New MedNow facility offers urgent, primary care services

An Evans medical facility, accessible seven days a week and offering a wide range of services, recently opened its doors.

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MedNow Urgent Care Center opened April 2 at 104 N. Belair Road in what formerly was an Eckerd's drugstore. The 4,300-square-foot medical office employs a staff of 12 people, including three board-certified physicians, nurses, an X-ray technician and a receptionist, said Dr. Mark Newton, the CEO of MedNow.

"There has been a shortage of primary care doctors, particularly in the growing area of Columbia County, so that's one of the reasons we do primary care as well as more urgent or specialized care," said Newton, who also is the medical director and chairman of Doctors Hospital's Emergency Medicine Department.

The facility is equipped with the latest digital X-ray equipment, he said, and offers pharmacy and laboratory services.

The staff can treat patients of all ages and can handle urgent, nonlife threatening emergencies, including broken bones, lacerations and asthma. Electrocardiogram testing is available at the center.

"We're not the place to go for life-threatening things, but we're equipped to take care of emergencies like allergic reactions and even to evaluate chest pain," he said.

Treatment for less-urgent illnesses, such as bronchitis, sinus infections and chronic pain, can be administered at the center.

"We're fortunate to be in a great community, but I think we'll be a nice addition to the choices people have to get good heath care around here," he said.

The facility offers vaccinations, school and sports physicals, occupational health care and workers compensation, Newton said.

MedNow is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Most major health insurance plans are accepted.

To get more information, visit www.mednowuc.com or call (706) 922-3669.