Lena Esmail Debunks 5 Harmful Myths About Local Healthcare
QuickMed CEO Lena Esmail sets the record straight from the heart of Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, OH / ACCESS Newswire / January 27, 2026 /Healthcare doesn 't have to be confusing-but common myths often make it feel that way. Lena Esmail, a board-certified nurse practitioner and CEO of QuickMed, is speaking out to correct five widespread misunderstandings about local care access, providers, and urgent care systems.
"People aren 't avoiding care because they don 't care about their health, " Esmail says. "They just often don 't know where to start-or worse, they 've been told things that aren 't true. "
With more than 100 million Americans living in areas with too few primary care providers, it 's more important than ever to understand what is and isn 't true about getting help in your own community.
Myth #1: Urgent care is only for emergencies
Why people believe it:
The word "urgent " sounds like "emergency, " so many assume these clinics are just for serious injuries or illnesses.
The truth:
Urgent care can handle many everyday needs-like minor infections, allergies, flu symptoms, or school physicals. It 's a bridge between a primary care doctor and the ER.
"We treat kids with sore throats and parents who can 't wait three weeks for an appointment, " Esmail says. "This care is for everyday people with everyday needs. "
Try this today:
Save the phone number of your nearest urgent care clinic in your phone. You 'll know who to call before things feel urgent.
Myth #2: You need a doctor to get quality care
Why people believe it:
There 's a long-standing idea that only physicians can give "real " care.
The truth:
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are highly trained and licensed. They can diagnose, treat, and manage most conditions-and they 're often more available.
"Advanced practice providers are the backbone of modern community care, " Esmail says. "They 're trained, experienced, and trusted. "
Try this today:
Next time you visit a clinic, ask who you 're seeing-and learn about their role. You might be surprised how much they can do.
Myth #3: If you don 't have insurance, you shouldn 't go
Why people believe it:
Healthcare costs are confusing and often overwhelming. People assume they 'll be turned away or hit with huge bills.
The truth:
Many community clinics offer transparent pricing, sliding scale fees, or partnerships with assistance programs. QuickMed and similar models work hard to stay accessible.
"We 've built our clinics to meet people where they are-not just physically, but financially, " Esmail says.
Try this today:
Call a nearby clinic and ask what a typical visit costs without insurance. Knowing the numbers removes fear-and builds confidence.
Myth #4: Emergency rooms are faster and more complete
Why people believe it:
ERs are open 24/7 and associated with hospitals, so people assume the care must be better or faster.
The truth:
Unless it 's life-threatening, emergency rooms often mean long waits and high costs. Urgent care clinics are usually quicker for minor problems.
Try this today:
Learn the difference between "emergency " and "urgent " symptoms. It could save you time, money, and stress in a tough moment.
Myth #5: There 's nothing you can do to fix the system
Why people believe it:
The healthcare system seems too big, too broken, and too political. It feels easier to give up than to try.
The truth:
Community health starts with local action. Lena Esmail didn 't build QuickMed in Washington-she built it on Belmont Avenue.
"Start where you are, " she says. "That 's where real change begins. "
Try this today:
Share your experience. Talk to your school board, employer, or city council about healthcare access. One conversation can start momentum.
If you only remember one thing:
Healthcare doesn 't have to be intimidating. The system may be large, but the solutions start small-right where you live.
"You don 't have to build a clinic to make a difference, " Esmail reminds us. "You just have to care enough to start. "
Call to Action
Know someone who still believes one of these myths?
Share this list and challenge them to try just one tip today.
Awareness is the first step to access-and action.
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Lena Esmail
Lena Esmail is a board-certified nurse practitioner and the CEO of QuickMed, a network of urgent care, primary care, and school-based clinics across Ohio. She holds degrees from Youngstown State University, Ursuline College, and Kent State University. Based in Youngstown, she leads with a local-first, nurse-informed model of care that puts access at the center of community health.
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SOURCE:Lena Esmail
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