We are very proud to announce that several of our Atrius Health practices and providers have been recognized on Wicked Local’s 2018 Reader’s Choice awards lists in their various communities.

During the months of January and February, Wicked Local newspapers asked their readers to nominate their local favorites in more than 70 categories. Thousands of votes were cast to select the top choices in each community. Here are the Atrius Health winners in the categories of Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician, Optical Shop, and Physical Therapy. Thank you to all of our wonderful patients who voted!

• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. David Driscoll – Harvard Vanguard Beverly
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Beverly
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – #1 Choice – Dr. Megan Collyer – PMG Bourne
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention –Dr. Caitlin Mann – PMG Bourne
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Braintree
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Eric Anderson – Harvard Vanguard Burlington
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Burlington
• Optical Shop – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Chelmsford
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Chelmsford
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Barbara Peters – Harvard Vanguard Concord
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Sandra Meyerson – Harvard Vanguard Concord
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Bronze – #1 Choice – Harvard Vanguard Concord
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – #1 Choice – Dr. Lowell Fox – Dedham Medical Dedham
• Physical Therapy – Honorable Mention – Dedham Medical Dedham
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Leo Muido – PMG Duxbury
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Peter McIver – PMG Kingston
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. William Griever – PMG Kingston
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Thomas Cody – PMG Kingston
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Gold – #1 Choice – Harvard Vanguard Medford
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Brianne Midura – Dedham Medical Norwood
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Peggy Chou – Dedham Medical Norwood
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Bronze – #1 Choice – Dedham Medical Norwood
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Peabody/Lynnfield
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Alfred Baum – PMG Plymouth (Court Street)
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – #1 Choice – Dr. Andrew Angel – Harvard Vanguard Somerville
• Optical Shop – #1 Choice – Harvard Vanguard Somerville
• Physical Therapy – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Somerville
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Lisa Thayer – Harvard Vanguard Watertown
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Andrea Forde, NP – Harvard Vanguard Watertown
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Silver – #1 Choice – Harvard Vanguard Watertown
• Physical Therapy – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Watertown
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Gold – #1 Choice – Dr. David Rubin – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley
• Optical Shop – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Dr. Katrina Klaus – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Honorable Mention – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley
• Doctor/Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician – Regional Bronze – #1 Choice – Dr. Mary Odegaard – Harvard Vanguard Weymouth

The post Atrius Health Recognized in Wicked Local’s 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards appeared first on Atrius Health.

As a service to our patients, Diane Reilly, our Atrius Health Medicare Educator, conducts free group sessions about Medicare at various Atrius Health office locations throughout the year. These sessions are designed to assist patients who are seeking a greater understanding of the complexities of Medicare. Topics covered in the class include how and when to enroll in Medicare, an explanation of the various parts of Medicare, and tools to assist with Medicare plan choice.

If you wish to enroll in one of the upcoming sessions listed below, please call the Medicare Education registration voicemail line at 617-559-8340 to sign up. Seating is limited so pre-registration is required. Although these sessions are for Atrius Health patients, you are welcome to bring a spouse, partner or caregiver.

Plymouth Public Library
132 South Street
Free parking

Wednesday, August 1st              6:00 – 7:30 p.m.             Otto Fehlow Meeting Room

Harvard Vanguard Medford 
26 City Hall Mall, Medford
Free parking

Session 1            Tuesday, August 7th                   5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Salem Conference Room

Session 2           Thursday, August 9th                 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.          Salem Conference Room

Session 3           Monday, August 13th                  5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Salem Conference Room

Session 4           Wednesday, August 15th           5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Salem Conference Room

Harvard Vanguard Somerville
40 Holland Street, Somerville
Validated parking

Session 1            Tuesday, August 14th                  1:00 – 2:30 p.m.            Staff Lounge

Session 2           Tuesday, August 14th                  5:30 – 7:00 p.m.           Staff Lounge

Harvard Vanguard Cambridge
1611 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
Free parking

Session 1            Tuesday, August 21st                   1 – 2:30 p.m.                 Conference Room D

Session 2           Monday, August 27th                 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.           Conference Room D

Harvard Vanguard Watertown
485 Arsenal Street, Watertown
Free parking

Session 1            Thursday, August 23rd              4:00 – 5:30 p.m.          MacDonald Conference Room

Session 2           Wednesday, August 29^th          8:30 – 10:00 a.m.        MacDonald Conference Room

Dedham Medical Norwood
1177 Providence Highway, Norwood
Free parking

Session 1            Thursday, September 6th          5:30 – 7:00 p.m.           Board Room

Session 2           Thursday, September 13th         1:00 – 2:30 p.m.            Board Room

Session 3           Thursday, September 13th         5:30 – 7:00 p.m.           Board Room

Dedham Medical Dedham
One Lyons Street, Dedham
Free parking

Session 1            Tuesday, September 11th               5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Dedham Lounge

Session 2           Wednesday, September 12th        8:30 – 10:00 a.m.          Dedham Lounge

Harvard Vanguard Chestnut Hill/West Roxbury
291 Independence Drive, Chestnut Hill
Free parking

Session 1            Wednesday, September 19th     1:00 – 2:30 p.m.           Radiology Conference Room

Session 2           Wednesday, September 19th     5:00 – 6:30 p.m.           Forbes Conference Room

Session 3           Tuesday, September 25th           5:00 – 6:30 p.m.           Forbes Conference Room

