Bluestem Health Thompson Clinic Continues A “Family” Practice Legacy

The Thompson Clinic, a family practice legacy, runs deep with family practice providers, starting with Dr. Richard J. Thompson. In 1985, Dr. Thompson opened his private practice called the Richard J. Thompson, MD Family Practice in Lincoln, Nebraska. For years, Dr. Thompson provided family medicine services to his patients as a solo practitioner until his daughter, Dr. Julie Steinhauser, and his son-in-law, Dr. Michael Israel, joined the practice.

Dr. Thompson experienced health issues that forced him to consider an earlier retirement than he had planned. With the help of his daughter and son-in-law, the Thompson family decided to ensure that the family practice should continue to care for patients. This decision led them to becoming part of the Bluestem Health organization. Today, Bluestem Health Thompson Clinic continues as a comprehensive family practice that provides high quality, healthcare services to individuals and families in Lincoln, Nebraska.

What is a Family Practice?

A family practice, also known as a primary care practice, is the patient’s first point of entry into the healthcare system, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Family practices meet the needs of patients of all ages and with a broad spectrum of health issues. Family practices provide services such as preventive care, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions, coordination of care with specialists, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, and patient education.

Family practices are located in communities to meet the various needs of patients. Providers associated with a family practice may see patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including in the clinic, in hospitals, and in long-term care facilities.

Family Practice Providers at the Thompson Clinic

Leading the care team at Bluestem Health Thompson Clinic is Michael Israel, MD, ABFM. Dr. Israel received his Medical Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine in 2011, and completed his Family Medicine Residency through the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2014. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He also serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Bluestem Health. Dr. Israel was named Young Physician of the Year in 2018 by the Nebraska Medical Association.

Dr. Israel is committed to providing excellent healthcare to his patients, to serving others in the community, and to being a voice for those who many times aren’t able to advocate for themselves.

Marissa Ebel, APRN-NP, an advanced family nurse practitioner, also provides family practice care at the Thompson Clinic in Lincoln. Marissa received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas in 2006. Her nursing career spans 10 years, including two years working in a rural hospital and eight years at Bryan Health’s neuro/trauma intensive care unit. She went on to attain her Master’s of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska in 2016. Marissa joined the Bluestem Health organization in 2016, and transitioned to the Thompson Clinic in 2017. She enjoys getting to know patients and their families, finding answers to their ailments or social needs, educating patients on disease prevention, and helping them stay current on annual visits.

What Services are Offered at the Thompson Clinic?

Our primary focus at the Thompson Clinic family practice is the well-being of our patients by making sure they receive the highest quality services, from preventive care to chronic disease management, through all stages of life. Services provided include:

• Immunizations: Getting immunizations help your body’s immune system fight off diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, and are scheduled at various stages of life.
• Annual Physicals: Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start.
• Preventive Care: Getting regular screenings are a good way to detect early signs of health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, colorectal cancer, diabetes, breast cancer, depression, and other illnesses, that can lead to more complex health problems.
• Well-Child Checkups: It’s important to track your child’s growth and development, in order to find or prevent health problems. The child’s height, weight, and other information are recorded.
• Chronic Disease Management: Helping you manage chronic diseases, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, involves education about treatments, discuss alternative therapies, and how to make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Contraceptive Services
• Lab Testing

The Thompson Clinic, a family practice legacy, is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you are looking for a family practice provider in Lincoln, Nebraska, contact Bluestem Health Thompson Clinic, a family practice legacy, located at 2222 South 16th Street, Suite 435. To schedule an appointment, call 402-474-7445.