In the heart of Roswell, a revolution in healthcare has been taking place over the past year. SmartMED Drive-Thru Medical Care has emerged as a beacon of hope, providing a new and convenient way for residents to access essential medical services. This innovative approach to healthcare ensures that everyone, from grandparents to grandchildren, receives the care they need—all from the comfort of their own cars.
The idea was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. After running a Covid testing site in Roswell and seeing more than 22,000 patients during the height of the pandemic, Dr. Luke Lathrop, a local ER physician, and his wife Stacy brainstormed how to not only better serve patients, but also the community. "Covid helped us rethink medical care. A visit to the doctor shouldn't take 2 or 3 hours. You shouldn't have to wait 6-plus months for an appointment," says Dr. Lathrop.
The Lathrops embarked on a journey to make healthcare more accessible and safer for everyone, especially young families like their own. Thus, a little over a year ago, SmartMED Drive-Thru Medical Care was born. At SmartMED, patients receive full medical evaluations, testing, diagnosis, and treatment from the comfort of their car.
“I knew that this concept would make medical care more convenient, but a beautiful surprise has been the deep connections that we have made with families seeking care," says Stacy Lathrop.
Julie Minton brought her three children to SmartMED when they were sick, and soon after referred her parents, Candace and Thomas Barry.
“SmartMED is such a gift in several ways. As we are getting older, we so appreciate being able to stay in our car to be evaluated rather than sitting in a crowded waiting room full of others who are ill,” says Candace. “But in our opinion, their biggest strength is the one-on-one care they deliver with such warmth and compassion. Their level of care and concern is truly unmatched.”
Julie agreed, “Best of all, it’s so convenient. We pull up, see the doctor, and within 10 minutes we are driving out. On the way home, we receive a call with our diagnosis and results and the prescriptions are called in. All of this happens before we’re even home!”
“Our patients think that they are the ones receiving the benefit of our service. The reality is that we are the ones truly blessed. We have been given the chance to make a difference and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the opportunity. When our patients pull up and see the smile on our faces greeting them, it is genuine,” says Stacy. "We love seeing our patients walking on Canton Street or at the local park, days or weeks after we treat them at SmartMED. They're back to 100% and enjoying life. It's very fulfilling."
As they reflect on their first year of service, they are humbled by the support and gratitude of their community. SmartMED Drive-Thru Medical Care has not only made healthcare more accessible but has also brought their community closer together. It's a testament to the power of innovation, family values, and the enduring spirit of caring for one another.
SmartMED recently opened their new permanent location at 612 Holcomb Bridge Rd
678.744.5386
