Contributed article
THATCHER — Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center announced Friday plans to develop a new urgent care center in Thatcher.
The MGRMC Governing Board approved moving forward with the project, and the organization is currently working through the details of a lease agreement for a location adjacent to Copper Mountain Clinic on the Eastern Arizona College campus.
MGRMC anticipates opening the urgent care center during the first or second quarter of 2027, providing residents of the Gila Valley with expanded access to convenient, high-quality healthcare services.
The new MGRMC Urgent Care Center is being developed in response to a demonstrated community need and will provide treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, offering patients a convenient alternative when primary care appointments are unavailable and emergency department services are not necessary.
“We serve the healthcare needs of our community, and during our most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, the need for an urgent care center was repeatedly expressed,” said Danny Smith, vice president and chief marketing officer for Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. “We now have the timing, location, and staffing to make this happen. This project represents another important step in ensuring that residents have timely access to quality healthcare close to home.”
The planned location next to Copper Mountain Clinic on the Eastern Arizona College campus will provide convenient access for students, faculty, staff, and community members while supporting the continued growth of healthcare services in the Thatcher area.
“Access to healthcare is one of the most important factors affecting community health. The addition of an urgent care center will provide patients with a convenient option for receiving prompt medical attention for acute and urgent problems while helping ensure that emergency department resources remain available for critical emergency cases. Once again, the hospital board is being responsive to the needs of the Gila Valley in authorizing the building and development of this MGRMC Urgent Care”, said Dr. Bart Carter, chief executive officer of Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center.
Additional details regarding services, hours of operation, staffing, and the final lease agreement will be announced as planning efforts progress.
Randy Bryce, chief operating officer of Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, added, “This urgent care project is a major step forward for our community. For the first time, residents will have a dedicated local option for timely, same-day care when a clinic visit is not soon enough, but the emergency department may not be the right setting. It will complement our clinics, strengthen access across our hospital service lines, and help our emergency department stay focused on higher-acuity needs. We are excited about what this means for our local community and all who live in, work in, or visit Graham County.”
About Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center
Since 1973, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) has been a community-owned and locally governed nonprofit healthcare organization dedicated to serving the residents of Southeastern Arizona. As a nonprofit medical center, MGRMC reinvests resources into expanding services, enhancing technology, and improving patient care for the communities it serves.
MGRMC is committed to providing exceptional healthcare services to the residents of Graham County and surrounding communities through a comprehensive network of hospital, clinic, specialty, and community health programs.
In recent years, MGRMC has expanded access to specialty care through the addition of Oncology Services, Mt. Graham Cardiology, and Mt. Graham Physical Therapy. Continuing its commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the region, MGRMC will open a new Retail Pharmacy on 20th Avenue beginning September 10, 2026, and will expand access to primary care with a second Copper Mountain Clinic location on the Eastern Arizona College campus in Thatcher, scheduled to open in August 2026.
Individuals seeking a family medicine provider are encouraged to contact Copper Mountain Clinic at 928-348-1600 to learn more about available providers and services.
