What is a hospitalist?

If you are a patient at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center, you may encounter one of our hospitalist, this may lead you to ask: What is a hospitalist and why would I need one?

A hospitalist is a trained physician that specializes in inpatient medicine caring for patients while they are in the hospital.  The hospitalist works with your primary care physician by managing your care in the hospital.

How does it work?

If your physician or specialist believes that you need to be hospitalized, he or she will coordinate your admission with our hospitalist group. If you are admitted through the emergency department, your physician will be notified.  Once admitted, the hospitalist group will be in charge of your care and see you daily. Throughout your stay, the hospitalist will work together with your physician to give you quality care.

The hospitalist group will:

• Assess and treat your medical condition.
• Coordinate your hospital care.
• Review your progress with your physician.
• Establish a relationship with you and your family.
• When discharged, transition medical care back to your primary physician, who will resume the responsibility for ongoing outpatient treatment.

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How will my physician know what happens during my hospitalization?

Will I see other physicians while in the hospital?

What happens on weekends and evenings?

Who will talk to my family while I am in the hospital?

What will happen when I am discharged?
What are the benefits to me?

How will my physician know what happens during my hospitalization?
The hospitalist group will be in frequent contact with your physician, relaying the details of your care. Your physician will also be notified if anything unexpected happens during your stay.

Will I see other physicians while in the hospital?
The hospitalist group may consult specialists (such as cardiologists or oncologists) to assist in your care if needed.

What happens on weekends and evenings?
A covering hospitalist is on duty seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Who will talk to my family while I am in the hospital?
With your permission, your family will be contacted by a member of the hospitalist group. A hospitalist will be available throughout the day to answer any questions you or your family may have. You may also call your physician, who will have current information on your condition from our hospitalist group.

What will happen when I am discharged?
A member of the hospitalist group will discuss your discharge medications and other instructions with you. He or she will also assist in scheduling your first post-discharge office visit with your physician.  Your physician will receive a summary of your stay, including discharge diagnoses, medications that have been ordered or provided, and recommended follow up visits or treatments.

What are the benefits to me?
First and foremost, high quality care is available to you around the clock, seven days a week, by highly trained physician specialists. You can see them as often as needed.

Additionally, because hospitalists are based at the hospital, decisions can be made quickly as situations arise. Treatments are modified and test results followed up. This may help prevent medical complications, reduce hospital stays and lower costs.  Moreover, members of the hospitalist group have training and hospital experience in caring for severely ill or injured patients. This may result in more rapid and accurate clinical decision making for better outcomes and fewer readmissions.

Carl Cooper, MD
Degree: M.D. awarded University of Tennessee-Memphis School of Medicine, 1992
Internal medicine residency: University of Florida Hospital
Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1996

Randy Lagoc-Dingus, MD
Degree: M.D. awarded West Visayas State University College of Medicine, Philippines
Internal medicine residency: New York Hospital Medical Center
Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1995

Benjamin Kessler, DO
Degree: D.O. awarded Oklahoma State University of Osteopathic Medicine, 1997
Internal medicine residency: Memorial Health University Medical Center
Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2001

Julia Myers, MD
Degree: M.D. awarded Medical University of South Carolina
Internal medicine residency: Medical University of South Carolina