The Callaway County Commission and Jefferson City Medical Group entered into an agreement Monday to open an extended-hours Express Care facility in Fulton.
This is the first step in providing much-needed medical care access in the area, as Callaway County has been without extended hours healthcare facilities since the previous facilities closed.
SSM Health Family Medicine Clinic closed in 202o and Callaway Community Hospital closed in 2022, according to a release from JCMG.
The Callaway County Commission made providing medical access one of its top priorities with the money received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The county received approximately $8.6 million in ARPA funds.
The contract Callaway County signed yesterday was for $520,216.
JCMG's Callaway County Express Care will be at 354 Country Meadows in Fulton. This is just off Highway F, and is where the SSM Health Family Medicine Clinic was previously located, a release states.
The walk-in clinic will be able to treat immediate, non-emergent health concerns. It will also be able to provide wellness services, including physicals and immunizations.
Minor cuts and burns, minor fevers, sore throats, and seasonal allergies are examples of conditions that patients can be seen for, a release states.
ARPA funds will allow the new facility to have x-ray capabilities. The facility will be remodeled to allow for those facilities, and to prepare the clinic for opening.
"Callaway County is extremely happy to be assisting JCMG in providing extended hour healthcare provisions with x-ray capabilities to over 45,000 county residents and numerous area businesses," Gary Jungermann, Callaway County Presiding Commissioner, said in a release. "The commission has heard from families and several industries within the county about the healthcare need and knows everyone will benefit from having this Express Care available to them."
Jungermann thanked the county ARPA committee, which helps make decisions on how the federal funds are utilized. He said this is one of the best efforts that has been made with the ARPA money.
"Thank you for answering our call," Roger Fischer, Western District Commissioner, said to JCMG representatives.
JCMG will begin remodel work on the clinic soon, a release states. An opening date and hours of operation will be announced at a later time.