Logan's New Health Center is a Joint Effort

For Logan students and practitioners, the new Logan Health Center at Southfield is truly a joint effort. By combining the resources of two existing locations, Logan has created an expanded, state-of-the-art center that boasts enhanced technology, specialized equipment and a full staff of expert practitioners.

The 6,200 square-foot Southfield Health Center, which offers the full array of radiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and chiropractic care services, officially opened its doors to patients in south St. Louis County on Aug. 29.

In an effort to make new equipment and technology readily accessible to more patients, Logan combined its existing Webster Groves and Southroads chiropractic health centers into an expanded facility at Southfield Health Center.

“Our Southfield Health Center is twice the size of the previous health centers and we’re located in a neighborhood that can conveniently serve the patients from our combined practices,” said Dr. Michael Wittmer, Logan’s director of clinical care. “With our enhanced services, we offer patients a state-of-the-art environment to receive effective chiropractic health and wellness care, plus sports rehabilitative services.”

The center includes 14 patient treatment rooms, an intake room, two laser treatment rooms, and a physical therapeutic area. In addition, there is space for X-rays, ultrasound, and a full-service laboratory for blood draws. The center also features a BIOFREEZE® Sports & Rehabilitation Center, the first such satellite center to be located off of Logan’s Chesterfield campus.

“We have committed a lot of resources to ensure quality for our patients and our practitioners,” Dr. Wittmer said. “The high-tech equipment means that Logan students, working alongside practicing chiropractors and faculty, will have the opportunity to treat a variety of patient cases, using best technology available.”

Dr. Wittmer anticipates the center will serve more than 150 patients per day with the help of Logan senior interns and residents as well as three full-time supervising clinicians, Dr. Jeffrey Kamper and Dr. Patricia Estrada.

Dr. Estrada feels that this multi-practitioner model will benefit Logan students by emulating the types of health care environments students are likely to encounter after graduation.

“I’m hearing more and more from my recently graduated students that they are practicing at organizations with multiple chiropractors who specialize in a variety of disciplines. This group model is definitely a growing trend,” Dr. Estrada said. “At Southfield, students will naturally learn how to work with other chiropractors and learn from each other’s individual experience and expertise.”

As a Southfield clinician, Dr. Kamper feels the multi-practitioner model will also benefit the patients by giving them access to a broader pool of talent and expertise. “I remind my students that Logan College is a highly respected teaching institution, and as in all disciplines of health care, this is the environment where difficult patient cases are best served,” Dr. Kamper said. “Patients with challenging cases come to our health centers because they know our faculty and clinicians not only have a diversity of experience, but access to the latest technology as well.”

In addition to helping students develop their interpersonal skills in a practice environment, the Southfield Health Center also introduces students to the idea of continuum of care through electronic health record (EHR) technology.

“Logan is one of the first chiropractic clinic systems to provide certified EHR technology,” Dr. Kamper said. “As private practices across the country are being required to keep electronic health records, it is a great opportunity for students to use the technology to learn how it can improve outcomes for individual patients. EHR technology helps to place a patient’s entire health history at the fingertips of their chiropractic practitioner.”

With its state-of-the-art technology and equipment, the Southfield Health Center is also giving students exposure to specialized fields of study. “During clinicals, we really start to see students grow and develop their own interests and specialties,” Dr. Estrada said. “They have a unique opportunity to be introduced to many different types of patient cases, so interns can discover what
areas motivate and excite them.”

With the expanded space, students are introducing health and wellness classes to the community including, Tai Chi, Swiss ball exercise and nutrition instruction. Logan interns are also expected to become familiar with the communities they serve and are responsible for marketing Southfield’s services.

The patient base for the new health center will range from newborns and high school athletes to first responders and seniors citizens. Students are encouraged and expected to provide individual, careful attention to all patients’ health needs. Learning to put science and academics to practice becoming very thorough with their patients. At Southfield, senior interns become chiropractic professionals with exceptional knowledge, expertise and experience in their field.

Logan’s investment in the Southfield Health Center gives both students and patients an enhanced chiropractic experience. Patients have access to expert care and applications of technology and techniques for assessment and treatment. Students learn to help their community one patient at a time in a foremost advanced chiropractic setting.

“Although Logan’s clinic system is affordable for patients, the quality of care provided is excellent,” Dr. Wittmer said. “From EHR technology to our BIOFREEZE Sports & Rehabilitation Center, we have the resources to provide the best possible care, and proper diagnosis with treatment.”