PETOSKEY, Mich. – McLaren Northern Michigan, a cornerstone of McLaren Health Care, has officially opened its new urgent care facility in Petoskey, Michigan, marking a meaningful step forward in addressing the community’s need for accessible and timely healthcare. The new facility, an extension of the existing McLaren Northern Michigan primary Care clinic, began seeing patients recently, promising to enhance the overall patient experience in the region.

The opening comes at a crucial time, as healthcare access remains a top concern for many Americans, notably in more rural areas.According to a 2023 report by the National Rural Health Association, rural communities often face challenges such as limited physician availability, longer travel distances to healthcare facilities, and higher rates of chronic disease. Urgent care centers like this one can help bridge these gaps by providing a convenient and affordable alternative to emergency room visits for non-life-threatening conditions.

Gar Atchison, president and CEO of McLaren Northern Michigan, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion: All of us in our institution are excited to be able to expand our services and thrilled for the convenience it will provide our patients and their ability to access care timely and efficiently.

Atchison further emphasized the importance of this advancement for the community: As with any of our growth projects, we are confident that this latest expansion will bolster the care we offer within Petoskey, enhance our patients’ overall experience, and provide our community with the reassurance that high-quality care is always within reach.

Facility Features and Services

The modern urgent care clinic boasts seven well-equipped treatment rooms and a dedicated procedure room. A team of skilled healthcare providers will staff the facility,prepared to handle a wide array of common medical issues that do not require emergency intervention. These include:

• Viral illnesses (colds, flu, etc.)
• Minor cuts requiring stitches
• Simple bone fractures (that do not require surgery)

A key feature of the new facility is its on-site X-ray imaging services. This capability streamlines the diagnostic process, allowing for quicker and more accurate assessments of injuries and conditions. The X-ray services will support both the urgent care and primary care operations, providing a complete diagnostic resource for patients. As an example, a patient presenting with a possible sprain can receive an X-ray and preliminary diagnosis during a single visit, eliminating the need for separate appointments and reducing wait times.

Commitment to Community Care

Chad Grant, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of McLaren Health Care, highlighted the patient-centered approach driving this expansion: The focus and motivation of our expansion efforts are always aimed toward projects that conveniently develop patients’ connection to their care.

Grant added,With this expansion,mclaren is keeping and strengthening its commitment to serve the patients and families of Petoskey and the surrounding communities and provide them with the level of care they deserve.

This commitment echoes a broader trend in healthcare, where providers are increasingly focused on delivering care closer to where patients live and work. Urgent care centers play a vital role in this trend, offering a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional emergency rooms for non-life-threatening conditions. They also help alleviate the burden on primary care physicians, allowing them to focus on more complex and chronic health issues.

broader Context and Future Implications

The opening of the McLaren Northern Michigan Urgent Care facility follows McLaren Health Care’s acquisition of Park Medical Centers last november, signaling a period of growth and expansion for the healthcare provider in the region. This investment reflects a strategic effort to strengthen McLaren’s presence and enhance its ability to serve the evolving healthcare needs of northern Michigan residents. Specifically, McLaren acquired Park Medical Centers to extend its network and enhance integrated services, aiming to create a full continuum of care throughout their system.

Looking ahead, this expansion could serve as a model for other rural communities seeking to improve healthcare access. By strategically locating urgent care facilities in areas with limited resources, healthcare providers can significantly enhance the patient experience and improve overall health outcomes.