3.1.09
Dear Esteemed Patients,
I'm writing to inform you that I have made a very difficult decision: I am joining Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiers, see www.msf.org ) and will be serving as an HIV doctor in a yet-to-be-determined country in Africa. As much as I am looking forward to lending medical assistance in a region in dire need of it, I am truly going to miss caring for each and every one of you.
I will be closing the East-West Integrative Medicine office as of April 1, 2009 and will be working abroad for 6-12 months. While this is short notice, the world economic crisis is worsening. The situation abroad – especially in Africa – is quite desperate and help is needed as soon as possible.
For legal compliance, I must inform you that I am closing my practice. But that's not the only reason I am writing. You deserve to know why I am closing it and what it means for your health care. Below I have compiled a list of what I hope are helpful questions and answers, in addition to a list of excellent doctors that I highly recommend.
If you still have questions after reading the below, please feel free to contact the office by March 31, 2009.
Will you be coming back to continue the practice?
I anticipate returning to New York City and resuming my practice sometime in 2010. The exact time will be determined by Doctors Without Borders, so I am unable to be specific. However for legal compliance, I must state that the practice is closing indefinitely.
Who will take care of me?
While I'm away, you will be placed in the highly capable hands of my colleague, Dr. Yolanda Tun-Chiong, whose practice is located in Chinatown (Manhattan). Dr. Tun-Chiong is an incredible family doctor and I've had the privilege of knowing and working with her for many years. Her office accepts major insurances. Should you wish to see another physician because of location or other reasons, I have provided additional recommendations below. Please note: Other than Dr. Tun-Chiong, the below physicians will NOT have copies of your medical records. Also, please be aware that Dr. Tun-Chiong does not practice acupuncture. If you are receiving acupuncture treatment or are seeking it, I recommend Dr. Aran Degenhardt, whose contact information I have also included.
Dr. Yolanda Tun-Chiong
Primary Care and Gynecology
128 Mott St, Suite 203
NY, NY 10013
office: 212 625 9080
fax: 212 625 9081
Dr. Aran Degenhardt
Primary Care and Medical Acupuncture
22 West 21st Street, Suite 400
NY, NY 10010
office: 212-366-5100
fax: 212-366-6275
web: sportsmedchelsea.com
Other offices accepting new patients:
Sidney Hillman Family Practice
16 East 16th Street, 3rd Floor
NY, NY 10003
office 212-924-7744
East 13th Street Family Practice
113 E. 13th Street
NY, NY 10003
office: 212-253-1830
For Urgent Care/Walk-In Care:
Beth Israel Urgent Care
202 West 23rd Street
NY, NY 10011
office 212-352-2600
In case of Emergency, call 911 or visit your nearest Emergency Room.
What about referrals, my medical records, selection of primary care physicians and other concerns?
If you need a referral or other paperwork completed, you will need to specify Dr. Tun-Chiong (or another physician of your choice) as your primary doctor. You must make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any paperwork before it is submitted. This is very important. If your plan requires you to choose a primary care physician, you must do so, as I will no longer be a participating primary care physician as of April 1, 2009.
If you need medical records sent to another doctor, please download this Medical Records Release form: MEDICAL RECORDS RELEASE FORM.pdf.
Complete the form, and email it as an attachment to vittmd.asst@gmail.com or fax to 347-287-6907 to have records sent.
What about if my contact information changes?
While I am away, please keep your contact information updated at drvitt.com so that I can contact you upon my return in hopes of continuing to care for you. On the site, you will also find information about where I'm volunteering and possibly a blog that will document the situation and chronicle the experience.
Thank you for your support and understanding. It has been a privilege to serve as your doctor and I hope to continue to do so upon my return.
Warm Regards,
Eamonn A. Vitt MD
