The 1930s were a pivotal time in the health of children. Sulfa drugs were in limited use and antibiotics had not been invented. Many childhood illnesses- measles, mumps, diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio- were common and had devastating effects on the health of children. It was in this challenging time that Dr. James C. Overall opened his pediatric practice. As a solo-physician practitioner, he established a tradition of excellence in pediatric patient care that continues more than 70 years later.
In response to the pressures of his successful practice, in the late 1930's, Dr. Joe M. Strayhorn joined Dr. Overall in partnership that lasted 35 years. Originally located in the Bennie Dillon Building downtown, the practice relocated to 1924 Church St. and finally settled in its current home at 5819 Old Harding Rd. In 1974. Growing demand for the excellence in pediatric care led to the establishment of a Bellevue clinic office at 7640 Hwy. 70 South in 1987.
Since the days when Dr. Strayhorn and Dr. Overall got their start, new medical developments have improved the lives of children. Routine immunizations prevent many childhood illnesses. Enhanced diagnostic techniques make early diagnosis of illnesses faster and more accurate.
In this environment of expanding care, Old Harding Pediatric Associates has added new physicians. These physicians share Dr. Overall's original vision for quality, state-of-the-art pediatric care that consistently seeks new opportunities to improve the health of children.
As university hospital-trained, board certified pediatricians, physicians of Old Harding Pediatric Associates stay abreast of new research trends, and emerging clinical developments through continuing medical education. Many members of the practice have faculty appointments to Vanderbilt Medical School. This allows them to play a active role in the education of the next generation of pediatricians while concurrently bringing to their fellow physicians at Old Harding Pediatric Associates immediate access to recent medical trends in the treatment of children and adolescents.
For the convenience of patients, OHPA has offices in three locations.
» The Old Harding Road Office is located at 5819 Old Harding Road. View map
Office hours are:
9 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Night Clinic Hours available for emergenices
By Appointment starting at 9 a.m. - Saturday
By Appointment starting at 10 a.m. - Sunday
Lab hours:
Old Harding Rd location: 9-11:30 a.m. / 1-5 p.m.
Bellevue location: 9-11:30/1-4:30
» The Bellevue Office is located at 7640 Hwy. 70 S. View map
Office hours are:
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Friday
Lab hours are:
9-11 a.m. / 1-4:30 p.m.
» The Ashland City Office is located at 102 Boyd Street. View map
Office Hours are:
Tuesday afternoons - Dr. John Long
Friday mornings - Dr. James Keffer
Calls for same-day appointments are taken beginning at 7 a.m. Monday - Friday. Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m.
Clinic-352-2990
FAX - 352-5071 (Old Harding Road Office)
FAX - 646-8183 (Bellevue)
FAX - 352-9085 (Business Office)
Patients from either office may be seen in the Old Harding Road office at night and on weekends.
You may reach both offices by calling 352-2990.
To ensure callers get the help they need promptly, our telephone operator will ask whether you are calling for an appointment or for advice. Our staff strives to answer and direct your calls to the correct resource as quickly as possible. Sometimes, this may mean non-emergency calls are placed on hold.
Rest assured, we will take your call as quickly as possible and make every effort to provide you with the assistance you and your child need. If your child awakens with a non-emergency illness, it is not necessary to call our office first thing in the morning. A call an hour or two after our office has opened may be answered more quickly and still allows, when needed, for scheduling an appointment for the same day.
For an Appointment
Our physicians see children and adolescents by appointment for:
- Well-Child visits
- Office Visits
- Return visits for follow-up care on a specific illness or condition
- Consultations
Please plan well in advance when scheduling well-child visits. It is your responsibility to supply the appropriate paperwork for the doctor to complete for school, sports, and camp physicals.
You usually will be able to schedule an appointment with your child's regular physician. If your regular physician is unavailable on the day your are seeking an appointment, you have the option of bringing your child to see another available physician within our practice.
For a Consultation
If you feel an extended discussion is needed to address a serious concern about your child, please call in advance. Consultations with the doctor can be arranged with the nursing staff. There is a charge for this service.
For Advice
Calls for advice are taken by a medical assistant trained to help you with routine information and to answer non-emergency questions. You can help this process go more smoothly by having on hand a pencil and paper to take notes and also the name and telephone number of your pharmacy. There is no charge for advice calls.
Our goal is to respond to your call as quickly as possible. If your call must be handled by a physician or the doctor's nurse, advice staff will take a detailed message. Your physician or the nurse will return your call as time permits.
For Prescription Refills
Please plan ahead and call our Advice Desk during regular office hours for refills. Be prepared by having the name, dosage level, and frequency taken of the drug you need refilled. Also, have the telephone number of your pharmacy. Prescriptions for new medication are not given over the telephone.
In an Emergency
Urgent calls requiring the attention of a physician are returned as soon as possible; emergency calls are handled immediately; However, if your child is experiencing a life threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
In a non-life-threatening emergency, you can assist us in responding rapidly by letting the operator know you are calling us about an emergency and supplying the patient's name and age, the chart name, the patients doctor, and the nature of the emergency. You may call 352-3504 if you need immediate attention.
After-Hours Calls
After 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, clinic lines are forwarded to
an answering service. At this time your calls are handled by Vanderbilt Nurse
Triage. They will try to help you with your situation. A physician is on call
for the practice to handle any emergencies.
Calls regarding routine medical matters and prescription refills should be handled during regular business hours.
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