Pittsburgh hospital systems are getting ready to care for more patients as visitors are expected to flood the city during the NFL Draft this month.
Allegheny Health Network and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center both say they are working with the NFL and city leaders to make sure visitors and residents will be able to access care when needed.
AHN Downtown Express Care will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting April 22 through April 25. People with previously scheduled appointments at that office will have the option of virtual visits.
AHN will also have a mobile clinic stationed in Market Square and what it calls a “medical fort” near Acrisure Stadium.
There will be several street closures within the Draft footprint during the event, so Allegheny General Hospital is also working with the city to make sure patients have easy access to the building for their appointments.
“AGH has a long history of effectively responding to events that bring high volumes of people to the North Side and patients to our doors,” said Dr. Brent Rau, medical director of AGH’s emergency department. “We look forward to meeting our community’s health needs throughout the draft, and anticipate a well-executed event for the City of Pittsburgh.”
UPMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Donald Yealy said emergency medicine and sports medicine professionals will staff four medical aid stations on the North Shore and at The Point throughout the draft.
Medical professionals will also be on foot patrol, working alongside paramedics.