Leap of Faith at total urgent care

Mary Paramore,
HBL Associate Editor
10/10/08

When asked why a passage from the Bible’s book of II Corinthians adorns the wall behind the patient registration desk at Total Urgent Care in Edgewood, Theresa Lewis was quick to answer: “Because it’s true.”

That verse, “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” aptly describes the leap of faith taken by Theresa and Bruce Lewis when they opened their occupational health care practice four years ago.

Both devout Christians, the Lewises are professionals who decided to stop working for other people and start working for themselves. She’s an electrical engineer-turned-business manager. He’s a physician assistant determined to own a medical practice.

Total Urgent Care first opened in 2004, after Bruce’s employer was bought out. The couple started small, stepping out in faith with just 1,000 sq. ft. of space and determination to succeed. Their faith was rewarded. They recently moved to a 3,000 sq. ft. build-to-suit location in the Emmorton Business Park, near the intersection of Rt. 24 and I-95.

Total Urgent Care specializes in workplace medicine and is growing into its name as an urgent care provider as Theresa negotiates with insurance providers. They now accept Tri-care Standard and soon expect to accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare. The practice is under the medical supervision of Dr. Patricia Dillen who works part-time as supervising physician and medical director.

“We don’t want to grow too big, too fast. I think companies make that mistake sometimes,” Theresa said. With big-name clients like Harford County Government, Upper Chesapeake Health System, Frito Lay, Rite Aid and Nutramax Laboratories, future growth seems inevitable for the business that now employs seven full- and part-time employees, not counting the Lewises.

“By directing workers here, it gives employers confidence they will get the proper treatment,” Theresa said. “If an injured worker goes to an ER, they may get a few days off work when that’s not necessary. Our medical provider determines if the employee can do modified or light duty, to help keep people on the job and keep costs down."

Among the services offered to businesses under contract are:
Exams: pre- and post-employment, Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals, periodic/annual, return to work, respiratory compliance, U.S. Army Personnel Reliability Program, fitness for duty, medical surveillance and pre-operative
Urgent care: work-related injuries, sprains and fractures, lacerations and minor eye injuries
Health care: DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol testing, random drug and alcohol screens, spirometry, audiometry, respirator fit testing, inoculations and hazardous body fluid exposure

Other services include x-rays, electrocardiograms, lab work and a limited pharmacy. Walk-in patients are seen for minor emergencies, low-grade fevers, rashes, cuts, strains and sprains, sore throats, coughs and runny noses, sports physicals, school physicals, lab work, x-rays and immunizations.

Employers and insurance companies may pay for most services, but  patients are the customers at Total Urgent Care.

“From the time they walk in the door until they leave, they see smiling faces and courteous and compassionate service,” Theresa said.

The Lewises met while attending college at Morgan State University in Baltimore. They decided to settle first in Perry Hall and then in Edgewood after Theresa was hired at Aberdeen Proving Ground. They have three children, Ephraim, 11, Timothy, 5, and Jemez, 3.

Cover caption: Bruce and Theresa Lewis are owners of Total Urgent Care in Edgewood. The company specializes in occupational and workplace medicine. The Lewises say they and their staff walk by faith on a daily basis.