Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion List your great doc here! doctor in Utah??

anyone know of a good doctor in Utah?

I noticed some posts for docs in Arizona, but havent seen any for Utah....Just thought I would pass this on to you.

I'm planning on a job transfer up to Utah. Did you ever find a good Rheumy, and in what area do you live? I know this post is months old.

I live in Logan and see the rheumatologist Dr. Corey Walker at the Budge Clinic. I'm pretty new at this (just got a dx back in June), and I've only seen him twice, but so far I like him. He knows his stuff, was quick to give me a proper diagnoses (which I am 100% sure of as well) based on my background and various tests. He has made it clear to me that I have a plethora of treatments available, including NSAIDs, DMARDs, and biologics. He doesn't beat around the bush, and is willing to "tell me like it is", and I appreciate that. He will not baby you, but I feel it's important for us to acknowledge and accept our disease(s). Early on, I had tummy trouble with my original prescription NSAID, and I was able to call the office, and very quickly get the prescription adjusted to something I am now doing much better on. And I feel comfort knowing that if it gets to the point where I need biologics, that they will be readily available to me, especially after reading other peoples' horror stories about trying to get proper medication.

I pm'd you as well but thought I'd post this so ppl could see.

Could you give me his contact info.? He sounds like a possibility, and I haven't had much success with rheumys so far. A couple questions for you:
What was the wait time before your appmt.?
How much time did you get with him as opposed to a PA?
Did he push any specific kind of medication more than others, or did he seem to evaluate what would work best based on you personally as opposed to preconceptions?
Thanks, I appreciate it. Look forward to hearing how your padma works for you.

I PM'ed you back with a more detailed response. His contact info is here:

http://intermountainhealthcare.org/providers/profile.html?id=32020&brand=sh

In answer to your questions:
My wait time was about 3 weeks as a new patient. Can't vouch for that for everyone. My typical visit is about 30 minutes. I typically bring a list of questions to make the best use of time and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. He has made all AS medications available to me, but he is especially keen on biologics. He thinks they are the best option, but is not pushy about it either (I haven't tried biologics yet, too afraid of cost and side effects). Right now, I am on meloximam and am just beginning sulfasalazine, under my own request.

Hope that helps.

Indeed it did, thanks.

are you still with this doctor? my sister is the one with AS and she is having an extremely difficult time getting in to see her doctor, as well as having her doctors communicate between each other. I suggested sending her up to University of Utah hospital. She's on Medicare (with medicade backup) and it makes it difficult to find docs that will take it.

wendizz - yes, I am still with Dr. Walker at the Logan IHC Budge Clinic. As far as I know, he's the only game in town, so I haven't looked elsewhere (nor had any reason to). I don't know their Medicare policy or his availability for new patients. Perhaps call their office using the link I posted earlier in this thread.

I DO know that I never have trouble getting in, although I have never had to change an appointment or have a non-scheduled appointment. All of my care providers are in the Budge Clinic (podiatrist, sports doc, x-ray techs, blood lab, pharmacy, etc.), so communication is excellent between offices, and I can tell that Dr. Walker reads my charts because he will bring up visits I had with different doctors without me mentioning it first. They have a pretty good electronic database over here at IHC, and all of my x-rays and notes with any doctor are immediately available to any other doctor.

Their nursing and office staff in the Rheumatology clinic is also excellent. I just started Enbrel a couple weeks ago. The staff almost literally carried me through the process, worked with my insurance, worked with Enbrel financial aid, and also gave me leads on non-profit financial aid groups to help with co-pays. It was only a couple weeks between telling them I wanted to try Enbrel and getting my first shot. I was also able to sit down with a nurse for a solid hour and go through the finances of Enbrel vs. Remicade, as well as a Q&A on Enbrel on all of my concerns. She then helped me administer the first shot with an office sample. When I call over there, they know who I am. I was very pleased with the whole experience and the education I received.