ROSWELL, Ga. — SmartMED, a drive-thru medical clinic located at 612 Holcomb Bridge Road, is committed to providing innovative health care services to metro Atlanta residents by providing a fast and convenient alternative to traditional offices.
stacey lathrop, left, is the CEO and co-founder of SmartMED, a drive-thru medical clinic located at 612 Holcomb Bridge Road.She previously ran a clinic at Fellowship Bible Church with her husband and co-founder Dr. Luke Lathrop Until the opening of the permanent office location on October 2.
Roswell residents Stacy and Dr. Luke Lathrop founded SmartMED in the fall of 2022 after operating a COVID-19 testing site at Fellowship Bible Church. Luke Lathrop works as an emergency room doctor in Kennesaw, and while Stacy Lathrop said she has no medical background, as a mother of two, She has extensive experience in doctors’ offices.
Stacy Lathrop, now CEO of SmartMED, said it was a visit to her pediatrician early in the pandemic that sparked the idea.
“The nice thing about this is that because of COVID-19, everything is shut down for pediatricians, so they actually come to the door and look at their ears and listen to them and the entire visit doesn’t require them to get out of their car,” she said . “That’s when it occurred to me… why is everyone forced to go in and wait for an appointment when you can just roll up and see the doctor in front of your car?”
SmartMED, located at 612 Holcomb Bridge Road, offers full-service labs and treatments from infections to weight loss. Stacy and Dr. Luke Lathrop founded the clinic in 2022 after operating a testing site during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The couple envisioned a similar setup, but for general medical services, and began surveying patients to drum up interest in the concept.
“… When the COVID testing was over, we had a huge database of about 24,000 people that we tested for COVID who actually showed a need to be tested in the car for all different types of medical conditions. interest,” said Stacy Lathrop. “We took that feedback and developed a model that is completely patient-centered.”
Patients’ attitude towards SmartMED is very similar to that of customers towards fast food restaurants. Then, once the patient arrives, staff obtains their insurance information and identification and creates a medical chart.
If it’s a new patient, they fill out two forms before going to a second station, where another staff member will take their vital signs. Finally, patients are evaluated by a physician in advance.
Typically, a visit takes 10 to 15 minutes and is completed entirely at the patient’s car door.
The drive-thru clinic also includes a full-service laboratory. Luke Lathrop said all lab testing is done on-site, but staff will call patients when results are available, so there’s no need to wait.
“Patients really like the convenience factor because they don’t have to wait,” Luke Lathrop said. “There’s no real downtime. The whole time they’re checking in, getting checked, taking their vitals, talking to the doctor. So, the whole time is quality time, and then they’re on their way.”
A staff member treats a young patient at SmartMED, 612 Holcomb Bridge Road. The clinic provides treatment for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, pink eye, ear and upper respiratory tract infections; weight loss medications; wound care; and complete laboratory services.
Insurers (except Anthem) consider SmartMED a general medical practice and therefore patients are responsible for primary care out-of-pocket costs. SmartMED has network connections with all major insurance providers.
“We want to do more than just save people time,” Stacey Lathrop said. “We want to provide excellent medical care that is convenient, thorough and fast.”
Lathrops first began offering services at the previous location, a tent at Fellowship Bible Church, around October 2022. The clinic provides diagnosis of pink eye, ear, and upper respiratory tract infections; influenza and respiratory syncytial virus treatment; weight management medications; intravenous hydration; and sutures and sutures.
SmartMED staff also treat headaches, sinusitis, rashes, seasonal allergies, abscess drainage and infections.
Using the database they collected during their coronavirus testing, the couple created a list of patients to welcome to their new clinic. But over time, the drive-thru has solidified a loyal following for its quick treatment and in-person care.
“I mean, I’m on the phone with people and if they need our help, I’m on the phone until 9:30 at night and on the weekends when we’re closed,” Stacy Lathrop said. “I mean, they know they can always reach us, and it’s just so nice to bring this to the community and see their response, it really makes my day.”