Deacon Joe Knapp, manager of pastoral care and chaplaincy services at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, blesses the staffs of the first two OSF Urgo locations during ceremonies on July 27 for the 10408 N. Centerway Drive location in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Calling it a “new way to meet the health care needs of busy individuals and families,” OSF HealthCare held blessing ceremonies on July 27 for its first OSF Urgo site at 10408 N. Centerway Dr., just off Knoxville Avenue in north Peoria.

The term “Urgo” is derived from urgent care for people on the go. The clinics will be located near neighborhoods and shopping.

The exterior of the first OSF Urgo, 10408 N. Centerway Drive in Peoria. A community open house at a second OSF Urgo location, 133 Spinder Drive in East Peoria’s Levee District, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 11. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

“May this new design of delivering care to our people give God honor and praise, serve his people, and meet the unique health care needs of the people in this community,” said Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF, chairperson of the OSF HealthCare Boards and one of six speakers at the blessing ceremonies.

Among them was Deacon Joe Knapp, manager of pastoral care and chaplaincy services at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, who asked God’s blessings on the new endeavor, those who staff the sites and come to them for care.

The inaugural OSF Urgo on Centerway Drive opened to patients July 31. A second Peoria-area location at 133 Spinder Dr. in East Peoria opens Aug. 14, with a community open house scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 11. About eight more locations within the OSF HealthCare system are planned in the initial phase.

“It’s going to feel very different than a traditional doctor’s office,” said Janet Rendleman, vice president of On Demand for OSF HealthCare. In an inviting setting she compares to a “a lounge area,” patients will receive “high-quality care in a short amount of time” in one of five treatment suites.

The facilities, open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., include diagnostic lab and x-ray services and will be staffed by advanced practice nurses. Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be scheduled online at osfurgo.org. The website also lists the types of basic primary care services offered and conditions commonly treated at OSF Urgo sites.