Rochester Immediate Care will conduct flu shot clinics at the following locations in Greece and in Webster:

• Saturday, September 17th at Ridge Road Fire District in Greece (1299 Long Pond Road) from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
• Saturday, September 24th at the Chamber of Commerce event in Greece Ridge Mall from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
• Tuesday, September 27th at Gold’s Gym in Webster (855 Publishers Parkway) from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
• Tuesday, September 27th at Greece YMCA (730 Long Pond Road) from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm.
• Friday, October 7th at Webster Parks & Recreation (1350 Chiyoda Drive) from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Saturday, October 8th Gold’s Gym in Webster (855 Publishers Parkway) from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Friday, October 14 at Webster Parks & Recreation (1350 Chiyoda Drive) from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Sunday, October 16th at Ridge Road Fire District in Greece (1299 Long Pond Road) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

In addition to these locations, flu vaccines are always available at the two Rochester Immediate Care locations, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday:

• 2745 West Ridge Road in Greece
• 1065 Ridge Road in Webster

Rochester Immediate Care accepts most insurance plans including MVP, Excellus and Medicare, which cover the cost of the flu vaccine. Those without insurance will be charged $35.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive a flu vaccine. Certain segments of the population – people over age 65, children under five, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes – are at higher risk for contracting the flu, “so these people should make getting a flu vaccine a priority in their lives,” says Janet Williams, M.D., medical director of Rochester Immediate Care in Greece, located at 2745 West Ridge Road in Greece.

The flu is highly contagious, spread by coughing and sneezing. While hand washing and other common sense preventative measures may help, the way they do against the common cold, “the influenza virus is a tougher and more aggressive opponent,” says Pam Sullivan, M.D., medical director of Rochester Immediate Care in Webster, located at 1065 Ridge Road in Webster. “Rochester Immediate Care has a large supply of the 2011-2012 vaccine on hand at both locations and our physicians and nurses are ready to administer it.”

Rochester Immediate Care announces the appointment of Site Administrator, Joseph Coluccelli for its Greece location. Coluccelli is responsible for day-to-day operations, leadership of clinical and clerical staff in addition to patient satisfaction at the urgent care center.

Prior to joining Rochester Immediate Care, Coluccelli was a Case Manager for Rochester Home Care where he was responsible for the overall plan and outcome of nursing staff. Previously he was Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Leader at Rochester General Hospital. Coluccelli holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. John Fisher College.

Beginning on July 1, a new pediatric service ensures that a board-certified pediatrician will see children during times when most pediatricians’ offices are closed

New service represents a new model in Monroe County for extending access and availability of pediatric care

The pain and agony of a child’s ear ache, violent cough or injury is often complicated by another factor: bad timing. A child’s illness or injury can occur anytime, including times when the pediatrician may not be available or when their offices are closed, such as on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings.

To ensure timely and appropriate weekend care for infants and children, Rochester Immediate Care - Greece will launch a pediatric urgent care program on Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8:00 p.m. During these times, a board-certified pediatrician will be on duty for the express purpose of treating children – the very times when most pediatric offices are closed.

At all other times, pediatric patients are welcome at Rochester Immediate Care and are treated by board-certified emergency medicine, internal medicine or primary care physicians and other highly qualified providers.

The service begins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at Rochester Immediate Care’s Greece facility (2745 West Ridge Road, next to Ridgemont Plaza; 585.225.5252).

The pediatricians staffing the weekend hours at Rochester Immediate Care are Tim Hessert, M.D., Gretchen Smith Burke, M.D., Paul LeHoullier, M.D., Monica Henoch, M.D. and Dana Work, D.O. These pediatricians will augment Rochester Immediate Care’s own medical staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and technicians.

Drs. Hessert and Burke are part of Parkway Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (353 Island Cottage Road in Greece; 585.225.2610), whose own office will be closed Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Drs. LeHoullier is on the pediatrics staff at Rochester General Hospital. Dr. Work is a former chief resident and currently a pediatric fellow at the University of Rochester. Dr. Henoch sees patients at Lifetime Health Medical Group.

