About Atlantic Internal Medicine – The Practice
Atlantic Internal Medicine is a traditional primary care practice that has been a pillar of the Brunswick County, NC medical community since 1986. We are an independent medical practice. This allows us to practice according to our principles. We take an alternative approach to assembly line care.
Our focus on high quality patient care is steadfast. We preserve a physician-patient relationship that is increasingly at risk. In 2018 Dr. Richard Crane, the practice owner, created Atlantic Internal Medicine Plus; a concierge membership program that takes the concept of personalized care even further.
We are adult care specialists, seeing patients 18 and older.
Dr. Richard D. Crane
Richard D. Crane, MD has been practicing internal medicine since 1997. His practice philosophy has always been to “put the patient first”. Medicine to him is a calling, not just a job. Dr. Crane spends the time needed to listen, evaluate, diagnose and treat your health issues. He establishes relationships with patients with a focus on wellness, preventive care and managing chronic illness. He attends to urgent matters promptly. He supervises your referrals and specialty care. This approach results in coordination of care across the healthcare spectrum.
Patients know that Dr. Crane is a reliable first contact for their healthcare needs. “I am blessed to have such a kind and grateful group of patients. They fully value my experience, availability, knowledge, effort and skill. We have a mutual respect and appreciation for each other. I love working to make my patients’ lives better.”
Dr. Crane has a strong commitment to Brunswick County. When he arrived in 2000, his goal was to bring high quality primary care to an under-served population. He joined Atlantic Internal Medicine and became an attending physician at Brunswick Community Hospital. As an active staff member, he admitted and cared for patients for many years.
When Brunswick Community Hospital closed, Dr. Crane moved his attending privileges to Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center. He maintains full admitting privileges there. He attends to patients and provides daily visits to them.
Dr. Crane has served on the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee for sixteen years, assuming the roles of Chief of Staff, Chief of Medicine, Vice Chief of Staff, and Past Chief of Staff. He has also served on the Patient and Medical Services Committee and the Credentials Committee. His continued committee involvement gives him a deep understanding of the people and processes of the hospital, maximizing his effectiveness in caring for his hospitalized patients.
Dr. Crane attended the College of William and Mary, where he earned an undergraduate degree in economics. He attended medical school at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.
During his final year of residency he received the Auget Lauriendo Award, given to the program’s top resident. Dr. Crane attained board certification in Internal Medicine in 1997. He participates in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Maintenance of Certification Program. This provides continuing education and allows him to maintain his board certification.
Dr. Crane has lived in the community where he cares for patients since his arrival here in 2000. He lives, works and worships in Brunswick County. He demonstrated his commitment to the healthcare of the county early on by helping to recruit physicians and working with them to strengthen established services and add new ones. He collaborated with them to insist on quality and patient focused care. He was a primary figure in transitioning from the county hospital to the new facility. He continues to advocate on healthcare issues.
When he is not practicing medicine, Dr. Crane enjoys outdoor activities such as surfing, paddle boarding, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. He continues to hunt turkeys and deer despite little success in either. His biggest joy is spending time with his family and watching his two children grow up.
