Primary care that makes a difference: Barb Romberg

Primary care that makes a difference: Barb Romberg

Barb Romberg has always believed that the best healthcare begins with truly knowing your patient. She says that is exactly what nurse practitioner Karen Lomas does.

Lomas took over Barb's care after her longtime provider that she had built a strong relationship with was no longer seeing patients in Boscobel. Barb was nervous to get to that level of trust with someone new, but from the beginning, she says Lomas continued that same level of connection. Over time, she took the time to get to know her, not only as a patient, but as a person. Appointments were and are still never rushed. Lomas listened, asked questions and paid attention to changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

When Barb first came to see Lomas, it was because of a small bump on her nose that would not go away and unexplained weight loss. Her clothes no longer fit, and something did not feel right. Because Lomas had taken the time to get to know her, she trusted her instincts and ordered additional testing, including an MRI scan.

During that scan, Lomas found a tiny spot in Barb's lungs. It was very small - about the size of the tip of a pin. It was small enough that it could have easily been missed. Instead, Lomas ordered a biopsy. The results showed the unthinkable: Barb had lung cancer.

Because the cancer was caught early, Barb was able to undergo surgery to remove the top portion of her right lung along with nearby lymph nodes. She wholeheartedly believes that if Lomas had not been paying attention to every word she told her, the cancer might have gone undetected.

"Quite honestly, I believe Karen saved my life," Barb said.

She says what sets Lomas apart is the way she treats people. Patients are not just a diagnosis or a number. She truly takes time to listen, build relationships, and understand that each person responds differently to treatment.

Barb stated that she is especially sensitive to medications. When a specialist told her that her quality of life did not matter and that she would simply have to tolerate side effects, Lomas took a different approach. She listened to Barb's concerns, adjusted her treatment plan and helped find a solution that improved her quality of life while still protecting her health.

Throughout recovery, Lomas continued to look deeper. When Barb struggled to regain her energy, Lomas ordered additional lab work, identified underlying issues and adjusted her care. She got her into a slow and steady workout program with the Boscobel Cardiopulmonary Rehab team and she also reminded Barb to be patient with her body and realistic about recovery after major surgery.

"She has this incredible ability to figure things out," Barb said. "I think that comes from truly getting to know her patients."

Lomas' approach to care reminds Barb of her father, who was an Army doctor. She said he believed in building relationships with patients and understanding their lives beyond the exam room.

"He truly got to know his patients," Barb said. "He would run into them at the grocery store and stop to visit because that connection mattered. The way Karen treats me feels just like that."

Barb says that kind of care is rare and is why she trusts Lomas completely.

"She treats you like a whole human being," she said. "I am incredibly grateful she is my provider."