Allied Physicians Group expands on Long Island

Allied Physicians Group is growing, in more ways than one.

 The Melville-based independent health care network, which has 25 locations on Long Island, acquired two pediatric offices in Lynbrook and Elmont in June. Allied Physicians Group plans to continue expanding on Long Island and throughout New York through acquisitions and by introducing new medical services at existing locations, according to company o fficials.

The group focuses on pediatrics but has branched out in recent years to include family medicine. It operates outside of the larger hospital systems and gives providers the freedom to treat and refer patients the best way they see fit, according to company president Josh Sleeper. As the group grows, its leaders say, they hope to provide patients access to more multidisciplinary care, as well as give doctors the back-end support they need to keep practices running smoothly.

"The main difference for us is that our physicians can practice medicine the way they want, and there is a lot of autonomy and flexibility when they join our organization," Sleeper said. 

Dr. Harshit Patel, who runs the Brentwood-based Allied Physicians Allergy, Asthma, & Sinus Center of Long Island, said the April acquisition of his practice has given him the ability to focus on care while also providing his staff with support.

"They make sure the focus is on the patient," said Patel. "And they also take care of physicians with support all around, including a wellness coordinator we can reach out to if there are issues regarding the practice or even stress among the staff."

The company plans to acquire more Long Island private practices but declined to comment on specific doctors. One potential future acquisition is a pediatric weight management specialist, according to Kevin Edwards, vice president of business development.

"We want to look for quality physicians that are looking for a place to transition that isn't a hospital system," Edwards said.

Once acquired, Allied offers back-end support to practices, including billing services and ongoing professional training and development.

Allied Physicians Group will also add physicians to practices to expand the scope of care offered, Sleeper said. As an example, he noted plans to add a physician for adults to its pediatric practice in Rocky Point in the next few months.

The organization also plans to grow its behavioral health services for both children and adults, said CEO Dr. Kerry Frommer Fierstein. This will include both hiring new mental health professionals and training existing Allied physicians.

"Mental health is one of those things that most of our doctors weren't trained on," she said. "Some feel a lot more comfortable than others, so we've been pushing to make everybody feel comfortable because it's a major need."

Allied Physicians Group was founded in 2006 as a physician-led health care network independent of hospitals and currently has 150 practitioners who treat approximately 180,000 patients annually, according to a statement by the group.

The company received an investment from private equity firm Ascend Partners to expand its acquisitions in 2023, Newsday reported. Over the next 24 months, Allied Physicians Group aims for 20% revenue growth, Sleeper said.