What Makes Our Practice Unique

Balcones Woods Family Medicine didn't just happen, it was created.

After working in a large group setting for a number of years, Dr. Hausman-Cohen decided it was time to open a small office practice where she could practice medicine in a way she could be proud of, and a practice where patients could feel well taken care of. Laurelin Mullins and Charis Bearden, Family Nurse Practitioners, and Dr. Koren Weston share in her philosophy and together they are Balcones Woods Family Medicine. While many offices see up to 20 patients per half day, the most distinguishing characteristic of our office is that we generally only see 7-10 patients per half day. This means that we have more time to spend with our patients discussing their care and treatment plans. We enjoy involving patients in their care by educating them regarding their health problems and concerns and treatment options. Dr. Hausman-Cohen originally had planned on going into medical research. After obtaining both her Masters degree and M.D. from Harvard Medical School she realized how important continuing education and evidence based medicine are to delivering outstanding care. At Balcones Woods Family Medicine, all of the providers are dedicated to maintaining our knowledge base through ongoing continuing education and research. In fact, it is not unusual for us to use our online subscription to "Up to Date" to research the latest information relating to a disease while the patient is in the exam room. While we still do have some time constraints, we generally allow 15 minutes for same day appointments and 30 minutes for most follow up or chronic issues appointments, which is longer than most offices. If we don't get to all of your issues and concerns at a scheduled visit please let us know as we are happy to schedule you for another visit.

About Family Medicine and our Practice

Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, and Laurelin Mullins, Family Nurse Practitioner, are board certified in family medicine. Dr Koren Weston is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

Family Medicine for physicians is a board-certified specialty requiring three years of residency training after a physician receives their medical degree. This training focuses on outpatient medicine. Family Nurse Practitioners are board certified RNs who have returned to school to obtain a masters of science in nursing; which involves advanced learning and intense study. Family Nurse practitioners are trained and certified to do full evaluations and prescribe medications and treatments in an outpatient setting, under the supervision of a physician.

In addition to being trained in adult medicine and pediatrics, family physicians and family nurse practitioners are trained in dermatology, allergy, gynecology, orthopedics, mental health care, and many other specialties that allow family physicians and nurse practitioners to treat the whole person.

We also, of course, offer annuals (including Pap smears) and well checks for all ages. In order to maintain board certification, both family physicians and family nurse practitioners have ongoing stringent continuing education requirements, with family physicians being required to complete a minimum of 300 hours every 6 years.

Dr. Weston participates in the full spectrum of family care in our office. Her residency had a more intense focus on hospital work. Our differences in training have allowed us to be supportive of each other and offer very broad services that can meet the majority of most families health needs.

We are expanding!

We are pleased to announce that as of May 18th, Charis Bearden, FNP will be returning to our office. Charis’s calm demeanor and joyful personality tends to make people feel better from the moment she walks in the room. We look forward to welcoming her back. Additionally, during the next few months you may find we are under construction. In order to make space for a 4th provider and to give all of our provider’s more schedule flexibility we are taking over the neighbor’s waiting room (they moved out) and adding two more exam rooms. Our increase in provider availability means we will be looking to expand our practice as well. If you have friends or relatives that are looking for a true medical home please send them our way. You know we will do our best to take good care of them. If someone you know is not feeling well, please have them feel free to call us, as we always save same day appointments.

Additionally, we are now on UNITED Health Insurance. We added this plan back by popular demand.