New physician joining Speare Primary Care

PLYMOUTH — Dr. Michael Watto has joined the practice of Speare Primary Care.

Dr. Watto brings a broad mix of medical experience to the practice, having spent the past 21 1/2 years in the Army. Eight years after becoming an Army office Watto went to medical school at Kansas City University in Kansas City, Mo., where he received his medical degree. He completed a residency in family medicine at Fort Benning, Ga., and later earned a master's in public health from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Other highlights of his Army career include serving with an airborne brigade at Fort Richardson, Alaska, a 14-month deployment to Iraq with that organization, and providing medical coverage for the All Army Boxing Championships in Arizona.

"We are seeing a change in the doctor and patient relationship," notes Dr. Watto. "Patients have access to so much more health information then in the past. I consider myself their medical adviser/expert. It is my job to help them make the right choices. As a primary care provider, I like to develop a relationship with my patients so we can see the big picture and pull it all together."

After the Army being his community for the past 20 plus years, Dr. Watto says he and his family are looking forward to being a part of the Greater Plymouth community. They like the outdoors and look forward to all the activities offered by living among the lakes and mountains, as well as the cultural offerings of Plymouth State University. His wife is originally from New Hampshire, and together they have two children.

"Dr. Watto joins two other physicians and four advanced practice professionals at Speare Primary Care," says Speare's Director of Physician Practices Charles Hulse. "He is another important building block helping to ensure central New Hampshire patients have sufficient access to primary care services."

Dr. Watto will be accepting new patients age 13 years and older beginning Sept. 8. Appointments can be made by calling Speare Primary Care at (603) 536-1881. The office is located on the second floor of Speare Memorial at Boulder Point, 103 Boulder Point Drive, off Tenney Mountain Highway in Plymouth.