Practicing a compassionate approach to elderly health care

I am proud to be a new member of the Bothwell Regional Health Center medical team practicing at Bothwell Internal Medicine Specialists with Nurse Practitioners Leah Hermanson and Shawna Sapaugh and Nurse Specialist Rene Boland.

Some of you may know this clinic as Dr. William Woolery’s practice. Dr. Woolery retired in December after 42 years of service and continues to do some part-time hospital care on an as-needed basis.

I joined Bothwell in November so I had a month or so to work with Dr. Woolery as I started seeing my own patients. Working alongside him for a short time, it was easy to see why his patients love him. We share many of the same beliefs of patient care – when a physician truly listens and engages, patients feel seen and valued.

As a self-proclaimed ambitious learner, I entered medical school at age 18 and received a bachelor’s degree and my medical degree through a six-year program at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. I completed my Internal Medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

I have practiced medicine for over 35 years and am an internist like Dr. Woolery. Internists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the internal organs of adults, particularly older adults.

Providing this type of care is about more than just treating symptoms. It starts with understanding my patients’ personal stories. For me, delivering quality health care means listening to patients, understanding their concerns and helping them feel confident about the path forward.

It’s also about working efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays while maintaining the highest safety standards—from careful hygiene to double-checking medications and lab results. Behind the scenes, good health care also relies on teamwork. Nurses, specialists, pharmacists and other staff are all essential to providing well-rounded care.

Many of my patients face complex challenges like chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease, while others have limited mobility or cognitive issues. I take the time to understand these issues and create care plans tailored to each person’s situation. I like to involve my patients in decisions and respect their preferences. In this type of relationship, I’ve found that my patients are more likely to stick to treatment plans and feel satisfied with their care.

After more than 35 years in medicine, I’m often asked what keeps me going. For me, helping people heal or navigate illness never gets old. Seeing the tangible difference I can make in someone’s life, sometimes saving it, is a powerful motivator.

Medicine is constantly evolving and so has my role. I began my career as a traditional internist, later served as a hospitalist only caring for people in the hospital and now focus solely on outpatient care.

Reinventing how I practice has helped keep my work fresh and my passion alive. I’ve also found great value in mentoring younger physicians and continuing to learn about new treatments and technologies. It’s a privilege to share what I’ve learned and to continue growing with each new patient encounter.

At its heart, health care is about trust. When a patient places their care in your hands, it’s an incredible responsibility—and an honor. That trust, along with the chance to help others, is what brings meaning to my work each and every day.

Dr. Michael Yuhas is an internal medicine physician and is taking new patients at Bothwell Internal Medicine Specialists. To make an appointment to see him, call the clinic at 660.827.2526 or Centralized Scheduling at 660.829.8888. When Dr. Yuhas is not caring for and treating patients, he enjoys traveling with his family, working in his yard and studying biblical scripture with his men’s bible study group.