Lena Esmail, a nurse practitioner and CEO of QuickMed, is urging communities to take direct action to address critical shortages in primary healthcare access. According to data from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, over 100 million Americans reside in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas, where residents face extended appointment wait times, reliance on emergency rooms for non-urgent care, and significant disruptions to work and school due to untreated health issues.
Esmail, who founded QuickMed in Liberty, Ohio, has developed a community-based clinic model that utilizes nurse practitioners and physician assistants to deliver care in neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. The organization now operates in nine Ohio cities, including Akron, Medina, Ravenna, and Columbiana, demonstrating that smaller, accessible clinics can reduce hospital strain and improve local health outcomes. "Healthcare doesn't have to be huge to be effective. It has to be present," Esmail stated.
Esmail emphasizes that individuals and local leaders can implement practical steps to bridge care gaps. She recommends supporting school-based clinics, advocating for funding and zoning for neighborhood clinics, exploring employer or school health partnerships, and publicly sharing personal experiences with healthcare barriers. "You don't need a degree to start making change," Esmail noted. "You just need to know your neighborhood."
The approach reframes primary care as a community responsibility rather than solely a systemic issue. Esmail's work illustrates how localized solutions can provide immediate relief in overlooked areas, from small cities to rural regions. For more information on her community healthcare model, visit https://www.quickmedclinic.com.
Esmail's call to action highlights a shift toward sustainable, accessible care models that prioritize presence over scale. By empowering residents to engage directly with local health infrastructure, she argues that communities can begin to curb inequities in care access. "Start where you are," Esmail advised. "That's where all real change begins."