Harvard Vanguard Chelmsford
228 Billerica Road, Chelmsford
Free parking

Session 1            Monday, October 1st                  5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Sullivan Conference Room

Session 2           Thursday, October 11th              1:00 – 2:30 p.m.            Sullivan Conference Room

Harvard Vanguard Concord
330 Baker Avenue, Concord
Free parking

Session 1            Wednesday, October 3rd           5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Gorman Conference Room

Session 2           Tuesday, October 16th                5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Gorman Conference Room

Harvard Vanguard Peabody/Lynnfield
2 Essex Center Drive, Peabody
Free parking

Session 1            Saturday, October 13th               9:00 – 10:30 a.m.         3rd floor waiting area

Session 2           Tuesday, October 23rd               4:00 – 5:30 p.m.           ABC Conference Rooms

Session 3           Wednesday, October 24th        5:30 – 7:00 p.m.           ABC Conference Rooms

Harvard Vanguard Beverly
77 Herrick Street, Suite 101, Beverly
Free parking

Session 1            Thursday, October 18th              5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            2nd Floor Conference Room

Session 2           Wednesday, October 24th         1:00 – 2:30 p.m.            2nd Floor Conference Room

Harvard Vanguard Wellesley
230 Worcester Street, Wellesley
Free parking

Session 1            Monday, November 5th             5:30 – 7:00 p.m.            Staff Lounge

Session 2           Tuesday, November 13th           5:30 – 7:00 p.m.             Staff Lounge

Session 3           Thursday, November 15th         4:00 – 5:30 p.m.             Conference Room 2

Session 4           Monday, November 19th           4:00 – 5:30 p.m.             Conference Room 2

The post Join Us for a Medicare Information Session appeared first on Atrius Health.

Atrius Health is excited to announce a convenient new way for patients with a MyHealth Online account to schedule their routine mammogram through the MyHealth secure website or the MyChart mobile app for Apple and Android devices. This new capability allows you real-time access to directly book an available appointment.

Atrius Health offers digital 2D mammography at our Boston (Kenmore), Dedham, Chelmsford, Somerville and Weymouth locations and digital 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) at our Boston (Kenmore), Dedham, and Weymouth locations. Both types of mammography have been shown to be beneficial for the early detection of breast cancer. 3D mammography is a series of x-rays of each breast which decreases the overlap of tissue when viewed. This examination takes a few minutes longer compared to 2D mammography.

You should consider 3D mammography if:

• You are scheduling your first mammogram
• If a prior mammogram has indicated that you have extremely dense or heterogeneously dense breasts
• You, or a first-degree relative (mother, father, sister, brother), have a history of breast or ovarian cancer

If you have difficulty holding your breath for up to 30 seconds or are unable to stand still for up to 30 seconds, 2D mammography may be preferable.

If you do not find an appointment that meets your needs or you are not sure if you should schedule a digital 2D or a digital 3D mammogram, please call the imaging/radiology department at your preferred location.

To schedule an appointment through the MyHealth secure website, log in and click on the “Schedule An Appointment” icon on the home page or the “Schedule an Appointment” link under the “Appointments” section. To schedule an appointment using the MyChart app, log in and click on the “Appointment” icon on the app home page and next, click the “Schedule An Appointment” banner at the bottom of the page.

The post New on MyHealth: Schedule Routine Mammograms appeared first on Atrius Health.

Dr. Christine Skiadas is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and a subspecialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, or a reproductive endocrinologist. She practices at our Harvard Vanguard locations in Boston (Kenmore Square), Burlington, and Quincy and works with a broad population of patients, many of whom are trying to get pregnant. The following interview with Dr. Skiadas was conducted by Pamela DeGregorio and originally published on the Ovia Health blog. Ovia Health is a women’s health and technology company transforming the way employers support women and families along their parenthood journey. Since 2012, Ovia Health has supported more than 9 million women and families.

There are a lot of myths about infertility. What exactly does a medical diagnosis of infertility mean?

Infertility is a disease that is defined by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine as “the failure to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months or more of appropriate, timed unprotected intercourse or therapeutic donor insemination.” Essentially, this means trying to get pregnant on your own for a year or more without success. However, most physicians recommend proceeding with an earlier evaluation — after 6 months of attempted pregnancy — for women over 35 or couples with other risk factors. Once you have a medical diagnosis of infertility, this may open up additional diagnostic testing and treatment options.

You’re an OB/GYN with a subspecialty in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, or a reproductive endocrinologist. What does that mean from a patient’s perspective?

I work with a broad population of patients — from teenagers who are not getting regular periods to women who are facing premature menopause. However, the vast majority of my patients are couples trying to get pregnant.

I see a wide range of patients with difficulty getting pregnant or who have had recurrent miscarriages, as well as those with irregular menstrual cycles and other reproductive health problems that may put their fertility at risk or call for surgical treatment. I also help women who want to preserve their fertility by freezing eggs, single women considering parenting on their own, and same-sex couples who want to build families.

The majority of patients I see have been attempting pregnancy for about a year before they seek consultation. However, if the female partner is over 35, it’s reasonable to plan a consultation after 6 months. Usually an initial consultation would include a thorough review of past medical history, with attention to risk factors that could harm fertility, and then we would determine a diagnostic testing plan and course of action.

Treatment is highly individualized, both in terms of what is medically appropriate for a couple, as well as paying careful attention to their own values and reproductive goals. Treatments could range from medications to help with ovulation all the way to robotic assisted reproductive surgery to correct factors negatively impacting chances of pregnancy.

