Our Staff
Dr. Michael N. Kirk
Dr. Kirk is a board certified Family Medicine physician. After graduating from the University of Kansas in 1983, he attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine, graduating in 1987. He received residency training at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, completing his training in 1990. After five years at his first practice in a rural setting in Oberlin, Kansas , Dr. Kirk moved his practice to Waterloo, Illinois in 1995.
Dr. Sean D. Lattimore
Dr. Lattimore is board certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. After graduating from the Allegheny College in Meadville, OA in 1993, he attended the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in 1997. He received his internship and residency training at Ohio University at Firelands Community Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio completing his training in 2000. Dr. Lattimore began his practice in Waterloo, Illinois in July 2000. He is currently accepting new patients.
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)?
D.O.'s (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. They assess the overall health of their patients rather than treating specific symptoms and illnesses. As a D.O., I focus on preventative medicine. My training involves more focus on the musculoskeletal system : including nerves, muscles, and bones. These three areas are interconnected in this system to provide the body a mechanism of maintaining good health. With this training, I have learned OMT, Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, which enables me to take a hands-on approach to diagnose injury and illness as well as to treat those areas and encourage the body's natural tendency to heal itself. For example, manipulation can be used to treat acute and chronic pain, promote sinus drainage, and help move fluids and swelling throughout the body.
Dr. Sandra J. Hodel
GENERAL PEDIATRICS AND ADHD
Dr. Hodel is board certified in Pediatrics. She is a fellow with the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). She graduated from Houston Baptist University in 1977. She attained a Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Chemistry. She received her medical training at U.T.M.B. in Galveston, Texas and her Pediatric Residency at University of Oklahoma Tulsa College of Medicine in 1984. After proudly serving in the USAF at Fairfield AFB, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she has practiced.
Andrea N. Thomas, PA-C
Andrea is a board-certified Physician's Assistant who completed her PA studies at St. Louis University in 2000. She attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) for her Undergraduate Studies in Biology. Upon completion of her PA studies, she moved to Danville, Illinois to gain experience in Pediatric Medicine. As her roots were in Missouri, she searched for an opportunity to bring her closer to her family. She had the opportunity to work in an underserved neighborhood clinic in the city which offered her great experience to serve patients of all ages and health conditions. She hopes to bring her knowledge and love to the friendly town of Waterloo.
What is a Physicians Assistant?
Physician Assistants (or PAs) practice medicine with physician supervision. Like physicians, PAs are trained in the medical model in education programs that are located at medical schools, teaching hospitals, and academic medical centers. The scope of a PAs practice is directed by state policies as well as the facility policies where they assist physicians. PFC utilizes PAs in this capacity under direct supervision in order to provide comprehensive care for our patients.
Physician Assistants complete roughly two years of college courses in basic science and behavioral science prior to their PA training. Most PAs have earned a bachelor's degree and have an average of 48 months of health care experience before they are admitted to a program. They typical PA program is usually 25-27 months in length. PAs complete on average over 2000 hours of supervised clinical practice prior to graduation.
The underlying premise of the PA profession is the commitment to practicing in physician-directed teams. Our PAs practice in a team approach directed by the physicians of PFC. We provide both direct supervision with the PA and patient as well as review their chart on a daily basis. We encourage our patients to request physician oversight at any time during their care provided by the PA. The physicians of PFC are committed to patient care and actively train our PAs to ensure the quality of health care provided to our patients.
Tracy Hasler, MSN, ANP-C
Tracy is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner, certified by the National Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Maryville University in St. Louis. She had experience providing care to those ages 12 and above. Over the years, she has provided patient care in various healthcare settings including acute care, primary care and long term care facilities.
What is a Certified Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners [NPs] are advanced practice nurses who provide high-quality healthcare services similar to those of a doctor. NPs diagnose and treat a wide variety of health problems. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and x-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.
The core philosophy of the Nurse Practitioner is individualized care. NPs focus on patients’ conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. Making prevention, wellness and patient education top priorities. This can mean fewer prescriptions and less expensive treatments. Informing patients about their healthcare and encouraging them to participate in decisions are central to the care provided by NPs.
NPs have graduate, advanced education and clinical training beyond their registered nurse preparation. NPs are licensed in all states. They practice under the rules and regulations of the state in which they are licensed. NPs are nationally certified in their specialty area and are recognized as expert healthcare providers.
Other Staff
We have a large staff servicing the needs of our patients. The front office handles scheduling and patient account information. The nursing staff gives immunizations checks patients into rooms, and answers the phones as a triage system. The triage system allows us to more efficiently provide refills on medications, answer patient questions, and schedule appointments. Our referral person works with the insurance companies and specialists office to provide efficient turnaround in making appointments with other offices and scheduling tests.