Covington Family Care and MainStreet Family Urgent Care have announced plans for a merger this fall.

Starting in October, the two will partner to reopen under the MainStreet Family Urgent Care name in its current location. According to MainStreet Family Urgent Care Chief Executive Officer, Sam Eskildsen, the merger will result in an expansion of the clinic’s urgent care offerings while maintaining the current primary care services.

The merger was announced to Covington Family Care employees this week.

“We are thrilled about this partnership with Covington Family Care and proud to help provide more convenient and affordable healthcare to the residents of Andalusia and the surrounding areas,” Eskildsen said.

The merger will become official on Oct. 1. Until that time, Covington Family Care will continue to operate its current hours. Marketing director Betsy Stewart said the facility will close for one weekend, Sept. 30, for painting and rebranding.

The remodeled clinic will be home to an urgent care as well as a primary care practice. MainStreet Family Urgent Care will treat walk-in patients for non-life threatening emergencies, while MainStreet Family Medicine will see primary care patients for on-going health maintenance and preventative services. The partnership will bring about a change in operating hours for both sides of the clinic. MainStreet Family Urgent Care will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. MainStreet Family Medicine will be open Monday through Friday.

Roger T. Boyington, D.O. said that he is “excited about what it will bring to the area. The expanded hours mean we can deliver the same great care while accommodating more patients and their busy schedules. Plus, MainStreet’s expertise in urgent care and occupational medicine will afford us resources unmatched by anyone in the area.”

The urgent care will feature multiple exam rooms, on-site lab and X-ray capabilities. Not only will the walk-in clinic provide treatment for everyday illness like flu and strep throat, but also perform several diagnostic tests, and even minor procedures, such as suturing and foreign object removal. In addition, MainStreet Family Urgent Care delivers a choice of occupational health services such as worker’s compensation management, pre-employment drug testing and DOT physicals. The in-house pharmacy carries several commonly prescribed medicines to save patients the time of having to make a trip to the pharmacy.

MainStreet Family Medicine will be home to a primary care clinic that offers patients the preventative health care and wellness services they deserve with the convenience of urgent care hours. The family medicine clinic offers additional services including an ultrasound, x-ray, annual physicals, diabetes management, cholesterol and blood pressure management as well as a smoking cessation program.

“This will be MainStreet’s first venture into primary care,” said MainStreet Family Urgent Care Medical Director, Timothy “Timbo” Taylor, M.D. “But we know that we are going to learn a ton from Dr. Boyington and his team. Their know-how in the primary care game will set us up for future success.”

MainStreet Family Urgent Care is committed to helping our patients heal better and feel better, FAST! Headquartered in Birmingham, MainStreet Family Urgent Care operates urgent care facilities in Alexander City, Arab, Centre, Eufaula, Moody, Oneonta, Selma, Sylacauga, Talladega, and Valley, and is opening facilities in Pelham, Brewton and Monroeville.