Flu season is fast approaching – Get your flu shot early!

Dear Patients, Flu season has already begun! We highly encourage everyone to get a flu shot. Many of you have already received your flu shot either at your regularly scheduled follow-up appointment or by flu shot appointment. We still have plenty of flu shots left, so please make every effort to come in soon to get yours. For people who don't have appointments scheduled in the next few months or who are not our patients, we are providing some convenient "Flu Fight" walk-in clinics as listed below:

"Flu Fight" Clinics

Tues., Sept. 13th-7:45-8:15 a.m. and Weds., Sept. 14th-12:15-1:00 p.m.

Tues., Sept. 27th-7:45-8:15 a.m. and Weds., Sept. 28th-12:15-1:00 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 11th-7:45-8:15 a.m. and Weds., Oct. 12th-12:15-1:00 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 25th-7:45-8:15 a.m. and Weds., Oct. 26th-12:15-1:00 p.m.

If none of these options work for you, you may also e-mail us at balcones.reception@gmail.com to set up a convenient time to get your flu shot. In addition to the normal flu vaccine ($20), we are also have a limited supply of the new intradermal flu vaccine (very small needle; goes just under the skin) ($30), as well as the Flumist (nasal flu spray) ($30) for individuals from the age of 2-49 who are in good health. Feel free to ask our medical staff which is right for you. If you are an established patient, we will file to your insurance for the flu vaccine this year. If your insurance does not cover the vaccine, you would be responsible only for the self-pay cost of the vaccine listed above. If you are not an established patient or are uninsured, you would be expected to pay the self-pay cost of the vaccine (listed above) at the time of service. Thanks!

What Makes Our Practice Unique

Balcones Woods Family Medicine didn't just happen, it was created.

After working in a large group setting for a number of years, Dr. Hausman-Cohen decided it was time to open a small office practice where she could practice medicine in a way she could be proud of, and a practice where patients could feel well taken care of. Laurelin Mullins and Charis Bearden, Family Nurse Practitioners, and Dr. Koren Weston share in her philosophy and together they are Balcones Woods Family Medicine. While many offices see up to 20 patients per half day, the most distinguishing characteristic of our office is that we generally only see 7-10 patients per half day. This means that we have more time to spend with our patients discussing their care and treatment plans. We enjoy involving patients in their care by educating them regarding their health problems and concerns and treatment options. Dr. Hausman-Cohen originally had planned on going into medical research. After obtaining both her Masters degree and M.D. from Harvard Medical School she realized how important continuing education and evidence based medicine are to delivering outstanding care. At Balcones Woods Family Medicine, all of the providers are dedicated to maintaining our knowledge base through ongoing continuing education and research. In fact, it is not unusual for us to use our online subscription to "Up to Date" to research the latest information relating to a disease while the patient is in the exam room. While we still do have some time constraints, we generally allow 15 minutes for same day appointments and 30 minutes for most follow up or chronic issues appointments, which is longer than most offices. If we don't get to all of your issues and concerns at a scheduled visit please let us know as we are happy to schedule you for another visit.

About Family Medicine and our Practice

Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, and Laurelin Mullins, Family Nurse Practitioner, are board certified in family medicine. Dr Koren Weston is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

Family Medicine for physicians is a board-certified specialty requiring three years of residency training after a physician receives their medical degree. This training focuses on outpatient medicine. Family Nurse Practitioners are board certified RNs who have returned to school to obtain a masters of science in nursing; which involves advanced learning and intense study. Family Nurse practitioners are trained and certified to do full evaluations and prescribe medications and treatments in an outpatient setting, under the supervision of a physician.

In addition to being trained in adult medicine and pediatrics, family physicians and family nurse practitioners are trained in dermatology, allergy, gynecology, orthopedics, mental health care, and many other specialties that allow family physicians and nurse practitioners to treat the whole person.

We also, of course, offer annuals (including Pap smears) and well checks for all ages. In order to maintain board certification, both family physicians and family nurse practitioners have ongoing stringent continuing education requirements, with family physicians being required to complete a minimum of 300 hours every 6 years.

Dr. Weston participates in the full spectrum of family care in our office. Her residency had a more intense focus on hospital work. Our differences in training have allowed us to be supportive of each other and offer very broad services that can meet the majority of most families health needs.

Healthy Eating