Urgent Care Awareness Month takes place every May. This May, perhaps more than in any other in Urgent Care Awareness Month in history, amplified the voices of Urgent Care organizations, vendors and even resulted in the introduction of South Carolina’s Urgent Care Appreciation Day, adding a regional spotlight to this national initiative.
Urgent Care Awareness Month, championed by the Urgent Care Association (UCA), serves to educate the public about the benefits and accessibility of Urgent Care. With resources provided by the Urgent Care Association, centers and vendors to Urgent Care were able to band together to share the consistent message: Communities Need Urgent Care. It also opened the door to share share center best practices, remind communities of services and underscore the critical role Urgent Care centers play in the healthcare ecosystem.
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Regional Recognition
This year marked the inaugural Urgent Care Appreciation Day in South Carolina, a testament to the state’s recognition of the essential services provided by Urgent Care centers. This special day, observed annually on May 2, honors the dedication and hard work of Urgent Care professionals who consumer-focused medical care to patients across the state.
South Carolina State Representative, Chris Wooten officially proclaimed Urgent Care Appreciation Day, emphasizing the vital role these centers played in alleviating the burden on emergency departments and improving overall access to healthcare.Â
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Collaboration
May 8 marked the Rural and Urgent Care Clinics Virtual Summit, which brought together leading healthcare clinicians to share how they are leveraging virtual care to provide better access to care, leveraging different locations and solutions.
Speakers discussed how they have increased healthcare access in rural locations, Urgent Care clinics, pharmacies and other community sites, and how today they are providing high-quality care to more patients than ever. The virtual summit is available for on-demand viewing here.
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The Role of UCA in Amplifying Voices
The Urgent Care Association was instrumental in providing resources and support for UCAM. Their toolkit included promotional materials, patient education resources, and advocacy guides designed to help urgent care centers effectively communicate their message. The UCA’s efforts ensured that the voices of urgent care providers were heard loud and clear, not just during UCAM but throughout the year.
Through social media campaigns, press releases, and partnerships with local media, the UCA helped to raise awareness about the importance of urgent care. They also offered opportunities for professional development and networking, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among urgent care professionals.
As Urgent Care Awareness Month continued to grow in significance, the collective efforts of urgent care centers, industry vendors, and the Urgent Care Association paved the way for a brighter future. The introduction of South Carolina’s Urgent Care Appreciation Day added a new dimension to the celebration, highlighting the local impact of these essential healthcare providers.
By amplifying the voices of Urgent Care professionals and showcasing their contributions, UCAM not only celebrated the past and present achievements of the industry but also inspired a future where urgent care continued to thrive as a cornerstone of accessible, efficient, and high-quality healthcare.
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