A Return to Meaningful Medicine: How a Family Physician Reclaimed Time and Connection with Elation
In the fast-paced world of modern healthcare, where checkboxes and screen time often replace eye contact and conversation, Dr. Andrew Pasternak is a refreshing example of what’s possible when technology serves the physician—not the other way around.
As a family medicine physician and founder of Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine in Reno, Nevada, Dr. Pasternak has always believed that strong, personal relationships are the cornerstone of effective care. “That continuity of care, the trust that builds over time—that’s why I became a family physician,” he reflects.
But maintaining that continuity—while running a thriving, independent practice—hasn’t always been easy.
The Challenge: Time-Intensive Documentation
For years, Dr. Pasternak wrestled with documentation workflows that stole hours from his evenings and weekends. Despite trying various tools—from templates to transcription software—none integrated cleanly into his workflow or delivered the efficiency he needed.
“In family medicine, patients often have complex, multi-faceted health issues. Capturing all that accurately was eating into my evenings and weekends,” Dr. Pasternak recalls.
The Breakthrough: Elation’s Note Assist
Everything changed when he discovered Elation’s AI-powered documentation tool, Note Assist. With Note Assist, Dr. Pasternak began documenting in real time during patient visits—eliminating the need for late-night charting marathons.
“After just two days of using Note Assist, I was convinced—it’s absolutely worth the investment,” he said.
Now, Dr. Pasternak finalizes each note in just 2–3 minutes—down from 10. He completes 10 notes in about 15 minutes, reclaiming valuable time to focus on what he loves most: connecting with patients, pursuing personal passions like playing the tuba and running ultramarathons, and even diving back into research projects.
More Than Efficiency: Elevating the Patient Experience
By removing the screen as a barrier, Dr. Pasternak is more present in the exam room. Patients notice the difference.
“I’m making better eye contact. I’m focused more on the patient, which enhances the connection,” he shares.
And in family medicine—where trust and long-term relationships are everything—that connection is essential. Elation’s AI tools also ensure no detail is missed, even those that go beyond the clinical, like a patient’s daughter getting married.
This level of attentiveness, combined with streamlined care documentation, reinforces Dr. Pasternak’s core mission: to provide care that’s not just accessible, but deeply personal.
Reinforcing Independence and Growth
For practices like Silver Sage that operate independently and within value-based care arrangements like ACOs and Medicare Advantage, financial sustainability is just as critical. Elation’s all-in-one EHR and billing system supports that growth with intelligent claims processing, in-depth reporting, and intuitive financial tools that simplify complexity and provide peace of mind.
“We’ve gained a level of insight into our billing that we didn’t have before,” Dr. Pasternak notes. “It gives us greater control and stability”.
With Elation, Dr. Pasternak isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving. His story proves that physicians can deliver exceptional family medicine while maintaining work-life balance and operational control.
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