WALK-IN MEDICAL CENTER OPENS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

A new concept in health care has been introduced in the Cape Girardeau area: Immediate Healthcare Inc., a walk-in doctor's clinic.

The clinic opened Wednesday at 1702 N. Kingshighway near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Mount Auburn Drive.

Dr. Robb R. Hicks, an emergency room physician, staffs the new clinic. Others medical staff includes an administrator, nurses and a radiology technician.

Dr. David G. Elliott, who has worked with Healthsouth Corp. the past five years, is clinic administrator.

"We have only one doctor on the staff at present," said Elliott, who has a doctorate in environmental epidemiology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. "But we hope to add another physician in the near future and expand our operation to seven days."

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The medical center combines an urgent care, walk-in clinic with an occupational medical service for area employers, Elliott said.

"The clinic can take care of patients with emergency needs as well as family care and pediatric health problems," added Elliott.

IFC is designed as a walk-in clinic with no appointment necessary. Appointments will be needed for employer-generated referrals for pre-placement screenings and to see injured workers.

"We'll be working with area employers to provide treatment and referrals for workers' compensation claims," Elliott said. "We'll also offer a number of educational programs."

Elliott said the clinic is a carrier for Health Net Blue, a managed care insurance program, and will honor other insurance plans, including Medicare.

The 6,300-square-foot building includes six examination rooms, X-Ray, laboratory, trauma area, doctors' offices, employee break room and other offices.

The walk-in clinic concept is common in suburban areas, Elliott said. He said some hospitals operate immediate-care centers in larger cities. Most are minor-care centers.

"We're not trying to compete with hospitals or family doctors here," he said. "We want to be there for people who can't find a family doctor, and for visitors in our community who may need a physician. We can also take care of some the more urgent problems here."

Hicks has practiced emergency medicine, including examining and initiating treatment for occupational and industrial injuries in the St. Louis and Cape Girardeau areas for more than six years, four of them at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"We're pleased to be open here," Hicks said Wednesday.

Hicks, an Illinois native, is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He completed his general surgery internship and residency at St. Louis University Hospitals, and served as an emergency department physician at St. Louis Regional Hospital before becoming an emergency physician at Southeast Hospital in 1991.

Elliott, a native of Virginia, has been in the Cape Girardeau area six years. He previously served as a consultant to hospitals and industries in Virginia, Florida and Louisiana.