New Model of Care

This pediatric service introduces a new model of pediatric care to the Rochester area “as it extends the scope and reach of private pediatric offices in an efficient and cost-effective manner,” says Rochester Immediate Care medical director Janet Williams, M.D. “Now, when their offices are closed, all area pediatricians can refer patients to Rochester Immediate Care, where they’ll be seen by board-certified pediatricians, enabling parents to avoid the high-cost long-wait scenario of an emergency department.

“Even though our own staff physicians are trained to care for both adults and children, the availability of a board certified pediatrician goes a long way to reassuring area pediatricians and parents that their infants and children will receive expert and appropriate care,” says Dr. Williams.

Typically, infants and children need immediate attention for ear ache, respiratory problems including pneumonia, asthma, digestive issues, cuts and lacerations, animal bites, sports injuries and “just about anything else that needs immediate attention but doesn’t require hospitalization,” says Dr. Williams.

No appointments are necessary at Rochester Immediate Care and most patients are treated in about an hour. Insurance plans accepted at Rochester Immediate Care include MVP (formerly Preferred Care), Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, CIGNA, POMCO and Medicare plans. When compared to a visit to an emergency department, a visit to Rochester Immediate Care typically requires a significantly lower out-of-pocket co-pay.

Collegial, Non-Competitive Approach

The pediatricians who rotate through Rochester Immediate Care have a collegial, non-competitive approach to caring for other practices’ patients. “By our participation in this new service, we assure appropriate urgent care for all the infants and children we see,” says Parkway’s Dr. Tim Hessert. “Plus, we’re helping our pediatric colleagues from other practices enjoy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon off knowing their patients will be seen in a state-of-the-art facility by qualified colleagues.

“Further, we’ll invite pediatricians from other practices to participate with us by taking a shift on a Saturday or Sunday,” he added.

A tenent of Rochester Immediate Care’s care model is to send a follow-up report to the patient’s primary care physician within 24 hours, so the PCP is fully informed and can direct continuing care as needed.

New facility in Webster offers a faster alternative to the emergency room for treatment of non-life threatening illness and injury, improves access to care in the face of an expected shortage of primary care physicians in the Rochester area

On June 20, 2011, adults, teenagers and children living, working, and playing in Webster, New York and its surrounding areas will have a new and fast option for the treatment of non-life threatening illness and injury: Rochester Immediate Care - Webster.

Located at 1065 Ridge Road (across from Dick’s/Target Plaza), Rochester Immediate Care - Webster is a new, fully appointed and staffed medical facility providing medical care for non-life threatening injuries and illness, offering both access and speed when a personal physician is not available and a trip to the emergency department will likely disrupt an entire day or evening and cost significantly more.

The opening of Rochester Immediate Care – Webster comes at a time when economic forces and practice trends are changing how care is delivered. A 2010 report by Excellus on the use of emergency rooms in upstate New York found at least 43% of emergency room visits in the Finger Lakes Region were not necessary, wasting millions of healthcare dollars, and could have been conducted in other settings. However, Medical Society and medical school surveys of the number of primary care physicians in practice, such as internists (who care for adults), show their numbers are declining. As these two forces converge, problems of access to care emerge. Who will provide care to people with non-life threatening illness and injury if ER visits are discouraged and fewer physicians are in private practice? One answer, both locally and nationwide, can be found with urgent or immediate care facilities.

The newly constructed Webster facility features a warm and welcoming lobby and waiting area, 12 new exam and two treatment rooms, and is equipped with X-ray, laboratory and other diagnostic capabilities. Led by medical director Pam Sullivan, M.D., nurses, physician assistants and other board certified physicians care for all patients. RIC accepts most insurance coverage, including Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP, Medicare, POMCO, CIGNA and other health care plans.

