MIPA Family Care

Before he became Dr. Gardner, Raymond had a passion for history and math. He thought about studying education and becoming a history teacher, but felt it wouldn’t challenge him to get outside his comfort zone and be more outgoing. While he was dating his then-girlfriend (now-wife), Barb, she was studying for nursing school. She shared medical stories with him, peaking his interest and opening his eyes to the possibility of a career in medicine. Fast forward a few years and Dr. Raymond Gardner graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and has been practicing for the past 39 years.

Dr. Gardner examining a patient

After completing his residency in 1982, Dr. Gardner practiced in Akron before moving to the Mansfield area. He spent the next twenty years developing relationships with his patients in the community. Dr. Gardner explains, “my patients here don’t feel like patients. They are friends and family to me, and I want to treat them as such. I care for their whole health and wellbeing–physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I’m not here to see patients as fast as I can, I want to listen.” In the early 2000s, Dr. Gardner and Barb began attending church in Marion and made the decision to make the Marion community their home. While searching for a new workplace, Dr. Gardner saw an advertisement for a growing independent practice looking to hire more physicians. When he looked into MIPA, he found it would be a perfect fit. Dr. Gardner joined the practice in 2010 and has been providing complete primary care services to patients of all ages ever since.

MIPA (Marion Independent Physicians Association) is an independent practice started by Dr. Kathy Dixon in 2000. Because MIPA is truly independent, practitioners are able to refer patients to specialists that best suit them, regardless of hospital or network. In addition to Dr. Gardner and a team of nurses and staff, patients come to MIPA to see nurse practitioners Rachel Fisher and Robin Landon, as well as physician assistants Amanda Gandert and Woody Barry. When asked what differentiates MIPA from a large hospital system, Rachel Fisher replied, “We are family focused here. We partner with families to build relationships that allow us to care for all present and future needs, not just treating a few symptoms in a single office visit. We focus on the whole person to ensure optimum health and well being for years to come.”

Bringing personalized care to the Marion community is more than just a job to Dr. Gardner, it’s a calling. From his residency to his first years practicing in other communities, he knew he wanted to be a doctor that goes the extra mile. He spent time connecting with his patients and understanding the whole picture, not just the symptoms that brought them into the office that day. When he came to MIPA, Dr. Gardner was surrounded by other health care providers that treat their patients the same way ed-oesterreichische.at.

The Team at MIPA Family Care

What does the future look like for Dr. Gardner and the team at MIPA? As additional practitioners join the team, MIPA is now accepting new patients. When asked about his future specifically, Dr. Gardner smiled and replied, “I’m not looking to retire anytime soon. I love this community and I’m here for the long haul. I’ve seen patients as children, and then take care of them through adolescence and adulthood, even seeing their children. Watching my patients live full and healthy lives is the best part of my job.” To learn more about services at MIPA, or to schedule an appointment, call 740-223-3496 or stop in at 1069 Delaware Ave, Suite 205A in Marion.