New primary care practice opens in Merrick

A local resident has reached her long-awaited dream of owning her own primary care practice — and it’s close to home to boot.

Amy Waldman, a North Merrick resident, opened Total Care Adult Health, located at 1401 Jerusalem Ave. in North Merrick, last month. “I live a block away,” she said.

While she plans to hire other specialists to fill the large space she has — 3,000 square feet of floor space with nine exam rooms — for now, it’s only Waldman and her receptionist.

Waldman found the opportunity after being furloughed during the pandemic from the New Hyde Park practice where she was employed. “It was the perfect opportunity to start my own practice,” she explained. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

As a nurse practitioner, Waldman knows it’s unusual to find someone like her heading their own practice. The prevalence of nurse practitioners has risen in recent years, however, and the position gives Waldman “more autonomy” in what she practices, she said.

She added that the common partnerships between doctor’s offices and large health corporations make them “lose a community feel,” Waldman said. “It loses it’s personal touch, and I hope to give patients a personal touch.”

Waldman said she would also accommodate patients outside of her normal operating hours, since she’s so close to her office.

During the pandemic, Waldman also aided the community by offering rapid Covid tests at her North Merrick home.

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for Total Care on May 28 at 9 a.m.