■ALAN CAPPER THE DOCTOR IS ‘IN By ALAN CAPPER Let me admit something from the beginning. I have known Dr. Moitri C. Savard since I moved into Long Island City some years ago. In 2008 I woke up with pains in the chest and as they got worse I decided to call her. Her instant recognition on what was happening and her sense of urgency ensured that paramedics arrived in minutes and took me to New York Presbyterian where I subsequently had heart surgery. If I had waited or tried to convince myself that my problems were only indigestion, or something minor, I might have had even more serious consequences. From a one-woman operation, Savard has built a practice in Long Island City, which she has moved into the field of total health care. She has also carefully managed highly personal relationships with her patients. She was born in New Delhi but at the age of three moved to the United States with her parents. She graduated from Bronx High School of Science and went on to receive her degree in development economics and Indian studies from Harvard University. She completed her board certified training in family medicine at the University of New Mexico. “I recognized the importance of primary care and began to plan to open a micropractice,” Savard said. “I would offer strong personal service to the patients and the ability to tackle all health problems.” She believes in integrating various healing therapies with allopathic medicine and in providing evidence-based, compassionate care. She opened her practice in 2006 and decided that Long Island City was the location for her and her family to live and the practice to be launched and developed. Savard is a pediatrician and has many children as patients. The most common ailments are viral infections, strep throat and the usual ailments affecting children. With adult patients, the national epidemic of diabetes is also reflected in patients’ needs in Long Island City. “Our patients come from all kinds of occupations that I would describe much of the patient-base as young, urban professionals who are also likely to have children and be planning to have a family at some point,” she said. With the growth of Long Island City it has been important not to allow the practice to grow to a point when patients can not get an appointment. She uses technology to run the patient appointment timetable, requesting patients to email their appointment requirements. She has managed the development of micro-practice with a staff that has now grown to 16 people. In 2009, she took on a partner, Dr. Suzzane Cole, and they manage the main elements of patient care. Cole received her B.A. in history and Italian from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her residency in family medicine at the Family Practice Program at the University of Connecticut. In addition to this, and unusually, Savard had added a health care center with a spa and a number of elements to keep patients using the facility. The practice became known as West Queens Health and Wellness. “We provide a complete health service for those patients who need it.” Savard said. Additionally, the practice provides consultation with psychologists and other healthcare providers. While the number of doctors going into primary care is declining, Savard is very satisfied with the development of the practice and continues to ensure that patients get at least 30 minutes per consultation, and are not made to deal with their needs under pressure to hurry up. Her original vision to set up a primary care micro-practice has been achieved, and the addition of Cole, the spa and healthcare center has made the center an important part of Long Island City and the lives of many of its citizens. A party from New York Presbyterian hospital recently visited Savard to find out what the center was doing. In their subsequent report, they indicated they have not seen doctors who were so happy with what they were doing. There is no doubt that this happiness and contentment creates the ambiance of the center which benefits all its patients. GETTING TO KNOW LIC’S DR. MOITRI C. SAVARD
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