Having a primary care practice on the Edgewood campus makes it easy for residents to manage their health. Staffed by the Kronos family medicine practice, The Rokous Center offers primary care and a patient-first approach on-site, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When Dr. Scott Early founded Kronos Family Medicine in Lawrence in 2015, he chose the name “Kronos” to reflect his goal: to spend more meaningful time with each patient. He brought that same philosophy to Edgewood when he became Medical Director in 2019.
Today, The Rokous Center, named after Edgewood’s first medical director, Dr. Joseph “Joe” Rokous, includes Dr. Early, Dr. Elise Carpenter, Family Nurse Practitioners Lenaya Burns and Alicia Mitchell, and Clinical Coordinator Jenny Medeiros, LPN. In addition, two Edgewood employees — Christine Faxon, receptionist/scheduler, and Vicki Lavoie, LPN — help ensure everything runs smoothly.
“What I like best about working at Rokous is learning each patient’s personal story,” says Jenny Medeiros. “Hearing about their lives, their past careers, families, and how they came to live here — it gives me the chance to build genuine connections with each person.”
In addition to primary care, The Rokous Center offers several convenient health services on campus:
- Weekly walk-in blood pressure check
- Lab work
- Ear cleaning
- Podiatrist visits (by appointment)
Edgewood residents can also receive in-apartment X-ray, EKG, and ultrasound services with a doctor’s order — making it easier than ever to access essential care without leaving home.
Dr. Early hopes to expand services in the future, noting, “It would be ideal to stay open at least one day on weekends and to add a part-time psychiatric nurse practitioner.”
Carrying on a legacy of compassionate, individualized care.
Through their teamwork, empathy, and dedication to personalized care, The Rokous Center staff carry forward Dr. Rokous’s legacy every day —ensuring each resident at Edgewood is seen, heard, and cared for as a whole person.
Written by Edgewood residents Barbara Estrin & Joan Kerzner.