NEW OPTION — As part of its efforts to expand services in the region, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and GoHealth Urgent Care have partnered to offer new UPCM-GoHealth Urgent Care centers in 81 locations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. A grand opening was held Thursday in Weirton at 218 Three Springs Drive. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Area residents have a new option in the event they need some quick medical care.

Last year, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and GoHealth Urgent Care announced a partnership, incorporating all former MedExpress locations in West Virginia, as well as other UPMC sites in Pennsylvania into a new urgent care network.

Thursday morning, officials unveiled one of those locations, celebrating the grand opening of the UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care in Weirton.

“UPMC is dedicated to having quality medical care in our communities,” explained John Reasbeck, vice president, UPMC Community and Ambulatory Services.

Reasbeck said he is a resident of West Virginia, and understands the importance of quick, quality care in many areas of the state.

Dr. Robert Malizia, regional president of GoHealth Urgent Care, said the partnership is a chance to take the idea of urgent care medicine to the next level, focusing on patients and the communities they serve.

“We are committed to a customer- and patient-first experience,” he said.

That includes the use of online registration and check-in systems for patients, with all records also becoming part of the integrated system used by UPMC.

The new urgent care centers, including the Weirton location at 218 Three Springs Drive, will provide care for needs such as allergies, bug bites, coughs and cold symptoms, minor cuts, minor broken bones, sprains, screenings for strep, mono or urinary infections, as well as some immunizations.

Clinicians are credentialed through UPMC, with the centers providing a “front door” to other UPMC facilities, if needed.

“They have experts at hand to consult on everything,” noted Dr. Richard Wadas, vice president, UPMC Community and Ambulatory Services, who is an emergency medicine physician with UPMC.

Officials noted there is the potential to expand medical services to the urgent care centers, based on the needs of the communities, with primary care services, women’s health, orthopedics and radiology already being discussed for some locations.

“We are currently evaluating community needs across the state,” Reasbeck said.

UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care accepts most major insurance plans, including UPMC Health Plan, Highmark, Care Source, Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as offering self-pay options.