In response to employee suggestions and to better serve their needs, UTMB Health will begin offering a new health care service, guaranteeing employees a primary care appointment within 24 hours. The new Employee Access 2-Care service will begin Sept. 1. For an appointment within 24 hours, employees can simply dial 2-Care (2-2273) while on the main campus or 409-772-2273, if off-campus.
“We are excited to offer this new service to our UTMB employees,” said Dr. Tricia Elliott, vice chair for clinical affairs and family 
medicine doctor at Family Medicine–Island East Clinic. “We strive to provide the best care to all our patients, and Access 2- care will allow us to assist our employees with their acute care needs expeditiously.”
One goal of the service is to set appointments with the employee’s regular UTMB primary care provider. However, if the employee’s primary care provider is unavailable, or if an employee does not have a UTMB primary care physician, an appointment will be made with at one of the participating clinics.
Employee Access 2-Care is designed to accommodate immediate care needs of employees. Access 2-Care appointments will not to be used for routine care appointments, annual well checks, prescription refill appointments or any condition that does not require immediate attention. Employees who may be seriously ill or injured are asked to go directly to the nearest emergency room.
Examples of immediate care needs include:
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Digestive and Urinary
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Urinary Tract Infection
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Skin, Hair and Nails
Insect Bites
Lice
Minor Skin Infections
Minor Rashes
Poison Ivy
Sunburn
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Minor Injury
Lacerations
Infections
Suturing
Sprains
Splinting
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Head, Ear and Eye
Headaches
Ear Infections
Pink Eye
Sties
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Respiratory Conditions
Allergies
Bronchitis
Cough, Colds and Flu
Sinus Infections
Sore Throats
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When calling for an Access 2-Care appointment, let the representative know you are a UTMB Health employee to receive the 24-hour appointment guarantee. Please note that your wait time may exceed 24 hours if you want to see your current primary care provider, but they are not available at the time of your call; if all Access 2-Care appointments are full; or if your 24-hour appointment timeframe falls on a Sunday.
“Employee Access 2-Care offers UTMB employees’ excellent patient care, when and where they need it,” said Casey Peterson, associate vice president of Clinic Operations. “This new service is an added benefit for employees, our most valuable resource.”
Participating locations in the Employee Access 2-Care service include:
Family Medicine, Dickinson
2401 W. FM 646, Suite C
Dickinson, TX 77539
Mondays 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Family Medicine – Island East, Galveston
400 Harborside Drive, Suite 104 & 124
Galveston, TX 77550
Thursdays 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Pediatric and Adult Primary Care, League City
6465 South Shore Blvd., Suite 50
League City, TX 77573; behind Kroger on Hwy. 96
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Urgent Care Center, Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes
2240 Gulf Freeway South
League City, TX 77573
Monday – Friday 6 p.m.-10 p.m. | Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
(No appointment necessary)
Family Medicine - Island West, Galveston
6710 Stewart Road
Galveston, TX 77551
Tuesdays 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. | Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon
Call 2-2273 for an appointment within 24 hours | www.utmbhealth.com/2care