East Granby Family Practice, LLC was established in 1978 by Dr. Steven Dieterich (retired 2016) and Dr. Edward Ewald. Shortly after, in 1983, Dr. David Howlett joined the practice. In addition, Dr. Elizabeth Freedman joined in 2001, Dr. Anne Reiher in 2007, Dr. Neena Pursnani in 2010, and both Dr. Khuram Ghumman and Dr. Daniel Lerner in 2016. We have five Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners on staff: MaryAnn Webster in 2000, Jeannie Crabtree in 2005, Kate Taylor in 2014, Kasia Swistak in 2018, and Kerri H. Anderson in 2019. We also have one PC-C, Hal Wright, who joined us in 2019.
The practice provides comprehensive medical care in the suburban and rural communities north of Hartford, Connecticut which includes the towns of East Granby, Granby, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Suffield, West Suffield, Enfield, Simsbury, Avon, Bloomfield, East Windsor, and many other surrounding municipalities, including many patients living in adjacent communities in south central Massachusetts.
Family Medicine is a medical specialty that requires completion of an extensive three-year training program after graduation from medical school. This training includes intensive study of pediatrics, internal medicine and gynecology with additional training in office surgery, radiology, orthopedics, dermatology, psychiatry and geriatrics. Family Medicine is the specialty that can care for over 90% of your family’s medical needs. Our training makes us good diagnosticians, and when we cannot care for a particular problem, we refer you to a specialist who can help. The EGFP medical staff stays current with the latest in medical care by completing continuing medical education courses and passing periodic re-certification examinations. Our electronic medical records have medical reference sites available to our providers to research uncommon issues at the point of patient care and to provide our patients with the latest in medical treatments.
EGFP, LLC is a full service medicine office that provides both preventive care and medical treatment of pediatric and adult patients for chronic medical problems and acute illness. The providers perform office surgery, dermatological procedures, pulmonary function tests, radiological tests, electrocardiograms, audiology tests, 24hr blood pressure monitoring and tympanography.
Our office has been recognized as an early adopter and innovator in the use electronic medical records, EMR, to improve patient care, update preventive services, electronically prescribe medication and efficiently communicate with other health care providers. We have the use of internet medical resources at our fingertips as we use the EMR to service your health care needs.
Patient information is very important. Please visit our "LINKS" tab which has helpful information including patient handouts, self care charts and convenient links to learn more about all aspects of healthcare for you and your family.
In April of 2011, East Granby Family Practice, LLC was one of the first practices in Connecticut to be certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home - Level 3 (highest level achieveable). East Granby Family Practice has always ascribed to the tenets of a Patient Centered Medical Home, even before the formal NCQA PCMH recognition program was formulated. As Family Medicine Board certified physicians, the goals of East Granby Family Practice have always been to provide cost effective patient centered care. We have always had extended hours (evenings and weekends) and open access scheduling - especially since we have many pediatric patients who often need same day appointments. Since EGFP’s purchase of McKesson’s Practice Partner EHR in 2004, we have been able to analyze the care we deliver in disease management and how well we deliver preventive care. We have re-designed workflow and have established processes to involve all staff to work to their full level of training to deliver patient centered care. Dr. David Howlett, renowned Primary Care Physician with East Granby Family Practice, LLC shares the his significant experience in establishing the precedent mode for "patient centered care" (PCC). This primary care model is conducive to optimizing not only the effectiveness of treatment, but also the most efficient route to a successful monitoring and outcome for the recipient keeping in mind the medical profession's objective - "first do no harm." Click here to see his interview with CTValleyViews.
Through our participation in three study projects of the Primary (Care) Practices Research Network (PPRNet), academicdepartments.musc.edu/pprnet/, since 2005, and by working with Qualidigm, the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Connecticut, www.Qualidigm.org, for over 5 years on multiple quality improvement initiatives, we have learned how to deliver better evidence-based care and to efficiently record the care and preventive services given. Provider meetings are held to discuss results and to formulate procedures to improve care delivery. This has allowed us to greatly surpass national benchmarks of care and be awarded the PPRNet “Best Practices Award” for performance in the top 25% of all participating practice each year since 2008.
East Granby Family Practice, (EGFP) recognizes the importance that the coronavirus pandemic has had on everyone, including patients of our practice. This page is designed to conveniently keep you informed of new developments and provide links to reputable COVID information.
