How to Choose a Primary Care Provider

Choosing a primary care provider is one of the most important steps to take for your health. Your provider is the person you see every year for checkups, the one you call when something feels off and the partner who helps you stay well long term. At Covenant Health, we make this choice simple by offering convenient, compassionate care right in your community.  

“Your primary care provider is your trusted partner and advisor in health,” says James Schindler, MD, family medicine provider at Covenant Health. “Because they know you and your health history, they can guide your care in a way that keeps you at the center.” 

Why Do You Need a Primary Care Provider?

Primary care providers support your overall wellness and understand the communities they serve.  

Here’s how they help: 

• Preventive care and screenings: Annual checkups and screenings keep you on track and catch issues early. 
• Wellness support: They offer guidance on diet, exercise, mental health and lifestyle choices.
• Continuity of care: They know your health history and see you regularly, giving them a long-term view of your health.
• Comprehensive care: Primary care providers take your whole health into account and ensure treatments and medications work together safely.
• Specialist coordination: They connect you with trusted experts when advanced care is needed.

“Primary care providers support you during life’s key moments, like welcoming a new baby,” shares Dr. Schindler. “They also guide you through hard times, such as receiving a cancer diagnosis or coping with a loss. They are there every step of the way.”  

How To Choose a Primary Care Provider

Trust, comfort and accessibility matter most when choosing a primary care provider. Ask friends and family for recommendations, and select a clinic close to your home or workplace so care is easy to access.  

Insurance is another important factor. Covenant Health accepts more insurance plans than any other healthcare provider in our region, making it convenient to get the care you need. For the most up-to-date insurance information, call your provider’s location.  

Our mission is to improve quality of life through better health, and our providers are committed to being the first and best choice for patients.    

Covenant Health Methodist’s Family Medicine Residency Program

Covenant Health’s commitment to primary care also extends to educating and developing future family medicine physicians. Through the Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program, led by Dr. Schindler, residents gain hands-on experience in the clinic, receive education in lecture halls, and build skills in areas such as behavioral health and virtual health.  

“The program exists to develop doctors. They work together in teams to address community health needs,” explains Dr. Schindler.  

The residency is housed at the Methodist Family Medicine Clinic, but residents also rotate through Covenant Health hospitals across the region to gain experience across the full spectrum of patient needs. 

Dr. Schindler adds, “The support from the Covenant Health system and the community has been outstanding. Our physicians have been incredibly supportive as well, and it’s inspiring to see everyone engaged in helping these residents succeed.” 

Your Primary Care Partner 

Covenant Health offers expert primary care, advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans. We’re here to support you with compassion, strength and care you can trust.   

Learn more about primary care services at Covenant Health, or call 865-374-4264 to schedule an appointment today.