Q & A with Laura Kahle, PA-C

Q: How long have you worked at AAFA Centers?

A: I have worked at AAFA Centers for 4 years- and a lot has changed over that time! Three new offices and many new medical services. It’s been an amazing experience to be part of the growth.

Q: What inspired you to be a physician assistant? 

A: I am also a Registered Dietitian and previously worked in pediatrics (particularly Cystic Fibrosis). I wanted to be able to provide complete medical care and not only nutrition therapy. One of the pulmonologists I worked with encouraged me to pursue Physician Assistant studies. I wanted to work in a field where I could utilize my nutrition and PA background, so here I am!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? 

A: Pre-COVID, we traveled all over the country to see friends and family and explore the outdoors. Now, my husband and I have gotten a little more creative to keep exploring the local outdoors with our 2 little girls.

 


Welcome Patients of Dr. Kim Waterhouse to Allergy, Asthma & Food Allergy Centers

Dear Dr. Waterhouse Patients,

We are delighted to welcome you to our practice! We aim to make your transition as smooth as possible. 

If you are on allergy injections, we should have your vials by July. Please download the new patient paperwork from this page and allergy shot treatment consent and financial consent. We do ask that you please email the completed new patient paperwork, consent forms, copies of the front and back of your insurance card, and driver’s license to info@aafacenters.com. Please include in the subject line “transferring Dr. Waterhouse patient”. Please also schedule an in person office visit at your earliest convenience in order to become further established in our practice. You will need to have that visit before we can refill medications and answer medical questions. The first visit will likely be with Lauren Davis, PA-C in the Chesterfield office, but Dr. Waterhouse will resume her role as your primary Allergist after she starts with the practice in late August. 

  • Allergy injections administered in our Chesterfield office (16216 Baxter Rd., Suite 299, Chesterfield, MO 63017):
    •  8:30AM – 4:30PM Mon-Thur
    •  8:30AM – 2:30PM Fri
    • We plan to add late office hours starting Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
  • We follow the guidelines from our professional allergy societies  that all allergy injection patients will need to wait in the office for 30 minutes after their injections.

If you are on a biologic for asthma or hives (ex. Xolair, Fasenra, Nucala, Cinqair, or Dupixent), please call at your earliest convenience to schedule a telemedicine or in person office visit by June 2021. If this is a telemedicine visit, it will be with one of our Advanced Practice Providers (Lauren Davis, PA-C, Laura Kahle, PA-C, or Dani Loftus FNP-BC) so we can get you established as soon as possible. You can read more about telemedicine visits here. This will allow us to get you registered in the practice and enable us to go through the necessary prior authorization process to obtain your medications. When you are due for your injection(s), and we have verified that we have your medication, we will schedule an in person visit in the office. Please note that our policy is that you will need an office visit for each biologic injection administered in the office. New Patient paperwork is available on this page and information on telemedicine visits is available here. Email the completed new patient paperwork, consent forms (if needed), copies of the front and back of your insurance card, and driver’s license to info@aafacenters.com. Please include in the subject line “transferring Dr. Waterhouse patient”.

For all other patients, we request that you please schedule a telemedicine or in person office visit at your earliest convenience to become established in our practice. We will need to see you to get you established in our system so we can refill medications and answer any medical questions. This is also an excellent time to do an annual visit. We can provide updated food allergy and asthma action plans at the time of the visit if needed. New Patient paperwork is available on this page and information on telemedicine visits is available here. Email the completed new patient paperwork, consent forms, copies of the front and back of your insurance card, and driver’s license to info@aafacenters.com. Please include in the subject line “transferring Dr. Waterhouse patient”.

We recommend that you follow us on Facebook, where we post practice updates.

It is our pleasure to play a role in keeping you well. We look forward to meeting you!


Telemedicine Still Available in 2021

Allergy, Asthma & Food Allergy Centers has been using the doxy.me platform for telemedicine visits since Thursday, March 19, 2020, and this has worked very well for patients unable to come to one of our physical locations (Swansea, Illinois; Bloomsdale/Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; South County/Sunset Hills, MO; and West County/Chesterfield, MO). 

Telemedicine Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. How does telemedicine work?
    1. A staff member will call you in the morning on the day of your scheduled appointment to collect insurance information and copays.
    2. You will receive a text in most cases (an email if you cannot receive texts or prefer to do the visit using a computer/laptop/tablet) with a link from doxy.me. You can watch a brief instructional video here and/or review this document.
    3. Open the link through your phone or use Chrome browser when on a computer/laptop. You will need a strong internet connection and will need to give permission for the website to use your camera and microphone.
    4. Sign in with the patient’s first and last name and click the “Check In” box, which will place you in the virtual waiting room. You can also review the telemedicine consent and test your connection while in the waiting room.
    5. Once the visit has started, your provider will be able to see you, and you will be able to see them. Your provider may not always be looking at the camera, because they will have another screen open with your medical record so they can document and review your information. Please be assured that if the provider looks away, they are not being distracted from the visit, and your medical care is their sole focus during your appointment.
  2. Do I need to download any program or application?
    1. No, because the doxy.me platform is web-based, you can access it from a browser on an internet connected device.
  3. What type of device do I need?
    1. You need an internet connected smartphone, tablet, computer, or laptop that has a camera and microphone. You will have to give the camera and microphone permission to access your web browser, which you should be able to do in the settings of your device, and we recommend you confirm this before your appointment.
  4. What else should I do to prepare for the visit?
    1. If you have a thermometer, please take your temperature before the visit to let the provider know so they can document it in your chart.
    2. Please take your pulse manually (instructions here) or with an apple watch, fitbit, or other device before the visit and let your provider know so they can document it in your chart.
    3. You can also review the telemedicine consent form here.
  5. Is the telemedicine visit secure?
    1. Yes, the doxy.me telemedicine platform is secure and HIPAA compliant.
  6. What if I do not receive a text or an email?
    1. If it is 5 minutes past your scheduled appointment and you have not received a text or email, please call our office.
  7. Is telemedicine more expensive than an office visit?
    1. No, you will have the same copay as you would with an in person office visit, but you do not have to leave the comfort of your home.
  8. What if my primary allergist is not available for a telemedicine visit?
    1. Do not worry! Our fantastic advanced practice providers, Lauren Davis, PA-CLaura Kahle, PA-C, or Dani Loftus, FNP-BC can see you if your primary allergist is not available.