These are situations familiar to any parent: the pediatrician‘s office is closed, and your child has an ear ache, or a fever, or a nasty cut from a playground accident.  You don‘t think a trip to the emergency room is warranted, but your child needs to be seen by a doctor...and you can‘t wait until morning.

Upstate came up with a solution, and last February opened Upstate Golisano After Hours Care, the first of its type in the area. Located on the Community Campus, the After Hours Care center sees an average of 430 patients per month, and 2,893 children and teens were treated in the first six months.

“It fills the gap between the pediatrician‘s office and the emergency room,” explains Alison McCrone MD, medical director. “After Hours is for minor illnesses and injuries. We have lab and x-ray services, and can offer a 24-hour supply of prescriptions so parents can take their child home instead of running to a pharmacy.”

The center is staffed by nine pediatricians, including McCrone, and two emergency medicine physicians. All are on the faculty at Upstate Medical University.

Olamide Ajagbe MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, divides her time between working at the After Hours Care center, caring for patients in the children‘s hospital, and teaching medical students and residents.

She arrived at Upstate in 2011 after completing pediatric residencies at both the Nassau County Medical Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

“I interviewed at many medical centers,” Ajagbe explains. “Upstate had amazing, warm and welcoming people on its staff.

“I am astounded by the need for after hours care in this community,” she continues. “Over and over, parents tell me how glad they are that this kind of service is available. It‘s great working here.”

The center sees patients from birth through age 21, so the staff see college students as well as toddlers. This winter, they expect to treat lots of patients for respiratory infections, fevers, and injuries from sledding accidents and other sports.

Golisano After Hours Care is located at Upstate University Hospital‘s Community Campus, 4900 Broad Rd., Syracuse (between the emergency room and the parking garage). Phone 315-492-KIDS (5437). Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday; and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  Most insurances are accepted, and all patients up to age 21 are welcome.

Read about one mom's experience at Upstate Golisano After Hours

Read why one doctor likes working at After Hours

See Dr. Ajagbe on the cover of Upstate Health magazine.