What are some recent developments in the field of reproductive endocrinology that you find particularly promising?

Within the past five years, the technology involved in freezing eggs has revolutionized this procedure and has made it possible for women to preserve eggs for the future. This has also vastly changed the field of egg donation (the process of getting pregnant using an egg donated by another woman) and has made it more analogous to that used for sperm donation (where either egg or sperm is frozen in advance). This holds the promise of potentially being able to somewhat circumvent Mother Nature, but this technology is still a recent development and only became widespread (and effective) in the past five years or so. If you’re reading this and regretting you didn’t freeze your eggs 5-10 years ago, don’t regret it — this is a newly developing area.

The field of genetics also continues to change rapidly, which has allowed for much greater testing of genetic disorders in embryos. Increasingly, we are offering more genetic screening to couples — even prior to getting pregnant — to try to identify genetic traits within a family that could cause birth defects or longer term impacts on a healthy life. If we identify something within the parents, we now have the capability to use genetic testing to identify embryos that carry certain genetic diseases, predispositions to cancer, or chromosomal problems that would result in miscarriage.

I anticipate that these two advances will continue to evolve the way in which we practice reproductive medicine in the future.

What would you most like people who are trying to conceive to know about infertility and the field of reproductive endocrinology?

First is acknowledging that infertility is a disease and not a personal failing. Second is that there are a wide range of treatment options available, many of which are highly successful. Third, we are much better at controlling the risk of a multiple pregnancy now than previously, so there are a lot of ways to optimize the chances of having a single pregnancy.

Finally, there are lots of ways in which we can individualize treatment plans to increase the comfort of the couple undergoing treatment — from limiting the number of embryos created, to genetic testing, to including alternative therapies such as acupuncture in a treatment plan.

The field of reproductive endocrinology is fascinating and continues to evolve quickly. Treatments that were done routinely five years ago have now been completely replaced. It makes sense to discuss your fertility with a specialist if things are not happening naturally. Board-certified reproductive endocrinologists have done advanced training in reproductive endocrinology following an OB/GYN residency. Like any subspecialty, the training is much different than other physicians whom patients may have discussed their fertility concerns with.

The guidance and care a reproductive endocrinologist can provide is also much different than the advice that many people get from their families — that they just need to relax and it will happen. The one thing that we haven’t (yet) been able to completely overcome is Mother Nature and the impact of advanced maternal age. Success rates are highly linked with age, and it makes me sad when I see patients who have been trying to conceive for many years who had not previously seen a physician and may not have realized what an impact age can have.

If pregnancy is not happening and you’re concerned, speak with a specialist. There are so many things that can be overcome with treatment — I am truly amazed every day with what our field can do.    

The post What is Infertility, and How Can a Reproductive Endocrinologist Help? appeared first on Atrius Health.

Atrius Health was among more than 50 business leaders and organizations in the state to recently endorse the “Yes on 3” ballot question campaign. The bi-partisan coalition is seeking to uphold the state’s transgender non-discrimination law on the ballot this November. The group is governed by Freedom for All Massachusetts, the official ballot committee.

In 2016, the Massachusetts legislature passed – with a bipartisan, supermajority vote – historic non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public places such as restaurants, shops, and medical offices in Massachusetts. Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill into law in July of 2016. Shortly after it went into effect, opponents of the law gathered the minimum number of signatures required to place the law on the ballot for repeal in November of 2018. Repeal of the law will put Massachusetts at risk of following the path of North Carolina, which lost thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions in the economy when an anti-transgender law passed.

Pictured are representatives from the business committee and organizations who recently gathered as part of the “Yes on 3” ballot question coalition meeting.

“Massachusetts has long led the country on matters of equality and civil rights that ensure equal protection under the law for our patients, employees, and all residents of the state,” said Dr. Steve Strongwater, President and CEO of Atrius Health.  “We are honored to join leading associations, major employers, and others in support of the ‘Yes on 3’ campaign to support equal treatment for all.”

The post Atrius Health Endorses “Yes on 3” Ballot Question Campaign appeared first on Atrius Health.

We are proud to congratulate Michael Whitner, MD for receiving the Boston Children’s Hospital Community Pediatrician Award. This honor is the highest award granted to physicians in the larger Boston Children’s Hospital community, traditionally primary care doctors in the Greater Boston area. Nominated by their peers, Community Pediatrician Award winners demonstrate exemplary patient care, compassionate treatment of all children, commitment to innovation, or excellence in teaching.

“Dr. Whitner’s sense of humor and wit has contributed to a positive work environment while his ‘can do’ approach has supported innovation after innovation at our practices,” said Dan Slater, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Atrius Health. “Above all, he has been a consummate pediatrician to a large panel of patients for nearly 30 years. I am not aware of a more fitting recipient of this award than Dr. Michael Whitner.”

Dr. Whitner has had a distinguished career as a pediatrician and as chief at Atrius Health’s Harvard Vanguard Quincy location. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Hospital Pediatric Residency, Dr. Whitner joined the then-Harvard Community Health Plan in 1990. He has assumed many roles over the years including managing Atrius Health’s new physician orientation program, chairing the organization’s quality committee, and leading many clinical initiatives.

