A Return to the Past (Health Care)

Intending to be a liver specialist, Dr. Thomas Lally changed his career path and moved with his wife from Chicago to Denver six years ago to start a home doctor practice. He is now the only doctor dedicated to nothing but house calls in the state of Colorado. Serving about 400 patients with the help of three nurse practitioners, He sees the new health legislation of the Independence at Home Act as a way to attract more qualified doctors to his practice and to the field of home health care.

Making a home doctor's visit, Dr. Thomas Lally walks up to the front door of Andrew and Ella Sabo in Denver, Colo. Thursday 05/07/09. Lally is the only doctor in Colorado to do nothing but home doctor visits. He is a board certified internal medicine physician from Chicago, Ill. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago with hopes of being a liver specialist, but changed his career direction after seeing how much of a need there was for home health care. In 2003, Lally moved to Colorado with his wife, Jeanine and started his practice. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Family photos surround a mirror as Doctor Lally checks the feeding tube in the abdomen of David Parsons, 75, during a visit on Tuesday 04/02/09. Parsons was a long haul truck driver, who suffered a stroke several years ago and now is home bound. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Lally listens to a patient's complaints at an assisted living facility in Denver, Colo. during a visit on Thursday 05/28/09. Photo by Matt McClain
     
  
Patient, James Kimling, left, jokes with Doctor Thomas Lally during his initial visit with him at Sunrise at Cherry Creek in Denver Tuesday 04/02/09. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Thomas Lally examines the feet and legs of James Farriter, 56, as he lays home bound with cancer as Lally made a home visit in Denver, Colo. Thursday 05/07/09. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Thomas Lally holds the hand of Jeannette Rickelman , 80, center, during an initial doctor visit at the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility in Denver, Colo. Wednesday 06/17/09. Photo by Matt McClain
     
  
Dr. Thomas Lally sits in his car as he looks over paperwork while taking a phone call before stopping for lunch on a busy day in Denver Tuesday 04/21/09. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Saying ah, Jeannette Rickelman, 80, left, is examined by Dr. Thomas Lally, right, during an initial doctor visit at the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility in Denver, Colo. on Wednesday 06/17/09. With a patient load of nearly 400, it is difficult for Lally to take on new patients. "There is a good waiting list to enter our practice now because of the fact that there is a major physician shortage in this area, specifically in house calls," explains Lally. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Thomas Lally checks the feet of Andrew Sabo while making a home doctor's visit in Denver, Colo. Thursday 05/07/09. Lally is the only doctor in Colorado to do nothing but home doctor visits. Photo by Matt McClain
     
  
Dr. Thomas Lally, center, discusses with Susan Jones, left, about the prospects of a living will for her grandmother, Aileen Culp, 94, right, while making a home visit to her Denver metro area apartment on Tuesday 04/21/09. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Thomas Lally shows his frustration as he looks at past paperwork on the medical history of Jennie Rodriguez, 97, as she lays in a chair in her daughter's Denver metro area home Wednesday 06/17/09. Dr. Lally and three full time nurse practitioners serve about 400 patients. Each patient is seen every four to six weeks. His practice, however is nearing capacity and Lally has hopes of hiring another full time doctor to help alleviate his workload. Photo by Matt McClain
   
Dr. Thomas Lally enters the apartment of Frank Arzola and Mary Arzola as he makes a visit to the Sunrise at Pinehurst complex in Denver Tuesday 04/21/09. Photo by Matt McClain