“(It’s) convenient for (students) being a couple blocks away from campus,” Sparrow spokesman John Tramontana said. “Sparrow wants to be able to get out into the communities.”

Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital is approximately 3 miles from campus — about an 8-minute drive.

The urgent care center was previously located at 2248 Mt. Hope Road, in Okemos, before it moved to its current, larger location.

The nearly two-mile move to the new location is more convenient “not only for students, but people in (the) community,” said Patricia Crowe, a doctor at Sparrow East Lansing.

The building has a lab test facility for patients to receive X-rays and blood tests.

With the deadly cases of flu striking the state of Michigan, Tramontana said flu vaccines also are available at the center, and supplies are stocked daily.

“(We) haven’t been anywhere close to running out,” he said.

Allyson Rogers, health promotion and communications specialist at Olin Health Center, said while Olin’s vision is to be the health and wellness resource for MSU students, they will continue to refer students to other medical venues if needed.

“We’d be more than happy to refer them to another medical facility if we were unable to provide the service necessary,” she said.

Although Olin is just a short walk away for many, students also can turn to Sparrow to treat a cut or get vaccinated against the flu.

“I would prefer to go to the new place,” hospitality business junior Emily Davis said. “It’s more of a trusted name in the area.”

Sparrow East Lansing is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.