Baptist Medical Group joined with Baptist Health Sciences University to create Baptist Medical Group-Baptist University Multispecialty Clinic — the first clinic of its kind for Baptist Memorial Health Care.
The clinic allows Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) physician faculty members, who are also Baptist Medical Group physicians, to treat patients together at a centralized location while increasing access to specialty care. The partnership helps strengthen Baptist Memorial’s commitment to connected care with a patient-centered experience.
Baptist Medical Group-Baptist University Multispecialty Clinic is located at 1520 Union Ave. in Memphis, Tennessee, the site of the former Baptist Medical Group-Memphis Primary Care Associates, which transitioned after the clinic’s physicians retired. The new clinic provides continuity of care for patients in the community, as well as continued care with a familiar person, Nurse Practitioner Nadja Barrantes.
“Baptist Medical Group and Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine have partnered to operate the clinic, creating a shared space where physician faculty can provide care across multiple specialties while medical, nursing and allied health students gain valuable interprofessional clinical training experiences,” said President of Baptist Health Sciences University Hampton Hopkins, Ed.D. “The collaboration reflects a strategic commitment to expanding access to quality care while strengthening hands-on educational opportunities for future health care professionals.”
Dr. Robert Parker, family medicine physician, and Dr. Scott Vicenzi, family medicine and sports medicine physician, are now serving patients at Baptist Medical Group-Baptist University Multispecialty Clinic. Additional physicians will join the clinic this summer, expanding the specialties offered to pediatrics. In the future, clinic specialties may also include osteopathic manipulative medicine, general surgery consults and women’s health.
“This clinic provides a unique opportunity for patients with a variety of primary care and specialty expertise under one roof,” said Jillian Foster, Baptist Medical Group chief operating officer for primary care and pharmacy. “In addition to specialties, patients have access to primary care services like annual wellness visits, physicals and chronic care management.”
Foster said the clinic offers one centralized location for BUCOM faculty members to have clinical time together near the university. It also expands mentorship opportunities for students and residents.
“This clinic’s model strengthens the academic environment for students and residents while simultaneously expanding patient access to a range of primary and specialty services,” said Amanda Comer, Baptist Medical Group chief advanced practice nursing officer. “The partnership reflects Baptist Memorial’s strong commitment to growing physicians and health care workers for our region and reinforces our investment in the education-to-practice pipeline.”
Students at Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine work toward receiving a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. A DO is a fully licensed physician who provides comprehensive medical care for patients of all ages. They can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications and perform procedures and surgery.
What makes DOs unique is their whole‑person approach to care. They are trained to look beyond symptoms and consider how a patient’s body, lifestyle and overall health work together. Some DOs also use hands‑on techniques, called osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), to help relieve pain, improve movement and support the body’s natural healing. DOs are committed to helping patients stay healthy, prevent illness and feel their best.
“The mission of Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine emphasizes training primary care physicians to care for the rural and underserved populations in the Mid-South. The first place to start is in our own backyard at the clinic on Union Avenue,” said Dr. Peter Bell, Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine dean and vice provost. “We are building a pipeline from pre-med applicant to med student to resident to attending physician. In order to be successful, we believe mentorship along this spectrum is essential. This new clinic adds another opportunity to meet this objective, and with Baptist Medical Group’s emphasis on access to primary care, the clinic is also helping to create both momentum and synergy.”
