Grace Clinic–Dr. Frank Calhoun in Chattanooga: Primary Care with Walk-In Hours

Grace Clinic is a privately-operated primary care medical center in Chattanooga offering general internal medicine, preventive care, and acute illness treatment under Dr. Frank Calhoun's supervision. It functions as both a scheduled-appointment practice and a walk-in facility, positioning it between the availability model of an urgent care and the depth of a traditional primary care office. The clinic occupies a small footprint within Chattanooga's medical landscape, where most residents route routine care through larger health systems or specialty-heavy practices.

What Grace Clinic actually is

Grace Clinic operates as a single-provider medical center rather than a multi-specialty group or urgent care chain. Dr. Frank Calhoun handles patient evaluation and diagnosis, meaning continuity of care depends on his availability rather than rotating providers. The practice accepts established patients and new patients, though new-patient appointment slots fill weeks ahead during flu season and early winter. The walk-in model is genuine: unscheduled patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis during operating hours, not turned away to make urgent-care referrals. This hybrid structure serves patients who need same-day access but lack a regular provider, as well as those with established relationships who can book ahead.

Services offered and typical wait times

Grace Clinic handles blood pressure checks, metabolic screening, basic laboratory work, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, minor wound care, and medication refills. The clinic does not perform complex procedures, imaging, or specialist-level diagnosis. For patients needing X-rays, ultrasound, or advanced testing, Dr. Calhoun refers to affiliated imaging centers or hospital outpatient departments.

Walk-in wait times typically range from 15 to 45 minutes depending on patient volume, with afternoon slots generally shorter than morning hours. Scheduled appointments usually occur within one to three weeks for non-urgent visits. Established patients calling ahead for same-day sick visits have higher priority than true walk-ins.

Pricing information is not published online; the clinic quotes costs by phone or at check-in based on the visit type and services rendered. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare, Medicaid, and common commercial networks. Patients without insurance are encouraged to contact the front desk about self-pay rates before scheduling.

How Grace Clinic compares to Chattanooga alternatives

Chattanooga's primary care landscape divides into three models: hospital-affiliated practices (Erlanger Health, CHI Memorial), independent clinics like Grace Clinic, and urgent-care chains (Medexpress, Urgent Care Now). Hospital-affiliated practices offer broader specialist referral networks and integrated electronic records but often require appointments four to six weeks out and charge facility fees on top of provider fees. Urgent-care chains handle faster intake for acute illness but avoid establishing long-term relationships and do not manage chronic disease or preventive care planning.

Grace Clinic's advantage is the walk-in option paired with continuity: a patient can see the same provider regularly and also drop in acutely without scheduling weeks ahead. The disadvantage is single-provider structure; if Dr. Calhoun is booked solid or unavailable, new-patient wait times stretch longer. For patients with chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension) who need ongoing monitoring and medication adjustment, an affiliated health system practice may offer better access to specialists and lab resources. For acute, isolated illness in someone without a regular provider, urgent care may be faster. Grace Clinic fits the patient who values a consistent relationship with one physician over convenience chains or large-system consolidation.

Who this clinic suits and who it does not

Grace Clinic works best for Chattanooga residents who want a consistent primary care relationship without the appointment delays of major health systems, and who tolerate single-provider staffing. Patients with stable chronic conditions, annual physicals, and medication renewals benefit from the walk-in availability if their scheduled appointment is full. Uninsured patients appreciate transparent pricing conversations without hospital billing complexity.

The clinic does not suit patients requiring complex specialist coordination, frequent hospital referrals, or care continuity when Dr. Calhoun is unavailable. Parents seeking pediatric care should know the clinic is oriented to adults; children and infants are referred elsewhere. Patients expecting same-day advanced imaging or in-house laboratory testing will require outside referrals.

What the first visit involves

New patients arriving for a scheduled appointment receive a check-in packet covering medical history, current medications, and insurance information. The initial visit typically runs 30 to 45 minutes and includes vitals, a physical exam, and discussion of health goals or presenting concerns. Dr. Calhoun orders laboratory work if indicated (blood count, metabolic panel, lipid screening) and discusses preventive care milestones such as vaccinations or cancer screening based on age and risk.

Walk-in first-time patients follow a shorter intake process focused on the acute reason for the visit but do not receive the full preventive assessment. The clinic may suggest scheduling a formal new-patient appointment after the walk-in to complete a full history and preventive plan.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Grace Clinic operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no extended evening or weekend hours. Saturday or after-hours urgent care is not available; patients needing evening or weekend care are directed to urgent-care centers or the Erlanger emergency department. Parking is available in the clinic lot without charge.

Insurance verification is available by phone before arrival. The clinic is located on the east side of Chattanooga; specific address and directions are available through the front desk or online directory.

Grace Clinic fills a deliberate niche in Chattanooga's medical system: continuity-focused primary care without the institutional overhead of a large health system. For patients who prioritize seeing the same doctor and will tolerate longer new-patient waits in exchange for walk-in flexibility, it remains a viable choice.