Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2024

COAST NOTE
Just a little more than
five years ago, Dr. George Loukatos' vision for affordable, friendly, community-based healthcare came true when
he opened the first AlphaCare Urgent Care on the Gulf Coast.
Dr. George Loukatos.
Now, with several expansions, dozens of staff additions, and
a rock-solid community foundation, Dr. Loukatos feels earning patient trust is one of the biggest successes for the five clinics that span from the Coast to the Eastern Alabama shoreline.
“When you're talking about healthcare, trust is a big ask,” Dr. Loukatos explained. “Trusting someone with your health can be hard, and we feel so privileged that the community has allowed us to earn that trust, and better yet, keep that trust over the years.”
The staff has steadily grown since the Biloxi clinic opened, expanding from only four to almost 70 team members, and Dr. Loukatos said the entire crew is truly dedicated to their patients.
“We hire the smile, and we train the job,” he said. “We focus on people with strong customer service skills and who understand we are not only here to provide good healthcare, but we're here to make people feel better. That’s another of our greatest successes. We’ve created a culture of people who understand we're here to help people feel better and sometimes that just means listening. Showing you care. Not rushing people and making sure they feel heard.”
He added the five-year mark might not have been hit if it wasn’t for the incredible staff members.
“Most small businesses fail within five years and our staff is the main reason we’ve made it this far,” he said. “Every day they strive to do what’s best for our patients. Everything else just kind of falls into place. We’ve definitely had our challenges along the way, but we have people who have been with us since we opened the doors, and they still show that first-day commitment.”
Another priority is community dedication through scholarships to high school seniors in Jackson and Hancock counties, sponsoring
a myriad of coastal sports teams, donating to Christmas programs and events for children in need, and supporting numerous local nonprofits.
“Children are a big part of the demographic we treat,” he said. “We want to help and give back to the families that have supported us.”
AlphaCare Urgent Care is open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week at all five locations in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort.
story by Cherie Ward photo by Katherine Swers
18 | June 2024 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living