Dr. Whitner has been an ardent activist in delivering high-quality integrated primary care, working closely with his colleagues at Boston Children’s Hospital for decades to ensure smooth transitions of care when his patients needed specialty consultations. Examples of his advocacy include teaching Atrius Health pediatric chiefs and clinicians to enhance concussion management by introducing ImPACT Testing into practice and how to safely but aggressively address chronic constipation in practice to avoid the need for specialty consultation.

More recently, Dr. Whitner participated in the conception and implementation of the Atrius Health Pediatric Complex Care Program, and his practice was one of the first to have an embedded care facilitator, a member of our care team who aids patients and families in accessing and navigating the healthcare system during and between medical visits. His medical assistant was hired in this role to coordinate the needs of complex patients and work with the primary care team to address the social barriers that impacted their health. Dr. Whitner also brought fluoride treatment into the standard work of his practice and has demonstrated how easily this oral health procedure can be added into the primary care setting.

Congratulations, Dr. Whitner, on this terrific achievement, and thank you for all you do to serve our patients with kindness and compassion every day.

The post Atrius Health’s Michael Whitner, MD Receives Boston Children’s Hospital Community Pediatrician Award appeared first on Atrius Health.

On Monday, September 3rd, the Atrius Health medical practices will be closed for Labor Day except for those practices listed below, which are open for pre-scheduled urgent care appointments.

If you feel you need medical advice or think that you may need to be seen, call your doctor’s office at any time, day or night. Your call will be directed to our 24/7 medical staff and triaged as needed. If it is determined that you need an urgent care appointment, the medical staff can schedule you for an appointment.

As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency access number.

Please note: Pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology will also be open at the times listed below.

Braintree-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 3:00pm

Chelmsford-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 2:00pm

Concord-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times for children only from 8:30am – 2:00pm

Kenmore-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Norwood-Dedham Medical: appointment times from 9:00am – 1:00pm

Peabody/Lynnfield-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 2:00pm

Plymouth-Cordage Park-PMG: appointment times from 9:00am – 5:00pm

Somerville-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Wellesley-Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 9:00am – 3:00pm

The post Labor Day Holiday Notice appeared first on Atrius Health.

Pictured at a recent meeting with Congressman Jim McGovern are David Rose, Stephanie Jackman-Havey, Kathy Keough, Dr. Steve Strongwater, President and CEO of Atrius Health, Mary Whalen, Congressman Jim McGovern, Holly Chaffee, President and CEO of VNA Care, Renee Harper, Jeanne Callahan-Lydon, Robin Spaulding, Paula Boss, Mike Willettte, Karen Chirsky, Daiva Braunfelds, Pat Kelleher, and Chris Diguette.

VNA Care was honored to host Congressman Jim McGovern at their Worcester offices. Holly Chaffee, President and CEO of VNA Care; Dr. Steve Strongwater, President and CEO of Atrius Health; members of the VNA Care board of directors; and representatives from the Home Care Alliance met to discuss issues of importance to the home health and hospice and palliative care industry.

Another topic of discussion was the importance of reducing regulatory burdens placed on physicians which is a major component of physician burnout. Dr. Strongwater noted that certain paperwork requirements for home health physicians, most notably the so-called “Face-to-Face” paperwork, is redundant and presents challenges for both Atrius Health and VNA Care.

Ms. Chaffee stated that legislation pending in Congress that would allow advanced practice nurses to take on more responsibility for signing paperwork for home health care patients is a priority for VNA Care. She also asserted that audits conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pose an administrative challenge and advocated that audits should focus more attention on those facilities where there have been documented problems.

In addition, the nursing staff/patient ratio question (Question #1) that will appear on the Massachusetts ballot during the November 6^th election was discussed at length. Several of those in attendance voiced their concern that passage of the question would make it more difficult for home health and hospice agencies, physician groups, and others to fill nursing vacancies and that it could potentially increase health care costs in the state.

During the hour-long meeting, Congressman McGovern shared his insights on Washington, DC and offered a number of valuable suggestions to help advocate for reducing regulatory burdens. He urged all of the attendees to make sure they vote in the November elections.

The post VNA Care and Atrius Health Senior Leaders Meet with Congressman Jim McGovern appeared first on Atrius Health.

National Midwifery Week is September 30th – October 6th and the theme for this year is Midwives Make A Difference. We’d like to take this opportunity to commend all of the Atrius Health midwives for their ongoing commitment to our patients and practice.

Choosing and receiving care from a midwife has remained an option for Atrius Health patients since 1990. Midwives provide safe, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive care throughout a woman’s life.

This unique care is enhanced by using current evidence and collective knowledge to provide holistic, individualized, and respectful care to women. Midwives provide education and guidance to help empower our patients to make choices that promote strength, confidence, and health for themselves and their babies. This care is enhanced through their collaborative relationships with our Atrius Health providers throughout the organization.

In addition to hospital call and rounds, our midwives practice in our OB/GYN offices and as part of urgent care at Harvard Vanguard Kenmore and Wellesley.

“Midwifery is a vital solution to the challenges of providing high-quality maternal and newborn care for all women and newborn infants, in all countries.” This sentence from the Lancet Series on Midwifery represents our philosophy of care and practice at Atrius Health.

Please join us in congratulating our midwives for their outstanding continued service and care of our patients and their families!

The post National Midwifery Week 2018 appeared first on Atrius Health.

Many people assume if they lived and worked in the United States, they automatically qualify for premium-free Medicare when they turn 65. But depending on your employment history, that may not be the case.

