Parker said.

Psychologist Mark Andrews is on staff to provide therapy and group sessions and psychiatrist Kaye Zwaicher will be joining the practice soon.

“In a private practice probably 30 to 40 percent of patients have some kind of a problem with depression or anxiety,” Parker said. “I’m sure there is a lot of seasonal affective disorder here. It’s very nice to have Mark here for someone who might not totally be covered with medicine.”

The Mat-Su Regional Medical Center where Capstone is housed will also offer x-rays, ultrasound scans and a minor surgery center. The equipment is in place, but the offices haven’t opened yet. That should hopefully happen by the end of summer, Parker said.

Parker is eager to offer complete medical services locally.

“I’m sure a vast majority of people go to Anchorage for medical care,” he said “Maybe we can start to redirect them here.”

Capstone will add a new doctor, Heather Jones, in the fall. She is currently wrapping up her career as an Air Force doctor. Right now, Parker is the only doctor in the practice.

Parker moved with his wife, Heather, and their five children, with one more due in November, to Alaska from Michigan after looking for and finding a faith-based medical practice. Capstone is a Christian organization. Although the staff doesn’t evangelize or proselytize, if patients want spiritual care - the staff is open to a patient’s needs. Parker will pray with or pray for patients if they ask for it.

Parker is also excited about working in a growing family practice.

“Every family practice doctor enjoys the variety,” Parker said about the types of patients he sees and medical issues family doctors deal with.

The doctor also enjoys taking care of the whole family - moms, kids, dads and grandparents. It helps him get to know his patients and their lifestyles, and gives him a big picture people’s health.

“I like the generational care,” he said.

Capstone is accepting new patients, including Medicare and Medicaid, and accepts most major medical insurance.

Reach the reporter at jillfankhauser.@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, June 25, 2009.