Caring for her hometown: A look at a local doctor helping others
CHILLICOTHE― Dr. Shandra Basil starts and ends her days by caring for the people and the community she loves.
Born and raised in Chillicothe she works in her adulthood to bring affordable healthcare to the area and create strong doctor-patient relationships with her patients.
Basil graduated from Huntington High School. She stayed local by completing her three-year medical residency at Adena Regional Medical Center. She would later go on to open up her own medical practice in Columbus in July of 2021, the practice would quickly expand to Chillicothe in September of that same year.
"I really stayed close to home," said Basil.
Basil knew early in her schooling that she wanted to open up a private practice to have more control over how patients were treated and how the business was run. After learning about the direct primary care model she knew that is what she wanted to practice in her office as it allowed her more time with each patient.
In traditional primary care, a physician can see around 2,000 patients said Basil but with this model, she can limit the number of patients she sees which allows her to give individualized attention to everyone. She said there have been times when she has spent two hours with just one patient making sure they get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
"What we've found is to really take care of people and get to the root of the problem you need time more than anything," said Basil.
For Basil getting to know a patient is one of the best parts of being a doctor, she loves being able to build relationships with everyone who walks into her office. She said her patients are like family to her.
Another way the Basil Family Medicine practice is different is that one doctor offers many different services. Basil likes to call it a one-stop shop as she covers basic care, lab work, women's health and basic procedures. She also practices osteopathic manipulation, like spinal adjustments, to help assist the body's healing process.
"I like to think we provide our patients with a lot of different options on how they get their care," said Basil
All of her services are offered to patients with a monthly subscription fee. Instead of worrying about copays, insurance and surprise bills Basil charges each patient a monthly fee that covers visits and minor procedures. She is also able to help some patients get better pricing on prescribed medications. As part of the subscription, patients also have 24/7 access to Basil who is available to help them assess a situation online and over the phone.
"We really pride ourselves on helping people save money," said Basil.
Since she works out of old homes turned into offices, or even sometimes a patient's home, Basil said patients are often much more relaxed compared to when they have to go to a hospital. Her locations are less frightening and more welcoming for patients. Basil said she has enjoyed being able to create a safe and welcoming place for people to receive their care.
Basil Family Medicine currently operates out of three locations, Columbus, Chillicothe and Johnstown. To learn more about Dr. Bail and the healthcare she offers visit the Basil Family medicine website.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Caring for her hometown: a look at a local doctor helping others
