We are pleased to announce that soon we are opening a new office in Apex N.C.

Our target opening is November, more details coming soon.

Thank you

Capital Family Medicine

I hope everyone is keeping safe and coping with all the changes we've had to deal with during the pandemic. If everyone cooperates and follows the advice of our excellent chief NC medical official Dr. Mandy Cohen we'll be fine until our much-needed vaccine arrives.

It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that I will not be returning this fall for regular office hours. I have been working extremely hard over the last year and have reached the point where I'm feeling some fatigue with the daily work schedule. As many of you know, I am no spring chicken and will be 71 this fall.

I will miss all of my wonderful patients who have so enriched my life. I am honored and humbled that so many of you have entrusted your health care to me. With all the news you would think that we were surrounded by rogues and that everyone is selfish and double-dealing. I don't have to look far to find heroes in my life. So many of my patients were dealt with extremely challenging circumstances and yet with great resolve, patience, and self-sacrifice keep their families and friends afloat. When I look at my patient population I see a diverse group of souls working hard for their families and communities.

I know the practice and your health care is in great hands. Dr. David McMullen will be starting in August and we are currently recruiting another MD to start next summer. Our PA's Julie Drew and Kelcey Meier are simply the best. They are skilled, kind, and compassionate. As all of you know our medical staff is fantastic. I would never have been able to practice as long without our wonderful administrator, front office personnel, billers, and medical assistants.

Drs. Scott Wagner and Adam Drechsler are great doctors and they will provide direction for the practice. We will open another office in Apex in the fall to serve our growing southwest Raleigh population. I will do some fill-in practice when needed and will help out administratively as long as I am needed. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank each one of you for your kindness and entrusting your care to me.

Rich Forsyth

In order to keep everyone safe we are asking all of our patients and staff to wear a mask. So please, before entering the office put a mask on and make sure your mouth and nose are covered.

Thank you

CFM

There is considerable circumstantial evidence that vitamin D deficiency could be playing a part in the severity of Covid disease.The most severe outbreaks so far have been in areas experiencing or just emerging from winter weather.There is considerable speculation that cytokine storm might be related to vitamin D deficiency.On average African Americans have low vitamin D levels.Dark skin acts as a barrier to producing too much vitamin D (which works well in hunter gatherers and farmers but has become a problem in our modern economy.)

I have published an article which showed a large percentage of Boston homeless people infected with asymptomatic Covid.One would expect this vulnerable undernourished population to be sitting ducks for this scourge but some factor must be furnishing them with protection.

No one knows for certain whether vitamin D is the critical factor in severe disease but getting outside in a bathing suit or shorts without sunblock for 45 minutes a couple of days a week isn’t going to hurt anyone.For people over 50 taking vitamin D3 2000 iu is not a bad insurance policy. I think Dr Cohen and the NC Covid task force kept the greenways open for a reason.Let’s use them!

Link to Covid article:

Testing Reveals 'Stunning' Asymptomatic Coronavirus Spread Among Boston's Homeless

Due to the coronavirus, both offices will temporarily not be offering walk in/urgent care hours and late night hours. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

Capital Family Medicine

We will be open for regular medical care May 4th. However anyone with a fever or respiratory symptoms will be seen virtually or in a separate part of the clinic. Patients will not sit in a crowded waiting room and should bring their own mask. All staff members will be wearing masks as well. We will be open for bloodwork starting April 27th. Upon arrival please call the office: 919-878-8596 so a staff member can let you into the office. We believe that the wearing of masks has been very important in the curve flattening we have experienced in Wake Co.

At Capital Family Medicine it is our job to help all of our patients in every way possible. Due to COVID-19 we are forced to change a few things for the safety of our patients and staff. We are now offering Virtual Visits(preferred) or Phone visits(for patients that cannot connect virtually). To connect virtually you will need to download the free app “Zoom Cloud Meetings” and create an account. Keep your phone or computer near you around the time you are supposed to connect with the provider…he/she will send you an invite, accept the invite and you will be connected to the provider.

Thank you
Capital Family Medicine

Great to see the response by our N.C. leaders. I think if we all take heed we have a better chance of coming through this unprecedented time successfully.For some people they are finally getting to show how efficient they can be working from home.Most of us are getting a crash course in video conferencing.

One of the great assets of Wake County is our space.While maintaining social distancing what a great time to check out the greenways and great parks. Great time to think about turning some soil and starting a garden.Fresh air, family time and more nutritious home prepared food is going to be good for all of us.I think we are heading into our next baby boom.

I don’t have to look to the media or sports for my heroes.I am always amazed at the self sacrifice kindness and generosity of so many of my patients.We will need a very strong sense of community as we emerge from this event.
Keep safe.Hopefully the warmer weather will help.If not we’ll keep hunkering down.

RJ Forsyth MD

At Capital Family Medicine we would like to keep all our patients up to date with the most complete information on the Corona virus situation. We will be providing articles on our Facebook page as well as updating this blog post with relevant articles (see links below). These articles will highlight viewpoints from international experts. I have included the Corona patient information from a prominent medical practice in Hong Kong, a city which dealt first hand with the SARS epidemic.

RJ Forsyth MD

Links to articles about Coronavirus:

Young and Unafraid of the Coronavirus Pandemic? Good for you. Now Stop Killing People-Opinion
Nearly Half of U.S. Coronavirus Patients in Intensive Care are Under 65, CDC Reports

At Capital Family Medicine we would like to keep all our patients up to date with the most complete information on the Corona virus situation. We will be providing articles on our Facebook page as well as updating this blog post with relevant articles (see links below). These articles will highlight viewpoints from international experts. I have included the Corona patient information from a prominent medical practice in Hong Kong, a city which dealt first hand with the SARS epidemic.

First of all, we must keep our patients, staff, and community safe. We will have a separate entrance at Capital Family for all respiratory illness patients. Please call us before arriving to Urgent Care if you have respiratory symptoms. Everyone with respiratory symptoms will be tested for Corona and flu virus. If patients are experiencing respiratory symptoms and are booked for a physical exam, or a scheduled medical visit, it will be necessary to postpone these visits.

It is important to keep all patients and staff safe and make sure that we can keep our facility functioning to serve the community.

Fantastic news out of Wuhan with a marked decrease in cases and a predicted zero new cases by the end of march.

Thank you for your cooperation. I will continue to post articles.

Richard J. Forsyth MD

Advice/Tips for Patients
China's Cases of COVID-19 Declining
New Cases May Drop to Zero By End of March
What Happens if You Catch the New Corona Virus?
Coronavirus: 25 scientists sent to China reveal new research findings-Business Insider
Italian Leader Orders Lockdown of Venice and Milan as Coronavirus Spreads
Italian PM signs Lockdown Decree Affecting Millions in the North
Coronavirus Expert Says He Knows When the Virus "Will Burn Itself Out," According to Leaked Analysis
China Shuts All 16 Temporary Coronavirus Hospitals in Wuhan

When coming into the office for an appointment, if you are sick(with or without fever), It is important to wear a mask. Wearing a mask prevents others from getting sick.

How to properly wear a mask:
Secure the strings behind your ears and make sure the mask covers the nose and mouth.