The Look and Feel
From the outset, Dr. Irwin knew he wanted a practice that captured the look and feel of the Northwest. “I fell in love with the community and wanted to give everyone who lives here, patients of mine or not, something to be proud of,” he said. Exposed timbers and layered rock on the exterior of the building are echoed throughout the interior as well. The building features tall, peaked ceilings with recessed lighting and natural light flows throughout the practice. The eye is drawn toward the building’s highlights, like the stone fireplace in the reception area and custom flooring in the foyer.
Dr. Irwin’s interior design preferences were slightly more difficult for him to articulate. “I like an Asian-Zen feel mixed with a Northwoods flair. But I don’t know what that looks like!” Dr. Irwin’s wife, Mary Irwin, and Chapman were able to bring to life a design that met his approval, however. Vivid artwork, jewel-tone highlights on the walls and artistic lighting and bath fixtures are just some of the many touches they incorporated throughout the practice. “It is a beautiful building,” Bottiger said. “It’s probably the most spectacular building in Port Angeles.”
The New Stuff
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Dr. Irwin had specific ideas for upgraded equipment and technology because of the challenges associated with the growth of his practice. Before the new facility was to open, he brought on Dr. Temres, a friend of Dr. Riggs, and his patient load. (Dr. Irwin thought it would be great for Dr. Riggs and Dr. Temres to work together before they retire.) Dr. Temres brought his associate, Dr. Paul Mowery, with him as well. “We built 12 operatories thinking that we would grow into them over time. Instead, we opened the doors of our new building at near full capacity,” Dr. Irwin said.
Eric Meldrum, a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, and a lifelong friend of Dr. Irwin’s, was hired in 2004 to run the day-to-day operations of the practice. Meldrum handled most of the technology challenges related to the new building, one of which was combining software databases from the merging practices. Fortunately, Dr. Temres and Dr. Mowery also were using EagleSoft Practice Management Software. “We provided Patterson with back-up copies from two separate EagleSoft databases, and the Patterson technology team merged it all successfully into one database,” Meldrum said. “One of my greatest fears in this transition process was the merging of the software. Thanks to Patterson, it all went more smoothly than I could have hoped.”
This also was a perfect time for Irwin Dental Center to finally go completely paperless. All of their patient records are now stored digitally in EagleSoft, with no need for paper charts. “I’m dedicated to technology and being on the forefront with technology in the practice,” Dr. Irwin said.
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