Dr. Leigh Speicher, MD

Dr. Leigh Speicher, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Internists are your primary partners in lifelong health, creating comprehensive preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing complex adult diseases to ensure your overall wellness and optimal long-term health. She serves adults (18 years and older) and welcomes inquiries about her availability for new patients. Please call (904) 953-2000 to confirm.

Dr. Leigh Speicher, MD is an internist in Jacksonville, FL with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine in 2004 and is affiliated with Mayo Clinic In Florida. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings a strong commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine to her practice. Dr. Speicher is Board Certified in Aerospace Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Leigh Speicher provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Leigh Speicher is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Leigh Speicher can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Leigh Speicher provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Lipid Disorders: Unhealthy cholesterol and fat levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke; proactive management through diet and medication can significantly lower this risk.
• Blood in Urine (Hematuria): Preventive care is key to catching conditions like bladder infections or kidney stones that can cause blood in your urine; early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of lasting health problems.
• Chronic Pain: Chronic pain, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues. Preventive care helps you identify and address it effectively.
• Rash: A rash, even if seemingly minor, could signal an underlying health issue, making early detection through regular checkups crucial for preventing complications.
• Gout: Don't let gout control your life; proactive management with your internist, including medication and lifestyle adjustments, can help you live comfortably and prevent complications.
• Dysphagia: Managing dysphagia effectively, often with the help of your internist, can help prevent malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.
• Herpes Simplex Infection: Early detection of herpes simplex infection can prevent serious complications like eye infections or encephalitis, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups with your internist.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Untreated restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep, leading to other health issues; seeking timely evaluation and treatment is crucial for preventive care.
• Migraine: Preventive care for migraines involves identifying and managing underlying risk factors such as stress, sleep disturbances, and diet, thereby reducing your migraine burden.
• Reflux Esophagitis: Understanding your risk factors and adopting preventative measures, like dietary changes, can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of reflux esophagitis episodes.
• Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: Catching a common cold early can prevent it from turning into something more serious, like pneumonia, emphasizing the importance of preventive health measures.
• Headache: Persistent or severe headaches may signal a more serious health problem, so early detection through regular medical evaluations is crucial.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Leigh Speicher offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Advance Directive End of Life Planning: Proactively plan your end-of-life care wishes to ensure your preferences are respected and your family is supported.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): For the proactive management of your health, an arterial blood gas test is used to assess your blood's pH and gas levels, offering a crucial insight into how well your body is working and enabling timely interventions.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a non-invasive test that provides valuable information about your heart's health, enabling your doctor to make informed decisions about your care and prevent future health issues.
• Wellness Examination: Proactively safeguard your well-being with a wellness examination, designed to detect hidden risks and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.
• Interventional Pain Management: Addressing chronic pain through interventions enables you to participate more fully in life's activities and improve your mental health.
• Tuberculosis Screening: Ensure your well-being and the safety of those around you with a tuberculosis screening; early detection is key to managing this infectious disease.
• Cardiac Electrophysiology: Take a proactive step towards heart health with cardiac electrophysiology; this test helps identify hidden heart rhythm issues that could lead to strokes, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Internal Medicine Physicians in Florida.

Dr. Leigh Speicher is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Adult Patient's life:

• By following a personalized plan including dietary changes and medication, a patient successfully lowered their cholesterol and reduced their risk of heart disease, gaining confidence in their long-term health.
• By scheduling regular check-ups and following a proactive health plan, a patient significantly lowered their risk of developing long-term issues associated with blood in their urine. This proactive approach gave them peace of mind and confidence in their overall well-being.
• By proactively addressing potential triggers and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their chronic pain symptoms and improved their overall well-being. This proactive approach fostered a greater sense of control and confidence in managing their health.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Internal Medicine care with Dr. Leigh Speicher:

What is an Internist, and how are they different from a Family Physician?

An internist, like Dr. Speicher, is a primary care doctor who specializes in the care of adults. While family physicians treat patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and managing the various medical conditions common in adults.

How does Dr. Leigh Speicher manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Speicher excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. She acts as the quarterback of your healthcare team, coordinating care with specialists, managing medications carefully to avoid interactions, and prioritizing your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Speicher's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan tailored to each patient's unique needs. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), and a partnership to promote healthy lifestyle choices and minimize health risks, fostering healthy aging.

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, we can help manage your type 2 diabetes. Our comprehensive approach includes regular A1c monitoring, prescribing oral medications or insulin as needed, and counseling on diet and exercise to prevent long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Does Dr. Leigh Speicher provide care for patients in the hospital?

Dr. Speicher works closely with hospitalists to provide comprehensive care during a hospital stay. This ensures a smooth transition between the hospital and outpatient care, maintaining continuity of your treatment plan.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Speicher will conduct a thorough risk assessment, focusing on key preventable factors like managing high blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, treating atrial fibrillation, and counseling on smoking cessation to significantly lower your stroke risk.

What vaccinations are important for older adults?

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations is a key strategy for preventing serious illness in older adults. High-dose flu shots, Shingrix for shingles, and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23) are particularly important to protect against these common and sometimes severe conditions.

What happens during a 'Welcome to Medicare' or annual wellness visit?

A "Welcome to Medicare" or annual wellness visit is a crucial opportunity to establish a proactive health plan. It involves creating a personalized prevention schedule, reviewing all medications, assessing for potential health risks, and ensuring all your healthcare is coordinated and effective.

4500 San Pablo Rd S
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 953-2000

Dr. Leigh Speicher, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1730159658

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Internal Medicine Physicians like Dr. Leigh Speicher are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your internal medicine physician about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.