Well, dear followers, so Napa is still beautiful with rolling hills and vineyards, but one thing has proven to be tough: finding a good doctor. It ended up being important because my first week here I sprained my ankle and caught a nasty stomach flu.
I tried all the board-certified doctors on my insurance list, and none of them were taking new patients, except one in a "concierge" medical service who charges $1200 a year to belong to his medical practice. Didn't seem ethical to me, so I tried a couple of non-board-certified family practioners - one whose office was so crowded with large families who spoke no English, I had to wait an hour and a half for five minutes with the doc - and another who was very friendly but didn't do any exam (you know, that whole - look at you on the table thing, stick things in your ears and throat.) Don't know why that made me nervous, but it did. So I'm trying a doctor in Yountville to see how that goes. There are also no "Urgent Care" centers in Napa, which is weird - Port Townsend, a small tourist town in Washington, smaller than Napa, had two, and San Diego was brimming with them. It's too bad, because you don't want to have to go to the hospital (which is nice) for basic care, right, because you can't find a doctor? So I say - open up an Urgent Care center, Napa - it seems there are no doctors available for the majority of newcomers!
Anyway, since I promised to chronicle living in Napa, good and bad, thought I'd include this saga...
Hope I have better luck with dentists and hair stylists...
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If you're still searching for a physician, I'd highly recommend Dr. Mai-Phuong Nguyen. She has an impressive medical training, a wonderful bedside manner and is a true community provider. Your posting raises an important issue we all struggle with. And the best care comes from honest referrals. Dr. Nguyen's motto is "Compassion, Conscientious Care". Who doesn't want than in their physician? Here's a link to her website: www.karunahealthcare.com. Good luck!
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