Chai Care in both Lakewood and Jackson, as well as Friendly Urgent Care in Lakewood, have closed down – at least for now, TLS has learned.
Sources tell TLS the move came amid financial issues, possibly stemming from as far back as Covid.
An employee – who has been unable to get in touch with management – tells TLS the places are listed as closed temporarily, though it’s unclear if they will be reopening in the near future.
The company’s other locations in New York are reportedly still in operation.
A call placed to the management has not yet been returned.
Last year, Lakewood Immediate Care was acquired by Pediatric Affiliates Immediate Care and is under the leadership of Dr. Shanik and Dr. Haimowitz. The group is also opening other locations in the area.
UPDATE 2:24 PM: Statement from Chai Urgent Care to TLS:
Thank you for contacting us. Please note, the closure is only temporary. We intend to fully reopen our newly restructured and rebranded practices in just a few weeks. We will keep you updated and make a formal announcement as soon as we are ready to resume operations.
Chai Urgent Care and Freindly Urgent Care was proud to be the first urgent care center in Lakewood, and our decision to temporarily close is part of a larger plan to improve, grow, and better serve the community that we’ve been honored to care for over the years. We look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon — stronger, better, and more committed than ever to providing the highest level of care.
Thank you for your continued support.
Why would anyone go to an urgent care when they are offering to come to your home?
When (moderated) sold out we were promised nothing will change. Apparently a lot has changed.
The situation with medical care in Lakewood is sad, and controlled by a few who manipulate the system.
It’s always about the Benjamins and never about what’s best in the interest of the klal.
I haven’t been in an urgent care for years I always use the service that comes to your house.
Same been using Premier assist for years now, why anyone would go to these places is beyond me
after going to all 3 locations and seeing that their closed,
irresponsible of them not to update google maps
How will TLS now obtain crash footage from New Hampshire & Cedarbridge?
cuz going to a doctor is safe!!! when a bachur who learnt how to do a culture comes to you its not safe those companies that come to you are a fraud and are making people sick… you cant listen to lungs over the phone and cant feel a bump or feel a rash…
Not our experience at all!!! Maybe some of these places r like that but the one we use sends licensed people to our house. I would never trust my kids health with a “bachur”.
Ofcs the telehealth dr. cant feel the rash but that’s why they also send someone. We just used Premier Assist upstate (think they do lakewood too), and the guy was definitely professional.
I had a very bad experience with one of these places that came to our house. My husband looked like he had the flu and did not look good at all. They took his vitals and a flu test, Covid test, strep test. They all came back normal. They just sent in antibiotics for him to take. They did not even listen to his lungs. I decided after they left a little while later to call Hatzolah, because my husband did not look good at all. They came and right away took him to community medical center hospital in Toms River. It turns out he was in critical condition with pneumonia. He spend 4 days in the hospital. It went from critical to serious, to bh being stabilized. These places that come to you are good for basic throat cultures, cold coughs, etc. even then they just thought it was sometime of bacterial thing. They send over these young kids that are still in medical assistance school or just fiinished ma school. I am very uncomfortable with the dr listening online to the breathing. It is that reason I also do not do telehealth calls.
Nishmartem moed es nafshoseichem. Take care of yourself and make sure you are getting the best treatment you can.
And to clarify, a medical assistant is NOT a physician assistant. Medical assistants are NOT qualified to make any type of diagnosis. They are basically secretaries who can also do a few medical things like take temperature and give throat cultures. I would never use one of these services, personally. If I or my child is sick, I want a REAL medical professional taking a REAL in person look to make sure nothing serious is happening.
People don’t realize the people that come to the house have 0 degree or training they are random people off the straight. Someone can act professional present themselves well but have no medical knowledge or training My neighbor does it she said her total training was 3 hours.