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Medical Group

Catawba Valley Urgent Care

– Piedmont

Call: (828) 431-4955

Catawba Valley Urgent Care – Piedmontmap
2972 North Center Street | Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: (828) 431-4955
Fax: (828) 431-4959

Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday: 8am – 8pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Online appointments available, walk-ins still welcome – Now accepting all forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.

Dr. James Goforth, Dr. Charles McKaraher and Physician Assistant Michael Brashear come to you with a combined 50+ years of experience. The top priority of our providers and staff is to give each patient the highest quality of urgent care available. We provide extended office hours and we are open 7 days a week. You will have less wait times than an emergency room visit. No appointment is necessary. However, we are pleased to announce you can now make appointments online*!

*Please note that online appointments are for non-emergency illnesses or injuries. If your condition is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Special Services Provided in Our Office:

  • Colds & Sore Throats
  • Bronchitis
  • Flu
  • Lacerations
  • Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
  • Bone Fractures
  • Sports Injuries
  • Sports Physicals
  • Workman’s Compensation
  • Asthma
  • Urinary Tract Infection
  • Upper Respiratory Infection
  • Eye Infection or Minor Injuries
  • Skin Infection
  • Gastrointestinal Illness
  • Migraines
  • Onsite X-ray & Laboratory Services

Catawba Valley Urgent Care – Piedmont utilizes an Advanced Care Team model. Our Advanced Care Team members include:

  • Pharmacist
  • Social Worker
  • Case Manager/Care Coordination

Urgent Care Registration Packet

Reserve Your Place in Line in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Choose the Reserve Your Place in Line button below to select a convenient appointment time for today or tomorrow. If you do not see a time that is convenient for you, please call us at (828) 431-4955.
  2. Complete the secure questionnaire on the following page. If you have an account already with Catawba Valley Medical Group Patient Portal, please login on this screen, with your patient portal username and password. Bring your photo ID and primary/secondary insurance cards to your appointment to ensure your claim is processed properly.
  3. If you are reserving your appointment without using your portal login, you must enter a valid phone number in order to verify your appointment via text message or automated call back. Your appointment is not verified until you receive a text or automated call containing a verification code and have entered that code on your online form. Be sure to keep your appointment form open in your browser until you have entered this code. If you do not immediately receive a text or automated call or have any questions, call (828) 431-4955.

Ready to get started? Click the button below to reserve your place in line.

Reserve My Place in Line

Our Providers

James Goforth, MD

portraitDr. James Goforth was born and raised in Greenville, SC. He graduated from Clemson University, then went on to attend the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for his Doctor of Medicine degree. He returned to Greenville, SC for an internship residency in Internal Medicine at Greenville Memorial Hospital. He has board certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine, as well as a Board Certification in Emergency Medicine. He has practiced Emergency Medicine since residency in Charlotte, Mooresville and Hickory hospital based Emergency Departments. He has also practiced Urgent Care medicine for 15 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, plus watching their sports and activities. He enjoys jogging with his dog, exercise and sports, plus Christian activities.

Charles McKaraher, MD

portraitDr. Charles McKaraher received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. He completed his internship and residency at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. McKaraher has practiced both Emergency and Urgent Care medicine in the Hickory area for almost 23 years. Some of his main interests include EMS and Operational/Tactical Medicine. He is the medical director for Catawba County EMS and is also a volunteer with the Hickory Police Department.


Michael Brashear PA-C

portraitMike Brasher is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University. He attended the Physician Assistant Program at Bowman Gray School of Medicine/Wake Forest. He has been practicing medicine in the Hickory area for 18 years. His first years out of school were spent working in emergency medicine. Mike has spent the last 14 1/2 years at Piedmont Urgent Care (now CVUC Piedmont). He and his wife Heather have a son, Harrison, and a daughter, Madison. Mike and his family live locally and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Mike’s hobbies include anything outdoors.