Lena Esmail, a nurse practitioner and CEO of QuickMed, is urging communities to take local action to address the growing crisis in primary care access across the United States. Esmail emphasizes that healthcare gaps exist in many neighborhoods and that practical, grassroots solutions can help close them.
According to data from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, more than 100 million Americans reside in designated Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. These include small cities, working-class suburbs, and rural regions where residents face significant barriers to care. Common challenges include extended wait times for appointments, reliance on emergency rooms for non-urgent needs, school absences due to untreated health issues, and limited options for working parents during off-hours.
Esmail, who grew up in Youngstown's North Side and continues to live in the Mahoning Valley, witnessed these problems firsthand during her nursing career. She observed that many individuals were not avoiding healthcare but simply could not access it. In response, she founded QuickMed in Liberty, Ohio, with the goal of bringing care closer to where people live, work, and learn. The model utilizes nurse practitioners and physician assistants to deliver affordable, high-quality care through small community clinics and schools.
QuickMed now operates in nine Ohio cities, including Akron, Medina, Ravenna, and Columbiana. The clinics aim to provide faster access to care, reduce strain on hospital emergency departments, and decrease missed school and workdays. Esmail describes the approach as "built to fit into the community, not overwhelm it," asserting that healthcare "doesn't have to be huge to be effective. It has to be present."
Esmail is calling on residents, educators, and local officials to examine how care is delivered in their communities and take actionable steps. She recommends supporting school-based clinics, which can improve attendance and reduce emergency room visits. She also advises engaging with local officials to advocate for funding and zoning for neighborhood-based clinics that employ nurse-led models. Additionally, she suggests inquiring with employers or school boards about on-site or community health partnerships, sharing personal stories about care barriers, and volunteering or connecting with local health initiatives.
Esmail's message extends beyond her own organization, focusing on redefining sustainable care by prioritizing overlooked areas and populations. She encourages individuals to reconsider their roles in community health, whether as parents, neighbors, healthcare professionals, or policymakers. "Start where you are," she says. "That's where all real change begins." For more information, visit www.quickmedclinic.com.
