Healing with Heart: Dr. Vance’s Dedication to Family Medicine.

Dr. Vance, DHS, is a native of Mansfield, Louisiana, and has been practicing family medicine in the Shreveport area for over 20 years. In 2019, she opened her practice, Total Health Family Medicine, initially on Mansfield Road, but after outgrowing the original space, she relocated to 2533 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Ste 106.

Dr. Vance is passionate about family practice and pediatrics, strongly focusing on patient care and compassion. She believes in helping people where they are and takes extra care to communicate medical information in a way that is accessible and understandable, avoiding technical jargon. Compassion and patience are some of her key strengths, especially when working with underserved communities where patients often face multiple health issues at once.

A proud graduate of the LSUHSC School of Allied Health - Shreveport Physician Assistant program, Dr. Vance was the first African American to graduate in 1996. She completed her master's at Drexel University and her doctoral degree at Nova Southeastern University in Health Science. Her leadership experience includes supervising medical staff and teaching students, which helped shape her approach to mentoring and leading her team.
As a physician assistant, Dr. Vance emphasizes the importance of prevention, urging the community to get regular check-ups before problems arise, as early detection can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. She also promotes a patient-centered approach, focusing on treating individuals from all walks of life with care and respect and without judgment.

Dr. Vance is committed to mentoring her staff and helping them advance in their careers, as shown by the success story of a former medical assistant who credited Dr. Vance's teaching to help her secure a higher-paying position.

Addressing Health Insurance Challenges in Louisiana:
Dr. Vance has expressed concern over the increasing number of people losing their health insurance, particularly in light of recent cuts at both the state and federal levels. Many individuals, including single males, may find themselves unexpectedly cut off from Medicaid due to slight changes in income or other eligibility requirements. This creates significant barriers for those still facing health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, who need consistent medical care but may no longer have the coverage to afford it.

At Total Health Family Medicine, Dr. Vance and her team have been working hard to continue seeing these patients, often suggesting that individuals contribute what they can, even if it's just a small amount, to ensure they receive the care they need. Unfortunately, rising healthcare costs and reduced coverage are already making it harder for patients to access necessary treatments, including vaccines, medications, and procedures like MRIs or ultrasounds, which are sometimes being denied due to "lack of medical necessity", non-covered procedures, or other obstacles.

Impact of Medicaid Cuts:
Dr. Vance has noticed a troubling trend, with more patients losing their insurance daily, especially in the front office when verifying coverage. She emphasizes the importance of patients staying on top of their health by regularly utilizing their insurance benefits, getting check-ups, refilling medications on time, and not leaving gaps in their coverage, as insurance companies are likely to cut off anyone who isn't actively utilizing their benefits. With fewer people qualifying for coverage and more hurdles to accessing care, Dr. Vance encourages the community to pay attention to the ongoing changes in the healthcare landscape and make the most of what they have.

Advice for the Community:
Her advice to the community is to stay vigilant about their health coverage, take advantage of routine checkups and preventive care while they still can, and be proactive with medication management to avoid lapses in care. If there are any gaps in insurance, there’s a risk that patients will lose access to vital services and prescriptions.

Total Health Family Medicine offers a welcoming environment for all patients, providing comprehensive family care, pediatrics, and geriatrics, and ensuring that those who need specialized care are referred to the appropriate professionals.