Whether you live in Charlottesville or Harrisonburg, finding care that is close, affordable, and reachable by bus is important for every family. In every community, big or small, families feel the stress of overcrowded clinics, long waits, and the constant struggle to find parking. 

Recognizing these challenges, the University of Virginia (UVA) Health’s plan to relocate its Family Medicine practice to two new locations over the next two years is a welcome move for the Charlottesville community. One new site will be a small clinic on South Sixth Street, near IX Park, close to the intersection of Monticello Avenue and South Street, and accessible by Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) bus route #1. The other will be a larger clinic at 630 Peter Jefferson Parkway in Pantops, near the I-64 interchange on Pantops Road, along CAT bus route #10. Both locations will offer free parking for patients.

I believe this expansion will greatly improve access to healthcare across the city. By placing clinics along public transportation routes, UVA Health is ensuring that more patients—including those without cars—can reach care more easily. That’s why the move UVA Health is making in Charlottesville matters far beyond just one city.

As a patient of UVA Family Medicine, I appreciate the early update and the effort to gather opinions from Family Medicine patients. Sharing this information ahead of time prevents confusion, reduces the sense of ‘surprise changes,’ and gives patients options to choose the clinic that works best for their location and transportation needs. For large families, this change is especially important, as it saves time spent searching for parking and makes getting to appointments less stressful.

Currently, the UVA Family Medicine site serves a very high number of patients every day, which often results in busy garages and limited parking availability during peak hours. This heavy volume can place additional pressure on both staff and providers. By spreading patient care across two separate clinics, UVA Health can help reduce crowding, improve parking access, and allow physicians and caregivers to give more focused and timely attention to each patient.

Some may worry that moving the practice could disrupt continuity of care. However, with proper planning and clear communication, these changes can create better facilities, more convenient access, and a smoother experience for everyone.

It is encouraging to see UVA Health investing in the community’s long-term well-being. I hope they continue prioritizing accessibility, patient needs, and ease of transportation as they launch these new sites.

For any questions or to share your opinion about which clinic you would prefer for your care under UVA Health Primary Care Center, please follow the link below and help spread the word: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgSvhVl67AYeKua.