Verify Your Medicare Eligibility

If you are not sure if you are Medicare eligible, you should contact the Social Security Administration at Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY users, 1-877-486-2048). Medicare representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also verify your eligibility for Medicare benefits on the Medicare.gov website. When considering retirement, it is critical to consult with your employer’s benefits advisor or group health plan administrator.

Medicare Part A and B

Let’s start with a basic understanding of Medicare. Original Medicare has two parts. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. Medicare Part B covers most outpatient services.

In general, most of us qualify for premium-free Part A Medicare benefits and we pay a modest premium for Part B. Medicare is typically available to you if you:

• are 65 years old
• have been a legal resident of the United States for at least 5 years
• you paid Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes for 40 quarters (approximately 10 years) through your job or through self-employment taxes

FICA and Social Security Taxes

FICA helps fund both Social Security and Medicare programs which provide benefits for retirees, the disabled, and children. FICA taxes are paid equally by workers and their employers. If your employer did not deduct these taxes from your paycheck or you did not work the minimum required number of years, you may not be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits or Medicare.

If you worked part-time or you worked in a position where FICA was not withheld from your paycheck, you may not have accumulated the required 40 quarters of employment necessary to claim Medicare benefits. However, you may be entitled to claim spousal benefits if you meet the following criteria:

• You are currently married and your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits (either retirement or disability). You must be married for at least one year before you apply.
• You are divorced and your former spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits (either retirement or disability). You must have been married for at least 10 years and you must now be single.
• You are widowed and married for at least nine months before your spouse died. You must be single.

Purchasing Medicare Part A

If you or your spouse have not been paying FICA taxes for at least 10 years, you are still eligible to buy Medicare Part A coverage, but you will pay a premium based on your work history. If you paid into Medicare for less than 30 quarters (7.5 years), your premium in 2018 will be $422 per month. If you paid into Medicare for 30-39 quarters (7.5 to less than 10 years), your premium in 2018 will be $232 per month. Note that if you do buy into Medicare Part A, you must also enroll in Medicare Part B.

Public Service Employees

If you are a public service employee working for a city, municipality, state or other civilian government agency that is exempt from FICA and therefore Medicare, you may be eligible for:

• an employee pension plan
• a retiree health plan that is not based on Medicare enrollment*

* If you have accumulated sufficient credits to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, your employer may require you to enroll in Medicare before they will offer you a Medicare-based retiree health insurance option.

Failure to enroll in Medicare when eligible may result in the loss of employer retiree health insurance benefits and result in Medicare enrollment restrictions and penalties. Some employers may require a letter from Social Security documenting your ineligibility for premium-free Medicare Part A before they will allow you to enroll in a non-Medicare based retiree health insurance plan.

The post Are You Eligible for Medicare? appeared first on Atrius Health.

The chances are pretty good that you’ve either seen or heard the message that, if you haven’t already done so, you should get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Although getting vaccinated doesn’t completely eliminate the risk that you’ll catch the flu, flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness and prevents millions of people from flu illness and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. Flu vaccination has also been shown to reduce the severity of illness.  It is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself and others against infection. Other ways to prevent getting or spreading seasonal flu include:

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Clean your home with disinfectants
• Limit contact with others if you’re sick:
  • Adults can typically spread the flu for 5-7 days after becoming sick
  • Children can typically spread the flu for about 7 days after becoming sick

Is it a Cold or the Flu?

According to the CDC, the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalization. Flu can have very serious associated complications.

The fever and body aches usually last 2-3 days and rarely more than 5 days. A cough, tiredness, and weakness may last longer. Some people who get the flu may feel tired or weak for 2 or more weeks after the fever goes away.

Are You at High Risk for the Flu?

Unlike the common cold, real influenza is a major illness that can have life-threatening complications for people of certain ages or with specific high-risk conditions. This chart will help you determine if you are at high risk for complications from influenza.

When to Seek Medical Care for the Flu

But what happens if despite your best efforts you still get sick? Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has helpful tips in this booklet, Flu: What You Can Do – Caring for People at Home. 

Call your provider if you or someone you’re caring for has the following symptoms:

• A fever that lasts more than 3 days
• A fever or a cough that goes away for 24 hours or more and then returns
• A fever with:
  • a stiff neck
  • a very bad headache
  • a severe sore throat
  • an earache
  • a rash
• Little or no urination
• Green, brown-colored, or bloody mucus that comes up when you cough
• Difficulty drinking
• Symptoms are not improving after a week

Seek immediate medical care if you or an adult you’re caring for has the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach
• Sudden dizziness
• Skin that is bluish or gray in color
• Confused or is unaware of their surroundings
• Serious or constant vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Seek immediate medical care for a child with the following symptoms:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Serious or constant vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In addition to the signs above, seek medical care right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

• Is unable to eat
• Has no tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

For more information about seasonal influenza, visit the CDC or Massachusetts Department of Public Health websites.

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We are pleased to announce the creation of the Addiction Stabilization Program (ASP) at Atrius Health. Based at our Harvard Vanguard Beverly practice, this new program provides safe medical and behavioral health care support in an outpatient setting for patients (18 years of age and older) with an opioid addiction who have an Atrius Health primary care provider.

“Our goal is to help patients understand their addiction and mental health challenges, build sober supports, and cultivate healthy coping skills to make long-term recovery realistic and achievable for them,” said Cally Lilley, APRN, Chief of Behavioral Health at Harvard Vanguard Beverly. Cally and her behavioral health team collaborated to develop this comprehensive treatment program. The ASP team also works closely with Atrius Health primary care providers.

