SouthernMED Pediatrics has integrated NiteOwl Pediatric Urgent Care into its network, creating SouthernMED Pediatrics + NiteOwl Extended Hours in North Augusta. The practice at 616 Edgefield Road, Suite 180 will continue providing after-hours pediatric care through December before fundamentally expanding its service model in January 2026.
Beginning in January, the practice transitions from solely urgent care to offering primary pediatric care with extended daytime hours alongside evening and weekend availability. This expansion allows both established and new patient families to access comprehensive pediatric services in one location. Operating hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Dr. R. Kyle Guyton, Co-Founder of SouthernMED Pediatrics, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion. With a strong presence already in the Aiken area, SouthernMED has witnessed the continued growth of surrounding regions and the increasing need for high-quality pediatric providers. By expanding service hours and access to care, the organization aims to set a new standard for family-centered pediatric services in North Augusta.
This integration marks SouthernMED's entry into North Augusta, one of South Carolina's fastest-growing regions, and establishes it as one of only two dedicated pediatric practices in the city. The North Augusta location will strengthen SouthernMED's statewide network, which offers telemedicine, behavioral health integration, online appointment scheduling, and coordinated family communication tools. SouthernMED has already begun accepting appointments for primary care and well visits at this location starting in January.
The practice will continue under the leadership of Carlee Leopard as it expands its service model. This move represents SouthernMED's ongoing commitment to addressing pediatric healthcare needs in growing communities. For more information about SouthernMED Pediatrics and its services, visit https://www.southernmedpeds.com.
The implications of this healthcare model expansion are significant for business leaders and technology professionals observing industry trends. SouthernMED's integrated approach combining primary care, urgent care, extended hours, and digital tools like telemedicine represents a forward-thinking response to consumer demand for convenience and comprehensive services. This model could influence other healthcare providers to adopt similar integrated strategies, particularly in fast-growing markets where traditional healthcare access lags behind population growth.
For the North Augusta community, this expansion addresses a critical gap in pediatric care availability. With only one other dedicated pediatric practice in the city, the increased access to both routine and urgent care services could improve health outcomes for children while reducing emergency room visits for non-emergency conditions. The extended hours model also accommodates working families who struggle to access healthcare during traditional business hours, potentially increasing preventive care utilization.
From a business perspective, SouthernMED's expansion demonstrates how healthcare organizations can leverage strategic acquisitions and service integration to enter new markets and capture market share in underserved areas. The combination of physical locations with digital health tools creates a hybrid model that could become increasingly common as healthcare consumers demand more flexible, accessible care options.
