The SSM Health Express Clinic opened in the UMSL Patient Care Center at the beginning of March and now serves UMSL and the surrounding community. (Photo by August Jennewein)
The University of Missouri–St. Louis community and the surrounding neighborhoods have a new option to help fill their basic health care needs in the form of an SSM Health Express Clinic.
The walk-in clinic, which opened early March, now shares space with the College of Optometry in the Patient Care Center on UMSL’s South Campus. The clinic provides non-emergency care to patients 2 years and older.
That spans everything from helping with minor illnesses and injuries, non-COVID vaccinations and tests such as blood glucose, mono and rapid stress tests – and beyond.
“We’re here for anything that’s an acute sick visit,” family nurse practitioner Zhanna Goldkamp said. “We typically don’t deal with chronic conditions, but we can help with a wide range of acute non-emergent concerns, especially if the patient is unable to get to their primary care doctor. If it is a service that we are unable to provide here, we are happy to provide a referral or facilitate in scheduling a new patient appointment with a primary care physician in order to establish a continuity of care. We are essentially access to medical care that’s convenient and quick.”
Goldkamp and fellow family nurse practitioner Brandy Byrd comprise the care team at the UMSL location. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Individuals can see the two providers by walking in or by scheduling an appointment at ssmhealth.com/UMSL or calling 314-833-3617. The clinic accepts most insurance plans.
For uninsured patients, the SSM Express Clinic also allows self-pay, and those interested may call for the pricing for immunizations or cost range for most other services.
Goldkamp notes that traffic at the newly opened clinic has begun picking up as the surrounding community becomes aware that it has opened. One demographic already taking advantage of its convenient location are the UMSL optometry students, who have been utilizing the clinic’s services for physical exams and required immunizations in order to complete their practicums.
She anticipates the clinic being useful for UMSL students who could walk in with a health problem such as a sore throat, receive a rapid strep test, and if warranted, leave with a prescription and educational material on their diagnosis all in one visit that’s only steps from their classes and dorms.
The clinic is similarly key for the surrounding community as it is the only such health care provider in the immediate vicinity of campus.
“I think this is a good space for us here on the UMSL campus,” said Heather Keith, a family nurse practitioner who is manager of the UMSL clinic. “We are very excited to be able to help serve UMSL and the surrounding community with the SSM Express Clinic.”
