Paul Gerdes, MD is a Family Medicine Physician practicing at his Killeen, TX clinic, dedicated to providing comprehensive Family Medicine care to all ages. He is a trusted local provider registered with The Texas Medical Board, practicing under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act). Family Medicine Physicians are primary care doctors (MD or DO) serving as the first point of contact for patients of all ages, providing comprehensive care from preventive check-ups and acute illness treatment to managing chronic conditions and coordinating care with specialists, ensuring continuous healthcare for the entire family. Dr. Gerdes, who earned his degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1983 and completed his residency at John Peter Smith Hospitals in Fort Worth, TX, is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. With over 40 years of dedicated experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and patient-centered care to his practice. Dr. Gerdes is currently welcoming new patients; please call (254) 680-1100 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Paul Gerdes provides consultations primarily in English.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Gerdes is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Gerdes provides comprehensive family medicine care, acting as a primary point of contact for patients of all ages. He emphasizes proactive health management, from preventive screenings to the treatment of acute illnesses and chronic conditions. His patient-centered approach prioritizes open communication and collaboration to create personalized care plans, ensuring continuity of care for the entire family.
By working together, you and Dr. Gerdes can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Baylor Scott & White Health Plan
- BestChoice PPO
- Blue Advantage HMO
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Essentials HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Gerdes offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Tonsillitis: A sore throat and swollen tonsils could be tonsillitis, a common infection your family physician can easily identify and manage with antibiotics or other therapies if needed.
- Muscle Spasm: Your family physician is a great resource for managing muscle spasms; they can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate care to alleviate your discomfort.
- Anal or Rectal Pain: Anal or rectal pain is discomfort or aching in the anus or rectum, and a family doctor can help determine the cause and recommend treatment.
- Allergies: Allergies are reactions your body has to things like pollen, pet dander, or foods, and your family doctor can help you identify your triggers and manage your symptoms.
- Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: An acute upper respiratory infection (URI) is a common illness affecting your nose, throat, and airways, and your family doctor can help diagnose it and recommend treatment to ease your symptoms.
- Constipation: Don't suffer silently with constipation! Your family doctor can provide advice, medication, or referrals to specialists to help you regain healthy bowel movements.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection in your bladder or kidney, and your family doctor can diagnose it with a urine test and prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
- Ingrown Nail: An ingrown toenail is when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling, and your family doctor can help treat it.
- Heart Disease: If you have concerns about heart disease, your family doctor is your first point of contact for assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans, and specialist referrals.
- Acute Lower Respiratory Infection: If you have a sudden cough, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort, your family physician can determine if it's an acute lower respiratory infection and recommend appropriate care.
- Muscle Cramping: Muscle cramps can happen to anyone, at any age. Your family doctor is your first stop for diagnosis and treatment, helping you find relief and understand the underlying cause.
- Fever: Family doctors diagnose and manage fevers, providing treatment for the infection or illness causing the elevated temperature and ensuring your comfort.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Gerdes offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling: Your doctor can assess your alcohol use and provide guidance on reducing risks to your health.
- Incision and Removal of Foreign Object: To treat an injury from a foreign body, such as a piece of metal or a thorn, your doctor may make a small cut to remove it.
- Diabetes Counseling: Learn practical strategies for living well with diabetes, such as monitoring blood sugar, preventing complications, and managing emergencies.
- Immunization Administration: Immunization administration involves getting vaccinated to protect yourself from preventable diseases.
- Lyme Disease Evaluation: If you think you might have Lyme disease, this evaluation involves a doctor assessing your symptoms and potentially running tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
- Chlamydia Infection Screening: Chlamydia screening involves a quick swab or urine sample to identify the presence of chlamydia bacteria.
- Arrhythmia Screening: Your doctor may recommend an arrhythmia screening to assess your risk for heart problems or to monitor a known condition.
- Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Your family doctor acts as your central healthcare hub, organizing specialists and treatments if you have multiple health problems.
- Geriatric Assessment: A geriatric assessment is a thorough check-up designed to identify any health problems or risks common in older adults, helping to create a personalized care plan.
- Cancer Screening: Cancer screenings are tests that help find cancer early, often before you have any symptoms, increasing your chances of successful treatment.
- Mole Evaluation: This exam helps detect potentially dangerous moles early, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
- Wellness Examination: Your doctor uses a wellness exam to assess your current health status, provide vaccinations, and offer guidance on healthy lifestyle choices to improve your well-being.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Gerdes is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan, a patient experienced significant relief from their sore throat and swollen tonsils, quickly returning to a comfortable and healthy state.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan from their family physician, a patient experienced significant relief from their muscle spasms, allowing them to resume their normal activities without pain.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from a family medicine physician, a patient experienced significant relief from chronic anal pain and regained comfort and control over their daily life.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Killeen
3801 Scott and White Dr, Killeen, TX, 76543
Phone: (254) 680-1100
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- University of Texas Medical Branch (Medical School) - 1983
- American Board of Family Medicine (Family Practice)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving Family Medicine care with Dr. Gerdes:
- What is the difference between a Family Medicine doctor and an Internal Medicine doctor?
- Family medicine physicians, like Dr. Gerdes, are trained to care for patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. In contrast, internal medicine physicians typically focus on adult care. Dr. Gerdes is a versatile choice for all-ages family care.
- How often should I get a physical or wellness check-up?
- For most healthy adults, an annual physical is a good rule of thumb. However, the right frequency depends on individual factors like age, health history, and risk factors. Dr. Gerdes will help you create a personalized schedule for your needs.
- How do you help manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure?
- Dr. Gerdes acts as your healthcare quarterback, monitoring your condition through regular check-ups, managing prescriptions, ordering lab tests, and coordinating with specialists like endocrinologists or cardiologists to ensure comprehensive care.
- Can my family doctor help with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression?
- Yes, Dr. Gerdes can help with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression. Family doctors are often the first point of contact for these issues, providing initial diagnosis, managing medications for common conditions, and referring patients to specialists when needed.
- Should I see my family doctor for a cold, the flu, or a sore throat?
- Yes, Dr. Gerdes is the perfect first point of contact for colds, the flu, or sore throats. She can diagnose the issue, rule out more serious conditions, and provide advice or prescriptions to help manage symptoms and speed recovery. She can also advise if rest at home is the best course of action.
- What kind of routine health screenings do you perform in the office?
- Dr. Gerdes uses routine screenings like blood pressure checks, cholesterol and blood sugar tests, and cancer screenings (like Pap smears and referrals for mammograms and colonoscopies) as essential tools to catch health problems early.
- What happens if I need to see a specialist?
- Dr. Gerdes will determine when a specialist is needed and provide a referral to a trusted local professional. We are your healthcare navigator, coordinating your care throughout the process and receiving updates from the specialist to maintain a complete health picture.
- What kind of vaccinations can I get at your office?
- Dr. Gerdes's office provides routine immunizations, including annual flu shots, tetanus boosters (Tdap), and shingles vaccines for older adults. We keep track of your vaccination history and recommend what's needed based on CDC guidelines.
3801 Scott and White Dr
Killeen TX 76543
Phone: (254) 680-1100
Paul Gerdes, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1972562395
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by staging1.kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Paul Gerdes are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.