New Medical Practice Opens in Kirkwood

KIRKWOOD, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A new medical practice is the fulfillment of a long-standing dream of a pair of practitioners who want to place patient care at the center of their approach.

Kirkwood Medical Practice opened last Thursday on Route 11 near Schneider’s Market. It’s owned and operated by Doctor Jemille Smith with the assistance of Family Nurse Practitioner Bilqees Abdallah.

Both of them have over 12 years of experience in family medicine and have traveled together internationally on medical missions.

Smith, who specializes in urgent care and geriatrics, says he’s learned that patients all over the world want the same things from their medical care, to be heard, to know that their provider is competent and to be a partner in their treatment plan.

Dr. Jemille Smith says, “The ideal of being able to customize healthcare to patients’ individual needs and wants is what we would like to be known for. We want to be able to serve all of Broome County, like I said, and beyond. And be able to bring personalized healthcare to each individual client that walks through those doors.”

Smith and Abdallah say one focus of their practice will be caring for underserved communities.

Abdallah, who grew up in Greater Binghamton and specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, says African-Americans and other racial minorities statistically suffer from worse health outcomes when treated by the healthcare establishment.

She says not seeing providers that look like them can create fear and suspicion among some patients.

FNP Bilqees Abdallah says, “Even in my graduating class at Binghamton University, there were only 3 African-Americans in the graduating class out of 81 students. So, me being in the medical field as an African-American, as well as a Muslim-American, speaks volumes. I feel as though it will help with a lot of people in our community who may want to see and be treated by someone that looks like them or have the same cultural background or beliefs.”

Smith and Abdallah are joined in the practice by Nasir Abdul-Wadud who has 17 years of experience as a physician’s assistant. Kirkwood Medical Practice offers same day appointments and flexible hours that can include evenings and weekends.

To make an appointment, go to the Kirkwood Medical Practice website.