LINN — The Osage County Health Department celebrated the grand opening of its Quick Care clinic on Friday, Sept. 25, with a ribbon cutting, community vendors, and activities outside the department.

Quick Care began seeing patients on Aug. 10. The clinic treats minor illnesses and injuries that need timely attention, giving residents a local option for care that does not require an emergency room visit. Nurse practitioner Samantha Casteel provides care for conditions such as respiratory illnesses, ear infections, rashes, and minor wounds. The clinic also offers sports and preemployment physicals, tuberculosis testing, and tick-related care.

The grand opening brought community partners to the health department. Osage Ambulance District staff demonstrated CPR using a training mannequin, while the Old Mill Bakehouse & Deli offered baked goods. Other participants included Bob’s Frozen Custard, Tasteful Food Trailer, Saddle Up Sips, the Osage Ambulance District, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn Community Betterment Association, Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Keep That Smile Counseling, Missouri River Regional Library, Compass Health Network, and Home State Health.

Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin thanked those who attended and supported the clinic in a post after the event.

“We know our community deserves access to quality, convenient care close to home, and we will always keep working to improve, grow, and make our health department the very best it can be - FOR our community and WITH our community,” she said.

The department also held a door-prize drawing for Quick Care tumblers and included a Dolly Parton cutout in the celebration, which fell on Dolly Parton Day.

Quick Care is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Visits have a $40 base fee, with additional charges for some tests and services. The clinic accepts Missouri Medicaid but does not bill private insurance or Medicare.