Welcome to Valley Medical Group
PREVENTION & MEDICAL CARE TO HELP YOU LIVE BETTER, LONGER.
Valley Medical Group Patient News
September 1, 2020
Dear Valley Medical Group Patients and Families,
Although our region has been relatively spared so far, we know that there are many of you who have suffered and are still suffering during this pandemic. Our hearts go out to you. We want you to know that we’re here and we care about you and your families.
The winter is almost here, the weather is getting colder, and we’ll all want to see family and friends, often indoors in close quarters. With COVID cases continuing to increase around the country and in Massachusetts, it’s hard to balance what we all need to do to be safe with our desire to feel safe. Most of us are experiencing some kind of “COVID fatigue;” too much worry leading us to tune out warnings and perhaps stop taking proven steps to keep safe. How can we find the right balance? Knowing what to do and then doing that to the best of our abilities may be the key to being and feeling safe.
We’ll have to continue to make some hard choices. Especially now, with the holidays approaching, here’s what you can do:
Make a plan for what you will do about events with friends and family
The best advice for being safe is to think about a great celebration next Thanksgiving. The safest choice is NOT to travel and not gathering with folks outside your household this holiday season. Talk with family and friends about alternative ways of connecting via phone or video over the next few months. Send small gifts, photos, food, etc. “Share” a meal, prepared in each household, over zoom or another video platform. It won’t be “the same.” But this is not the usual holiday season. Celebrate together, separately. And even if you are home with members of your immediate household, consider wearing masks at home if members of your household are especially vulnerable.
If you do travel or gather with others, talk with your people about the need to stay safe for each other. Hold gatherings, as small as possible, outdoors if weather permits. If you must be indoors, make sure your spaces have good ventilation with outside air: open windows, doors, etc. It might cost more in heating but it will be less in medical expense and potential illness.
In all cases when with others not in your household, keep at least 6 feet apart. Think of this as socially distanced while emotionally close. Wear a mask or face covering, wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, and for this year, don’t hug. That’s hard, but safe. And think about next Thanksgiving and safeguarding so that you all get to that holiday.
Here’s What We’re Doing At VMG
Covid testing is available at Valley Medical Group for our patients at one of our health centers each day. Please plan your testing needs well; turnaround times are usually 3-5 days but with cases increasing and higher demand for testing, the outside lab that does the test sometimes experiences delays.
The VMG Lab staff have worked outside since late March through October to draw patient labs in the safest manner possible during COVID-19. With the change in the weather, as of November 3, the teams have moved inside. We’ve continued to revise our processes and spaces to support safe entry for patients to get needed lab work completed at each health center.
Many aspects of care that were being safely delivered outside in tents or at a patients car will now need to move inside our health centers with the change in weather. Entry to the health centers has been planned to support social distancing and better, safer, flow of individuals walking in and out of the health center.
You can help to support the care you receive by video or telephone by having key information available at the time of your appointment. Information includes your readings taken at home (if possible) for your most recent blood pressure, weight, and temperature. Also, please have a list of your medications ready for confirmation.
Flu shots are being offered at all health centers, at flu vaccine clinics being held in the parking lot and, inside the health center if you have an appointment in the health center. Vaccinations will be available throughout the flu season, though we encourage all to be vaccinated as soon as possible this fall.
Don’t delay medical care if you feel you need it. We’ll find the best way to see you balancing the care you need to get with the safest way to give it.
Once again, here are the proven ways to protect yourself and your family and friends from the virus:
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Wear a mask (and make sure it covers your mouth and nose)
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Masks are not a sign of weakness; they are a sign of social respect for others’ health and safety
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Maintain social/physical distancing (at least 6 feet)
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Wash your hands with soap and water frequently (you can use 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer when you can’t use soap and water)
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Stay out of large gatherings
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Outdoors is safer than indoors for small gatherings
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If you are indoors in gatherings, get as much air flow from outside as possible (open doors and windows, as possible)
Stay safe and thank you,
Joel A. Feinman, Ph.D.
President
Patient Resources for personal Face Coverings
Information regarding Pediatric Visits
The Value of Excercising in Dealing with COVID-19
VMG Working to be an Anti Racist Practice
Valley Medical Group stands against racism. We believe that racism and prejudice cause poor health and shortens lives. Valley Medical Group reaffirms its opposition to violence, hatred, and discrimination of any kind. We aspire to educate, discuss, and practice an anti-racist approach in all areas of our medical practices. We welcome feedback in support of our goal. Black Lives Matter.
patient centered care at VMG
OUR STAFF TAKES PRIDE IN SERVING ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS, AND
CHILDREN IN A COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL MANNER.
OUR SERVICES
Valley Medical Group offers our patients the finest medical care available in the services listed below.
PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOME
Valley Medical Group (VMG) has been certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level III Patient - Centered Medical Home. What does this mean to you, our patient?
At VMG, you select a primary care practitioner as your first stop for any preventative or acute care. Your primary care practitioner will, over time, get to know you and your family, your preferences and values for medical care, and be in the best position to provide education, support, encouragement, and care whenever necessary.
CONTACT US
Valley Medical Group can be contacted through each of our offices listed below.
31 Hall Drive
Amherst, MA 01002
Phone (413) 256-8561
Fax 1-866-644-0869
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Full service laboratory on site.
Hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
238 Northampton Street
Easthampton, MA 01027
Phone (413) 529-9300
Fax 1-866-644-0870
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Telephones, 8am-5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Full service laboratory on site.
Hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
329 Conway Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone (413) 774-6301
Fax 1-866-644-0871
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Telephones, 8am-5pm
Saturday Urgent Care, 10am-1pm
Telephones, 9am-1pm
Full service laboratory on site.
Hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Saturday, 8am-10:30am
70 Main Street
Florence, MA 01062
Phone (413) 586-8400
Fax 1-866-644-0872
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Telephones, 8am-5pm
Saturday Urgent Care, 8am-4pm
Telephones, 8am-4pm
Sunday Urgent Care, 8am-12pm
Telephones, 8am-12pm
Full service laboratory on site.
Hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Saturday, 8am-11:30am