“All our providers are on the front line of this epidemic and we recognize the critical importance of providing an integrated approach to care. Addressing addiction and its complicated mental health and medical challenges is our priority,” said Dr. Jake Kagan, Behavioral Health Specialty Chair at Atrius Health. “Substance use disorder requires a holistic treatment approach, where multidisciplinary teams coordinate to treat the mind, body, and spirit of patients in recovery.”

The Atrius Health Addiction Stabilization Program emphasizes building a safe and trusting relationship between patients and their providers. A core value of the ASP program is to meet patients where they are in their recovery process. All patients are treated with respect and are put in charge of their recovery. Our providers offer a supportive treatment approach and work hard to meet patients’ needs when a higher level of care is necessary. Stigma continues to represent a major barrier to addiction treatment. As a result, our providers create a safe therapeutic environment and aim to reduce destructive feelings of shame and guilt to keep patients engaged in their treatment.

Treatment Model

The treatment approach begins with an initial evaluation which is completed within 24-48 hours by an addiction therapist who gathers information and makes initial treatment recommendations. Once the initial evaluation is complete, patients are scheduled to meet with a psychiatry provider for a medication evaluation. During this visit, medication treatments are discussed including Suboxone (Buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (Naltrexone). These medications help to address the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Patients are then scheduled for individual psychotherapy appointments as well as group treatment therapy that is aimed at learning safe coping skills and preventing a relapse

Learn More

To speak with an addiction recovery specialist, please call the Harvard Vanguard Beverly behavioral health department at 978-232-7053, Monday – Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30p.m. At this time, patients are required to travel to Harvard Vanguard Beverly to participate in the program. The goal is to expand to other Atrius Health locations in the future.

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During the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend, our Atrius Health practices will be closed for routine care on Thursday, November 22^nd and Friday, November 23^rd except for those practices listed below, which are open for pre-scheduled urgent care appointments.

If you feel you need medical advice or think that you may need to be seen, call your doctor’s office at any time, day or night. Your call will be directed to our 24/7 medical staff and triaged as needed. If it is determined that you need an urgent care appointment, the medical staff can schedule an appointment for you.

As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency access number.

Please note: Pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology will also be open at the times listed above.

Urgent Care Hours: Thursday, November 22, 2018

Urgent Care Hours: Friday, November 23, 2018

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We are pleased to congratulate the Atrius Health physicians who have been named as Castle Connolly Top Doctors®. The database, compiled by healthcare research and publishing company, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., is comprised of physicians in more than 70 medical specialties and subspecialties.

Many of the Atrius Health physicians named as Castle Connolly Top Doctors® are included in the December issues of Boston Magazine and Cape Cod Magazine.

The Atrius Health physicians named to the 2018 list include:

Michael Aaronson, MD – Gastroenterology – Harvard Vanguard Beverly

Rachel Agrin-Silva, MD – Pediatrics – Dedham Medical Norwood

Lloyd Alderson, MD – Neurology – Harvard Vanguard Beverly

Joseph Audette, MD – Pain Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Alfred Baum, MD – Geriatric Medicine – PMG Plymouth – Court Street

Patricia Birgeneau, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Concord

Mark Boehnert, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Allison Bolton, MD – Pediatrics – Dedham Medical Norwood

Joseph Ciccone, MD – Urology – Harvard Vanguard Chestnut Hill/West Roxbury

Michael Cohen, MD – Pediatric Otolaryngology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Roderick Crocker, MD – Urology – Harvard Vanguard Medford

Cynthia Cullinane, MD – Geriatric Medicine – Granite Medical Quincy

Lilia Cuozzo, MD – Pediatrics – Dedham Medical Norwood

John Danziger, MD* – Nephrology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

James Demetroulakos, MD – Otolaryngology – Harvard Vanguard Peabody/Lynnfield

Bradley Denker, MD – Nephrology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Lars Erickson, MD – Pediatric Cardiology – Dedham Medical Norwood

Anita Feins, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Stephen Ferzoco, MD – Surgery – Dedham Medical Dedham

Jeffrey Garber, MD – Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Beth Goldbaum, MD – Obstetrics & Gynecology – Harvard Vanguard Burlington

Ronni Goldsmith, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Concord

Stacey Gore, MD – Medical Oncology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Raul Guzman, MD* – Vascular Surgery – Dedham Medical Dedham

Allen Hamdan, MD* – Vascular Surgery – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Chantel Hile, MD* – Vascular Surgery – Harvard Vanguard Medford

Rebecca Hill, MD – Internal Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley

Marshall Katz, MD – Cardiology – Harvard Vanguard Wellesley

James Kemp, MD (Retired) – Gastroenterology – Harvard Vanguard Medford

Karen Klein, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Copley

James Ku, MD – Urology – Harvard Vanguard Medford

Janet Li, MD – Urogynecology – Harvard Vanguard Quincy

Anthony Lopez, MD – Internal Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Concord

Sonia Mathew, MD – Family Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Sandra Meyerson, MD – Pediatrics – Harvard Vanguard Concord

Brieanne Midura, MD – Pediatrics – Dedham Medical Norwood

Daniel Mishkin, MD – Gastroenterology – Granite Medical Quincy

Kai Mithoefer, MD – Orthopaedic Surgery – Dedham Medical Dedham

Srdjan Nedeljkovic, MD – Pain Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Todd O’Brien, MD – Orthopaedic Surgery – Harvard Vanguard Peabody/Lynnfield