Rochester Immediate Care – Webster is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekends, 365 days a year. No appointments are required. In most cases, patients are treated and released in about an hour. The cost to both the patient and insurance provider is significantly lower than the cost of a visit to an emergency room. The phone number is 585-872-2273; the web site is www.rochesterimmediatecare.com

Typical of the illnesses and injuries treated at Rochester Immediate Care are cuts and lacerations, animal and insect bites, sprains and fractures, eye injuries, minor burns, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, pneumonia and bronchitis, urinary tract and other infections, abdominal and back pain. In addition, Rochester Immediate Care conducts school, employment and sports-related physical exams.

Managed by The Exigence Group, LLC of Amherst, NY, Rochester Immediate Care - Webster is the company’s second facility in the Rochester area and eighth facility overall; it manages four Immediate Care facilities in the Buffalo area and one in Austin, Texas. Rochester Immediate Care – Greece (2745 West Ridge Road, next to Wegmans/Ridgemont Plaza) opened in May of 2010.

“The communities we serve have embraced the Immediate Care concept and we fully expect the Webster area to do the same,” said Gregory Daniel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer of The Exigence Group. “By providing convenient, quality healthcare by board certified physicians and experienced staff, and a friendly and welcoming experience, Rochester Immediate Care in Webster will meet consumer demand for this kind of medical service.”

“We’re pleased have Dr. Pam Sullivan as our medical director in Webster,” he adds. “She’s an experienced emergency medicine physician who has worked in a variety of emergency department settings in Rochester and has great rapport with both patients and the area’s physicians.

“Dr. Sullivan assures that each and every patient receives high quality medical care and has a comfortable and satisfying experience at our new Webster facility, the same way Dr. Janet Williams does for patients seeking care at our Greece facility.”

Rochester Immediate Care is in the process of earning accreditation by the Joint Commission, the only national organization that sets standards for quality and safety in full service urgent care centers.

Occupational Medicine

Sharing space with Rochester Immediate Care is another Exigence–managed company, Pulse Occupational Medicine, which helps businesses reduce injuries, lower costs, and promote a safe workplace. Pulse offers customized programs and individual case management support to hundreds of companies, from small start-ups to large corporations with thousands of employees.

Led by Karl Auerbach, M.D., a locally and nationally prominent occupational health specialist, Pulse’s occupational health team includes specially trained nurses and technicians who stay current with Federal and State workplace safety and workers compensation regulations. Pulse offers a range of customized services including injury care, case management, pre-placement evaluation, drug screening, DOT physicals, Medical Review Officer (MRO) services, executive physicals, educational programs and health and wellness programs.

Pam Sullivan, M.D., a well known emergency medicine physician who has practiced at Rochester General Hospital and Highland Hospital since 1993, has been appointed medical director of Rochester Immediate Care – Webster, the new urgent care center opening in Webster in June.

Board certified in internal medicine and with certifications in pediatric advanced life support, advanced trauma life support and advanced cardiac life support, Dr. Sullivan will direct a staff of nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other physicians who will treat patients at Rochester Immediate Care.

“We’re pleased have Dr. Sullivan as our medical director in Webster,” says Dr. Gregory Daniel, CEO of The Exigence Group, LLC, which manages Rochester Immediate Care. “She’s an experienced emergency medicine physician who has worked in a variety of emergency department settings in Rochester and has great rapport with both patients and the area’s physicians.

“Dr. Sullivan will assure that each and every patient receives high quality medical care and has a comfortable and satisfying experience at our new Webster facility.”

A New York City native, Dr. Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at Ithaca College and her medical degree at the Medical College of Philadelphia; she served an internship and residency in primary care internal medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. While employed by the medical school, she held an academic appointment as senior instructor of clinical emergency medicine.

Dr. Sullivan is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and serves as a council member and as chair of the membership committee of the New York ACP.

The Exigence Group, LLC of Amherst, NY (www.theexigencegroup.com) manages two Rochester Immediate Care centers: Rochester Immediate Care – Greece, located at 2745 West Ridge Road, which opened in May of 2010; Rochester Immediate Care – Webster, located at 1065 Ridge Road, which will open on June 20, 2011. The Exigence Group expects to care for more than 100,000 urgent care patients in 2011 at its seven facilities in New York and Texas.

