Family physicians are trained in all areas of medicine. After graduating from medical school, they complete three more years of specialized medical residency training in Family Medicine, and then take examination to become board certified. They continue to educate themselves through continuing medical education. This allows them to apply the latest medical breakthroughs to the everyday care of their patients. Family physicians create caring relationships with patients and their families. They help them make the right health care decisions. They know when to treat a patient, and when to bring in another specialist patient can trust.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners are educated through programs that grant either a certificate or a master's degree. A registered nurse is recommended to have extensive clinical experience before applying to a nurse practitioner program. An intensive preceptorship under the direct supervision of a physician or an experienced nurse practitioner, as well as instructions in nursing theory are key components to most NP programs.

Nurse practitioners focus largely on health maintenance, disease prevention, counseling and patient education. With a strong emphasis on primary care, nurse practitioners are employed within several specialties, including neonatology, nurse-midwifery, pediatrics, family and adult health, women's health, mental health, home care, geriatrics and acute care. Nurse practitioners provide some care previously offered only by physicians and in most states have the ability to prescribe medications. Working in collaboration with physicians, nurse practitioners provide high-quality, cost-effective and individualized care for the lifespan of patient's special needs.

What do I need to know prior to my first appointment?
Please make sure that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. This is important so you have enough time to fill out some paper work that is required prior to seeing the provider. Do not forget to bring your insurance card. You are required to pay your insurance co-pay at the time of office visit. We accept Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard and American express card.

What do I need to know prior to appointment for an adult complete physical examination?
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time, so as to allow enough time to fill out any paper work required before you see the provider. Your provider will order some blood tests based on your specific health needs. If you are planning to go to the laboratory for the blood tests after your visit to our office, please do not eat or drink anything except water 10-12 hours prior to the test.

What do I need to know prior to appointment for a child complete physical examination?
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time, so as to allow enough time to fill out any paper work required before you see the provider. Please bring any forms (such as school/college physical form, sports/camp physical form, medication form for school etc) that need to be filled and signed by the provider. Do not forget to bring a copy of your child’s immunization record.

What if I am unable to keep my appointment?
Please inform us as soon as you come to know that you will be unable to keep your appointment. This will help us assign the appointment slot to another patient who needs to be seen.

What if I need a prescription medicine refilled?
If you need to refill a medicine that was originally prescribed by our providers AND your last office visit was within last 6 months, you can either call us during normal business hours or have your pharmacist fax us a prescription refill request to our office. Please allow 48-72 hours for a routine prescription refill.

What if I have a medical question for one of the providers?
If you have a question for a provider, please call us and leave a detail message with the front office secretary. Providers are not available to take your call right away because they are busy with the patients all day. However, providers do check the messages intermittently throughout the day and will return your call as soon as the time allows, usually the same day but sometimes the next day (depending on the urgency of the problem).

What if I need to speak to a provider after office hours?
If you have an urgent question and would like to speak to a provider, please dial 703-723-3110 and follow the prompts to leave a detailed message and your phone number for the provider. You will get a call back within 20-30 minutes. If you have not received a call after 30 minutes, please page the provider again because sometimes a page may not go through.