Children's urgent care offers extended hours close to home

Published on Monday, March 21, 2022

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Twisted ankles, sore throats and flu symptoms don’t always happen before 5 p.m.

That’s why Children’s of Mississippi urgent care is now available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Grants Ferry clinic at 1010 Lakeland Place in Flowood.

“This gives families access to care that’s closer to home for many and that’s more appropriate for some conditions,” said Dr. Benji Dillard, division director of general pediatrics and pediatric urgent care.

Among the conditions that can be treated by Children’s of Mississippi Urgent Care include respiratory illnesses, fever, testing and treatment for flu, strep, and COVID-19, injuries such as cuts and possible broken bones, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Lab and radiology facilities at the clinic allow testing and X-rays to be performed quickly.

Dillard, who is leading pediatric urgent care after years of serving as division chief for pediatric emergency medicine, said he’s seen many of those conditions in the Pediatric Emergency Department at the state’s only children’s hospital.

“Multiple conditions can leave children in discomfort and needing urgent health care, but these conditions usually aren’t severe enough to warrant emergency department care,” Dillard said. “Urgent care fills the gap between basic care in a clinic and the emergency department, and it provides a more efficient and cost-effective option for treatment of minor illness and injury when compared to care in an emergency department.”

Emergency care should always be sought for life-threatening symptoms such as trouble breathing, passing out, heavy bleeding, deep wounds, serious burns, severe allergic reactions, stiff neck with headache and fever, fever in babies less than 2 months old, suspected poisoning and seizures.

Children’s of Mississippi Urgent Care is set to add weekend hours by summer.

“We have a great location and a great group of people,” said Dillard, noting that urgent care is staffed by a group of nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians with decades of experience in pediatric emergency and pediatric specialty care. “Our entire team is very experienced and comfortable taking care of sick and injured children.”

Children’s of Mississippi Urgent Care has more than location and hours as advantages, said Guy Giesecke, CEO of Children’s of Mississippi.

“Children’s of Mississippi Urgent Care is part of our network of specialists,” he said. “That brings an additional level of care to each urgent care patient.”

Patients who have complex medical conditions are seen at the Grants Ferry clinic when they have conditions that call for urgent care, Dillard said.

“We welcome all children who have minor illnesses or injury that needs evaluation and treatment, including children with complex medical needs.” Dillard said. “We are already seeing a number of patients with complex conditions such as congenital heart disease, autism, sickle cell disease, and children dependent on medical technology.”

Children’s of Mississippi Urgent Care patients can make appointments at the clinic, but walk-ins are also welcome.

To schedule an appointment, call (601) 815-0610.