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Urgent Care moves to #DTJax

Downtown got a bit more healthy with the addition of the First Stop Urgent Care location on Adams Street in the Elks Building. This is the second Urgent Care location in Jacksonville so we caught up with the Downtown team to learn more about their organization and place in the #DTJax community.   

Tell us a little bit about First Stop Urgent Care and what sets you apart from other urgent care clinics? 

We provide convenient and affordable acute healthcare services, focusing on premier quality, excellent patient service and keeping our promises. We deliver care to patients 6 months and older treating minor illnesses and injuries such as cold or flu symptoms, lacerations, burns, sprains or fractures.

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In addition to urgent care, what are some of the other services you provide?

Our health care services include Urgent Care (Digital X-Ray, On-Site Lab, and In-House Pharmacy), Health Checks (Immunizations, Travel Medicine, and Blood Panel Screening) and Occupational Health Services (Worker’s Compensation, Drug Screens, and Pre-Employment Physicals).

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know you offer? 

No appointment is necessary. When you walk in our door, you get immediate care.

Tell us a little bit about your care providers and their backgrounds.

Dr. Alexis A. Vazquez D.O., is the Medical Director of First Stop Urgent Care. He is a board certified physician and founder of Cisca Pulmonary and Critical Care. Dr. Vazquez grew up playing professional tennis before deciding that serving others, not a tennis ball, was his destiny. At Nova Southeastern University, he excelled as a medical student, surpassing his peers, graduating in the top ten percent of his class. Dr. Vazquez was chosen to be an Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Florida – Jacksonville and successfully completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He is well-known for his enthusiasm and passion for medicine and he has been invited to speak to medical groups on the topics of asthma, pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary rehabilitation. Dr. Vazquez was listed as one of Jacksonville Magazine’s “2013 Top Docs.” Dr. Vazquez remains on the forefront of research in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine.unnamed-1

Rick Albarran is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) who grew up in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. He served in the US Navy on the USS Forrestal (America’s First Super Carrier) and has made the Jacksonville area his home. Rick enjoys our short winter season and the ability to bike and walk our great city including the Baldwin Bike Trail, Downtown River Walk, Riverside Arts Market and Hannah Park. His favorite pastime is going on cruises from Jacksonville Port and Port Canaveral. It allows him to unwind and relax. In 2005, Rick entered nursing, attending Florida State Community College, beginning his Registered Nurse career. He continued his education at the University of North Florida while working at Baptist Medical Center’s Downtown Heart Hospital, rising the ranks of Charge Nurse and Assistant Nurse Manager. As he moved into management, Rick missed the patient experience and decided to further his education, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, completing his Masters of Science, April 2011. Since then, he has transitioned into Urgent Care and has loved every opportunity to help others through injury, illness, and health education. “I am comfortable and confident treating an entire family from 6 months to 99 years old. My oldest patient was 98 and still going strong”. “I am excited to provide Urgent Care services to Downtown Jacksonville”.

Why did you choose Downtown Jacksonville for your second office location? 

Access to health services is an issue for many underserved communities right here in Jacksonville. First Stop Urgent Care unnamedchallenges this issue by establishing clinics in communities where they are needed and by accepting all forms of government held insurance.

How important is it to connect to the Downtown Jacksonville community?

Being the only urgent care facility in heart of Downtown, it is extremely important to connect with the local community. Whether you work, live, or are visiting Downtown, we are within walking distance.

Anything else to add?

We accept most major insurances to serve the needs of our Jacksonville community. For those who are self-pay, we focus on keeping our health care services affordable and highly competitive.

For more information on First Stop Urgent Care, visit www.firststopurgentcareclinic.com or call 904-717-9043.