SWVHS Redefines the Walk-In & Same-Day Experience
Hamlin, W.Va. – July 30, 2025 – Southern West Virginia Health System (SWVHS) has rebranded its walk-in and same-day appointment services under a new name: Convenient Care, a move aimed at making it easier for patients to access timely, non-emergency treatment close to home.
Available at all SWVHS health centers, the Convenient Care model offers patients the option to walk in or call ahead for same-day care. The service is designed for non-life-threatening conditions such as minor injuries, infections, cold and flu-like symptoms, and other urgent but routine health concerns.
This rebrand comes as health systems across the country look for ways to manage rising health care costs for both patients and providers alike and to ease the strain on emergency departments. In 2021, there were 107.4 million treat-and-release emergency department visits in the U.S., costing approximately $80.3 billion USD, an average of $750 per visit, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Many of these visits involve conditions that could be effectively managed in a primary care or urgent care setting. By offering Convenient Care, SWVHS hopes to support patients in getting timely care that fits their needs while helping reduce emergency department overutilization and overall healthcare costs. Convenient Care also strengthens the community health system by allowing emergency departments to focus resources on critical and life-threatening cases.
“In our region, the emergency room has long been a reliable go-to for people who need care quickly,” said Lisa Leach, Chief Executive Officer of SWVHS. “We’re here to offer another option that is accessible, affordable, and appropriate for everyday concerns.”
SWVHS leadership says the name change is intended to clarify the service for patients while promoting the idea that care can and should be available when it’s needed and not just through scheduled appointments.
“Convenient Care is about meeting patients on their terms,” said Karyn O’Dell, Chief Communications Officer. “If your child wakes up sick or you have a sprain at work, we want people to know there’s a place they can call or walk into and be seen the same day. That shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be the standard.”
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, SWVHS remains committed to ensuring that cost and coverage are never barriers to care. Convenient Care offers flexible access for patients with or without insurance, and providers can help patients with ongoing care, if needed.
“Convenience means different things in different communities,” says Leach. “For ours, it means shorter travel times, same-day answers, and care that respects your time. We’re proud to keep building a model that reflects our commitment to the people we serve.”
About Southern West Virginia Health System (SWVHS):
Southern West Virginia Health System is a comprehensive healthcare organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare services throughout Southern West Virginia. SWVHS offers a full spectrum of medical care, including family medicine-based primary care, specialty care, pharmacy services, and school-based health care, all designed to meet the evolving health needs of the region’s residents.
For media inquiries, contact:
Scott Coleman
Communications Manager
Southern West Virginia Health System
(681)479-0809
Scott.coleman@swvhs.org
