Boothbay’s newest health facility, Boothbay Region Health Center, has been offering walk-in family care services every day since January.

Those who have sought medical assistance on the weekends have been able to see Dr. Allan S. “Chip” Teel. He is there on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Teel, a board-certified family physician for 30 years, has a practice in Damariscotta. He is a co-founder of the area’s ElderCare network which provides assisted living in home environments for seniors.

Teel is the author of “Alone and Invisible No More,” which is based on his experience with our aging population. A proponent of helping seniors remain in their homes with the help of technology and friends, he has been hailed as a pioneer.

He views his role at the Health Center as “supplemental,” given his schedule and the other physicians, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals there during the week.

Teel is positive about the Health Center’s mission to treat patients, emphasizing prevention and wellness as well as providing thorough care for other health issues.  He sees a holistic balance between wellness and intervention. He believes the best approach is to be “person-centric, not disease-specific.”

What this means in terms of care is more time spent getting to know his patients. “Primary care should be relationship-based,” he explained.  “We want to know what brought you to this point and this condition and allow time for that.”  

Asked about his work using technology so seniors can remain in their homes as they age, he pointed to the changes in technology.  Video conferencing is used so elders can be treated in their own environment.

“I’ve had compelling video house calls with 95-year-old people, and they say it is better for them than an office visit. We forget sometimes how difficult an office visit can be for some fragile people.”

Teel said he has been seeing a variety of people at the Health Center. Many work during the week and need to be seen on the weekend for things like allergy shots, diabetes support or to bring their young children to the doctor’s office. The pricing of visits appeals to those who don’t have health insurance.

And how does he like being at the Center so far? “It’s been a pleasure,” he said. “After being in Damariscotta for 30 years, this is new. I’m meeting new people.”

Editor’s note: The hours of Dr. Teel’s weekend hours have been updated from the original posting of this article.