Primary Care

Primary Care Doctors Make a Difference

Primary Care

A primary care office is a place where doctors and nurses know you and your child’s health.

Our Primary Care Centers are in your neighborhood with expert doctors and nurses who care only for children, from birth to age 21. Adults age 21 and older can be seen only at the South High Primary Care Center. Checkups. Vision and hearing checks. Vaccines (shots.) Access to behavioral health. We offer the pediatric expertise every child needs to stay healthy. 

We are now accepting new patients at several locations, including our new Lincoln Village and Northern Lights Primary Care Centers.

New Patients

If your child has not previously had an appointment with Primary Care, you can schedule online with a provider, time and location that is most convenient, or call (614) 722-6200.

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Existing Patients

If your child is already a patient within Primary Care, you can schedule follow-up appointments and sick visits right in MyChart or call (614) 722-6200.

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Sign Up for MyChart

Signing up for MyChart is easy, and it's free. Use MyChart to schedule appointments, view lab results, refill prescriptions and more.

Get MyChart Today

Call a Nurse

Existing Primary Care patients can call a nurse 24/7 to help anytime with questions about your child’s health and if you need help when Primary Care is closed.

Call (614) 722-5751

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

If you are unable to schedule your next appointment through MyChart, fill out our online Request an Appointment form and a member of our scheduling team will be happy to assist you.

Sick Visits

When your child is sick, it's comforting to get help from a pediatrician you already know and trust.

The Call a Nurse Line at (614) 722-5751 is also available 24/7 for help with your sick child.

The Call a Nurse Line is always available for Primary Care patient families when your child is sick or injured, when you are considering taking your child to urgent care or the emergency department, when your Primary Care Center is closed or when you have questions about your child's health.

If you need to schedule a sick visit, please call (614) 722-6200 or schedule the appointment in MyChart.

Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Clinic

The Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Clinic allows patients who are sick or who need medical care to walk in without an appointment at select Primary Care Centers.

We see patients on a first-come, first-served basis, and on the severity of the illness. This clinic is only available to Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Center patients. 

Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Hours For Primary Care Center Patients (No Appointment Needed)

COVID-19 Symptoms And Testing

Primary Care Patients: If your child has cold-like symptoms or has been told they need a COVID-19 test, contact the Call a Nurse Line at (614) 722-5751 to schedule a test and discuss whether your child needs to be seen by a primary care provider. The Nurse Line is available 24/7 for all your needs.

Primary Care Versus Urgent Care or Emergency

Remember to call your child’s doctor before getting care in an emergency department or urgent care center unless your child’s doctor is unavailable or your child is experiencing a medical emergency. Primary care with your child’s doctor will always be the least expensive option, and they will know your child best.

When you have a question about if you should go to Urgent Care, the Call a Nurse Line can help you decide which option is best. Call (614) 722-5751. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Well Visits

It’s just as important to get regular checkups when your child feels well in addition to when they are sick. We call these checkups well visits.

Well visits may include physical exams, general development checks, shots and more depending on your child’s age.

When your child goes to his or her well visits, the doctor follows your child’s health closely. Any slight changes or problems can be looked at and talked about early. This relationship makes many conditions easier to treat.

Our primary care providers can advise and show you how to support your child’s school-readiness. Our Reach Out and Read program allows our providers to give advice and developmentally appropriate book at every infant & early childhood well care visit.

Schedule Your Child's Well Visit

To schedule your child’s next well visit, call (614) 722-6200.

Looking for a primary care provider for your new baby? Schedule your new baby appointment online today.

Schedule a New Baby Appointment

Recommended Well Care Visits

From the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright FuturesTM

Infancy

Newborn
3-5 Days
1 Month
2 Months
4 Months
6 Months
9 Months

Early Childhood

12 Months
15 Months
18 Months
24 Months
30 Months
3 Years
4 Years

Middle Childhood

5 Years
6 Years
7 Years
8 Years
9 Years
10 Years

Adolescence

11 Years
12 Years
13 Years
14 Years
15 Years
16 Years
17 Years
18 Years
19 Years
20 Years
21 Years

When To Call a Nurse

When you’re concerned about your child’s cough or the rash that appeared, talking to an expert can give you peace of mind. Our highly trained pediatric registered nurses (RNs) can help anytime.

Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Center patients can call (614) 722-5751 24 hours a day, seven days a week to talk to a nurse.

Call a Nurse if:

  • Your child is ill or injured
  • You are considering taking your child to urgent care or the emergency department
  • You have questions about your child’s health
  • You need assistance when the Primary Care Center is closed

Learn More

Primary Care: In Your Neighborhood

With locations across Columbus and neighboring suburbs, our primary care locations are just a bus ride or quick drive away.

Accepting New Patients: We are now accepting new patients at several locations, including our new Lincoln Village and Northern Lights Primary Care Centers on the west side and in North Linden. Both locations offer public transportation access and free parking.

Meet Our Team

Our Primary Care Centers are in your neighborhood with expert doctors and nurses who care only for children.

Meet Our Primary Care Team

Resources

Our extensive outreach and support services include asthma education, car seat program, Healthy Start/Healthy Families enrollment, Help Me Grow Program, interpreter services, pregnancy prevention, Reach Out & Read and more. 

Doctor with mother and daughter in exam room, all wearing medical masks

The Importance of Having a Relationship With Your Child's Pediatrician

Find out why seeing a pediatric primary care provider (PCP) - a physician or nurse practitioner who knows your child best - is crucial to your child’s health. 

What to Expect at Your Child's Well-Child Appointment

Kids grow up so quickly and because your child is growing at a fast pace, it’s important to keep an eye on their wellness each year. By scheduling a yearly well-child check, you’re ensuring your child’s health is assessed by a pediatrician you can trust.

myChart

MyChart

Use MyChart to view your Nationwide Children's medical record.

Boy using his laptop in exam room

Telehealth

Telehealth is a safe and secure way to speak with your health care provider for ongoing care. Learn more about telehealth services, including how to prepare for an appointment.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo

Helping Hands

Access our patient education library and view dozens of articles created by our experts.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Photo

CAP4Kids

The Children’s Advocacy Project for Kids (CAP4Kids) offers information on everything from after-school programs and housing to mental health resources and services for kids with special needs.

Smiling young girl in cafeteria

Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition

The Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition offers families a comprehensive approach to weight management. We have programs for both the prevention and treatment of overweight children.

Infant Son Smiling in Dad's Lap

Well Baby Visits

From shots and nutrition to developmental milestones and safety, learn what to expect at your baby's first well visits.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Photo

Reach Out and Read

Give the gift of reading with the Reach Out and Read program. 

Payment

No child will be denied care due to inability to pay for services.

We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid. No child is denied services due to race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, religion, age or sexual orientation. Nationwide Children's has financial assistance programs, including payment based on income (sliding scale), for those who qualify based on family size and income.

For more information, contact Financial Services at (614) 722-2070 or access Financial Services.

Learn About Financial Assistance

Primary Care Network Earns National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care Network has received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced.

Nationwide Children’s achieved Level 3 standards, the highest level of achievement issued by the NCQA. Nationwide Children’s is one of the largest hospital-owned primary care networks in any children’s hospital. Nationwide Children’s is focused on quality patient care and are following best practice standards within a national model of care.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo
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Find a Provider or Service

Need help finding a primary care provider or service at Nationwide Children's? We offer 24/7 chat support.