At Advocare South Jersey Internal Medicine, an internal medicine/primary care practice in Marlton, patients are at the heart of every appointment, every exam and every decision. Simply put, health care providers Minhaz Karim, MD, and Gina Tucci, APN, have been focused on their patient-first philosophy, adding that touch of empathy to their years of experience.
Advocare South Jersey Internal Medicine sees patients aged 16 and older, and the practice is currently accepting new patients. The office offers Saturday appointments once a month and late hours on Wednesday nights. Can’t come in? No worries: The office offers telemedicine visits, too! If you need to see a provider, they will find a way to get you in.
“We’re able to see you within a day or two,” Tucci says. “We are very flexible with patients. We understand life happens.”
“We’re the hidden gem of South Jersey,” she continues. “Dr. Karim’s medical knowledge of internal medicine and pretty much everything you need to know is unparalleled. Come have a visit with us and you’re going to have that one-on-one personalized care, but with a side of connections with the big institutions.”
Success through teamwork
October will mark two years since Advocare South Jersey Internal Medicine opened its doors, although Dr. Karim has been practicing for more than three decades—an advantage to his patients when they need to see a specialist, as Dr. Karim can put in a call to one of the myriad professional connections he has made over the years and get them in. Tucci joined the practice Dec. 2023 after working for Advocare offices since 2019, a smooth transition that has worked out great, according to the nurse practitioner.
“Dr. Karim’s very approachable,” she says, “and he made it clear when I started that he has an open-door policy.”
Collaboration in the office—and with outside specialists—is key to providing the best care for patients, according to Dr. Karim. Staying up-to-date by reading journals and attending medical conferences is also critical, especially for an office that sees patients for both everyday exams and specialty care. Dr. Anjum Karim, an infectious disease physician and Dr. Minhaz Karim’s wife, has been extremely instrumental in building up the practice in various capacities. And its incredible staff is led by practice manager April Kaukeano, the heart and soul in running the practice that she’s been able to transform since joining the team in Feb. 2023.
“Our office staff is amazing as well, we couldn’t do anything without their help,” Tucci affirms.
Empowering health care with empathetic education
“Internal medicine is the gateway to health care, from getting your yearly physical done to any major health issues,” Dr. Karim says. “From preventative treatment, vaccinations, to chronic treatment, that’s what internal medicine is all about.”
Tucci agrees, explaining that they cover an entire spectrum of medical issues: orthopedics, nephrology, infections, cardiology, diabetes, lipid management, obesity, sick visits, immunizations and much more.
“It’s literally anything, everything and all of the above,” she says.
When patients come to Advocare South Jersey Internal Medicine, they can always expect two things, according to Dr. Karim. One, they will be educated, and two, the final decision is always theirs.
“I try my best to educate my patients, and I give them immense time. That’s what I hear all the time from my patients—that others don’t spend so much time with them,” Dr. Karim says. “The final decision is always yours. I will never push you, but I will give you all the information you need to make that decision for yourself.”
“I always treat everyone as if they were my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother,” Tucci adds. “For every patient, I think, ‘If this were my family member, what would I want to accomplish? What questions would I want answered?’” Honesty is also important, she notes, and setting clear, realistic and attainable goals is critical.
Reaching goals together
Being a nurse has been Tucci’s passion for 20 years, but her love of helping others has been instilled in her since birth.
“That need to help, that need to care, has always been there. I was born with it,” Tucci says.
“The most rewarding part of my career is seeing people reach their goals, whether it is weight loss or improved lab work. Guiding them to make the best decision for their health, tailoring a care plan with them—that is what keeps my drive.”
Dr. Karim agrees that receiving positive feedback from a patient, even after a long, daunting day, makes it all worth it.
“The staff appreciates it and so do the providers. It’s very rewarding to get that acknowledgement that you’re making a difference to a person, their life and their family,” he says. “That’s what makes it so rewarding, and we will continue to provide the personalized care our patients need and deserve. In our practice, we are here to listen and help with all your medical needs.
Advocare South Jersey Internal Medicine
Marlton
(856) 985-3700
AdvocareSJIM.com
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 21, Issue 5 (August 2024)
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