Primary care and internal medicine in Brookfield
Primary care is the doctor you see first for check-ups, new problems and long-term health. At Maple Medical Center, our internal medicine doctors care for adults and older adults.
- Medicare accepted
- Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill
- Brookfield, IL
Maple Medical Center in Brookfield, IL, offers primary care from internal medicine doctors who treat adults and older adults. Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill see patients for yearly check-ups, sick visits and long-term conditions. They also help coordinate your care with specialists and hospitals. Call (708) 485-4050 to ask about becoming a patient.
What an internist does
An internist is a doctor trained in internal medicine. Internists care for adults of all ages, for many different medical problems.
Internists often look after people with several conditions at once. They also handle prevention, like screenings and vaccines.
That makes an internist a natural choice for your main doctor. This is your primary care doctor: the person you see first for check-ups and health problems.
Both of our doctors, Dr. Ehtesham Ghani and Dr. Simrun Gill, are board certified in internal medicine. Dr. Ghani is our Medical Director. You can read more about them on our doctors page.
Who we care for
Our doctors see adults and older adults. Many of our patients are seniors. Others are working adults and parents.
Looking for a doctor for a child or teenager? We care for adults and older adults. Please call (708) 485-4050 to ask about younger patients.
Dr. Ghani speaks English and Hindi. Our office is at 9223 Ogden Avenue in Brookfield, at the corner of Arthur Avenue.
What primary care covers
Yearly check-ups
A regular visit to review your health, update your screenings and catch problems early.
Learn more ›Sick visits
Feeling unwell? Call us first. Our sign says walk-ins welcome, but calling ahead is best.
Long-term conditions
Ongoing care for diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions that need regular checks.
Learn more ›Preventive care
Screenings and vaccines based on your age, your health and your family history.
Learn more ›Tests in our office
Our office offers tests such as an EKG, X-rays, lab blood draws and a breathing test.
Learn more ›Care for older adults
Medicare wellness visits, medicine reviews and help with several conditions at once.
Learn more ›What a yearly check-up is for
A check-up is a chance to look at your health as a whole. It is not only for when something is wrong.
Your doctor reviews your health history, your family history and the medicines you take. You talk about how you have been feeling, sleeping and getting around.
It is also the time to ask which screenings and vaccines are due. National guidelines change with age, so the list changes too. Our preventive care page explains the common screenings.
If you have Medicare, the yearly Medicare wellness visit is a little different from a full physical. Our care for older adults page explains how.
What happens at a check-up
Call to book
Call (708) 485-4050. Tell us if you are a new patient, and we’ll check your insurance.
Bring your medicines
Bring every pill bottle, or a full list with doses. Include vitamins and supplements.
Talk with your doctor
Share any new symptoms or worries. Your doctor reviews your history and examines you.
Tests if needed
Your doctor may order blood work or other tests. Some can be done right in our office.
Plan your next steps
Before you leave, ask what comes next. That may be a screening, a vaccine or a follow-up visit.
Common reasons for a sick visit
Call us when something new comes up. Here are a few examples.
- A cough, cold, sore throat or fever that is not getting better
- New aches, pains or a rash
- A minor cut or wound (our office lists wound and laceration care)
- Blocked ears from wax (our office lists ear cleaning)
- Dizziness, tiredness or a change that worries you
- Questions after a hospital stay or emergency room visit
Working with specialists and hospitals
Sometimes you need a specialist, such as a heart or lung doctor. Your primary care doctor is the one who sees the whole picture.
Bring reports from your other doctors to your visits. That keeps your records complete and your medicines on one list. If you need a specialist, ask your doctor about a referral. Some insurance plans, such as HMOs, require one.
If you are admitted to a hospital, a hospital doctor, often called a hospitalist, may also care for you. Our doctor and the hospital physician stay in touch. After you go home, you come back to see your Maple doctor.
Dr. Ghani is affiliated with UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange. Read more on our hospital care page.
Why a long-term doctor matters
Seeing the same doctor for years has real value. Your doctor learns your history and what is normal for you. Changes are easier to spot. And you don’t have to repeat your story to someone new.
That idea is how Maple Medical Center began. Dr. Arthur Appleyard Sr. started the practice. Dr. Arthur Appleyard Jr. carried it on for decades.
In the practice’s own words, the goal was “personal medical care in an individual one-to-one setting.” Dr. Ghani joined the practice in 1997. In 2003, it moved to its red-brick building at Ogden and Arthur avenues.
Most of our new patients come to us by word of mouth, from long-time patients.
Becoming a patient
We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. Call (708) 485-4050 and we’ll check yours before your visit. You can also read our insurance page.
If you have a copay or deductible, please be ready to pay it at your visit. Our new patients page has more about getting started.
Questions we hear about primary care
What is the difference between an internist and a family doctor?
Both can be your primary care doctor. Internists train in adult medicine and care for adults of all ages. Family doctors also see children. We care for adults and older adults, so please call to ask about younger patients.
Can I walk in when I'm sick?
Our sign on Ogden Avenue says walk-ins are welcome. Still, please call (708) 485-4050 before you come. Calling ahead is the best way to know when a doctor can see you.
How often should I see my primary care doctor?
It depends on your age and health. Many adults come in for a check-up once a year. People with long-term conditions often need more visits. Your doctor will suggest a schedule that fits you.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring your insurance cards and all your medicines, or a full list with doses. Records from past doctors help, along with the names of any specialists you see. Write down your questions so you don’t forget them.
Which hospital is your practice affiliated with?
Dr. Ghani is affiliated with UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange. Both of our doctors are part of Loyola Physician Partners, the physician network of Loyola Medicine, which includes MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. See our hospital care page, or call us about a specific hospital.
Are you open on Saturdays?
Our listed hours include Saturday from noon to 3 PM. We are closed on Sundays. Hours can change, so check our contact page or call before you come.
Do I need a primary care doctor if I feel healthy?
It helps. Some serious conditions, like high blood pressure, cause no symptoms early on. A regular doctor can find them with simple checks. You also have someone to call when you do get sick.
Related care
Care for older adults
Health care often gets more involved after 65. There are more medicines, more doctors and more questions. Our internal medicine doctors help older adults and their families keep it all in one place.
Learn more ›Chronic condition care
Chronic diseases are health conditions that last a long time, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Our internal medicine doctors help adults and older adults keep them under control, year after year.
Learn more ›Preventive care & screenings
Preventive care helps find health problems early, often before you notice anything. Our doctors help adults and older adults know which screenings fit their age and history.
Learn more ›Physical exams
A yearly physical is a chance to check how you are doing and catch problems early. We also do pre-employment and work physicals for adults.
Learn more ›Ready to see a doctor who knows you?
Call our Brookfield office and our team will find a time that works for you. We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. We’ll check yours before your visit.
Important information
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your own health.
If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.