New physicians’ office building opens next to Hoke hospital

RAEFORD - The doctors are in.

Physicians began seeing patients in the primary care and cardiology office at FirstHealth of the Carolinas' new Physician Offices & Specialty Services building in Hoke County last month.

Dr. Mahalia R. Guerrier, an internist, and Dr. Vicki Hardy, who practices family medicine, anchor the primary care practice. Dr. Debbie R. Thomasson handles the cardiology section of the practice.

The 20,000-square-foot facility, which adjoins FirstHealth's Hoke County branch of Moore Regional Hospital, will eventually house offices for several specialties once the months-long move-in is complete later this year.

"In moving here, we're closer to the hospital, so I can go back and forth to the hospital and can take care of things that have to be done at the hospital more easily," Thomasson said Thursday.

She said driving to and from facilities for tests and other procedures can disrupt flow and take time away from patients.

The location also makes access to patients easier for the doctors, Guerrier said.

"We can work in here, and we can still follow a patient over there," Guerrier said of patients admitted at the hospital. "If there's an issue, they can easily call us here, and we can go see the patient."

In addition, physician assistant Jim Shaffer works in the primary care practice and is available to see walk-in patients.

Working in such proximity to the primary care physicians complements her focus on preventive medicine, Thomasson said.

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New physicians' office building opens next to Hoke hospital