The Heyer family has it down to a system: clothes laid out the night before, breakfast eaten while Mom gets ready for work, Aubrey and Elijah at school by 8, Jonah in daycare at 8:15. And that's just the kids.
By 8:30 Kelly begins her day as a marketing consultant at Odney Advertising while Eric, a morning DJ, starts the second half of his workday. He's been in the Froggy 99.9 studio since 4 a.m.
Welcome to the life of a busy family! And when unexpected health situations arise? The Heyers have a system for that, too.
"When the kids were younger, it seemed we were always going to the doctor for one thing or another – colds, ear infections, sore throats," says Kelly. "Now we're down to about once every three months, but the convenient options are as important as ever."
"Mommy, my ear hurts…"
Ear infections used to be common for 3-year-old Jonah. Even when they happened on weekends or holidays, Kelly knew exactly where to go: MeritCare Children's Walk-In Clinic. Staffed by pediatricians, the clinic is open every day of the week, including weekday evenings.
A Sunday morning ear infection? "We had that down, too," says Kelly laughing. "We'd would drop the two older kids off at Sunday school then take Jonah to the Children's Walk-In. We'd see a pediatrician and be back to pick up the kids before the hour was over."
Kelly sometimes uses Children's Walk-In during the week, too. "My first choice is always our regular pediatrician, but if a workable time isn't available, I'll run the kids over to the Children's Walk-In," she says. "As long as I can get them to the doctor and get a diagnosis quickly, our lives aren't too disrupted."
Quick care for familiar conditions
For pesky problems like sinus infections, urinary-tract infections or even pink eye, Kelly knows where she and her family can get fast, convenient care without an appointment: FastTrack by MeritCare. Staffed by a nurse practitioner and open every day, Fast Track is located at Osgood Hornbacher's and Moorhead Cash Wise.
"You're in the grocery store anyway, so you just pop in, see the provider and you're done in 15 minutes," says Kelly. "It amazes me that by the time Eric is done shopping, I have my diagnosis and medication."
Non-emergency care for all
Even Kelly's dad has benefited from MeritCare's wide variety of clinics. A business owner from Starbuck, Minn., he had intense leg pain but didn't want to take time off from work to get it checked. One Sunday when he was in Fargo, Kelly told him about MeritCare Walk-In Clinic. Open every day of the week, including weekday evenings, the Walk-In is staffed by family practice doctors. To Kelly's surprise, he agreed to go – and was glad he did.
"It took Sunday hours to get him to see a doctor," says Kelly. "That never would've happened back home."
Let MeritCare's convenient health care options help your busy family.