Kristin O’Neil-Callahan, MD – Internal Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Peabody/Lynnfield

Susan Pauker, MD – Clinical Genetics – Harvard Vanguard Watertown

Elizabeth Pearce, MD – Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism – Harvard Vanguard Chestnut Hill/West Roxbury

James Piper, MD – Gastroenterology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Vitaliy Poylin, MD* – Colon & Rectal Surgery – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Cynthia Rasmussen, MD – Obstetrics & Gynecology – Harvard Vanguard Burlington

Jeremy Richmon, MD – Otolaryngology – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Diana Rodriguez, MD – Maternal & Fetal Medicine – Harvard Vanguard Kenmore

Christine Skiadas, MD – Fertility & Reproductive Health – Harvard Vanguard Quincy

Jeannine Stanwood, MD – Pediatrics – PMG Duxbury

*Also practices at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

ABOUT CASTLE CONNOLLY MEDICAL LTD.

Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a healthcare research, information, and publishing company whose mission since its inception more than two decades ago is to help consumers find independent, trusted information about quality healthcare and Top Doctors on both the regional and national levels.  The Castle Connolly Top Doctors® database is available on our website at http://www.castleconnolly.com/ where focused healthcare consumers view more than 55 Million physician profiles annually. Castle Connolly’s online database contains the detailed profiles of more than 55,000 top specialists and sub-specialists across the country who have been nominated by their peers and rigorously screened by its physician-led research team. This database is searchable by location, specialty, hospital, and disease/condition. Visit http://www.castleconnolly.com/ for more information.

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American Heart Association and American Medical Association announce annual list of physician practices and health systems receiving a Target: BP award for their commitment to prioritize blood pressure control within the communities they serve  

Newton, MA – Atrius Health is recognized as a leader in the national effort to get people’s blood pressure under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) named Atrius Health as one of 802 physician practices and health systems nationwide recognized for a commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control through this year’s Target: BP Recognition awards.

Launched in 2015, Target: BP is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S.

More than 1,600 physician practices and health systems nationwide have joined Target: BP, sharing a common goal to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and improve health outcomes associated with heart disease.

“Achieving BP control is crucial to reducing heart attacks and strokes in our population. As an organization, we strive to create high-reliability processes to make sure we meet the needs of every patient,” said Thomas Isaac, Senior Medical Director for Quality and Safety at Atrius Health.  

Of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, less than half of them have it controlled to a healthy level. This is despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than high blood pressure.

“Although we have the tools to easily treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers making it difficult to successfully manage the condition. That’s why the American Heart Association and American Medical Association created the Target: BP initiative – to help bring patients and physicians together to successfully get blood pressure under control, and help patients keep it controlled,” said AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D. “We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national blood pressure control rate. Together, we will be able to save many more lives and improve health outcomes for patients throughout the nation.”

“A driving force behind Target: BP’s goal of improving cardiovascular health is the physician and patient partnership,” said AHA President Ivor Benjamin, M.D., FAHA. “We are pleased to see more and more practices prioritize blood pressure control and collaborate with their patients to achieve the program’s goal of reducing heart disease and strokes in their communities.”

Atrius Health, along with all other practices and health systems being recognized, will be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in national journal ads, on TargetBP.org, and the Target: BP Wall of Recognition that will be displayed at AMA and AHA events throughout the year.

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On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, our Atrius Health practices will be closed for routine care except for those practices listed below, which are open for pre-scheduled urgent care appointments.

If you feel you need medical advice or think that you may need to be seen, call your doctor’s office at any time, day or night. Your call will be directed to our 24/7 medical staff and triaged as needed. If it is determined that you need an urgent care appointment, the medical staff can schedule an appointment for you.

As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency access number.

Please note: Pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology will also be open at the times listed below.

Urgent Care Hours: Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Urgent Care Hours: New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2019

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As 2018 draws to a close, you may be thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. If eating healthier or losing weight is on your list, we’ve pulled together our most popular nutrition-related blog posts of the past year. We hope you can find a few helpful tips to incorporate into your lifestyle in 2019!

Resolve to Eat Healthier

It’s the time of year when many of us look back at the past month’s holiday parties and family get-togethers and think, “Oh, what have I done?!” Well, you’re not alone. A lot of us over-indulge around the holidays and it’s no surprise that one of the top 3 New Year’s resolutions is to “eat healthier.” So, how do you make that healthy eating resolution a reality? Here are some practical tips for healthier eating in the year ahead.

Practical Advice for Lifelong Weight Loss

There are plenty of fad diets and products on the market that promise quick and easy weight loss results. We all wish that weight loss could be that easy, but with some determination and guidance, it is very possible to achieve your weight loss goals. Dr. Erica Frank shares helpful steps to help you achieve lifelong weight loss.

10 Ways to Feed Your Heart Some Love

The heart is a fascinating organ that pumps 200,000 gallons of blood for us each day. Unfortunately, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the US. The good news is that heart disease for many people is preventable. One strategy for prevention is proper nutrition – feeding the body nutrients that promote health and life. As research evolves, so has the heart-healthy diet.

Smart Eating for a Healthier Brain

For centuries people have been in search of the Fountain of Youth to restore health and vitality and to reverse aging. There is growing evidence that diet and other lifestyle factors are key to healthy aging, and eating an antioxidant-rich diet that includes healthy fats is a simple and effective method for maintaining a healthy brain.

