Sentara Health now owns the controlling interest in local urgent care provider Velocity.
Sentara partnered with Velocity in 2017 when it turned seven of its urgent cares over to Velocity’s management and helped invest in 10 more. Its facilities range from Lightfoot to Virginia Beach.
Sentara Vice President of Ambulatory Services Kurt Hofelich says urgent cares are a fast-growing, cheap way to get same-day care while avoiding the wait times and costs of the emergency room.
Sentara wants to capture that market, and acquiring the controlling stake in Velocity was always the company’s plan.
Hofelich said the business model proved its adaptability during the height of COVID-19.
“We were the reliable COVID testing solution in the community before home test kits,” Hofelich said.
He said patients won’t see any change in service at Velocity facilities.
“They’ll see the same high quality of services they’ve come to trust.”
Velocity is due to open its 18th urgent care facility in Elizabeth City in 2024.
