A new medical center has opened in Hayden.

Urgent Care South had its grand opening day on April 2. It is a new facility specializing in emergency care and will function as a walk-in clinic.

It will be managed by Dr. Micheal Patton, an internist who has been practicing since 2000. Patton said that he was asked by people in the Hayden community to set up there, which he eventually did after consideration.

He stated that his location in Hayden was chosen because it serves as a midpoint between Cullman and Birmingham.

Urgent Care South will certainly not be the only medical center in Hayden. Patton stressed that they are not trying to compete with other centers, but rather they are there to help the community.

“Our goal is to try to be an adjunct to the primary care position. We’re not wanting to take people away from the relationship with the primary care groups they’ve already established. We want to fill in the gaps when they want to see a doctor.”

Even as an emergency care clinic, Patton said that they are open to treating people with minor illnesses as opposed to something that needs immediate attention.

“If people have something like a laceration or if they have a simple fracture we can help with that,” he said. “If they have something like sinus or sore throat we can deal with that.”

The facility is located near Interstate 65 at Exit 284 and next door to Traditions Bank.

For more information, call Urgent Care South at 647-1819.