Dr. Heather Schweizer, MD is a Family Medicine physician practicing at her clinic in Port Charlotte, FL, and dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your family doctor is your primary partner in managing your health throughout your senior years, coordinating complex care, managing chronic conditions, and focusing on your overall well-being and independence to help you thrive. She serves adults, with a focus on those aging into and throughout their senior years.
Port Charlotte Primary-Care Physician Heather Schweizer, MD, is your primary partner in health and connection to a healthier life. With over 25 years of dedicated experience in Family Medicine care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from Southern Illinois University At Edwardsville in 1995 and is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Schweizer is currently welcoming new patients; please call (941) 255-3535 to schedule an appointment. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions through a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. Dr. Heather Schweizer provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Heather Schweizer is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Heather Schweizer acts as a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing comprehensive family medicine care. She meticulously coordinates complex care, manages chronic conditions, and prioritizes your overall well-being and independence, ensuring you thrive in your golden years. Her approach centers on understanding your personal goals and creating a personalized plan to maximize your comfort and independence, working closely with you and your family to achieve optimal health outcomes.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Heather Schweizer can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueCare HMO
- BlueOptions
- BlueSelect
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- FL Medical Providers
- Florida Blue
- HMO Premier HMO
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate Plus POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Seamless HMO
- Select HMO
- SimplyBlue
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Heather Schweizer provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Tinnitus: If you're experiencing tinnitus, that means you hear phantom noises in your earsa buzzing, ringing, or hissingand understanding its causes and management strategies can greatly improve your comfort and peace of mind.
- Muscle Spasm: Experiencing a muscle spasm can be frightening, but these sudden, intense muscle contractions often respond well to simple home treatments like applying heat or cold packs, allowing you to regain comfort and continue your daily activities.
- Gout: By working with your doctor to control gout, you can reduce the frequency and severity of painful flare-ups, enabling you to enjoy your favorite activities.
- Onychomycosis: Dealing with a fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) can be frustrating, but don't worry! Treatment options can improve nail appearance and help prevent spreading of the infection, improving your comfort and confidence.
- Excessive Sweating: Excessive sweating can impact your daily activities and social life. Fortunately, there are several ways to address this, making it easier to participate in the activities you enjoy and maintain your sense of normalcy.
- Hives: Dealing with hives can be uncomfortable, but thankfully, many treatments are available to reduce itching and clear up the rash, helping you feel more comfortable and improving your quality of life.
- Conduct Disorder: Conduct disorder is a behavioral problem in younger people involving repeated rule-breaking and aggression, which, while less common in older adults, can sometimes have roots in earlier life experiences and may affect family relationships.
- Bladder Infection: A bladder infection, or urinary tract infection (UTI), is a common infection that can cause painful urination, frequent urges to urinate, and sometimes fever, but with prompt treatment from your doctor, you can feel better quickly and maintain your daily activities.
- Insomnia: Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, a common problem that can significantly impact your daily life and well-being, but with the right approach, you can find relief and improve your sleep quality.
- Lipid Disorders: With careful monitoring and management, including diet, exercise, and possibly medication, lipid disorders can be controlled, reducing your risk of serious heart-related events and allowing you to live a full and active life.
- Venous Insufficiency: Venous insufficiency is a condition where your leg veins don't effectively return blood to your heart, leading to swelling, pain, and skin changes, but with proper care, you can manage symptoms and maintain your mobility.
- Menopausal and Postmenopausal Disorders: Postmenopausal health is an important aspect of women's overall well-being, and addressing issues like bone loss and urinary problems through preventative measures and appropriate treatments helps maintain independence and health in later life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Heather Schweizer offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Breast Cancer Screening: Mammograms and other breast cancer screenings empower you to take an active role in your health and manage your risk factors for breast cancer effectively.
- Strep Test: As part of your routine care, a strep test can rule out a bacterial infection, ensuring you receive the appropriate treatment for your sore throat.
- Hepatitis A Screening: Hepatitis A screening helps detect this liver infection early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing serious complications.
- Osteoporosis Screening: This test assesses your bone density, an important step in managing your risk of osteoporosis and related health issues as you age.
