Georgette D. Farmer, ARNP-C assists patients of internal medicine specialist Dr. Stephen Swengros from Watson Clinic Highlands at 2300 E. County Road 540A in south Lakeland.
Working together, these highly experienced medical providers offer a range of general primary care services, preventative screenings, and fast and comforting treatments for sick visits.
They also honor same day appointments for established patients when a minor illness or injury demands more immediate attention. This service helps patients attain the level of care they need without the long waits and high costs of an emergency room visit.
Ms. Farmer’s areas of expertise include diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia management, pap smears and gerontology. In the following Q & A, she delves deeper into these popular healthcare services and others.
Q: Why are Pap tests crucial?
A: Since women have started having pap tests, cervical cancer deaths have dropped by more than half. Pap tests detect cancer at its earliest stages when it is most curable, and they can also spot cells that have the potential to turn cancerous over time. This allows us to stop cancer before it has a chance to form.
Women should begin pap test screening at the age of 21, and continue every three years until they turn 29. After the age of 30, the test should be combined with another procedure that looks for HPV, a condition that can also cause cervical cancer. Women should have these two tests every five years, or they can opt to continue their Pap screening alone every three years. Of course, if you’re at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screenings.
Q: Over 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with high blood pressure every year. Why is this condition such a danger to patients, and what can be done to treat it?
A: Hypertension is an insidious condition, because many people aren’t even aware that they have it until it results in chronic issues like heart disease or stroke. Fortunately, the condition is easy to detect when you’re evaluated by a doctor. Usually it can be controlled through simple lifestyle changes, exercise, a sensible diet, and avoiding smoking and overdrinking. Sometimes medications might be necessary. Of course, if a patient has suffered any additional medical issues due to high blood pressure, we work to help them properly manage those as well.
Q: What are some other chronic conditions you treat?
A: Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, requires careful monitoring and maintenance. Diabetes prevention, diagnosis and management is also a big part of what we do. In each of these instances, we help the patient structure healthier eating and lifestyle habits, assist them with medications and treatments that can further empower them in their fight against the disease, and offer easy referrals to additional physicians throughout Watson Clinic when more specialized care is needed.
Q: What do think your patients appreciate most about your practice?
A: Our practice feels like a comforting family. Some of our patients have sought care from Dr. Swengros since he first started with Watson Clinic 25 years ago. It’s been an honor to serve patients alongside Dr. Swengros and to help them lead healthier and more productive lives.
From routine check-ups to preventative screenings to the effective management of chronic conditions, we work to not only treat our patients when they’re ill or have health issues, but to keep them well and free from illness through every stage of their lives.
Appointments are currently available for Dr. Swengros and Ms. Farmer, including same-day availability for established patients.
Call 863-680-7190 or schedule your appointment, or simply visit your MyChart at Watson Clinic LLP patient portal at WatsonClinic.com/Patient Portal.