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Lindsay E. Damaso, PA-C

Lindsay graduated with her B.A. in Health Sciences from Northeastern University. She completed her Physician Assistant program at Bryant University in Rhode Island. Lindsay currently resides in Burlington with her husband.

**Updated 01/05/2022

Please be advised: We are a healthcare facility. According to the Governor’s updated mask/face covering policy on May 29th, 2021 ALL PATIENTS AND STAFF MUST CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS INSIDE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES. This applies to those vaccinated AND unvaccinated!

Per the mass.gov website:

Effective May 29, 2021, face coverings will continue to be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at all times in the following locations, subject to the exemptions listed below:

2. Healthcare facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth and healthcare practice locations of any provider licensed by a professional board which sits within the Department of Public Health or the Division of Professional Licensure. These settings include nursing homes, rest homes, emergency medical services, hospitals, physician  and other medical and dental offices, urgent care settings, community health centers, vaccination sites, behavioral health clinics, and Bureau of Substance and Addiction Services (BSAS) facilities. This requirement applies to patients, residents, staff, vendors and visitors.

COVID-19 Vaccination

We DO NOT have the COVID-19 vaccine at our practice. To get a booster or vaccination, you will need to find your own appointment at a pharmacy/other facility. Please visit vaxfinder.mass.gov or call 211 for more information.

Our physicians support the use of the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage ALL patients to get their boosters. Click here for more information on who can be vaccinated.

Appointments

Telehealth Visits

Our office is offering Telehealth video visits via the HIPAA-compliant platform Zoom. Please call the office or request an appointment via the Patient Portal to schedule a Telehealth appointment.

In-office Visits

If you are visiting our office for an appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to the following protocol:

  • You MUST be pre-screened for COVID-19 before entering our office. This involves answering a questionnaire over their phone when we confirm your appointment. If you are experiencing ANY symptoms related to COVID-19 (respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, chills, body aches, GI complaints, fatigue, etc.) you will not be permitted into the office and you must do a Telehealth appointment.
  • Please attend your appointment alone unless it is absolutely necessary that you bring a guardian/companion.
  • Masks are required at all times unless a provider or medical assistant asks you to remove it.

What to do if you suspect you have or have been exposed to COVID-19

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, chills, body aches, GI complaints, fatigue) call the office to set up a Telehealth appointment with one of the providers. The provider will determine if you are eligible for testing and will order one if necessary. If the provider orders you a test, it will be a drive-thru test at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford.

If you suspect that you have been exposed to COVID-19, call the office to set up a Telehealth appointment with one of the providers. The provider will determine if any testing is needed.

If you need COVID-19 testing for travel, school, or return-to-work purposes, please call a pharmacy or urgent care. Due to the limited number of tests, we are only permitted to send patients for testing through the MelroseWakefield Hospital System if the patient is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed.

In the meantime, please be sure to isolate yourself from friends, family, and coworkers until a provider directs you otherwise.

Benjamin Calef, M.D.

A native of Melrose, Dr. Benjamin Calef graduated from the University of Massachusetts and completed his medical degree at American University of the Caribbean. He completed his Family Practice residency at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Calef currently resides in Boston.

Our Office

Located at 33 Avon Street, Wakefield, MA

  • Entry way newly renovated this year.

Insurance

If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card(s) to the office every time you visit. Please let us know if you do not have insurance.

Insurance Plans Accepted


All Commercial Insurances accepted by Melrose Wakefield Healthcare.

Insurance Plans NOT Accepted


MassHealth and Network health.

Know Your Co-Pay
Many HMOs require a co-payment, which is due at the time of the office visit. We will then bill your health plan for the remainder of the payment due. It is your responsibility to know the amount of your co-pay for each visit. Please consult your insurance card or insurance company to get this information if you cannot find it.

Know Your Deductible
You are responsible for a deductible at the beginning of each calendar year. After the deductible is met, you will be responsible for only a small portion of your bill.

Workmen’s Compensation Accident Insurance
The patient must provide all information including claim numbers and the insurance carrier’s name and address. This information must be given to the office staff before your appointment is booked.

Auto Insurance
The patient must provide all information including claim numbers and the insurance carrier’s name and address. This information must be given to the office staff before your appointment is booked.

History

The Dutton family name has been associated with quality medical care in Wakefield since 1893 when Charles Dutton, M.D. established his home and practice at 33 Avon Street. His son, Richard, and then grandson, Robert, ran the practice through much of the 20th century.

The year 1977 brought tremendous growth. Dr. John Kidd joined Dr. Robert Dutton and within that same year Dr. David Calef came aboard as well, establishing the first group of board-certified family practitioners on the North Shore.

In 2016, following Dr. Kidd’s retirement, Dr. Calef’s son, Ben, joined the practice. David and Ben continue the legacy of family medicine in Wakefield established by the Dutton family over 120 years ago.

David A. Calef, M.D.

A native of New Bedford, Dr. Calef graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts and completed his medical degree at the University of Virginia. He completed his Family Practice residency at the University of Florida affiliated programs. Dr. Calef currently resides in Milton, MA.

Appointments

We are currently not accepting any new patients.

To make an appointment, please call the office directly during Office Hours or through use of the Patient Portal. To access the Patient Portal, please go to our Home Page where there is a link. If you have trouble setting up the Patient Portal, please call the help desk at 617-636-5418. For a list of Office Hours, click here.

What to do if you can’t keep your appointment
If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment please call the office at least 24 hours in advance. If that is not possible, please call as soon as possible. We even appreciate last-minute cancellations as this frequently allows us to accommodate patients with urgent medical concerns.

In a true medical emergency, go directly to the Melrose-Wakefield hospital emergency room. For urgent matters, click here.

E-mail Policy

Appointments will be accepted by phone or Patient Portal use only. An office staff member may need to speak with each patient before making an appointment in order to determine the best choice of action for each situation. For this reason we cannot accept appointments by e-mail. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.