Pittsburgh Health Systems Prepare Pop-Up Clinics for NFL Draft Crowds

AHN and UPMC will provide on-site medical care to ensure emergency rooms can focus on critical cases.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:19pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal components of a first aid kit, including bandages, medical supplies, and other tools needed to provide on-site emergency care, conceptually representing the temporary pop-up clinics set up for the NFL Draft.Temporary pop-up clinics will provide essential medical resources to NFL Draft crowds, ensuring the city's emergency rooms can focus on more serious cases.Today in Pittsburgh

With the highly anticipated 2026 NFL Draft taking place in Pittsburgh, local health care providers Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and UPMC are preparing to offer pop-up medical clinics to handle non-emergency situations and ensure emergency rooms can focus on critical cases. AHN will have a mobile clinic stocked with first aid supplies in Market Square, while UPMC will have pop-up care sites in Market Square and Point State Park.

Why it matters

The influx of thousands of NFL draft attendees in Pittsburgh's downtown area is expected to strain the city's medical resources. By setting up temporary clinics near the main event sites, AHN and UPMC aim to provide convenient care for minor injuries and illnesses, freeing up emergency rooms to focus on more serious cases and prevent the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

The details

AHN's mobile clinic will be able to treat minor issues like cuts, scrapes, dehydration, and illnesses, and can refer patients to the nearby AHN Downtown Express Clinic if further treatment is needed. UPMC will also have pop-up care sites in Market Square and Point State Park. Both health systems are closely coordinating with Pittsburgh EMS, which will have additional motorcycle and bicycle units to navigate the crowds.

  • The AHN downtown clinic will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. next Wednesday through Saturday.
  • The UPMC pop-up sites will be open next Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The players

Allegheny Health Network (AHN)

A major healthcare provider in the Pittsburgh region, operating hospitals, outpatient clinics, and mobile medical units.

UPMC

A large nonprofit health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, operating hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities across the region.

Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher

Chair of AHN's Department of Family Medicine, overseeing the deployment of the health system's mobile clinic for the NFL Draft.

Dr. Donald Yealy

Chief Medical Officer at UPMC, coordinating the health system's pop-up care sites for the event.

Jennifer McDermott-Grub

Assistant Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, discussing the measures being taken by first responders to support the NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“We need our ERs to be full of the right folks who truly need their emergency services.”

— Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher, Chair of AHN's Department of Family Medicine

“They've been part of the planning with us. This is a team effort.”

— Dr. Donald Yealy, Chief Medical Officer at UPMC

“We have taken deliberate steps to ensure this event is supported without disrupting normal emergency and public safety services.”

— Jennifer McDermott-Grub, Assistant Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services

What’s next

The pop-up clinics and additional emergency response measures will be closely monitored during the NFL Draft to ensure they are effectively meeting the medical needs of attendees and the broader Pittsburgh community.

The takeaway

By proactively setting up temporary medical facilities near the NFL Draft sites, Pittsburgh's healthcare systems are demonstrating their commitment to public safety and ensuring the city's emergency resources can focus on the most critical cases during this major event.