Family medicine delivers comprehensive, lifelong care by treating patients of all ages and addressing a wide range of health needs. Rather than focusing on a single condition or stage of life, family medicine physicians care for individuals and families over time, often serving as a patient’s first — and most consistent — connection to healthcare. At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, family medicine anchors care for many patients across the region.
Family medicine physicians complete medical school followed by three years of residency training dedicated specifically to family medicine. That training equips them to care for children, adults and older adults, and to address preventive care for all ages, women’s health, pediatric care, mental health, chronic disease management and acute illness or injury. This broad preparation allows family medicine physicians to adapt to patients’ changing needs throughout life.
“Family medicine lets us care for the whole person, not just a single problem,” said Dr. Lisa Mullen, a family medicine physician with Sheridan Memorial Hospital Primary Care. Mullen joined the SMH team in 2025 after practicing medicine in Johnson County for several years. “We often care for multiple generations within the same family, which helps us understand health in a much broader context.”
Family medicine is one type of primary care, alongside internal medicine and pediatrics. Pediatricians focus on children, and internists care for adults. Family medicine bridges those specialties by caring for patients from birth through older adulthood. As a result, many families choose one provider who can care for parents and children alike, creating continuity that strengthens trust and communication.
In rural communities, Mullen says, family medicine plays an especially important role. Limited access to specialists in some areas means family medicine physicians often evaluate symptoms, manage ongoing conditions and determine when specialized care is necessary. They also help patients navigate referrals, travel and follow-up care, reducing barriers that can delay treatment.
“In rural healthcare, family medicine physicians rely on broad training and strong clinical judgment,” Mullen said. “We help patients understand their options and guide them to the right level of care when it’s needed.”
Preventive care forms the foundation of family medicine. Family physicians actively promote wellness through cancer screenings, immunizations, routine checkups and conversations about lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity. Because they care for patients over many years, they can recognize patterns, identify risks early and adjust recommendations as patients age.
Family medicine also emphasizes relationship-based care. Long-term relationships encourage honest conversations and shared decision-making. Rather than addressing every concern in a single visit, family physicians build care plans over time, allowing patients to move at a pace that feels manageable and informed.
“Healthcare works best when patients feel heard and supported,” Mullen said. “Family medicine gives us the time and continuity to build that trust.”
Caring for entire families allows family medicine physicians to consider genetics, shared environments and life circumstances that influence health. This perspective strengthens prevention efforts and helps physicians advocate for patients within an increasingly complex healthcare system.
At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, family medicine physicians provide preventive care, acute visits for illness or injury, chronic disease management, pediatric services and women’s health care. Providers at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Primary Care clinic, including Dr. Mullen, are currently accepting new patients and welcome individuals and families looking for a trusted place to begin — and continue — their healthcare journey.
To learn more about Dr. Lisa Mullen, visit sheridanhospital.org or click below to listen to her recent appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse.