When Dr. John Keenan climbed into a meticulously restored 1915 Model T Speedster for an outing with 88-year-old patient Don Bentzel, it was much more than a ride in a vintage car. It was a reflection of something that sits at the heart of all we do at WellSpan: building meaningful relationships that allow us to know our patients as people.

For years, Don has been a patient of Dr. Keenan at WellSpan Family Medicine - Hayshire.  Along the way, they developed a special bond built on trust, respect and a shared appreciation for life’s milestones.  

A machinist by trade, Don has spent decades crafting award-winning woodworking projects, including jewelry boxes, toolboxes, cribs and tricycles. Recently, after completing the restoration of a 1915 Model T Speedster, Don wanted to share his accomplishment with someone who had followed the journey for years. Don often says Dr. Keenan is “as good as you get” and wanted to thank him for the exceptional care he has provided to both him and his wife. Knowing Dr. Keenan had taken such an interest in the restoration project, Don invited him for a ride in the treasured vehicle, with his son Tim behind the wheel.

“I’ve been hearing about Mr. Bentzel’s journey restoring the Model T for years,” said Dr. Keenan. “When I first saw a video of the completed car driving around their neighborhood, I thought it was incredibly cool. When Mr. Bentzel offered to take me for a ride, I immediately thought this was going to be a very special, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

For Tim, the outing was another example of the personalized care his family has come to expect.

“My dad and Dr. Keenan have developed a great relationship over the years,” Tim said. “I was so appreciative of Dr. Keenan taking the time out of his busy schedule to spend it with my dad. It was just another example of personalized care.”

That approach is exactly what WellSpan strives to deliver every day. For Dr. Keenan, relationships like this are among the reasons he chose family medicine.

“To be honest, I feel like I’m the lucky one in this relationship,” he said. “You go into family medicine because you want to truly get to know the patients and families you care for, and Mr. Bentzel and his family are a perfect example of that. Over the years, our relationship has become about so much more than medical care. When we sit down together, it doesn’t really feel like an office visit. It feels like I’m sitting down with my own family, catching up, listening and being part of their lives.”

Knowing patients beyond their medical histories helps clinicians deliver care that is tailored to their goals, values and circumstances.

“Patients consistently remind me that they, and their health, are so much more than a textbook diagnosis, a disease or a treatment guideline,” shared Dr. Keenan.  

“Taking the time to know who my patients are, what matters to them and what they value gives me a much better understanding of what their symptoms actually mean in the context of their lives. It allows me to move beyond simply treating a diagnosis and instead work with each patient to develop a care plan that fits their individual goals, values and circumstances. That is what makes the care truly personalized.”

At WellSpan Family Medicine, our doctors and advanced practice professionals specialize in preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and long-term conditions, helping you and your family become and stay healthy. From infants to seniors, everyone gets the care they need. Connect with care that fits your family and check off your check up this year with WellSpan Primary Care services.