Impactful Women of the 918: Dr. Erin Grimes

When Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care (TPUC) opened in February 2009, Dr. Erin Grimes was one of five physician owners. Seventeen years later, she is the sole physician owner, continuing to live out TPUC’s mission of providing local families “with quality pediatric medical care when their child’s pediatrician’s office is closed.”

Originally from Pawnee, the mother of three says that one of her favorite sayings is, “Kids aren’t just little adults” — in other words, there’s a genuine need for pediatric-specific care due to children’s unique medical needs and treatment options. And for busy families, having an after-hours pediatric option available makes a world of difference.

“One of the greatest joys of my career has been watching so many of our patients grow up,” says Grimes. “We’ve cared for some children since they were infants, and now we get to see them return as confident, healthy kids and teenagers. Building those lasting relationships with families is truly an honor, and it’s what makes our work so meaningful.”

In addition to her work with TPUC, Grimes loves supporting her kids and family, whether that be as a football or volleyball mom, assistant cheer coach, etc. Grimes and her family also have two goldendoodles and foster doodles as well.

Q&A with Dr. Erin Grimes

Please tell us a little bit about the history of Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care.

Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care opened in February 2009 with a simple mission: to provide families with quality pediatric medical care when their child’s pediatrician’s office is closed.

We opened the doors with 5 physician owners, and I am the only one still there. So, I have worked there for 17 years.

We’d love to learn more about your own background and family.

I am from Pawnee, a small town about one hour west of Tulsa. I attended Oklahoma State University, where I majored in chemistry. I attended the University of Oklahoma for medical school and did my residency training at The Ohio State University in Emergency Medicine. I learned quickly that I loved taking care of children and that I could be a much better physician by focusing on the population I loved taking care of the most!

When my children’s pediatrician approached me about a new concept of an after-hours pediatric urgent care, I jumped at the opportunity and
have been at TPUC ever since.

I have been married to my husband, Brian, for 25 years. We have three children, Jaxson, Raylee, and Peighton. We have two goldendoodles and also foster for an organization called iDOG, which specializes in rehoming doodles. Our family loves to attend sporting events, be at our cabin in Minnesota and attend Life.Church in midtown Tulsa. In my free time, I love to volunteer for school organizations, run and read.

You were nominated because others felt you have an impact on the community in some way. How do you feel that your position impacts the community? Why is that important to you?

At Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care, we are passionate about providing exceptional, pediatric-specific care. One of my favorite things to say is, “Kids aren’t just little adults.” Children have unique illnesses, different disease processes and healthcare needs that require specialized knowledge and experience. Treatments that may be appropriate for adults are often very different for children, which is why pediatric-
focused care is so important.

I genuinely love coming to work each day, meeting the incredible children and families who walk through our doors and helping them feel better. It is a privilege to care for our patients, and I take great pride in knowing that every child treated at our clinic receives the highest quality pediatric care.

I also recognize that accessing healthcare isn’t always easy. For many families, especially working parents, scheduling appointments during traditional office hours can be challenging. I’m grateful that Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care can be a trusted, convenient and dependable resource when families need us most. Knowing we’re here to provide compassionate care during those unexpected moments is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

One of the greatest joys of my career has been watching so many of our patients grow up. We’ve cared for some children since they were infants, and now we get to see them return as confident, healthy kids and teenagers. Building those lasting relationships with families is truly an honor, and it’s what makes our work so meaningful.

What other activities and volunteer work do you enjoy?

My kids are my greatest joy! Family has always been super important to me. So, wherever my kids and family is where I can be found! I have been a class representative for my son during his HS years, the football mom for the team his junior and senior year, the volleyball mom for the last two years while my middle daughter was a junior and senior, and assistant cheer coach for my youngest daughter’s team. I also run the teacher workroom at my kid’s school. This year, I am president of my son’s fraternity’s parent club.

I also love animals. So, we are a foster home for doodles. I love fostering the dogs and then seeing them go to amazing homes.

I am also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower society. This last year I got very into genealogy and traced my families’ lines back all the way to the Mayflower. My great-grandpa also ran in the Oklahoma land run, and that property is in Pawnee, Okla. I’m big on tradition and knowing your roots.

What strengths do you see in Tulsa, and what area(s) do you think need to be improved?

I absolutely love Tulsa and the surrounding communities. I am a small-town girl and Tulsa feels like a big small city. I love begin part of a community that loves its people! Tulsa has grown so much since I moved back after residency in 2006. The Gathering Place, Turkey Mountain and Riverside are some of my favorite places.

The biggest thing that needs to be improved currently is the homeless population and mental health resources. I also wish we would recruit more pediatric specialties to Tulsa.

What are some ways you would encourage others to make an impact on the city?

Volunteering is huge for me. I may not have the money to financially support organizations, but I sure can volunteer my time. I think sometimes the day-in, day-out volunteers are overlooked; but their time is just as important as monetary donations.

Do you have a favorite place to go in Tulsa?

I’ll take a moment to plug Miller Swim School. I am a big advocate of every child learning to swim – it’s a great exercise that can literally save your life. My kids have all done swim school since 6 months of age. It is my favorite place for swim lessons.

I’ll also shout out the Jenks Starbucks for making it feel like a small-town coffee shop. I love going in where they know me. There is something special about building relationships with people in your community.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’ve been reading TulsaKids since my oldest was a baby! I’m honored to be recognized by your magazine!