Urgent care clinic finds Broadway home for ‘18

A national urgent care facility will bring its own version of health care to Broadway.

American Family Care, a clinic with locations in 23 states, will drop anchor in a new Kingsbridge home at 5546 Broadway sometime in January or February.

That, according to AFC New York and Connecticut managing director Dan Purugganan will make it the company’s third Bronx location in three years. The first opened at 843 Hutchinson River Parkway in November 2014, while a second one opened this past June at 332 E. 149th St.

The first AFC opened in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1982 by Dr. D. Bruce Irwin with the intention of “putting the patient first,” according to the company’s website. Services include walk-in appointments, lab testing and X-ray testing with extended hours and days beyond the traditional 9-to-5 timetable some primary care physicians follow.  

Rajesh Gupta, AFC’s medical director, said the decision to expand to Kingsbridge began late last year. AFC doctors can treat children and adult patients within an hour of their arrival. But if someone is suffering from a life-threatening situation, Purugganan said, they’re better off going to an emergency room. 

AFC won’t be the first urgent care facility for people who need walk-in appointments. Dwell Family Doctors at 5665 Riverdale Ave., and CityMD Urgent Care at 193 W. 237th St., are two other options for Riverdale and Kingsbridge residents who need quick medical help that stops short of heading to the ER.

There is nothing more than a banner at the Broadway location near Verveelen Place, but that will change soon. The floor plan is being finalized now, Purugganan said, with the hope construction will start  as soon as possible. 

And when they’re ready, they plan to reach out to local businesses, schools, and organizations in the area to establish relationships and share their vision of bringing expedient health care to Kingsbridge.

“It’s all about convenience and accessibility,” Purugganan said. “And we’re hoping that we can deliver that to the community.”