Husband-wife doctors fill key health care niche

By WILL KANGAS

wkangas@lsj.com

January 22, 2011

From Ingham County Community News

MASON — For husband and wife physicians originally from Chicago, it was Mason or else.

“I told him I wanted to have a farm, and it was take it or leave it,” said Wanda Iza, M.D., about her husband Marcos, M.D.

The couple had always liked Michigan. They are glad they are now a part of “Hometown USA” through their family practice office on 810 Hogsback Road at the Allegiance Health Family Medicine facility.

The couple was part of a 2012 health kick-off event on Jan. 19 at the Ingham County Fair Grounds. Several services were offered for free, from blood pressure tests to glucose screenings.

The Iza’s said they want to be part of the community not only as doctors but as residents. The mission of the office is to “lead our community to better health and well-being at every stage of life.”

Wanda Iza said better resources are offered at her office versus a private practice because of the connection with Allegiance, which is based in Jackson but has services spreading northward, including Mason and Leslie.

Different times

“These are different times in health care,” Iza said. “Many private practice doctors are struggling to pay the bills and can’t provide a more comprehensive approach to serving those in need.”

Brian Grubich said the Allegiance network is growing because he believes Mason does not have many choices.

“The city is underserved,” Grubich said. “It has an urgent care with limited hours and staffing, but we feel we can help by offering more options.”

One option is the mobile mammogram and bone density unit.

Housed on a large bus, the vehicle is fitted with state-of-the-art medical gadgets. The bus stops in Mason and Leslie on a weekly basis and has a new mammogram machine that allows women to get screened as early as possible.

As for Mason, the Iza’s say they are here to stay and help educating the community about health concerns.

“We like to host discussions about health as well,” Iza said. “We realize that some people may have questions with all of the information out there that could be misinterpreted. We prefer to talk to people instead of talking at them about their health.”