Banning Doctors Feautured in Inland Empire Magazine

Excerpt from profile in September edition of IE Magazine:

Specialists at Beaver Medical Group’s Banning office have taken the concept of working closely to an entirely new level.  Pulmonologists Richard Sheldon, MD and Roger D. Seheult, MD meet weekly over lunch with cardiologists Steven W. Hildebrand, MD, H. John Marais, MD and Jim Mathey their Physician Assistant to discuss patients care. Many of these patients are under the care of two physicians---one from each specialty. Because the circulatory and respiratory systems are interdependent and integrally linked, it is not uncommon for people with pulmonary problems to have cardiac issues as well---or vice versa. For instance, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are at greater risk of developing an irregular heart beat or heart failure. People suffering with sleep apnea have a much greater risk of their heart stopping in the middle of the night, developing congestive heart failure or high blood pressure.

“If I see a patient who I suspect has underlying cardiovascular problems, I feel comfortable walking them down the hall to be evaluated by Drs. Hildebrand or Dr. Marais,” states Dr. Sheldon. Many times, the patient can be seen right on the spot. We frequently ask each other’s opinion about EKGs, X-rays, medications or other data if we have a question.”  The weekly lunches between the physicians allow them to discuss the progress of difficult patients---or any recent medical developments or administrative problems that impacts the care delivered.  

“The close friendships that we have developed as physicians allows us to deliver more coordinated care for patients,” Dr. Sheldon states. “We take that philosophy one step further by treating our patients as friends, too. We believe that patients do much better when they feel they communicate with doctors who talk as friends. We take great pride in keeping those lines of communication open between our patients, and our medical colleagues.”