Finding time to set up a doctor's appointment in the middle of a weekday or waiting for health exam results for days with little contact from a physician can make planning your next doctor’s visit a daunting task. Minneapolis Health Clinic in Golden Valley saw these problems as a challenge—now pushing the norm of health care with a patient-focused approach.
The clinic has been able to offer patients services that many health care facilities don’t, such as full online appointment scheduling, the option to text your doctor any time of day and longer appointment times which allows for patients to feel that their medical experience is in their control.
Minneapolis Health Clinic was founded by Dr. Grace Totoe and Dr. David Totoe. Dr. Grace Totoe, takes on the roles of Medical Director and Managing Partner. After years of working late nights at a hospital, Dr. Totoe decided she wanted to slow down.
Dr. Totoe has over 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry—having researched and practiced in world renowned health research facilities such as Yale University and Johns Hopkins Health System. As a dynamite in the field of medicine, in addition to an entrepreneurial spirit, taking on the feat of opening her own clinic was not a surprising next step.
Building the clinic from scratch allowed her to examine the issues she had seen in other practices and improve the patient experience in her own. Her goal was to have patients feel well-informed and be able to seek care on their own time.
The clinic’s patient-focused approach has become a success due to its smaller size. But, with that, the clinic is connected to an abundance of outside resources, so everything is still at the patients’ finger tips.
"I wanted to start a clinic that was accessible to patients. A doctor should be able to make time for the patientt on the patient’s time,” Dr. Totoe said. This new accessibility also gave Dr.Totoe and her staff more flexible work hours and a better work life balance.
Minneapolis Health Clinic is a membership practice as well as a traditional/regular medical practice where insurance is accepted. With the membership model or direct primary care, patients pay an annual fee and get access to outlined medical services. Patients can have longer office visits with their physician and a shorter waiting period between scheduling and going in—at times with next-day appointment availability.
“Patients should have an appointment that doesn't feel rushed,” Dr.Totoe said. “Patients can sometimes feel rushed during their appointment when they have a short amount of time with the physician.”
Community care is at the center of the clinic’s practice—making sure to take care of its neighbors even beyond usual health needs. Part of this belief has come to fruition through being able to perform Green Card Medical exams and Immigration Immunizations for USCIS. The clinic also performs pre-employment physicals to new job seekers for the city of Plymouth, evaluate disability patients applying for social security disability and has been active with community COVID-19 vaccination and testing.
Authorization to administer COVID-19 vaccines, has as well enabled the clinic more power to help the community. “We are in partnership with MN department of health and able to administer all three vaccine types,” Dr. Totoe said. "Patients have access to Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccination options. We will be also be able to vaccinate the 5 to 11 year olds when the vaccine is approved by CDC. Lastly we go to the community to do vaccines, and we have a vaccine clinic coming up with the Hennepin Middle School."
The clinic’s resources and trusted reputation has also led the practice to countless growth opportunities.
In growing the clinic's services, Dr. Totoe has begun shifting toward a more recently booming industry—body modification through healthcare. The clinic now offers LIPOcel and facial aesthetics. The clinic has an esthetic suite in Edina where the LiPOcel procedure is done. This provides the right candidates with a safe and permanent medical weight loss procedures—all done using high intensity focused ultrasound that’s able to break up fat cells. The clinic also offers a medical weight loss program where a patient can plan out their weight loss journey alongside a physician. I am proud to say our weight loss program is extensive and offers a wide range od services to ensure success.
“Physicians should be able to offer patients the chance to feel and look their best,” Dr. Totoe said.
The clinic’s fillers and injectable aesthetics are treatments to enhance natural beauty features and help patients find a new sense of confidence. Some of the treatment options include reducing the appearance of forehead wrinkles, crows feet and smile lines. Dr. Totoe is a supporter of the aesthetics movement and plans to continue growing its practice in the clinic.
“I would like to see the clinic continue to grow and serve more surrounding communities,” Dr. Totoe said about her plans for the clinic. The only future plans at this time are for physical expansion of the clinic and hiring more providers to join their team.
Patients have the availability to choose either an office or telehealth for their appointments. Masks are required for all patients and staff inside the clinic.
For more information, please visit https://minneapolishealthclinic.com or call (763) 496-5708. 4825 Olson Memorial Hwy Suite # 101 in Golden Valley. (763) 496-5708.