Spectrum Health Adds Primary Care Office to Growing Southwest Region

Spectrum Health officials announced today that they are opening a new Primary Care Partners (PCP) office in Grandville. The Rivertown Internal Medicine & Pediatrics office will begin seeing patients on August 1.

The office is located at 3185 Macatawa Dr. S.W., Suite A, which is off of Ivanrest just north of 44th Street. The practice is Spectrum Health’s 13th PCP office.

“In response to a growing need for primary care physicians in southwest Grand Rapids and the areas south of Grand Rapids, we are pleased to provide a convenient office for patients in these communities,” said Lisa Shannon, vice president, ambulatory services, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids. “In addition, we’re fortunate to have two physicians there who specialize in both pediatrics and internal medicine.”

Benjamin Schipper, M.D., and Eric J. Wielhouwer, D.O., are part of a growing number of primary care physicians known as internal medicine/pediatric specialists who are trained in both areas. They complete residencies in both fields to gain an excellent background that enables them to care for entire families.

Dr. Schipper graduated from Kalamazoo College and received his medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed residencies in Grand Rapids through the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center. In addition to caring for patients from newborns to senior citizens, he has a special interest in children with Down syndrome and autism.

Dr. Wielhouwer received his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University and a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship at Mercy General Health Partners and also completed his residencies in Grand Rapids through the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center. He has a special interest in preventative health care for children as well as adults.

The Rivertown Internal Medicine & Pediatrics office offers convenient access and is taking new patients. It will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (616) 391-4500.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 585,000-member health plan, Priority Health.’Spectrum Health’s 13,000 employees, 1,400 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to those in medical need.’The organization provided more than $100 million in community benefit during its 2006 fiscal year. Spectrum Health has earned more than 50 national awards during the past 10 years.