Auburn Hospital opens new facility to combat primary care shortage

AUBURN, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Auburn Community Hospital has opened a new practice to help with the nationwide crisis of not having enough primary care providers.

Central New York is not immune to the primary care troubles we’re seeing across the country.

“We’re always going to have an issue with not enough primary care providers and that’s part of the reason that Auburn is committed to continuing to expand our program,” said Jennifer Speicher, MPA, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Auburn Community Hospital.

Part of that expansion is Auburn Family Medicine. The new practice opened in July of 2024 and is located on West Garden Street.

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“Auburn Family Medicine is geared 100 percent towards the rural track training program for residents in affiliation with Upstate Medical University,” said Speicher.

The facility is staffed by residents from SUNY Upstate’s Family Medicine Resident Program. Currently, there are two residents on-site that patients can see during their visit.

“We take care of patients of all ages from nursery to our senior patients. So all ages of patients for all kinds of needs we are here to provide and serve the community,” said Dr. Sultan Ripon, MD, site director of Auburn Family Practice.

Since opening its doors, Auburn Family Medicine has taken on just under 300 patients and the practice is continuing to accept new patients of all ages. Auburn Family Medicine also plans on adding more staff to its team.

“Looking to hire additional APPS, looking to hire additional family medicine providers to complement this program to meet the extreme needs of our community,” said Speicher.

The facility says it hopes to have a total of four residents by July 1, 2025.

The practice offers a wide range of family healthcare services and accepts all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

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