Updated COVID Vaccine Information from EGFP as of January 15, 2021
Our most recent information is that initial administration of the vaccine will be at predetermined locations throughout the state. Every patient will need to register in VAMS (Vaccine Administration Management System) of the CDC and then will be able to schedule an appointment. You may choose a location near your home. Phase 1B patients who are 75 and older are able to register to schedule appointments now. Other groups in Phase 1B will be able to register soon. Keep checking. Please go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations, for more detailed information and to sign up on the VAMS system. A direct link to sign into the VAMS system if you are eligible at this time is https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
We have registered to distribute the COVID vaccine to our patients in our office through the Department of Public Health (DPH). We do not know yet which vaccine will be available to be given in private doctors' offices, nor the exact timetable. We will be "invited" by the DPH to upload our roster of patients when they have vaccine for us. We have prepared all documents required and we are ready. Presently, vaccines are not being distributed through private offices, so please go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations ,register and get the vaccine as soon as able.
Please call our office once you have received the vaccine so we may record it in you chart.
For more general information on vaccine distribution, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html. Understand that each state may distribute the vaccine a bit differently from the general guidelines. For Connecticut specific information, go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations.
If you feel you have symptoms of the COVID-19 illness, Symptoms of Coronavirus | CDC, then our policy is that you get tested before visiting the office. Although inconvenient, this protects the other patients and staff at EGFP. An infected patient or staff member could "shut down" the office, leaving patients with other conditions without care. This policy will continue at least until staff and patients have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. To find a convenient testing site, go to https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus . Another link to at testing site near you is United Way 211 (211ct.org).
If you have had the COVID-19 illness, then you will need to postpone in-person office visits until 14 days have passed since the date of the positive test and 48 hours have passed since you have had symptoms. A Telemedicine visit (see below) is available if needed for medical care during this time.
In the meantime, please be careful during this period of the coronavirus pandemic. Wear a face covering or mask when out in public and keep your contacts with others brief. Practice social distancing and self isolation. Wash your hands well with soap and water often. Keep your immune system healthy by staying positive, stay hydrated, exercise in fresh air, avoid alcohol overuse and get plenty of sleep. Take your multivitamin and medications. Stay well.
For other general information about the Coronavirus which causes COVID-19 disease, please refer to the Forms & Links Tab and click on COVID19, or visit the SOHO COVID-19 Patient Resources page by clicking here.
Other office policies and information:
During this coronavirus pandemic, we understand that some patients may wish to postpone or cancel their appointments for care. We urge those patients to consider telemedicine. (see Telemedicine section under "Forms and Links") This is either a telephone call or a telehealth face to face HIPAA compliant virtual visit. Medical problems can be addressed, prescriptions refilled, medications updated and laboratory or diagnostic tests ordered. In this manner , we can continue to address your medical needs in a timely manner. Please keep your appointment in person at the office, or convert your visit to a telemedicine visit when you confirm your appointment. We have taken comprehensive measures to keep you safe. For more information, go to the COVID19 section of this web site as directed above, or call our office at 860-653-4526.
Many patients over age 65 with Medicare or Medicare advantage plans are finding, during this coronavirus pandemic, an opportunity to complete the insurance encouraged Annual Wellness Visit, (See Annual Wellness Visit under "Services") since this evaluation may be completed through the telemedicine services offered by our office. EGFP, LLC is a full service medical office that provides both preventive care for children and adults, and medical treatment of pediatric and adult patients for chronic medical problems and acute illnesses. The providers perform office surgery, dermatological procedures, pulmonary function tests, radiological tests, electrocardiograms, immunizations, phlebotomy, audiology tests, and tympanography. The practice provides comprehensive medical care in the suburban and rural communities north of Hartford, Connecticut which includes the towns of East Granby, Granby, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Suffield, West Suffield, Enfield, Simsbury, Avon, Bloomfield and East Windsor. We also provide care for adjacent communities in south central Massachusetts. Appointment Hours for in-person or virtual visits: Monday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday starting 8:00 AM for Urgent Care Telephone Hours (Monday-Friday): 8:30 AM - 11:55 AM 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Important Notice About Patient Portal Access WebView was retired effective July 12th, 2019. We have transitioned the patient portal to a new site effective immediately. Please update your shortcut to the new address https://egfpct.mymedaccess.com moving forward. Please click here for instructions on using the new portal. Patient Portal contact with the physicians of East Granby Family Practice is for NON-URGENT CARE only and NOT EMERGENCY CARE. Please contact the office immediately if there is an urgent or emergency need for medical care.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities in the front office, nursing and provider departments become available from time to time. Please call the office at 860-653-4526 to check for available positions and to submit your resume for consideration.