- Blood Allergy Testing: Blood allergy testing helps identify specific substances causing allergic reactions, allowing your doctor to create a personalized plan to manage your symptoms.
- Hepatitis Screening: To maintain a healthy liver and prevent liver damage, a hepatitis screening can help diagnose the virus early, allowing for timely treatment.
- Psychiatric Evaluation: This assessment helps diagnose and manage mental health concerns, ensuring you receive the appropriate support and treatment to improve your quality of life as you age.
- Pap Smear: Regular Pap smears are a crucial part of preventive care for women, helping manage and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
- Chest Pain Evaluation: Understanding the source of your chest pain through a thorough evaluation is key to creating a comprehensive care plan that addresses your specific health needs.
- Diabetic Evaluation: Regular diabetic evaluations are crucial for monitoring your blood sugar control and preventing serious health problems associated with diabetes.
- Rapid Flu Test: As part of your annual wellness visit, a rapid flu test can help you understand your current health status and guide your doctors recommendations.
- Mammography: Mammography assists in the early identification of breast abnormalities, helping your doctor create a personalized management plan.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Family Medicine in Florida.
Dr. Heather Schweizer is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- A senior woman, plagued by distracting tinnitus, found significant relief through a tailored management plan, allowing her to enjoy her favorite pastime of listening to classical music again without discomfort.
- After experiencing debilitating muscle spasms, a senior felt immediate relief and regained the ability to easily perform daily tasks, like gardening, bringing a renewed sense of security and independence to their home life.
- With gout flare-ups significantly reduced, a senior couple was able to resume their weekly bridge game, a cherished social activity.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Family Medicine (Family Practice)
Here are answers to some common questions about Family Medicine care with Dr. Heather Schweizer:
- How is a Family Physician suited to care for seniors?
- Dr. Schweizer and her team of family physicians are uniquely positioned to care for seniors because they often care for patients throughout their entire lives. This allows for a deep understanding of a senior's health history and chronic conditions. We are trusted primary care partners, expertly managing all aspects of a senior's care.
- What happens during an annual wellness visit for a senior?
- During your annual wellness visit with Dr. Schweizer, we'll review your medications, conduct a physical exam, and assess your memory and mobility. We'll also discuss personalized preventive screenings, like bone density or cancer screenings, tailored to your individual needs. This visit is a key opportunity to partner with Dr. Schweizer on your health goals.
- How should I prepare for my appointment to make the most of our time?
- To make the most of your appointment with Dr. Schweizer, please write down your top health questions, bring a complete list of all medications (including over-the-counter), and be prepared to discuss any new symptoms, no matter how small.
- Can family members or caregivers be involved in my care?
- Absolutely. With your permission, we encourage family members and caregivers to be involved in your care. This team approach helps ensure clear communication and provides the best support for your health.
- How do you help with managing multiple medications?
- Dr. Schweizer's practice partners with patients to safely manage multiple medications. We conduct regular medication reviews to check for interactions, simplify regimens, and ensure every prescription is still needed and effective.
- Can I come in for urgent issues like a fall, a bad cold, or a UTI?
- Yes, you can come in for urgent issues like falls, bad colds, or UTIs. Seeing Dr. Schweizer for these acute illnesses is ideal because she knows your health history and medications. Our practice can treat common ailments, helping you avoid unnecessary trips to urgent care.
- Can you help manage joint pain from arthritis?
- Yes, Dr. Schweizer's practice can help manage joint pain from arthritis. Family physicians are often the first point of contact for arthritis management, and treatment may include advice on safe exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes joint injections to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- How do you help manage multiple chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease?
- Dr. Schweizer works with you to create a personalized plan to manage your conditions. This includes regular monitoring, medication management, and lifestyle counseling to help prevent complications and maintain your best quality of life. We are committed to being your central coordinator for all your care needs.
19531 Cochran Blvd
Port Charlotte FL 33948
Phone: (941) 255-3535
Dr. Heather Schweizer, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1578656831
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Family Medicine like Dr. Heather Schweizer are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.