New nurse-managed health center opens at Augusta University’s College of Nursing

Angela Pravato,  a junior Communication major and communications student assistant for the College of Nursing’s Office of the Dean contributed to this article.

Augusta University’s College of Nursing cut the ribbon on its new nurse-managed health center at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26. The center, located in the university’s Health Sciences building, is the only clinic of its kind in the state to reside in an academic health care setting.

The ceremony included short presentations by President Brooks A. Keel. PhD, College of Nursing Dean Dr. Lucy Marion, and Assistant Dean Dr. J. Dwayne Hooks.

“Finally, a nurse-managed health center fully integrated into Augusta University and AU Health,” Marion said. “A culmination of 15 years of effort.”

The center offers same day and walk-in appointments for primary care services related to acute and chronic disease management, annual wellness exams and sports physicals. Additionally, patients can take advantage of in-center lab services including tests for blood sugar, influenza A/B, strep, urinalysis and urine pregnancy.

“We have seen a growing demand for primary care services, and we are confident that this new center will help to improve access to convenient, coordinated and compassionate care services,” said Hooks.

The center will serve residents of Augusta’s River Region who need timely primary care services for the management of episodic and chronic conditions, and support with transitions from hospital to home.

“We expect that the center will evolve into a hub and spoke model that will eventually be able to provide care in satellite locations including areas designated as rural and underserved,” Hooks said.