Small Biz: PM Pediatrics opens larger site in East Brainerd

photo Rich Faulkner, Rick Stern and Eric Dunkel, from left, stand in front of PM Pediatrics.

Name: PM Pediatrics

Owners: Rick Stern, Rich Faulkner and Eric and Jason Dunkel, founders of PM Pediatrics

Location: 7320 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga

Service: After-hours and weekend urgent care clinic for pediatric patients (birth to 18 years).

Staff: During the "sick season" five staffers are typically on duty

How it got started: PM Pediatrics was founded in Chattanooga five years ago by twins Eric and Jason Dunkel to provide a non-emergency room urgent care facility for kids. The owners of PM Pediatrics wanted to give parents and caretakers a less-expensive option for after-hours care.

Why now: PM Pediatrics has grown since its 2009 debut at 7446 Shallowford Road, down the street from its new location. The owners now wanted to seize the opportunity to move into a larger location which will allow the clinic to expand its services, adding nearly twice as many rooms, a procedure room, a certified lab and a mobile X-ray machine.

What is unique? PM Pediatrics is open only after normal business hours. And restaurant-style buzzers alert patients waiting to see a physician, which allows patients to wait outside or in their vehicles insted of a waiting room. The facility was specifically decorated with children in mind, and each private room has a kid-friendly paint and decor theme. Physicians also follow up with patients' primary physicians.

Contact: 423-648-NITE (6483)

Compiled by staff writer Alex Green, who can be reached at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.

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