Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Kaczmarczyk.
Hi Jack, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is nice and circular, I like to say, because after dropping out (twice) from a psychology degree at U of M out of high school, I returned 20 years later to get my Master’s in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and then my post-grad certificate for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I had been a registered nurse (RN) for several years before that, working at (then) Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, and after that the Poppen House for Harbor Hospice. At the encouragement of my wife, co-workers, and friends, I decided to pursue a psychiatry specialization. First, I worked as a neuropsychiatric NP with Guidestar Eldercare, but there weren’t enough patients in my immediate area to see, so I was furloughed from that position. After that, I worked at a private psychiatric practice, but needed an environment more tailored to my strengths. What that ended up looking like was opening a private psychiatric practice of my own. A daunting task! What’s funny is, one of the reasons I dropped out of U of M before was the thought “well, I don’t want to open my own practice or something like that.” Yet here I am, in the 3rd floor of the lovely Core Plaza, with my kid’s drawings around me, a view of Webster Avenue and the Muskegon Art Museum, my trusty espresso machine– and I couldn’t be happier despite all of the challenges I was posed. I am doing exactly what I set out to do, all those years ago when I first became an RN: upholding human dignity, supporting diversity, honoring LGBTQ+ people, and meeting people where they are at to provide good, evidence-based, psychiatric care. I feel very honored to be here, truly, and thankful for everyone who made it possible. My family and friends are the greatest people I know.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Was the road smooth, getting here? To be honest, yes and no. The red tape, the state of Michigan documents, the policies and procedures, finding an office, finding a collaborating physician– these weren’t hard. Just time-consuming. What was hard was: trusting myself. Remembering who I am, which is someone who cares deeply about his community. I had to believe that I was perfectly capable, well-qualified, and deserving to open my own practice. Sure, I did receive some turned heads from my peers for setting out on my own “so new” to the profession. And to some extent that has informed the exhaustive precautionary process I have embarked upon to ensure that every aspect of my practice is safe, patient-centered, and adherent to guidelines. The reward is the relief in a patient’s face when they say something like, “in the 2 years I’ve been seeing my doctor, they didn’t listen as much to me as you did in an hour.” It’s very humbling. It’s like, “who, me?” I just enjoy what I do, I suppose is the key.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) who sees patients ages 6 and up in downtown Muskegon. I have a certification as a clinical services provider for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and can perform ADHD testing and diagnosis. I assess patients for psychiatric disorders, recommend treatments, and prescribe medications when indicated for those disorders. The reader might ask, “So what? There are dozens of psychiatric professionals who can say the same thing.” Well, in addition to those services, I’m a keen listener. I don’t look past you to the clock on the wall. I really do see you. Neither do I see you as just a diagnosis, or a medication-taker. Or a substance user. I’m easy to talk to because of that. Far be it from me to sit upon my degree, I think. What I aspire to be is a collaborator: with you, with your doctor, with other specialists– after the release of information is signed. I will get ahold of your oncologist and make sure we’re on the same page about the medications you’re taking. I will chat with your therapist and coordinate about your care. I’ll take the time to sift through your medical history to find out which medications worked for you, why they worked, and perhaps a new avenue of treatment. That’s what I’m here for. I guess I’m proud of that fact. That, and I’m really happy when I can make someone smile or laugh in a situation where they’ve been sad, or worried. Levity goes such a long way.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The FDA just approved an at-home therapy for depression that has been safely used in the UK for decades; it’s a self-operated headset that the patient uses for several weeks and does not induce the same kind of negative side effects that other intracranial methods can risk. That’s exciting stuff! At-home treatments like that are so helpful to people who either cannot or dislike going out. Especially during our fantastic Michigan winters.
There are other new and exciting avenues of medical treatment for common psychiatric conditions that is also coming down the pipe, indications for medications that have heretofore only been available for other “rarer” conditions. I am looking with interest at other treatment methods that are still being researched, like psychedelic medicines for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Gene therapy is exciting. I think an avenue of research that needs more consideration is treatment for post-partum depression for new mothers who get the “baby blues”. My wife experienced this herself and it can truly be crippling.
I think, looking to the future, there is no room or providers who are patronizing, “my way or the highway,” who do not take into account a patient’s entire story. Shoot, they probably haven’t even listened to the first chapter of their story. Barely cracked the book. Future providers should realize that no patient wishes to be patted on the head, given a prescription, and escorted to the door.
Pricing:
- $225 initial visit (out of pocket)
- $100 follow-up visits (out of pocket)
- Payment plans available!
- Several insurances accepted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ohmh.net
