Walk-Ins Welcome: A Healthcare Marketing Podcast

When most people talk urgent care, they talk speed, efficiency, and volume. But for Megan Bell—Director of Enterprise Performance Excellence at FastMed—leading 44 clinics across North Carolina means something deeper.

In this episode, Michael and Nick sit down with Megan to explore what it really takes to build strong culture, foster true team connection, and lead with intentionality in today’s high-pressure healthcare landscape. With a background that spans creative agencies, corporate mentoring, higher education, and healthcare operations, Megan brings a one-of-a-kind leadership perspective to the urgent care space. She champions what she calls “Graceful Leadership”—a powerful blend of communication, empathy, and confident presence—and shares how that mindset is transforming culture and performance across FastMed.

From scaling team energy across dozens of locations to the underrated value of fun, productive meetings, this episode is packed with insights for urgent care leaders, operators, and rising healthcare professionals looking to create real impact from the inside out.

We talk about the power of creative thinking, what happens when you prioritize people over processes, and why leading with joy isn’t a gimmick—it’s a strategy.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

🏥 What it takes to build and protect clinic culture across 44 urgent care locations🎯 Why clear, consistent communication is the foundation of strong leadership🧠 How creative energy and storytelling skills transfer into healthcare operations🤝 Why empathy, vulnerability, and fun matter more than job titles🚀 What “Graceful Leadership” really means—and how it can empower your team

🧠 About Our Guest:

Megan Bell is the Director of Enterprise Performance Excellence at FastMed, where she leads strategic initiatives across 44 North Carolina-based urgent care clinics. A versatile leader with a background in higher education, creative agencies, and corporate training, Megan thrives at the intersection of project management, communication, and culture. Her signature leadership approach—Graceful Leadership—emphasizes empathy, confidence, self-awareness, and inclusion. She’s passionate about helping people grow and believes trust, respect, and fun are non-negotiables in successful teams.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Connect with Megan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganrbell/

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingpros

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

Nick and Michael are breaking down one of the most misunderstood dynamics in urgent care growth: the difference between brand-driven growth and service-driven growth — and why playing in the wrong lane can quietly drain your clinic's potential.

Whether you're running a multi-location chain or a single-location startup, this episode will help you diagnose what's really driving (or stalling) your patient volume.

Drawing from real conversations, discovery calls, and lessons from 200+ episodes, Nick and Michael unpack:

🏢 The two urgent care growth models — and why each demands a different strategy

💸 Why small clinics shouldn't try to “look big” (and what to focus on instead)

📉 What happens when big clinics forget about patient experience

🚦 The critical lever that separates a slow bleed from sustainable growth

👥 How reputation, reviews, and real service can outpace brand dollars

⚙️ Systemizing care, scaling operations, and when your culture starts to crack

This one is packed with real talk, real stats, and real strategy — delivered in classic Nick and Michael style. It’s a must-listen for clinic owners asking the hard questions about scale, service, and staying power in a saturated market.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Urgent Care Association: https://urgentcareassociation.org/
• Expeirty Care Agent: https://www.experityhealth.com/news/experity-launches-care-agent-the-first-clinical-intelligence-solution-for-urgent-care/
• Learn about Patient Care Marketing Pros' 90-Day Patient Acquisition Framework: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com/schedule-a-call/

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingpros

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

When most clinics talk growth, they talk volume. But at Denver Health’s Peña Urgent Care, leadership means something deeper. In this episode, Michael and Nick sit down with Dr. Lindsey Fish—Medical Director, educator, researcher, and community leader—to explore what it really means to deliver care where it’s needed most.

With over a decade of hands-on experience serving underserved populations, Dr. Fish shares how her clinic, embedded within a safety-net system, balances high acuity care with compassion, equity, and resilience. From federally qualified funding structures to a radically human-first approach to leadership, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a side of urgent care that’s often unseen—but incredibly impactful.

We talk about the growing importance of primary care, how urgent care and academic medicine intersect, and why true healthcare transformation starts by listening—to both patients and providers.

This episode is full of insight for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and operators who believe in building something bigger than business.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn🏥 What it’s like to run one of the nation’s largest FQHC-affiliated urgent cares❤️ Why emotional burdens—not clinical challenges—are often the hardest part of patient care📊 How federally funded clinics balance reporting, quality, and access for underserved patients🤝 Why leadership in healthcare must prioritize team support, culture, and burnout prevention🎒 How grassroots community outreach—like backpack drives and trunk-or-treats—becomes real marketing

🧠 About Our GuestDr. Lindsey Fish is the Medical Director of Peña Urgent Care Clinic at Denver Health and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. With over 10 years of experience running a high-acuity FQHC urgent care that sees 27,000+ visits annually, Dr. Fish is a respected leader in clinical operations, underserved care, and medical education.
She’s also a published researcher, national speaker, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, and board member for both the College of Urgent Care Medicine and the Urgent Care College of Physicians.
When she’s not leading teams or training the next generation of clinicians, you’ll find her skiing, hiking, or exploring the Colorado mountains with her family.

