We at Medical Associates of Rhode Island are deeply saddened by the recent announcement that Anchor Medical Associates will close June 30th. They have provided excellent care to our Rhode Island population for many years and their closure is a loss to the entire state.

We know that this can be a very anxious time for patients as they look for a new primary care provider. We are doing everything we can to accept new patients into our practice. However, please understand that there was already a severe shortage of primary care providers in the state before this devastating loss. While we will accept as many new patients as we can, the underlying problems in primary care in this state need to be addressed. We encourage everyone to discuss their concerns with their state representatives, insurance companies, and the media.

Please remember that if you are having a medical emergency you need to go to the Emergency Department. However, if you have an urgent medical need, you are always welcome in our walk-in located in Bristol. We are staffed with well-trained providers and have a lab, xray, and ultrasound on-site. We can take care of common complaints such colds, flu, minor cuts, sprains and joint pain. While this is not a substitute for the longitudinal care provided in a relationship with a primary care provider, we hope that we can meet some of the urgent needs of our East Bay community.