Healdsburg Hospital opens new medical offices

New staff to provide routine medical care
Healdsburg District Hospital (HDH) recently unveiled plans to open a new medical office on Prentice Drive. The hospital is currently recruiting additional staff to provide routine medical care at the location, and has begun scheduling appointments for patients to see staff starting July 21.
Located on the same campus as the hospital, the space was previously home to dental offices. According to hospital Chief Operating Officer Regina Novello, plans to open a medical office were in development for a long period of time, as the hospital faced difficulties recruiting physicians to the area. Coupled with local high housing costs, “we’ve had a national shortage of physicians and mid-levels,” she said.
The new office is designed to provide an additional resource for patients to receive routine medical care from providers contracted with the hospital, according to Marie Giammona, who is the community relations director and public information officer for the hospital. “That office is ours,” Giammona said. “Those doctors are contracted with us. Not only is it a close partnership, but it’s a matter of team… There’s a lot of collaboration back and forth.”
Due to the proximity of Healdsburg District Hospital to the office site, collaboration between the two entities includes the ability for office staff to make use of lab equipment and x-rays available at the larger facility. Hospital patients without a primary care doctor may also be referred down to the medical office, where they will be provided with a physician and with follow up care.
The first physician to join the office team is Dr. Tony Veletto, who is board certified in Internal Medicine and specializes in adult and adolescent care of patients 12 and older. Prior to working with Healdsburg District Hospital, Dr. Veletto worked at various medical offices and clinics, according to Novello. “He kind of found us and he’s very grounded,” she said. “He’s excited about having patients of his own.”
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) named Julie Leveque, previously located in Sebastopol, will provide care for family members in collaboration with Dr. Veletto. “She comes to us with 20 years of experience and she is a family nurse practitioner who cares for everyone from infancy on through,” Giammona said.
According to Novello, Leveque incorporates alternative medicine into her care, including the association between the health of the mind and body. “[Patients] need help in adjusting their lifestyle to improve their quality of health,” she said. “She’s very passionate about that.” Giammona added that Leveque strongly advocates for incorporating patient education into her care.
The hospital has plans to supplement its office staff with a second nurse practitioner from southern California, and Novello said she is currently interviewing for a third nurse practitioner position. “We have space in the office to continue to grow,” she said. “We also have two medical assistants that will be starting and they’ll be bilingual.” Current hospital staff will oversee operations at the medical office.
Healdsburg District Hospital is currently accepting appointments to see Dr. Veletto and Julie Leveque, FNP, including new patients. Those wishing to make an appointment may call (707) 473-8445.
 The HDH Medical Office is located at 1310 Prentice Drive, Suite A in Healdsburg. Same-day appointments are available.