🔗 Resources & MentionsConnect with Dr. Fish → LinkedIn

💬 Stay Connected

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingprosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

This week’s episode features a clip from our recent webinar, From Summer Slump to Seasonal Surge: Marketing Strategies that Drive Patient Volume from Fallto Spring, on navigating urgent care seasonality and paid ad strategy — and it’s all about helping your clinic stay ahead during the busiest months of the year.

We break down:

🍂 Why patient volume spikes from fall through early spring
🎣 The “fisherman” analogy — why this is the time to cast a bigger net, not pull back
👥 How to prepare your team for the busy season and keep morale high
💻 Why Google Ads remain the lifeblood of patient acquisition
🎯 How to target the right patients with timely, relevant messages
📅 Matching your campaigns to the season — from flu shots to holiday hours

If your clinic is heading into peak season, this episode will help you make the most of every opportunity — not just by staying busy, but by building long-term patient growth.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Access the webinar: https://offer.patientcaremarketingpros.com/diy-toolkit

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingpros

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

🎉 200 Episodes of Walk-Ins Welcome: From Startup Struggles to Industry Impact

Nick and Michael are in the studio for a special milestone: 200 episodes of Walk-Ins Welcome. What started with a Yeti mic and GarageBand has become a go-to podcast in the urgent care space — and today, they’re reflecting on what’s changed, what’s working, and what’s next.

This isn’t just a look back — it’s a masterclass in how consistent content, real conversations, and industry advocacy can fuel clinic growth and marketing clarity.

In this celebratory (and surprisingly actionable) episode, Nick and Michael unpack:

🎧 The origin story: Why they launched the podcast in 2021 (and almost quit)📈 What the data says: Top episodes, engagement trends, and listener insights🏥 How the podcast sparked client growth, urgent care connections, and real change📞 The Front Desk Evolution: From throwaway role to business-critical function💡 Why the future of urgent care is collaboration, not competition📹 Behind the scenes: studio upgrades, lessons learned, and awkward early episodes

Plus, they reveal what’s coming in 2026 — and it might just change how urgent cares across the country support each other.

This episode is packed with honest reflections, hilarious throwbacks, and forward-thinking strategy — all wrapped in gratitude for the listeners, clients, and community that made 200 episodes possible.

If you’ve ever felt like your work isn’t being seen, this is proof that showing up consistently does create impact. Thanks for being on the journey.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Episode 3: https://youtu.be/4YNhuyWEba4

• Episode 98: https://youtu.be/7lkaOLj7bss

• Episode 197: https://youtu.be/UN6IrRknKgg

When it comes to clinic marketing, most talk digital. But the smart ones don’t forget their roots. In this episode, Michael and Nick welcome back Rachel Davis, the marketing leader behind AFC Urgent Care’s 25 clinics across Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. With over a decade of experience growing urgent care brands from the ground up, Rachel shares what it really takes to build trust, drive patient volume, and make your clinic unforgettable.

From a single social media campaign that brought in 92 patients in one day, to school partnerships, giant checks, and strategic giveaways—Rachel shows how blending grassroots marketing with digital execution isn’t just effective, it’s essential. Plus, we explore how she’s using AI to lead with empathy, boost team morale, and uncover performance insights that actually matter.

This one is packed with real-world strategies, leadership lessons, and bold ideas urgent care marketers and operators can use right now.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:📈 How one back-to-school campaign reached every elementary school within a 5-mile radius🤝 Why blending community outreach with digital tactics creates deeper trust and stronger results💡 How AI can help leaders support teams, celebrate wins, and reduce burnout💬 The one big mindset shift that turns patient experience into patient retention🎯 Why “Local First, Digital Always” is more than a tagline—it’s a growth strategy🎁 Plus: Trunk-or-Treat tips, brand-aid giveaways, handwritten notes, and cotton candy

🧠 About Our Guest
Rachel Davis is the Marketing Director for DX Management, the franchisee of AFC Urgent Care operating 25 clinics across TN, GA, and NC—with more on the way. She brings over 10 years of hands-on marketing leadership in urgent care and a career that spans healthcare, franchise management, media, QSR, and education. Rachel is also a part-time professor and full-time champion of community-first marketing strategies that drive real results.

Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of two and a non-stop chauffeur to soccer, dance, piano, and more.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

Connect with Rachel → ⁠LinkedIn

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingprosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

Nick and Michael are back, and this time, they're pulling no punches. In this candid and timely episode, they tackle one of the most sensitive but critical issues in urgent care marketing: knowing when your internal marketer has become a blocker, not a builder.

Whether you’re dealing with a family-hired marketer, an emotionally tied team member, or someone simply out of their depth, this conversation is for you.

