Children’s Hospital Colorado is enhancing its services with the launch of a new pediatric urgent care center in southeast Aurora, which has quickly become an essential resource for families in the region.
Located at 23770 E. Smoky Hill Road, the facility is tailored specifically for children and offers a comprehensive array of services.
Suzy Jaeger, the chief patient experience and access officer, stated, “It’s a much lower cost point than having to go to the emergency department. We’re also really happy to partner with all the primary care physicians in that area. We think we’re going to be able to change the cost of health care in this part of the community, and that’s why we made this investment.” The center opened its doors in late August.
Since its inception, the center has outperformed expectations. Jaeger noted, “On the very first day that we were open, we more than doubled our volume than we had seen in several months,” indicating the significant demand for accessible pediatric care in the area.
Jaeger informed CBS News Colorado’s Tori Mason that many urgent care facilities in the area have closed after being impacted by COVID-19.
The facility provides 20 different pediatric specialties, including radiology, lab services, and audiology.
Spanning nearly 40,000 square feet, the center features 11 urgent care exam rooms, seven orthopedic/rehabilitation exam rooms, and 16 specialty clinic exam rooms. It also includes an outdoor sports field for its Sports Medicine clinic and an ophthalmology clinic with an in-house retail shop, creating a comprehensive care environment for patients needing eye care.
Jaeger highlighted the significance of focused pediatric care: “We provide a really calm and comforting location for them to receive care, really focused on the needs of kids and their families.”
The new urgent care center also aims to reduce the load on local emergency rooms, which are often overwhelmed with non-emergency cases. According to Jaeger, the center’s operation not only supports families but also helps prevent children from developing more severe illnesses.
The clinic operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with appointments available by referral only. Patients can obtain a referral to one of the specialists through their primary care provider. The urgent care services are available daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., including holidays.