PrimeCare Welcomes Geriatrician 

To Its Staff

ROME – Many people think that preventative medicine is only for the young.  But, seniors can also take steps that will help them better enjoy their retirement years, according to Elif N. Erim, M.D., a geriatrician who has recently joined the staff of PrimeCare, a primary care center operated by Rome Memorial Hospital in downtown Rome.

“People are living longer and we need to help them stay healthy so they can enjoy their later years,” said Dr. Erim.  “It’s not enough for us to just prolong life. We need to work with our seniors to maximize their quality of life as they grow older.”

On average, the life expectancy for men in the United States is almost 74 years, with women living about six years longer.  In Rome, the over-85 population has grown by nearly 27 percent in just the last 10 years, according to 2000 census data.

“With our aging population, Dr. Erim will be a welcome addition for the community,” said Darlene Burns, senior vice president/chief operating officer.  “As people age they tend to face more frequent health problems that are also more complicated to manage.”

Dr. Erim is board certified in internal medicine and completed a fellowship in geriatric medicine at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.  She received her medical degree at the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in Turkey, where she completed her residency in diagnostic radiology.

While pursuing her chief residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, she decided to continue her training and specialize in geriatrics.  “In medicine, a large percentage of our patients are elderly,” she said. “I wanted the expertise to better understand the unique needs of my elderly patients.”

Dr. Erim’s interest in medicine was fostered by her mother, who was a respected radiologist in Turkey at a time when few women entered the field.  “I spent my childhood in a hospital, watching my mother,” she said.  “She was a very good role model as a physician, a mother, and trusted adviser.”

Dr. Erim joins Kristin Dempsey, MS, FNP-C, a certified nurse practitioner who is also the director of PrimeCare.  The hospital opened PrimeCare in 1999 to reduce the transportation barriers for the many seniors who live in downtown Rome and reach out to people who do not have a doctor. 

“Often if someone doesn’t have a doctor, they’ll go to the Emergency Department with a common ailment, like the flu or sore throat.  There, they’ll experience long waits because patients with life-threatening conditions, such as a heart attack, are given the highest priority,” Mrs. Dempsey said.

“It’s important for people to build a relationship with a primary care provider,” Mrs. Dempsey said.  “Your primary care provider is your partner in prevention.  Also, if you have an established relationship, a serious illness is more likely to be diagnosed earlier when it’s easiest to treat.”

Located at 155 W. Dominick St., PrimeCare is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Most major insurance plans are welcome.  A sliding scale and payment plans are available for those who are eligible.  Appointments may be made by calling 338-7640.  Walk-ins are also welcome.