Drawing from real stories and recent client experiences, Nick and Michael unpack:

• 🚩 The red flags of marketing bottlenecks💔 Why emotional loyalty can quietly sabotage your growth🎭📊 How to separate drama from data when making hard decisions🤝✨ What a true growth partner looks like — and how to find one📋🛠️ A clear, step-by-step framework for auditing, documenting, and (if needed) letting someone go

  
  

This episode isn’t about blame — it’s about clarity, accountability, and protecting your clinic’s future. Because if your internal marketing isn’t aligned with your goals, you’re not just stuck — you’re bleeding potential.

Nick and Michael also lay out how to avoid chaos before it starts: ownership of digital assets, documenting deliverables, and when to seek outside help.

If you're a clinic owner who's been feeling stuck, exhausted, or just unsure whether your marketing team is truly moving the needle, this episode is for you.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Free “DIY Toolkit” for Clinics: https://offer.patientcaremarketingpros.com/diy-toolkit

This episode features a powerful clip from our recent webinar, Becoming the Healthcare Brand: Build Loyalty, Drive Growth, and Own Your Market—and it's packed with practical insights for urgent care leaders looking to stand out.

We dive deep into the StoryBrand framework, walking through the 7 core questions that help you clarify your message, position your clinic as the trusted guide, and make your patients the true hero of your brand story.

We break down:

🦸‍♂️ How to identify your ideal patient as the hero of the story

🧠 Why it’s critical to frame the problem from the customer’s perspective

🧭 How to position your clinic as the trusted guide (not the main character)

🗺️ The importance of giving your patients a clear, simple plan

📣 What makes a call to action actually work

🏆 How to paint a picture of success—and highlight what’s at stake

🤝 Practical ways to build trust, stand out, and become the go-to choice in your market

Whether you're opening your first location or scaling a multi-site operation, this episode will help you rethink how you show up in a crowded healthcare market—and why your message may be the missing link between being seen and being chosen.

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingprosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

💥 When Patients Bleed, Do You Send Them Away—or Suture in More Revenue?

Every urgent care says they manage lacerations. But if your team isn’t trained—or confident—those walk-ins are walking out. And that’s revenue, reputation, and repeat visits you’re losing every single time.

In this episode, Michael and Nick sit down with Dr. Patrick O’Malley, a board-certified emergency physician and creator of The Laceration Course, an 8-hour CME training built specifically for urgent care teams. His mission? Help clinics stop referring out simple laceration cases—and start owning them, confidently and compliantly.

This conversation dives into the practical, clinical, and business impact of leveling up your team’s suturing skills. From preventing negative Google reviews to creating a repeatable, scalable service line, Patrick shares how urgent cares can stop bleeding patients (and dollars) to the ER.

Whether you're a clinic owner, medical director, or a provider looking to build confidence with procedures, this episode is your roadmap to making laceration management a true growth lever for your practice.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

🧵 Why most urgent cares say they handle lacerations—but many aren’t actually prepared🧑‍⚕️ How training APPs in suturing boosts patient retention, clinic revenue, and team morale📈 Real-life clinic results: from "sending out every laceration" to closing cases in-house🎓 What's inside The Laceration Course (and why it’s more than just how to suture)💬 The legal, billing, and charting tips that protect your practice and boost reimbursement📦 How Patrick ships real suture kits + video training directly to your team🌐 The future of remote procedural workshops, wearable tech, and virtual proctoring💡 And why investing in clinician education leads to better care—and better business

🧠 About Our Guest

Dr. Patrick O’Malley is a board-certified emergency physician with 18+ years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to improving procedural confidence in urgent care settings. As the creator of The Laceration Course with EB Medicine, he helps clinicians go beyond basic suturing and truly master the science, technique, and decision-making of laceration repair. Now working full-time in medical education and clinician training, Patrick brings both clinical credibility and entrepreneurial passion to the future of acute care.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

🧠 Explore The Laceration Course → www.ebmedicine.net📧 Contact Patrick → LinkedIn | Instagram

💸 Check out the $1 Trial of EB Medicine’s CME Library → includes urgent care-specific content

💬 Stay Connected:

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingprosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWA

Want to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out! We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ

This week’s episode features a special clip from our Clinic Launch: The 90 Day Game Plan webinar we hosted back in March and it’s packed with practical, proven steps to open strong.

We break down:

📆 Why your marketing must start before day one💰 How to budget $6K–$10K over your first 90 days🏥 What really matters in your website (hint: it’s not spending $20K)📍 How to verify and set up your Google Business Profile the right way🔁 The exact 3-phase timeline every new clinic should follow🗣️ Why community outreach and digital ads should start before your grand opening📈 How to make your day 91 fully predictable—with data, not hope

Whether you're about to open or advising someone who is, this is the 90-day roadmap we’ve tested with real urgent care clinics, and it works.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:Access the webinar: https://offer.patientcaremarketingpros.com/diy-toolkit💬 Stay Connected:Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.Website: https://patientcaremarketingpros.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/patientcaremarketingprosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-care-marketing-pros/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwkAwIyiVvsLTWGoeRbWAWant to be a guest, recommend someone for the show, or ask a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Devin Smith: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UdQjNXnACFE2VpkEoP8v2?si=pDx5jsgtRFOtwrpMOKOkuQ