Bay Medical Clinic transition underway

A months-long search has identified potential partners to take over Bay Medical Clinic, but the logistics of bringing them on board and transferring the clinic may take another several months.

Dr. Marta Kazymyra and her husband Dr. David Allan have further postponed their long-planned retirement, while insurance company Premera Blue Cross works to secure new providers to take over the Blaine practice the couple opened four decades ago.

The clinic currently serves 3,000 patients with a staff of five full- and part-time employees. It is considered an integral part of the Blaine community, which recently paid tribute to the clinic by having its doctors and staff serve as the grand marshals of Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July parade.

Initially, Dr. Kazymyra and Dr. Allan were unable to find anyone to take over Bay Medical Clinic and announced that it would close at the end of December 2018. Premera Blue Cross then stepped in to aid in recruitment efforts for a new doctor.

Those efforts appear to have succeeded. Premera’s search has now identified a male provider who is interested in acquiring the practice and working full-time, as well as a female provider who is willing to work part-time. In addition, Dr. Allan is expected to remain as a part-time provider.

Several hurdles remain, however, and the successful transfer of care to the new team is not guaranteed. Still, Dr. Kazymyra was optimistic that the transition will proceed smoothly, and thanked Premera for its assistance. “We couldn’t have remained open without Premera’s dedication and willingness to work with us, and we are very grateful for their support,” she said.

She also thanked the Blaine community for its ongoing support during the transition. “We are excited about the positive news and are thankful for the community’s support,” she said. “Our patients and their ongoing care, as well as keeping our staff employed, are our utmost goals.”

Dr. Kazymyra and Dr. Allan have committed to staying through the transition to make sure their patients have the care and support needed, and to allow for a successful transfer of care to the new team.

Both doctors are still accepting new patients on a limited basis, but they cannot accommodate new DSHS and Apple Health plans at this time.