There’s a new ‘doc’ (Licensed Nurse Practitioner, to be precise) in town. Sonoita resident Helene Henager, ANP-BC (Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) is providing basic health needs for the community at Patriot Internal Medicine, located at 3123 SR 83, Suite E.
Like more than half the states in the U.S., Arizona is a “full practice authority state,” which means that she can practice independently without being under the supervision of a doctor.
Henager, who holds a BS from the U of A and a Masters degree from the University of San Diego, is an Air Force veteran. She practices adult internal medicine for patients 17 and older and is, she stressed, a “Christian-based practitioner.” When asked if she would prescribe birth control medication, which is sometimes not supported by some Christian sects, she replied, “I am not a women’s health practitioner but would refill it for one who asks for it.”
Henager does not provide vaccinations, as maintaining vaccine inventory is not financially feasible for her small practice. Additionally, most patients receive their vaccinations at local pharmacies. “This does not have to do with any politics,” she said.
Henager maintains an office in Tucson, where she practices most days of the week, but was offered the opportunity to open a clinic in Sonoita part time. Having lived in Sonoita for eight years, the location is much more convenient for her.
Currently, most of Henager’s patients come from her Tucson practice, but she aims to serve the Sonoita/Elgin community as she becomes better known locally. She is assisted by Arianne Werito, a medical assistant, and her office manager, Roxanne Bourassa, also a medical assistant.
Henager said she accepts 90% of the major insurance medical plans. “I’m hoping to increase my services to the local community,” she said. Currently, five weeks into her practice, she is available one day a week , but plans to increase her accessibility in the future if she can grow her practice here. “Maintaining a private practice is very cost prohibitive if I don’t get the patients in,” she said.
Henager plans to expand community services, includes providing a full laboratory. Basic bloodwork and urinalysis are currently available, with more options to increase in the future. This will save local residents trips into Tucson or Sierra Vista for lab work required for their own medical needs. She just needs the paperwork from the appropriate source.