Mindful Eating

Do you ever eat at one sitting a whole bag of potato chips or a sleeve of cookies and then feel guilty? Or do you frequently feel “Thanksgiving full” too often after eating? Slowing down and learning to really pay attention to the food that you’re eating may help you develop a healthier relationship with food. One benefit of mindful eating is feeling more satisfied and subsequently eating less.

Building a Healthy Sandwich

A sandwich, if assembled properly, can be chock-full of health-promoting ingredients: a wonderful blend of whole grains and lean protein with some healthy fat and immunity boosting vegetables. Here’s how to build a sandwich that can be tasty and healthy and not boring at all!

Eating Right for Healthy Kidneys

Have you ever stopped to think about how important your kidneys are to long-term health? Kidneys are vital organs that usually fly under the radar when we think about a healthy lifestyle but many key functions in our body depend upon our kidneys. Keeping your kidneys well for a lifetime might mean making some changes in the foods you choose. Here we offer how to eat right for healthy kidneys.

Back to Breakfast Basics

Many people avoid eating breakfast, explaining “I don’t have time in the morning” or “I want more sleep.” But did you know that eating breakfast may help you feel better, improve your mood and increase your energy? So how do you bring breakfast back into your routine? Our Back to Breakfast Basics tips should give you and your family some new ideas to start your day and boost your health.

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Happy New Year! We hope that 2018 was a great year for you and that 2019 will be even better. To get your year started off on the right track, we are sharing a list of 5 things you can do to stay connected with your Atrius Health care team and help you stay healthy.

1. Save Your Doctor’s Office Phone Number in Your Phone to Call Us Anytime

Did you know that all Atrius Health patients have access to 24/7 medical advice? Even after our offices are closed, all you have to do is call your doctor’s office and follow the prompts to be connected with our team of medical staff who will provide medical advice by phone. If necessary, our staff can consult an on-call Atrius Health physician, schedule you for an appointment at one of our practices that offer urgent care, or direct you to an emergency room.

Having your doctor’s office phone number saved in your phone contacts will make it easier to get the medical advice you need whether you are sick at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. You should always call 911 if you think you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

2. Sign Up for MyHealth Online

Did you know that all Atrius Health patients can register for a free MyHealth Online account? MyHealth Online is the easiest way to stay connected to your doctor’s office. Through this secure web portal and mobile app, patients can:

• Get non-urgent medical advice
• Schedule and request appointments
• View test results
• Review immunization history, medical and surgical history
• View past and upcoming appointments
• Access doctor letters, school and camp forms
• Receive important preventive care reminders
• Request prescription renewals
• Manage healthcare for your loved ones through proxy access

You can enroll online for MyHealth or sign-up when you are next in the office for a visit.

3. Transfer Your Prescriptions to an Atrius Health Pharmacy

Save a trip to an outside pharmacy! Atrius Health has pharmacies located at 15 of our locations and any Atrius Health patient may use our pharmacies. When your prescription is sent to one of our pharmacies during your visit, you can stop by to pick it up on your way out.

Our pharmacists are always available to help with questions about your medications and can easily transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies. Let us know the details and we’ll take care of the rest! We also offer mail service at no additional charge and have a variety of over-the-counter products available at competitive prices.

The next time you need a prescription filled, be sure to let your Atrius Health clinician know you would like it filled at an Atrius Health pharmacy.

4. Get Your Flu Shot

Massachusetts is one of many states reporting “widespread” flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you haven’t received your flu shot yet, it’s not too late! Call your doctor’s office to schedule a flu vaccination appointment for you or your child. Visit our website to read All About the Flu.

5. Update Your Insurance Information

If you have a new health insurance plan for 2019, be sure to let us know about any changes to your insurance information by calling our Patient Registration department at 1-800-249-1767. You can also update your insurance information when you check in for your next visit or through MyHealth in the Billing section.

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On Monday, January 21^st, the Atrius Health medical practices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day except for those practices listed below, which are open for pre-scheduled urgent care appointments.

If you feel you need medical advice or think that you may need to be seen, call your doctor’s office at any time, day or night. Your call will be directed to our 24/7 medical staff and triaged as needed. If it is determined that you need an urgent care appointment, the medical staff can schedule you for an appointment.

As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency access number.

Please note: Pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology will also be open at the times listed below.

Braintree – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 9:00am – 4:00pm

Chelmsford – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 2:00pm

Concord – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 8:30am – 12:30pm for adults and 8:30am – 2:00pm for children

Kenmore – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 5:00pm for adults and 10:00am-4:00pm for children

Norwood – Dedham Medical: appointment times from 9:00am – 5:00pm for adults and 9:00am – 1:00pm for children

Peabody/Lynnfield – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 2:00pm

Plymouth – Cordage Park – PMG: appointment times from 9:00am-5:00pm

Somerville – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Wellesley – Harvard Vanguard: appointment times from 9:00am – 3:00pm

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Patient Information: Early Closing for Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Due to the snowstorm and in consideration of the safety of our patients and staff, many practices will be closing early for patient care at the times listed in the schedule below.

Patients who have appointments scheduled after these closing times will be contacted by a member of our staff to reschedule those appointments.

As always, if you need medical advice after our practices are closed, please contact your doctor’s office by phone, and your call will be directed accordingly.

*Endoscopy will remain open until all patients have had their scheduled procedure completed and are discharged.

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