Family Health, Urgent Care Clinics change operating hours Published Feb. 24, 2013 By Capt. Madelyn Waychoff 374th Medical Operations Squadron YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- On Feb. 11, the 374th Medical Group's family health and urgent care clinics ushered in some changes to better accommodate patients. The family health clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the urgent care clinic will remain open 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for urgent and emergent issues. In implementing the expanded clinic hours, the 374 MDG hopes to accommodate those who are unable to be seen during normal duty hours, created more appointments allowing patients greater access to care and ultimately having all patients be seen by their provider for each encounter. "Through the better cross-flow of staff members between family health and urgent care, we increased appointments and hours of operation for routine healthcare needs in the family health clinic," said Col. Eveline Yao, 374 MDG commander. "In addition, we maintain urgent care's 24/7/365 responsiveness and flexibility in dealing with 911 calls, flight line responses and other urgent and emergent cases that walk through the door. Our priority at the 374 MDG is to make every patient care experience a positive one." One change patients may notice is when they walk into the urgent care clinic, if the concern is not an emergent or urgent issue, they will be scheduled an appointment with their primary care provider. "Parents don't need to worry, children can be seen either in the family health clinic after hours or urgent care for emergent concerns," said Capt. Starrina Gianelloni, a pediatrician in the 374 MDG. "There will always be care available." All other clinics in the hospital, such as pediatrics, will maintain their current operating hours. For more information about the transition, visit the 374 MDG homepage at http://www.yokota.af.mil/units/374medicalgroup/index.asp.