First after-hours urgent care center opens in West Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – There is a new place to go for healthcare for those who live in West Louisville.

City leaders cut the ribbon Friday on the Hope Wellness Center at the Lyles Mall at 26th and Broadway. It provides basic healthcare and wellness services

“You can come here and be seen by qualified medical professionals,” said Terra Leavell, president and CEO of the non-profit Black Community Development Corporation.

The Hope Wellness Center is her brainchild. The facility is open until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, making it what Leavell believes is the first after-hours urgent care center in West Louisville.

“So from 4:00 on, we will be the only medical center that provides prompt and urgent care,” she said.

For patients, that means fewer expensive trips to hospital emergency rooms for non-emergency care or long trips to urgent care centers elsewhere in the city.

“The African American community has a gap - a gap in service and access,” said Leavell.

Deborah Smith will help fill that gap. She is one of four nurse practitioners setting up shop at Hope.

“I've always wanted to practice in the west end where I'm born and raised to give back to my community,” she said.

The corporation provides the shared space at a minimal charge. It includes a reception area, technology room, lab, and four examination rooms. The idea is to turn Hope Wellness into an incubator for health care professionals.

“The concept is that they come, they get their start, they build their patient data base, and then they move on,” said Leavell.

As some practitioners eventually leave, others are expected to move in. But there is one catch.

“You have to want to serve the community of West Louisville,” said Leavell.

It is a launching pad for those desiring to provide hope and wellness to those that need some of both.

“They have a home in terms of where they can get their medical and wellness needs taken care of right here in the 'hood,” Leavell said.

The Hope Wellness Center accepts all kinds of medical insurance, and once a month it will provide care to those without insurance.