Rochester Immediate Care now accepts Excellus insurance plans at Greece and soon-to-open Webster locations

Hours of operation have been extended based on current and expected demand for services

Subscribers to all Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and HMO health plans are now covered should they seek care at Rochester Immediate Care’s Greece and soon-to-open Webster locations.

Officials from Rochester Immediate Care and Excellus have recently agreed on contract terms for insurance coverage and reimbursement; the agreement went into effect on Monday, May 16. Excellus joins MVP (the former Preferred Care) and Medicare in providing insurance coverage for subscriber visits to Rochester Immediate Care. Discussions with other insurers are continuing.

While the out-of-pocket co-pay for a visit to Rochester Immediate Care will vary depending on which insurance plan a patient presents, the co-pay will likely be significantly less than for a visit to an emergency department.

The agreement with Excellus comes at a time when primary care physicians such as internists are shrinking in number and are not always immediately available to treat urgent medical situations and minor injuries. Further, independent studies of emergency department use in upstate New York show that at least 43% of visits to the ED are not necessary and are costing the community millions of dollars; suggested alternatives to the ED include urgent care centers such as Rochester Immediate Care.

Located at 2745 West Ridge Road in Greece (immediately east of the Ridgemont Plaza Wegmans) and at 1065 Ridge Road in Webster (across from Dick’s/Target Plaza), Rochester Immediate Care offers fully appointed and staffed medical facilities that provide medical care and treatment for non-life threatening injuries and illness. They offer both access and speed when a personal physician is not available and a trip to the emergency department will likely disrupt an entire day or evening as well as cost considerably more.

Typical of the illness and injuries treated at Rochester Immediate Care are cuts and lacerations, animal and insect bites, sprains and fractures, eye injuries, minor burns, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, pneumonia and bronchitis, urinary tract and other infections, and abdominal and back pain. Rochester Immediate Care conducts school, employment and sports-related physical exams.

“By treating low-acuity patients, we help to alleviate overcrowding at local emergency departments, allowing them to treat the more urgent matters,” says Dr. Janet Williams, Rochester Immediate Care – Greece medical director.

Hours Extended

In a related development, Rochester Immediate Care has extended its hours of operation to accommodate current and expected demand for services.

Rochester Immediate Care - Greece is now open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday, 365 days a year. Rochester Immediate Care – Webster will have the same hours when it opens on Monday, June 20th.

Karl Auerbach, M.D., a board certified physician in preventive and occupational medicine who serves as medical director of Pulse Occupational Medicine, PLLC, in Rochester, has been elected to the position of president-elect of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Founded in 1916, ACOEM is the nation's largest medical society dedicated to promoting the health of workers through preventive medicine, clinical care, research, and education. Physicians encompassing specialists in a variety of medical practices are united via the College to develop positions and policies on vital issues relevant to the practice of preventive medicine both within and outside of the workplace.

Dr. Auerbach will begin his term as president-elect on March 28, 2011 at the ACOEM’s annual meeting in Washington, DC. He’ll assume the presidency in 2012.

An occupational health specialist long known in the Rochester area, Dr. Auerbach has provided occupational health services and consulting to many of Rochester’s well-known companies since the early 1980s. Prior to joining Pulse, Dr. Auerbach practiced at Strong Memorial and Highland hospitals on their Emergency Medicine and Environmental and Occupational Medicine services. He continues to practice as an emergency department physician at both hospitals.

Dr. Auerbach retains his academic appointment as Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Pulse Occupational Medicine is located in a free-standing urgent-care facility – Rochester Immediate Care, 2745 West Ridge Road in Greece, NY – and is part of a network of occupational medicine services managed by The Exigence Group (www.theexigencegroup.com), which runs Pulse services in Buffalo, NY, Austin, TX, and Las Vegas, NV.