Robbinsville – Graham County Commissioner Connie Orr could not stop herself from bragging about Smoky Mountain Urgent Care, at the clinic’s open house Monday.
“This is the brainchild of Claudine Gibson and Juanita Colvard. Its success is the result of their hard work, dedication and focus,” Orr said. “The commissioners have been wonderfully supportive and we are so proud of the outcome for the people of Graham County and surrounding areas.”
The Robbinsville location opened two years
ago and in that time, the clinic has expanded its hours and added a number of high-tech diagnostic tools such as a CT scanner, 3D mammogram, ultrasound and digital x-ray. The clinic also has a full lab on-site.
Dr. David Castor, owner of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care, explained that the clinics “specialize in serving rural counties.” While the first clinic was established in Swain County, Castor is “excited about this particular facility.”
“It’s almost an emergency room, with equipment on par with anything in western North Carolina,” Castor added.
In addition to the top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment, the Robbinsville location also provides “a different kind of atmosphere. We want it to be comfortable and warm, not cold and clinical,” said Castor.
Dr. John Tucker, another doctor on rotation at the clinic, heaped praise upon the clinic’s nurse practitioner.
“I want to point out that Megan Smith is awesome,” said Tucker. Smith has even started taking primary care patients every other Monday, as well as offering weight management services.
Manager Danielle Smiley wanted to remind the public that “even though you don’t usually go to us as primary care, if your doctor orders a mammogram or CT scan, we can do that for you right here in the office.”
Another manager, Tessa Wright, added that “we accept orders from anyone. We look at this equipment as lifesaving devices.”
“These rural clinics help the community,” said Castor. “A lot of elderly patients and people in the community don’t want to travel so far to get top quality care. We can provide ER level quality to patients.
“For life-threatening events, they do need to call an ambulance, but for anything short of that, we can provide immediate care.”
The doctor added that he plans to add specialists to the Robbinsville location.
Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Urgent Care is located at 21 S. Main Street and can be contacted at 479-7682. Hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.