A new doctor is drawn to Winsted

WINSTED —  Dr. Kipp van Meter is a new primary care physician in Winsted, with an office at the Ledgebrook Shopping Plaza. He is affiliated with Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH). 

Van Meter has taken over the private practice that Dr. David Lawrence had there for 20 years until his retirement in March. CHH purchased the practice, renamed it CHH Primary Care Winsted and hired van Meter.

“We took over that office because the patients of Winsted needed a doctor and Lawrence could not recruit a replacement on his own,” CHH Administrative Director Joan Palmer said. “It’s very hard to recruit new doctors to the Northwest Corner. Doctors are usually drawn to big cities or larger healthcare systems.”

Palmer said that CHH’s affiliation with Hartford Hospital, which was approved by the state last November, has helped with recruiting doctors for its satellite offices and for Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, which is located in Torrington.

“Physicians are always looking for a big name to work for,” Palmer said. “Before the affiliation, it was difficult to recruit doctors. But because of the affiliation, we can now get the people we need.”

Van Meter is a native of West Hartford and attended medical school at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo.

He completed his residency at Middlesex Hospital Family Medicine in Middletown and at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

“I like it here in the Winsted area,” he said. “It’s not as fast-paced as other parts of Connecticut. I’ve found that people here are very down-to-earth. This is a population that I enjoy taking care of.”

Palmer said the office currently handles 600 patients. They are working on hiring a second doctor for the office.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The practice accepts most major insurance plans.

For more information, call 860-738-3398.