Green Valley Medical (Tucson, Oro Valley, Pima: ob-gyn, houses, schools)

[Canine*Castle]

What do you guys think about the medical services in Green Valley? Since it's a retirement town, I would assume they're pretty good.

Is there anything that can't be done in GV and one would need to go to Tucson? I will check all this out on my visit this summer, but would like feedback for those who would like to chime in.

Thank you.

[Sockeye66]

My 76 year old mother lives South of GV and usually goes into town once a week for her medical needs. Never has had to travel into Tucson for anything and she's happy with her medical care.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

What do you guys think about the medical services in Green Valley? Since it's a retirement town, I would assume they're pretty good.

Is there anything that can't be done in GV and one would need to go to Tucson? I will check all this out on my visit this summer, but would like feedback for those who would like to chime in.

Thank you.

There are a good number of physicians in the Green Valley. Most specialties are represented either by full time physicians or by Tucson physicians who have office hours in Green Valley two days a week.

There are an adequate number of physicians in Green Valley for the permanent population. However, the population swells to at least double during the busy season which places a great deal of stress on the medical resources of the area.

What adds additional stress is that many of the people coming to Green Valley are generally serviced by large physician groups in suburban areas who are used to being able to call their group in the AM and see someone THAT day. Most primary care physicians in Green Valley are booked completely solid all day long during the winter months and it is difficult to get in to the office THAT day. You may not see the doctor for a couple of days. MOST practices do NOT have physician assistants or nurse practitioners that can handle the overflow.

Do realize that anything south of Tucson would be considered a rural area. One of the main missions of the University of Arizona College of Medicine is to develop physicians to work in the underserved rural areas like Green Valley. The problem that Green Valley has in attracting physicians is the lack of non-age restricted housing and the lack of quality schools. Most physicians that I use live in Oro Valley and commute the 35-40 miles each way each day ... and that gets pretty old even without the bad weather.

There are a good number of specialties that you can receive care from in Green Valley. However, you can expect to go to Tucson for a number of things:

Trauma care
OB-GYN surgery
Major cardiac procedures (bypass, pacemakers, etc.)
Major oncology services
Most ICU services

Most GV doctors are affiliated with the three major hospital chains (Carondelet, Banner, or Northwest). Each one of them has their benefits and shortcomings. Also, a good number of GV residents are retired military and receive services at the VA Hospital in Tucson and the clinic in Green Valley.

If you need emergency transport to the hospital, they will GENERALLY allow you to specify the hospital you want to be transported to. Do realize that if you are in severe trauma, you will be heading to Banner South as it houses the only Level 1 trauma center in the area.

I hope that helps.

[bkolodzi]

One thing I would add is that I have to go to Tucson for an endocrinologist. There used to be one that came from Tucson one day a week, but she stopped doing that because the commute was a hassle. So now instead of one doctor making the commute to Green Valley, multiple patients have to make the trip to Tucson. I really wish we could get a good endocrinology practice in or closer to Green Valley.

[Canine*Castle]

Thanks, jlawrence01, for a most detailed post; it is most helpful! And thanks to bkolodzi and sockeye66 for your posts as well.

It all sounds really great and not much different than what I'm doing now in rural Texas. I sometimes have to go to Waco for a specialist and it's about an hour's drive away.

[Salpointe59]

Pima Heart is in Green Vally and it is affiliated with most of the area hospitals. Dr. John Boulet has been our Cardiologist for 20 years and he recently retied. I talked him into volunteering at the VA Hospital. My wife uses Dr.Arthur Menezes a young tiger and I like Dr. Jerald Winter.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by Salpointe59

Pima Heart is in Green Vally and it is affiliated with most of the area hospitals. Dr. John Boulet has been our Cardiologist for 20 years and he recently retied. I talked him into volunteering at the VA Hospital. My wife uses Dr.Arthur Menezes a young tiger and I like Dr. Jerald Winter.

Thank you. Good to know!