Thundermist looking to recruit patients losing doctors due to Anchor Medical closure

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Thundermist is working to recruit new patients following the announcement that Anchor Medical Associates is closing all facilities by the end of June.

In a social media post, Thundermist said it’s accepting new pediatric and adult primary care patients at all three of their locations, including Woonsocket, Warwick and Wakefield.

Anchor Medical’s location in Warwick shuts down at the end of April.

Their other locations will close down on June 30th.

Approximately 25,000 patients will need to find a new healthcare provider, and more than 1,000 people have signed a petition on change.org calling for Anchor Medical Associates to remain open.

The petition calls for state leaders, including attorney general Peter Neronha, to intervene with the decision.

In a post on their website, Anchor Medical said the closure is because they’ve been unable to hire replacements for doctors who have retired and an inability to keep up with the costs and reimbursement rates.

Mary from Warren wrote on the petition:

The shortage of primary care physicians has been an ongoing issue for several years in Rhode Island. Our state representatives must do more to bring in primary care physicians to Rhode Island.

Vanessa from Warwick wrote:

My son has complex medical needs, Anchor pediatrics has been a staple in his health since he was born.