House Call: A Passion for Family Care
By: Peter Jewell, MD, Family Practice
I decided to become a doctor later in life (at the age of 40!) for one reason: I felt a calling to help others. It is now a privilege to share that passion with the people I care for. I recently relocated my practice from Roswell to Artesia and while I’m new to the area, I cared for Artesia community members for more than a decade at my previous practice. In a way, it feels like I’ve come home.
Part of why I chose family medicine is to be able to care for an entire family, no matter their age or stage in life. I’ve seen patients from ages 1 to 90, and it’s not uncommon for me to care for multiple generations within a family, which can be really helpful if there’s a genetic disease. It’s a joy to see kids grow up from toddlers to teenagers, and to get to know parents and grandparents. So much of being a doctor is listening, which means hearing interesting stories and learning.
I’ve also had my fair share of health issues: I’ve survived heart disease, I’ve lived with diabetes for more than 40 years, and I’ve undergone several orthopedic surgeries. These experiences help me relate to many of my patients and play a big role in my empathy and communication style. It’s important to me that my patients fully understand their health, their treatments, their medications and their path forward. Every person’s needs are different, and everyone deserves an individualized approach.
So, what is family medicine? Who should see me and when? I am here for you when you’re injured or not feeling well. When you’re worried about your health but don’t know what’s wrong. And even when you’re feeling great and want to keep things that way—prevention is key and annual wellness checkups are an important part of maintaining good health. I provide a range of services, including pediatric care, women’s and men’s care, diabetes and hyperthyroidism management, hypertension control, pain management for arthritis, physical exams, screening tests, immunizations, coordination of care with specialists and much more!
My office is open and I’m accepting new patients. When the time comes, I hope you’ll schedule an appointment with me. I promise to always put your health first, to listen with an open mind and to do everything I can to get to the root of your problem.
To request an appointment with Dr. Jewell, call Memorial Family Practice at 575.746.3119.