Dr. Susan Murphy, MD

Dr. Susan Murphy, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Internal Medicine care at her clinic in Fort Pierce, FL. 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 is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their well-being. Currently, she is not accepting new patients, but you can call (973) 362-8783 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.

Dr. Susan Murphy, MD is an internist in Fort Pierce, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. A graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (1988), she completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital in 1991, followed by fellowship training at Vanderbilt University, further specializing her expertise. With this extensive background and experience, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and affiliated with HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital and HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital. Dr. Murphy's practice focuses on the comprehensive medical care of Adults (18 years and older), and she provides consultations primarily in English. She is not accepting new patients.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Susan Murphy 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. Susan Murphy 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. Susan Murphy 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:

• Achilles Tendinitis: Managing Achilles tendinitis through rest, ice, and physical therapy prevents further tendon damage and ensures a quicker recovery, safeguarding your long-term foot health.
• Hyperlipidemia: Managing hyperlipidemia effectively involves adopting heart-healthy habits and, when needed, taking medications to keep your cholesterol under control.
• Hair Loss: Since hair loss can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition, regular checkups with your internist are crucial for early detection and preventive treatment.
• Proteinuria: Regular health checkups, including urine tests for protein, can help detect proteinuria early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing further kidney damage.
• Venous Embolism and Thrombosis: Understanding your personal risk for venous embolism and thrombosis and working with your doctor to manage it through lifestyle changes and medication can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing a serious health event.
• Thyroid Goiter: Early detection of thyroid goiter allows for prompt treatment, preventing potentially serious complications and improving long-term health outcomes, making preventive care crucial.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Early intervention for allergic rhinitis is key to preventing its progression into more severe respiratory illnesses and significantly improving your quality of life.
• Neurogenic Bladder: Protecting your bladder health is key to overall well-being; neurogenic bladder, a condition impacting bladder function due to nerve issues, is best managed proactively with regular monitoring and your doctor's guidance.
• Tonsillitis: Managing tonsillitis effectively, often with antibiotics, helps prevent repeated infections and potential long-term health issues.
• All Headaches (incl. Migraine): Effective headache management is crucial for improving your overall well-being and preventing chronic pain and disability.
• Diabetes Type 2: Regular check-ups, including blood sugar screenings, can help detect type 2 diabetes early, allowing for timely interventions that significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications like heart disease and kidney failure.
• Bronchospasm: By learning your bronchospasm triggers and adopting preventive measures, such as medication adherence and avoidance of irritants, you can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes.

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. Susan Murphy 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: Empower yourself and your loved ones with an advance directive to guide your healthcare journey during end-of-life care.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): To proactively monitor your overall health and detect potential issues early, an arterial blood gas test measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, providing valuable insights into your respiratory and metabolic function.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Prevent health crises by proactively managing your multiple medical conditions with a coordinated care approach focused on early diagnosis and intervention.
• Diabetes Counseling: Empower yourself with diabetes counseling, learning how to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or manage this chronic condition.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): To ensure your heart's functioning well, an EKG is a valuable tool that can identify hidden heart issues, allowing for timely intervention and preventing future complications.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: Protecting your future, a fecal occult blood test is a crucial preventive measure that can identify colorectal cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
• Immunization Administration: Staying up-to-date on your immunizations is a proactive step to protect yourself from preventable diseases.
• Wellness Examination: A wellness examination is your annual health tune-up, providing a comprehensive overview of your health status, facilitating early detection and preventing future complications.

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. Susan Murphy 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 proactive plan of rest, ice, and physical therapy, a patient effectively managed their Achilles tendinitis, preventing further injury and regaining full function quickly. This approach ensured a positive outcome and protected their long-term foot health.
• By following a personalized plan that included dietary changes and regular check-ups, a patient successfully managed their hyperlipidemia, achieving healthier cholesterol levels and greater peace of mind.
• By scheduling regular checkups and discussing any hair loss concerns with their internist, a patient proactively identified a treatable vitamin deficiency, preventing further hair thinning and restoring their confidence.

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. Susan Murphy:

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

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

How does Dr. Susan Murphy manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Murphy excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. She acts as the quarterback of your healthcare team, coordinating care with specialists, optimizing your medications to prevent interactions, and focusing on your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Murphy's practice emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based approach to preventive care, partnering with patients to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging. Key screenings for adults, including those for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), are integrated into this approach. We work together to create a plan tailored to your individual needs and risk factors.

I was told I have 'fatty liver disease.' What does that mean?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an accumulation of fat in the liver, often linked to conditions like obesity and diabetes. Dr. Murphy can help you understand lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and dietary adjustments, to prevent further liver issues.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Murphy 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.

How do you help patients with healthy aging and geriatric concerns?

Dr. Murphy's practice focuses on helping patients maintain their independence and function as they age. We perform comprehensive geriatric assessments, including fall risk screening, cognitive health evaluations, and medication reviews to ensure safety and appropriateness for older adults. This proactive approach helps patients age healthily and maintain their quality of life.

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 vaccines, shingles (Shingrix), and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23) are particularly important to protect against complications.

I have high blood pressure. What is your treatment philosophy?

Our goal is not just to lower your blood pressure numbers, but to prevent serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. We take a multi-faceted approach, starting with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and adding medication when needed to achieve a safe, personalized blood pressure target for you.

1901 S 25th St Ste 103
Fort Pierce FL 34947
Phone: (973) 362-8783

Dr. Susan Murphy, 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): 1245483346

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. Susan Murphy 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.