April 29, 2010
Dear Patient:
It is with great sadness that I am announcing the closing of Family Physicians of Arlington due to circumstances beyond my control. I will continue my current patient care schedule through August 31, 2010. My staff and I will make every effort to make the transition to a new physician as smooth as possible.
It has been a great privilege to care for you over the years. Some of you have been my patients for almost 20 years. It feels as if I am saying goodbye to family. My practice has been a source of great professional challenge and deep satisfaction.
I am uncertain about my next step at this time. As my plans are clarified, I will communicate through my website (www.familyphysiciansofarlington.com) and my list serve. Anyone who would like to be placed on the list serve for future notices should alert Molly, the new receptionist, and provide her with your email address.
We will be offering to copy your records and send them to your next physician at the usual and customary fee of $30. Please use the attached form to submit that request. You can either pick up your records or have them sent to your next physician. I will securely archive the original records for the next 6 years or until minor patients reach the age of 18, as required by Virginia law. I cannot release original records.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can't begin to express my gratitude for the ability to participate in your personal journey towards a healthier life. I hope we meet again in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to be your doctor.
Sincerely,
Wendy N. Schwartz, MD, MPH
n.b. Please understand that all medical record requests must be made in writing and cannot be accepted via email or phone call. Also, parents may request records for children under 18. Anyone over 18 must request their own record with their signature. Signed faxes are acceptable. Spouses may not request the records for their spouse. These are legal issues. There is plenty of time to get your records and records may take up to 2 weeks to be copied. Again, the office is not closing until September 30, 2010 for administrative matters and August 31, 2010 for direct patient care.