Patient Stories

One morning Megan Malloy woke up with a sore throat. A very sore throat.

Megan, who was in fifth grade at the time, had an open house to attend at school. But her mom, Joan Malloy, didn't want to take the risk of Megan infecting other people. And if Megan was sick enough to need antibiotics, Joan wanted to keep her home in bed.

But she knew they wouldn't be able to get into their doctor's office on such short notice. And the situation definitely wasn't serious enough for an emergency room visit. Joan wasn't sure what to do. But then she had an idea.

"I had heard that St. Luke's had recently opened the St. Luke's Urgent Care in Kirkwood, very close to where we lived," she says. "I kept that thought in my mind, and when the need arose, I didn't hesitate to take my daughter there. We were able to go in without calling first, and we didn't have to wait to be seen once we got there."

St. Luke's Urgent Care Centers offer care by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses, and on-site X-rays and lab services are available. They are a convenient option for any family whose doctor's office is closed or busy or who doesn't have an established physician. Family members of any age can visit the centers for diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains, broken bones, cuts needing stitches, animal and insect bites, rashes, burns and cold and flu symptoms.

All St. Luke's Urgent Care Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with special holiday hours, and no appointment is necessary.

At the Malloys' visit, they learned Megan didn't have strep throat and wasn't contagious. But Joan didn't regret having her checked out by Jonathan Rill, MD, St. Luke's Urgent Care Center physician.

"Dr. Rill did a very thorough examination of Megan and assured me that she could be in public without spreading anything. He eased all the anxiety I had," Joan says. "Everyone there was so friendly and caring from the time we walked through the door. We felt very well-cared-for from beginning to end."

And the good service didn't end with the Malloys' visit. The center even called them later to make sure Megan was feeling better.

Joan knew without a doubt that if anyone in her family - Megan, now 11; 8-year-old Lauren; her husband, Mike; or herself - was ever in a similar situation, she wouldn't hesitate to return to the St. Luke's Urgent Care Center.

Little did she know that Megan would be back not once but twice.

"Our first experience was so good, we've used the center two more times!" Joan says. They made their second trip after Megan jammed her finger while playing basketball. They thought it might be broken, but they weren't sure. So they headed back to the St. Luke's Urgent Care Center.

It turns out Megan's finger was only bruised. Staff members put a splint on it and gave her advice on how to take care of it.

The Malloys were back again this past fall after Megan sprained her wrist while playing soccer.

"I love the staff members at the St. Luke's Urgent Care Center," Joan says. "They're efficient and highly qualified. It gave me peace of mind to find out my daughter didn't have broken bones, but also to know she was getting the quality medical care she needed. They're terrific."

Plus, the Malloys find the St. Luke's Urgent Care in Kirkwood very convenient.

"It's close to our house, so we just drive there, park and walk right in," Joan says. "We just have to pay a copay. For us, there is minimal hassle from a time or insurance standpoint."

When Megan was younger, she hurt her wrist. Her parents waited a day before taking her to the emergency room and finding out her wrist was broken. Since that day, they've regretted not getting her medical care more quickly.

"Now I wouldn't hesitate to take her to the St. Luke's Urgent Care Center for an immediate diagnosis and treatment," Joan says. "When your children get the medical attention they need quickly, it puts your mind at ease. I highly recommend it."