Physicians Immediate Care, one of the region's premier providers of ambulatory and urgent health care, remains ready to service patients should outages occur during heavy summer thunderstorms or in the wake of a hurricane. Their Paar Center walk-in facility, located at 4007 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, is the only urgent care clinic in the area that has a generator to provide back up power. According to Kenneth Palestrant, M.D., founder of Physicians Immediate Care, the 60 kilowatt generator system will power the entire clinic, including x-ray, and allow Physicians Immediate Care to provide emergency medical services following a hurricane. "We are acutely aware that many residents suffered cuts, burns, and other injuries after the devastating hurricanes of 2004-2005," said Dr. Palestrant. "We are committed to opening our offices as quickly as is it is safe to do so should we have a hurricane this year. The generator service will allow us to help treat the sick and injured."

Dr. Palestrant noted there were numerous hurricane related injuries after

Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. Traumatic injuries ranged from

stepping on a nail and needing a tetanus shot to as serious as falling off a

ladder or cutting oneself with a chainsaw, requiring an X-ray, stitches, or being

placed in a cast or splint. "We all know what a chainsaw can do to a tree," said

Dr. Palestrant. "Imagine what it can do to the human body! I've seen these

injuries first-hand. Don't be a victim," he added.

Physicians Immediate Care measures its success through patient satisfaction and extraordinary care. Physicians Immediate Care also offers employers professional services for workers compensation, routine exams, and drug testing. Physicians Immediate Care provides a convenient, cost effective alternative to emergency rooms and doctor's offices from their original facilities at 1900 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard and at 4007 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard in the Paar Center. Physicians Immediate Care provides prompt medical attention, with no appointment necessary, Monday through Friday 09:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 09:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For additional information call (772) 398-1588.