Jason Junkins - Southern Immediate Care

Cold and flu season is in full swing, and chances are you or someone you know has been to an emergency care clinic. If one of the clinics you have visited is Southern Immediate Care, you have also supported a Cocky Business.

Dr. Jason Junkins (’91) founded Southern Immediate Care in 2017 in Anniston, Alabama—a business that has grown into a successful practice with eleven locations in East and Central Alabama. The Centre, Alabama native wanted to begin his undergraduate education close to home while being able to work, making Jax State the perfect choice.

“Jax State is a university where a student can get a quality education. For students in northeast Alabama, this allows local students who have local roots to stay close to home while attending. In my case, the most unique thing Jax State offered was professors who invested in my education and success.” Dr. Junkins recalls Dr. Fred Gant, his primary chemistry professor and pre-med advisor, taking a personal interest in him and working with him to ensure he was accepted into medical school. “You don’t get that at other universities very often. Thirty-four years later, we remain friends. Jax State was not widely known for pre-med activities at that time. Dr. Gant had created relationships with the medical schools, and although we didn’t have a formal pre-med program, his recommendation went a long way when it came time to apply.”

Dr. Junkins' success was a combination of building great relationships with his professors, working hard in the classroom, and an unwavering dedication to his future. “My favorite experience at Jax State was studying almost every day with my dear friend, Dr. Kevin Lackey. We met at Jax State while doing our pre-med studies and would stay up late at night on campus doing 'chalk talk.' In those days, we didn’t have anything online. We would work through chemistry problems on the boards in the empty classrooms.”

His hard work paid off, and when it did, he did not forget the university that provided his foundation for success. “Shortly after starting practice, I joined the Alumni Association and have a lifetime membership. During COVID, my company, Southern Immediate Care, was honored to be able to support the Athletic Association by working closely together to ensure all the athletes were cleared for competition. Back in the early days of COVID, the rapid tests were not accepted by the NCAA, but our molecular lab was able to assist them in remaining eligible to play. It was nice to be able to have a positive impact during such a difficult time.”

Dr. Junkins' father, as well as two of his children, are also Jax State graduates. “Jax State is a great university with professors who are there to ensure your success. They invest themselves in their students, and you will get a great education in a friendly environment.”

In Northeast Alabama, Southern Immediate Care has two locations in Anniston at 4100 McClellan Blvd. and in the former Stringfellow Emergency Department. They also have offices in Heflin and Attalla. The other locations are in the Birmingham market and can be found by visiting their website, https://southernimmediatecare.com.