New doctor takes over Re Nu Me practice

The medical offices of Re Nu Me welcomed a new doctor this summer when Dr. Beth R. Duncan bought the otolaryngology practice from Dr. Paul Howard.

An ear, nose and throat specialist, Duncan said she worked with Howard for nearly a year prior to her formal purchase of his practice in June to make the transition as seamless as possible.

"We've maintained care and contact with all the existing patients," Duncan said. "At the same time, we also welcome new patients."

The office offers treatment for medical issues regarding the mouth, glands, nose, sinuses, hearing, swallowing and voice along with surgery for facial structures and aesthetic or cosmetic surgery.

Already the owner of the Wilmington-based ENT office Delaware Otolaryngology Consultants, Duncan said she owns the Re Nu Me business name as well as the practice in her agreement with the outgoing Dr. Howard.

"He reached out to me several months before, and we negotiated to have as smooth a transition as possible," Duncan said. "We basically worked together for a few months."

She said he has relocated back to his home state of Texas as he transitions toward retirement, but Duncan expects to expand the scope of her new practice as the she builds relationships with patients in the Cape Region.

A board-certified otolaryngologist, she also holds an MBA in healthcare administration and a doctorate in public policy administration and healthcare policy. Her continued studies in business administration and healthcare policy have helped her better adjust to recent challenges and changes in health policy and health insurance as a business owner and practitioner, she said.

With this practice, Duncan said she is looking forward to re-establishing a more comprehensive hearing center with audiology and the ability to make and fit hearing aids.

"That will be a very comprehensive program for children and adults," Duncan said.

With the new doctor, some aspects of the office have changed, including the addition of two new employees and the transition to paperless, computerized record-keeping but some things stay the same. Existing patients will be happy to see some familiar faces still remain at the Re Nu Me office, including three members of the administrative and clinical staff from Dr. Howard's office.

Mainly, Duncan said the office has been working overtime to accommodate an already-busy practice, make the transitions and offer the same quality of care that her patients expect and deserve.

"We've been working to streamline seeing the patents and getting the practice and infrastructure organized," she said. "We are trying really hard to let people know Dr. Howard has gone back to Texas, but I 'm going to be continuing on with their care. It's been wonderful so far."

Duncan said she is working to implement an interactive website, do online scheduling of appointments, practice telemedicine for existing clients and reach out through social media.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Duncan, call 302-644-2232.