Med-Peds Clinic

Mary Nicholas, RN & Amanda Cockrell-Tapalla, FNP 

Rush Adult and Pediatric Primary Care

Formerly known as Lifetime Medical Associates
Affectionately Referred to as LMA

At LMA, we deliver comprehensive primary care to people of all ages — newborns, children, adolescents, adults and seniors. All of our board-certified physicians are trained in both pediatrics and internal medicine. “Med-Peds” physicians are combined internists and pediatricians with the skills and knowledge to care for the entire family, from routine health care to complex medical problems.

LMA, an integrated resident-faculty practice, and is a focal point of the Rush Med-Peds Program. Residents have the opportunity to train in a large university program while joining a small group practice of Med-Peds colleagues.

During the four years of training, residents are responsible for the care of their own panel of outpatients of all ages including entire families. As practicing physicians at LMA, Med-Peds residents also develop valuable skills in office management and an understanding of the intricacies of running a group practice.

The patient population at Rush Adult and Pediatric Primary Care is well balanced between internal medicine and pediatrics easily maintaining at least a 60/40 balance often closer to 50/50.

Continuity Clinic

• Each resident keeps a weekly 1/2 day continuity clinic throughout their four years of residency.
• Clinic day changes each year of residency allowing for the ability to form working relationships with different clinic attending physicians.

LMA Rotations

• 7 rotation months over 4 years of residency (1 month during intern year, 2 months each remaining year)

Residents at LMA rotation spend the rotation involved in a variety of activities including:

• 1 full day continuity clinic weekly, 2 half day Saturday clinics
• Urgent care for the LMA clinic
• Ambulatory care quality management, and general office operations
• Preparation of journal club conference material
• Advocacy and Adolescent Medicine activities each month
• Telephone triage is covered by senior residents supervised by an attending

Outpatient procedures commonly done at LMA include:

• Joint aspirations and injections
• Removal of minor skin lesions
• Pelvic exams
• Incision and drainage of abscesses
• Suturing lacerations
• Wart removal
• And more