History of AFC Urgent Care

Founded by Dr. Bruce Irwin with a single location in 1982, American Family Care has pioneered the concept of non-emergency room urgent care. With its 2013 acquisition of the Doctors Express, AFC has become the nation’s leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine, with more than 180 clinics and 600 in-network physicians. Ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., AFC’s stated mission is to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient.

It is currently projected that By the end of 2017, AFC will operate more than 200 facilities in 26 states, and care for nearly three million patients a year. During the next five years the company expects to have more than 500 urgent care clinics across the U.S., on its path to becoming one of the most widely-known and admired brands in health care.

The Beginning of Urgent Care

The idea for developing a new way for people to receive urgent care began when Dr. Irwin was working in an emergency room. He took notice of how many people were visiting the ER for minor ailments that were taking up time and costing a lot of money. His idea for providing medical care with a drive-thru business model was designed to take the burden off of ERs, treat minor medical issues faster, and do it at a lower price to save patients money. With a growing and aging population that is increasingly in need of care, Dr. Irwin's urgent care business model eliminated two of the healthcare industries largest barriers...affordability and accessibility. Today, urgent care clinics across the country are visited by patients that have anything from a common cold, to a fractured bone, and anything in-between.

History of AFC Urgent Care WA

AFC of WA opened its first clinic in Lake Oswego in 2011 under the name Doctors Express, and has since expanded under the AFC name with the opening of five more clinics in Northeast WA, Northwest WA, Beaverton, Tigard and Oregon City. As one of the more popular names in the urgent care arena, AFC of WA has experienced a positive response in all of the communities that clinics have been established, and is on track to serve close to 40,000 patients annually in the WA area. With a high demand for easily accessible and affordable urgent care medical services throughout the region, AFC of WA plans to expand with additional clinics in the near future.