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High Quality Care in a

Convenient Environment

We founded Physicians Premier ER in Corpus Christi as a freestanding emergency room where patients could receive immediate care that was both high-quality and convenient. Time is crucial when it comes to critical health issues, but at most emergency departments, patients can become lost in the shuffle, forced to wait in long lines and receive lackluster care. Here, our team makes every minute count.

Upon entering our facility, you’ll quickly find that delays are a thing of the past. Patients are seen and assessed immediately upon walking in, and you’ll be sure to enjoy our calm, comfortable environment as we do our work. Our board-certified physicians and skilled nurses will make sure you receive the help you need as quickly as possible, and our advanced technology (including EKGs, CT scans, digital X-rays, ultrasounds, and more) will help to make the process that much smoother, saving you valuable time. You’ll find that you truly are in the best of both worlds – a skilled and upscale environment that avoids the common pitfalls and inconveniences of hospital-based ERs.

With a wide array of services at our disposal, our professionals are able to treat both adults and children for virtually any emergency issue you could come up with. From the flu to broken bones to burns, we have the experience and skills needed to understand and diagnose your symptoms properly. Plus, if our physicians determine that you or your family member requires the services of a hospital, we can immediately arrange a transfer and coordinate with surgeons to ensure you get the treatment you need. We want to provide you and your family with the excellent and attentive emergency care.

Our Mission

Our Mission

Physicians Premier Emergency Room is dedicated to providing the most efficient, compassionate, and patient centered emergency care.

Our Vision

Physicians Premier Emergency Room envisions being the most respected, highest quality emergency care provider in the region.

Core Values

Compassion, Integrity, Clinical Excellence

Learn the Vital Differences between Our ER, A Hospital Emergency Room, and an Urgent Care Center

At each Physicians Premier ER location, our team is dedicated to providing emergency care that’s skilled, speedy, and always infused with excellence. What exactly separates us from urgent care clinics and hospital-based emergency rooms, though? Take a look at the table below and learn about the qualities that truly set us apart.

Features/Procedures Physicians PremierHospital ERUrgent Care Clinic
Treats lacerations, sprains, bruises, etc Yes Yes Yes
Treats chest pain/heart attack Yes Yes No
Treats abdominal pain Yes Yes No
Treats respiratory distress Yes Yes No
CT scanners and digital X-rays for head injuries, chest pain, broken bones, etc Yes Yes No
EKG and cardiac enzyme analysis Yes Yes No
Ultrasound Yes Yes No
Cardiac onsite lab tests Yes Yes No
Transfer arrangements with nearby hospital if needed Yes Yes No
Streamlined billing Yes No No
Drastically reduced wait time Yes No No
Immediate access to board-certified physicians Yes No No
Fully certified Laboratory for quick results/diagnosis Yes No No
Easy and convenient billing Yes No No

Physicians Premier

Managing Partners

DR. DAVID KENYON

MD
Dr. Paul David Kenyon grew up in Amarillo. He earned his undergraduate degree at Texas A & M University in College Station and studied a year abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 1989 earning a medical degree and went on to complete a residenc...
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DR. LONNIE SCHWIRTLICH

MD
Board certified in Emergency Medicine since 1987 and practicing Emergency medicine since 1980 after he Graduated from medical school and ER training at Baylor College of Medicine. He was born and raised in Corpus Christi where he enjoys Surfing, Boating, Fishing, Diving, hunting, Back Packing/Campin...
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DR. CHRISTOPHER KWON

MD
Dr. Kwon grew up in Maryland. He obtained his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University in biomedical engineering and earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN....
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DR. MARTIN GRIEME

MD
Martin Grieme, M.D., grew up in Springfield, Illinois.  He earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University and then attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He attended residency at Memorial Medical Center in Corpus Christi and bega...
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DR. JARED SHAHAN

MD
Raised in South Texas and excited to be back in his home state. Dr. Shahan received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2000 and attained his medical degree from Texas Tech University in 2005. He attended residency at Spokane Family Medicine, Rural Training Track in Spokane and...
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Our CEO

TERI MOFFITT CARDENAS

Teri has spent her 30+ year medical career listening to patients, listening to her community, listening to employees and listening to doctors to transform care through a hardcore commitment to compassion, quality, transparency, and serious service.

Our Doctors

Our Doctors are highly experience emergency care physicians and also the owner/operators of Physicians Premier ER. We think its a good thing to have owners who are experienced in ER medicine and maintain credentials to deliver expert ER services firsthand. All Physicians Premier ER doctors are board certified.

Frequently Asked Questions

A freestanding emergency room is a full service, state-licensed, and 24/7 emergency room that, as its name implies, is not directly connected to a hospital. It offers essentially the same services and functions, but with dramatically reduced wait times and a much more comfortable setting than traditional ERs.

Not at all! We offer virtually the same rates as traditional hospital-based ERs. However, we provide a distinct advantage to patients in that we avoid the overhead and sway of extra administrators associated with those ERs. Because of that, are able to streamline services much more effectively and with a convenient, personal touch attached. You’ll be amazed to see how much of a difference it makes!

Take a look at our comparison chart to learn the answer! You can easily compare our services with those offered at traditional clinics and hospital ERs and make an informed decision concerning which one would best suit your needs.

Defining what an emergency is isn’t up to our team – it’s up to you, the patient. If you feel you are experiencing a health emergency, don’t hesitate to visit our Corpus Christi location at once. You know your body better than anyone else, and we’ll be happy to provide any treatment or diagnoses you need so that you can return to your life with renewed confidence and vigor.

Of course! We treat patients of all ages.

No! Just come straight to our Corpus Christi location and we’ll be happy to provide immediate assistance and treatment.

It’s not a problem at all. We can arrange an immediate transfer and coordinate with the doctors and surgeons there so that you can be sure to receive the care you need in the quickest timeframe possible.

You’re probably used to the long lines and tedious processes at traditional clinics and hospital ERs. We’re happy to break the news to you that at Physicians Premier ER, there’s no waiting required! As soon as you come in, we’ll assess your condition and gather all the important information we need so we can start arranging your treatment. You’ll be amazed by how quick the process is.

We accept all private insurance plans, including Aetna, Humana, Cigna, BlueCross/BlueShield, and several others. We also take cash and all major credit cards.

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