If you’ve spent any time looking for a doctor in Northwest Philly, you’ve probably heard the name. Maybe you saw it on a local Facebook group or passed the sign on Germantown Avenue. Honestly, picking a primary care doctor feels a bit like dating. You want someone who listens, someone who doesn't rush you out the door in five minutes, and someone who actually remembers your name without staring at a tablet the whole time.
Mt Airy Family Practice Philadelphia is one of those places that people in the neighborhood talk about with a weird amount of loyalty.
But here’s the thing. There is a lot of confusion about what this practice actually is today. Is it a tiny neighborhood clinic? A big corporate machine? A "medical home"? Basically, it’s a bit of everything. It has deep roots in the community—we’re talking since 1989—but it has changed a lot lately, especially since joining the PentaHealth network.
The "Patient-Centered" Thing: It's Not Just Marketing
You see the term "Patient-Centered Medical Home" (PCMH) thrown around a lot in healthcare brochures. Most people ignore it. It sounds like corporate fluff.
But for Mt Airy Family Practice, it’s actually a point of pride. Back in 2011, they were the first in the entire country to get recertified under the NCQA’s then-new standards. That’s a big deal for a practice tucked away in a Philly neighborhood.
What does that actually mean for you?
It means they use a team-based approach. Instead of one doctor acting as a lone wolf, you’ve got a pod of physicians, nurses, and medical assistants who are all looking at your chart. They use the MEDENT system to track everything. If you call in with a weird side effect from a new med, the person on the phone isn't just guessing; they’re looking at the same data your doctor saw ten minutes ago.
The PentaHealth Shift
A few years back, the practice joined PentaHealth. Some long-time patients worried. You know the drill: "Are they going to become a factory?"
Kinda, but not really. The doctors—like Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Susan Leath—stayed. The partnership was mostly about back-end survival. Being an independent doctor in 2026 is brutally hard. By joining a larger group, they got access to better tech (like the MyChart portal which rolled out in 2024) and better negotiating power with insurance companies.
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The vibe still feels very "Mt Airy." It’s diverse. It’s a bit quirky. It reflects the neighborhood's history of intentional integration and activism.
Who is actually treating you?
If you walk in today, you aren't just seeing one person. The roster has some heavy hitters.
- Dr. David Lewis: He’s been around the block. Graduated from Wayne State and has a massive interest in dermatology. If you have a weird mole, he’s the one who’s probably going to do the in-office procedure instead of farming you out to a specialist immediately.
- Dr. Susan Leath: A Yale grad who went to the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She’s super involved in local Philly health initiatives.
- Dr. Lauren Kummer and Dr. Devan Oodal: These are the newer faces keeping the practice moving forward as the neighborhood grows.
- The CRNPs: You’ll often see nurse practitioners like Carrie Karhnak-Glasby or Suzannah Maynard. In many ways, the NPs are the backbone of the "medical home" model because they often have more time for the long-form education stuff, like managing diabetes or high blood pressure.
Technology and the "Portal Struggle"
Let’s be real: medical portals can be a nightmare. But Mt Airy Family Practice leans on them hard. They moved to MyChart (Epic) recently, which is the gold standard.
If you’re the type of person who hates the phone, this is a win. You can see your lab results—about 80% of which are usually normal—without waiting for a "no news is good news" call that never comes.
However, if you aren't tech-savvy, it can feel a bit isolating. They still take phone calls (215-848-6880), but they definitely push the portal for things like prescription refills and non-urgent questions. It’s about efficiency, sure, but it’s also about having a paper trail of your care.
Dealing with Insurance (The Boring but Necessary Part)
They take almost everything. Independence Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and even Keystone 65.
One thing they do differently? They’ve partnered with local experts to help patients navigate the absolute mess that is turning 65. If you're confused about Medicare, they usually point people toward local agencies to help sort out the paperwork. It’s a nice "old school" touch in a high-tech office.
Why Location Matters
They are located at 6603 Germantown Ave.
The parking can be... well, it's Philly. It’s Mt Airy. You might have to circle the block once or twice.
But being on the Avenue matters. This isn't a suburban office park. You’re right there by the High Point Cafe and the Wissahickon. It feels integrated into the life of the city. They see everyone from newborn babies to 95-year-olds. It’s "family practice" in the literal sense.
Actionable Steps for New Patients
If you are thinking about switching, don't just show up.
- Check the PCP Status: Call your insurance first. Make sure one of the specific doctors (like Dr. Oodal or Dr. Lewis) is listed as your Primary Care Provider on your card. If not, they might turn you away at the front desk.
- The "New Patient" Window: Like most good practices in Philly, they can get backed up. If you need a physical for a job or school, call at least six weeks out.
- Portal First: Sign up for MyChart the second you get your invite email. It is the only way to get fast answers there.
- Gather the Records: Don't expect them to hunt down your old records from Penn or Temple. Get them printed or sent digitally before your first visit so the doctor actually has something to talk to you about.
The practice isn't a "hidden gem" anymore—it’s a neighborhood institution that has successfully navigated the jump from a small-town feel to a modern, tech-integrated medical hub. It’s busy, it’s professional, and honestly, it’s one of the more stable healthcare options in the Northwest.