The Sibley-Ruble clan of Pike County, Illinois, puts a special spin on the phrase “family medicine.”
When Emersen Sibley became a patient of the Illini Rural Health Clinic after her April 13, 2024, birth, she earned the honor of being the fourth generation of her family to be cared for by nurse practitioner Joanna Bunch and her team, nurse Alisha McAllister and certified medical assistant Kaylee Riley.
Other family members who see Joanna are Emersen’s 103-year-old paternal great-great-grandfather, her 70-year-old maternal great grandmother, her maternal grandmother, her maternal aunt and her mom.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” grandmother Stephani Ruble said. “I don’t think that happens very often where six members of the same family – from great-great-grandfather to great-great-granddaughter – go to the same person for their care.”
“It’s the epitome of family practice,” Joanna said.
Great-great-grandfather Howard Sibley was the first of the family to become a patient of Joanna’s, followed by Stephani’s mother and then Stephani.
“I love the way Joanna takes full consideration of her patients,” Stephani said. “She listens to everything we have to say and makes sure everything is taken care of.”
As her mother did with her, Stephani recommended that her daughters – Lindsey and Emersen’s mom, BriAnna – become patients of Joanna. They took her advice and, with Emersen’s birth, BriAnna made her daughter the fourth generation of the family to see Joanna for their healthcare.
“I know she will take full care of Emersen. She doesn’t miss anything that I tell her,” BriAnna said of Joanna. “I also know that if any issue needs to be taken care of by a different doctor, she will tell me. I know Emersen’s in good hands with Joanna”
“I love family practice. It’s special,” Joanna concluded.
Joanna, it seems your patients love you right back.