CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — A medical practice serving patients in Citrus and Hernando Counties has suddenly shut its doors.

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Patients of Christ Medical Center in Citrus County said they had no warning that the facility was closing.

Instead, they learned of the closure from signs posted on the doors of the main location in Crystal River and another location in Spring Hill. The signs say that Christ Medical Center is out of business and that patients could call for their medical records.

Linda Almond was shocked when she showed up for her scheduled appointment. She’s now worried about her prescriptions. 

“I’m scared," Almond told us. "I don’t want to be sick. I don’t want that to happen to me."

She and many other patients were surprised that all of the offices would shut down with no warning. 

“I just don’t understand how a doctor can leave all his patients high and dry with no notification, no help to get them through until they can find a doctor," Almond said. "We’re in a very bad health crisis right now."

It’s not clear why the doctor, Eihab Tawfik, suddenly decided to close his practice down. He treated all manner of patients and also had labs and a pharmacy. He apparently told his employees on Monday about the closure. 

Christ Medical Center has had some issues in the past. In fact, it closed down briefly last year, only to reopen a week later.