Residents in Dawson County no longer have to hustle out of town to receive treatment for minor medical emergencies.

Northside Hospitals new Urgent Care Center is open and receiving patients. The center, located at 91 Nordson Overlook, in the three-story medical complex behind Captain Ds restaurant, is the only one of its kind in Dawson county.

If I have an earache, I sure dont need to go to the hospital, said hair designer Kathy Doran, who attended a recent open house at the center. This is the closest facility to my house, so its very convenient for me. The center handles all minor emergencies such as: sore throats, fevers, earaches, sinus infections, sprains, broken bones, rash and burn care, and allergic reactions, including insect bites. Lanier Swafford, Dawson County Emergency Services chief, said the center is a much-needed asset to the community. In a community that doesnt have a hospital, this provides more access to healthcare on nights and weekends, he said. But, understand, this isnt an emergency room. Its for urgent care. Its great people dont have to drive all he way to Gainesville, and we are investing dollars in Dawson County. The center is staffed with 10 board-certified emergency medicine physicians and three board-certified family practitioners. The 34,500-square-foot facility also includes Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, and will soon add an OB/GYN practice, a cardiology group, and other physician specialists. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sundays and holidays: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.