New West Hartford Urgent Care Center Appoints Medical Director

In this country, 26 million people are impacted by Type 2 Diabetes, however, a quarter of them don’t even realize they have the disease.  Tuesday, March 25^th marked National Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day “wake-up call” asking Americans to take the Diabetes Risk Test.  Dr. Tom Brown makes it a point of assessing a patient’s risk every day, not just on Diabetes Alert Day.  The newly appointed Medical Director of the Doctors Express Urgent Care West Hartford location has a record of seizing the opportunity to delve beyond just routine questions with his patients.

“In an urgent care setting, it’s often the first time many patients have seen a medical professional for a very long time,” said Dr. Brown.  “This is an opportunity for me to uncover greater problems that go beyond what may have initially brought the patient in the door.”

Dr. Brown has served as the Medical Director of Doctors Express in Danbury since its opening last year.  During that time, he has  diagnosed more than twenty undetected cases of diabetes. In this era, where there is such a shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs), he strives to offer patients the most comprehensive care.

A resident of West Hartford, Dr. Brown completed medical school at West Virginia University and his medical training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.  Prior to joining Doctors Express, Dr. Brown served as a primary care physician and as an academic hospitalist at the Hospital of Central CT and UCONN Medical Center.  He is very interested in medical education and has also authored several medical texts.

Generally, most patients encounter a physician with an emergency medicine background when visiting an urgent care facility.  The immediate medical issue is treated, however, the underlying cause or condition of the problem is sometimes overlooked or referred back to their primary care physician.  While Dr. Brown is skilled in treating the most vital cases, he also offers a depth of experience that includes a more general approach. 

“This is a huge niche in urgent care medicine.  We chose Dr. Brown for his unique primary care perspective and whole-body approach that he offers our patients,” said Tom Kelly, Co-Owner of Doctors Express West Hartford.  “We are in the business of helping those in our community live healthy and active lives and with Dr. Brown at the helm, we know that will be a goal realized.  His “go above and beyond” attitude has long been admired by his patients and will serve him well in West Hartford.”

Doctors Express Urgent Care does not compete with primary care physicians (PCPs), but rather, complements their services and supplements them by giving them referrals.   As a result, Dr. Brown is well versed in ensuring a seamless flow of communication to the patient’s primary care doctor and has already begun familiarizing himself with local PCPs and specialists in the West Hartford region.  “We have ushered thousands of patients into the health care system at our Danbury urgent care center, by connecting them with the right specialist, pediatrician or PCP for their continued care.  We sometimes refer patients to the emergency room and call ahead to familiarize them with the patient and the presenting issue.”

“As a result of the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare, more people will be turning to urgent care centers through Access Health CT to meet their medical needs,” said Dr. Brown.  “In many cases these patient haven’t seen a physician in years.  The opportunity to care for the folks in my community and connect them with the appropriate next level of care is very rewarding for me as I am a community doctor and always put comprehensive patient care at the top of my priority list.  I am a West Hartford resident as is my father and my 5 brothers and sisters.  It is very exciting for me to serve this community.” 

Doctors Express Urgent Care West Hartford will open its latest Connecticut location  in late May, with the goal of bringing the nicest medical facility in the Greater Hartford region to Boulevard and Prospect Avenue. 

Doctors Express provides treatment for injuries and illnesses – offering a convenient, lower-cost alternative to visiting a hospital emergency room.  The facility is equipped with the most sophisticated digital x-ray equipment and its laboratory meets the highest industry standards for fast and accurate testing.  Doctors Express also provides Occupational Health services for employees and employers. There are approximately 20 doctors express locations throughout New England, making it the largest chain of urgent care centers in the Northeast.

The mission of Doctors Express is to see patients quickly and to treat their injury or illness with the utmost quality and efficiency. You don’t need to be a regular patient, nor do you need an appointment. The first Doctors Express Urgent Care is located at 2 Main Street in Danbury with its new Doctors Express Urgent Care in West Hartford location at 1030 Boulevard.  There are additional locations in Bridgeport and a  Stamford location which is also opening in May.  Visit www.DoctorsExpressWestHartford.com or call (860) 986-6440 for more information.

About Doctors Express of Danbury

Founded by an emergency room physician seeking a more efficient, affordable and personable system for urgent care patients, AFC/ Doctors Express walk-in medical centers are sweeping the country as the nation’s largest urgent care franchise. AFC/Doctors Express provides state-of-the-art treatment for acute illness, trauma (including minor surgical procedures) and has on-site laboratory and digital x-ray service as well as medication dispensing. Pre-employment physicals, drug screening and treatment of work related injuries are also available to local employers. In 2013, American Family Care acquired Doctors Express, further expanding its reach and available services. By the end of 2013, AFC/DRX will operate more than 140 facilities in 26 states, providing care to more than a million patients. For more information visithttps://www.doctorsexpress.com