American Family Care (AFC), the nation’s leading provider of walk-in urgent care and occupational medicine, will celebrate the grand opening of its newest Connecticut center at 389 Bridgeport Ave. in Shelton on Monday, July 10 beginning at 4 p.m. with an official ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.
Invited guests include Mayor Mark Lauretti and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell.
A Teddy Bear Care event will follow on Tuesday, July 11 as the urgent care facility formally opens to residents in Shelton, Derby, Ansonia and Monroe.
AFC provides fast, affordable care for sprains, fractures, concussions and many illnesses as well as routine health needs. Board-certified physicians and other medical professionals treat patients efficiently and with compassion in a clean, family-friendly environment.
Patients appreciate the walk-in convenience, avoiding the extensive wait times and high copays of hospital emergency rooms or longer lead times for primary care appointments. The Shelton site will be open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
AFC’s state-of-the-art urgent care facility administers on-site X‑rays and lab tests; sports and school physicals; vaccinations; travel medicine; occupational health tests such as employment physicals and drug screening; and workers compensation services that save time and money for both employees and employers.
With comprehensive care options and in-house lab capabilities, doctors can spend more time focused on patients. The urgent care accepts most insurance plans and self-payment. AFC’s goal is to be a one-stop medical resource for children, adults of all ages, businesses and community groups that delivers exceptional care and a great customer experience at affordable prices.
In keeping with its mission and vision, AFC looks forward to community involvement and partnering with local businesses and non-profits to help greater Shelton grow. For example, AFC offers CPR training to interested groups and has worked with Shelton Police on emergency medical assistance policies and procedures to help them obtain accreditation as a Tier 1 Connecticut Police Department. Employees at other centers are active in local chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, contributing to food pantries and sponsoring youth sports leagues.
On Tuesday, July 11, AFC Shelton will host a fun and educational Ted E. Bear Urgent Care Clinic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animals or dolls to the center for examination and treatment by clinicians. Urgent care staff will escort the “patients” through several stations to receive checkups, x‑rays and bandages or other treatments. Doctors and other medical professionals will explain the procedures to alleviate children’s fear of healthcare visits by helping them understand what to expect.
Heffer
Dr. Steven Heffer, M.D., AFC owner and medical director, is opening his fourth clinic in Shelton following the success of two Bridgeport centers and a Fairfield location. Dr. Heffer has over 20 years of experience in emergency medical care and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He finds deep satisfaction in using his expertise to improve the quality of available care and positively impact health services in each community.
In 2015 Dr. Heffer was recognized with the “Doctors of Distinction” Community Service Award from the Fairfield County Business Journal for his dedication to providing the highest quality medical care, improved access to care and service to his community. He is currently National President of the Physician Advisory Committee at American Family Care and has served as General Practitioner of the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team for the past three years.
“Our goal in establishing AFC in Shelton is to offer area residents greater access to high quality medical treatment that’s also fast, convenient and saves money,” says Dr. Heffer. “Our patients’ care and well-being are at the heart of our business. We aim to set a new standard in urgent care, contribute to the community in multiple ways and become a trusted health resource for Shelton and surrounding towns.”
