PhysicianOne Urgent Care Brings Years of Experience to Massachusetts Communities

PhysicianOne Urgent Care began as a joint effort in Southbury between local physicians Dr. Jeannie Kenkare, Dr. Robert Rohatsch and Dr. Bernd Woerner. Today, the full-service, walk-in urgent medical center cares for patients in numerous communities throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

Patch: What are the differences between urgent care and the ER?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: Urgent care centers are a convenient and cost-effective option for patients with non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. For life-threatening, emergency medical care, the emergency room is the most appropriate setting. Though, for illnesses and injuries, from the common cold to broken bones, strep throat to a sprain, influenza to STI testing and so much more, urgent care is the solution. Wait times and cost are, on average, significantly less than the ER.

Patch: How does PhysicianOne Urgent Care distinguish itself from the competition?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: PhysicianOne Urgent Care was one of the first urgent care organizations in Connecticut, more than nine years ago, and was founded by myself and two physician colleagues, as we realized the need for a convenient and affordable alternative to the emergency room for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, a place that would provide access to high-quality medical care, from providers who are trained and experienced in caring for the broad range of ages and broad spectrum of needs that present to the urgent care. We have laboratory services for our patients on-site as well as x-rays, which are interpreted by a team of board-certified radiologists in real time.

Today, we have more than 16 locations throughout Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. We focus on the entire patient experience and ensure it is exceptional from the moment a patient goes online to check current wait times and check-in through the moment they are discharged and through their follow-up care. We work with primary care providers to ensure there is continuity in the care of their patients and ensure that they receive a copy of the patient’s record from our offices. All urgent care organizations are not created equally, and we pride ourselves on being the organization to set the standards for both high-quality care and how the patient experiences that care.

Patch: What illnesses or conditions can PhysicianOne treat?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: We care for infants, children and adults, both men and women, for a wide range of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, from the common cold, flu and pneumonia to rashes, sprains, strains and broken bones. We care for urinary tract infections, test for and treat sexually transmitted infections and offer evaluation and testing for various infectious diseases, including Lyme disease (as well as tick removal), as well as provide care for hundreds of other urgent medical needs. As a full-service facility, with skilled and experienced providers, we are well-equipped to provide urgent medical care for the entire family.

Patch: What are the more common ailments that PhysicianOne handles?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: We really do care for a wide range of illnesses and injuries. Right now (as is typical in this season), we are seeing a lot more upper and lower respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses. Other times of the year, we tend to see clusters of illnesses or injuries depending on what patients are participating in seasonally. For example, on the weekends or Mondays following the weekends, we might see an increase in injuries from our “weekend warriors,” or during the summer months, we tend to see more outdoor related injuries and so on. But the key point is that we have to be prepared to see anything at any time; every day is different in the urgent care setting!

Patch: How does PhysicianOne contribute to or otherwise assist the community?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: PhysicianOne believes that, in order to serve the communities we are in, not only do we have an obligation to care for and treat patients within our walls, but we should contribute to the overall health of the community as well through various means. For example, during the holiday season, each of our centers chooses a local non-profit organization to sponsor and support through various contributions or collections.

Within each of our local communities, we sponsor various local youth sports leagues, local races and other community events. In Newton, we are very active with the Food Pantry, and we sponsor various events at the senior center and the local library. And we were thrilled to sponsor the Newton Holiday Lighting Festival in December 2016! In Waltham, we are active with supporting the YMCA and local schools. We also have some fantastic community support planned for our new centers in Medford, Westwood and beyond in 2017.

Patch: What resources does PhysicianOne offer outside of medical treatment?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: For patients who need follow-up care with a specialty provider or whom do not yet have a primary care doctor, we have a network of local providers to whom we will refer. We also provide the opportunity for patients to have various physical exams completed for school, sports or other administrative needs. And we provide the flu vaccine prior to and during flu season.

Patch: What questions should a prospective patient ask when seeking out an urgent care center?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: Prospective patients should look for an urgent care center that is well-established, accredited and certified by the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), has providers on staff who are trained in family, urgent and/or emergency medicine and is full-service with ancillary services, such as x-ray, lab and suture capabilities on site. They should also ensure that the urgent care provides information about their visit to their PCP, accepts his/her insurance or offers affordable self-pay options and has high patient satisfaction ratings.

Patch: Tell us about the providers who work at Chestnut Hill’s PhysicianOne Urgent Care.

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: We have fantastic providers in Chestnut Hill! You can read provider biographies on our website.

Patch: What are some tips you would give to Patch readers looking to maintain or improve their overall health?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: The healthiest activities we can do that will impact our overall health include making healthy choices around diet, exercise and activities. Choose a diet that is well-balanced, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in vegetables and whole grains. Find ways to maintain your physical activity daily (despite the cold weather). Avoid injuries by wearing appropriate protective gear, warming up and cooling down, and avoid worsening injury if you’re recovering from one by allowing enough time for your body to heal.

Don't smoke. If you do, quitting smoking can be one of the healthiest lifestyle changes you ever make. Get enough sleep. Although people's sleep requirements differ, prolonged lack of sleep or a disruption of sleep patterns can impair immunity and lead to long-term health problems including depression/anxiety, hypertension and cardiac disease, weight gain and increased risk of diabetes. Finally, wash your hands. Keeping hands clean is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting sick, and spreading germs to others.

Patch: How can Patch readers reach out to you or otherwise learn more about PhysicianOne Urgent Care?

PhysicianOne Urgent Care: Patch readers can learn more by visiting our website and can stay up-to-date with us by signing up for our email list on our website and connecting with us on social media. For general questions, readers can contact us on the website, and for questions about services offered or insurances accepted at Chestnut Hill, readers can contact the center directly by calling (617) 608-3215 or stopping by at 1210 Boylston St. We have parking!

Photo credit: PhysicianOne Urgent Care