Dr. Scott Fletcher starts his day in Norfolk by stepping off a twin-engine plane at the Norfolk Regional Airport.
Then he, along with two of his staff members, climb into a waiting — and warm — minivan provided by the airport and head to the hospital to see the first of 20-25 pediatric cardiology patients who travel to Norfolk for appointments.
Fletcher, a pediatric cardiologist with the joint division of Pediatric Cardiology of Creighton University/UNMC/Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, wrote a letter to the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce expressing his gratefulness to the Norfolk community for having an up-to-date airport to fly into.
His patients are even more thankful.
By having Fletcher fly to Norfolk, it saves Laura Cerda of Madison from having to drive her 9-year-old son, Andan, to Omaha for an office visit. Andan was diagnosed with a heart murmur at a school check up and in a follow up visit to the pediatrician, it was recommended that he see a heart specialist.
“I’ve only been to Omaha twice and last time the GPS took us to the wrong area,” Cerda said.
Rather than having to drive two hours to Children’s Hospital in Omaha, it takes Fletcher’s plane less than 30 minutes to fly to Norfolk.
A pilot takes Fletcher and his staff to eight outreach clinics across the state to see patients that may be newborns or adults.
“We’re seeing more adults with congenital heart disease mostly because there are more kids who are now growing up with it and thriving,” Fletcher said.
He and his staff bring along a portable ultrasound machine and uses EKG equipment that is in Norfolk office space he leases at the Faith Regional Medical Offices West.
Heather Hitz of Battle Creek serves as the receptionist when he’s in town.
Fletcher said he appreciates the service he and his staff receive at the Norfolk airport which prompted him to write the letter of appreciation
“I wanted to commend the outstanding customer service given to my medical team every month when we fly into your local airport,” Flethcher wrote. “The airport staff has always been friendly, professional, and service oriented. I conduct many pediatric cardiology clinics across the state and by far, the Norfolk Airport is the best.”