Prisma Health has announced an agreement to acquire 36 urgent care locations across South Carolina from Novant Health, a deal that includes roughly 500 team members and is expected to close on Nov. 1, 2026. The clinics, formerly operated under the Doctors Care name, are set to transition to the Prisma Health Urgent Care brand once the sale is finalized.
The announcement came Thursday, according to Live 5 News, which reported that patient care will continue without interruption during the ownership change. Patients will maintain access to walk-in and virtual visits, lab work, X-rays and respiratory testing, along with ties to Prisma Health's primary, specialty and hospital-based care, according to the same report — also reported by Greenville Business Magazine.
The vast majority of clinics are expected to remain open at their current sites, though Live 5 News reports a small number could be consolidated into nearby locations. Prisma Health plans to retain urgent care staff throughout the transition and will offer positions at neighboring clinics to workers affected by potential consolidations, per the station's report.
Leadership Frames the Deal as an Access Expansion
Dr. Jonathan Gleason said access to timely, high-quality care is essential to the health of local communities. He added that adding the clinics will expand Prisma Health's services across South Carolina and strengthen connections between same-day care and the system's providers, specialists and hospitals.
Following the close, expected November 1, 2026, the centers will operate under Prisma Health Urgent Care. Current patients will continue to receive care without interruption during the transition.
Steven Celestina said the transitioning team members bring extensive experience and a shared commitment to putting patients first. He added that their dedication will help ensure patients continue receiving compassionate, high-quality care as the clinics change hands.
Part of a Broader Pattern of Growth in SC Health Care
Novant Health has owned more than 50 urgent care centers across South Carolina, according to Columbia Business Monthly, which notes that health systems statewide are expanding facilities and services amid rapid population growth from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. The outlet points to other recent moves in the sector, including AnMed Urgent Care's opening of a new center on Laurens Road in Greenville that includes X-ray and lab services.
Novant Health's urgent care footprint has also drawn interest from real estate investors. Four Corners Property Trust announced in July 2025 that it had acquired six Novant Health urgent care properties in South Carolina for $12.0 million, according to a release from Business Wire. Those six properties are corporate-operated under long-term triple-net leases, the release states.
The transaction is expected to expand access to Prisma Health's network services across South Carolina, though other reporting has characterized it as an agreement to acquire pending the Nov. 1 close. For now, patients at the 36 affected clinics are being told to expect business as usual — same services, same buildings in most cases, just a new name on the door.
