MADERA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (KFSN) — Madera County opened a medical facility.
Camarena Health now has 20 locations throughout the valley, the latest being located just off Highway 41 in Tesoro Viejo.
It’s a welcome addition after the county’s only hospital and the clinics it operates were all closed earlier this month.
Paulo Soares, chief executive of Camarena Health, said: “This is open to everyone and anyone who needs medical services and is welcome to come here for services.”
The new facility is located in the heart of the residential development, next to The Hub Welcome Centre.
The community will have nearly 5,200 homes when complete.
Soares said they chose the position because they saw a need.
“We’re always looking at opportunities where there’s growth, where there’s so much population that there’s really no immediate access to health care, and how we can fill that gap,” Soares said.
The Wellness Center offers medical, dental, behavioral health and wellness education.
Unlike the others, this one includes a gym and practice rooms for yoga classes, among other things.
Robert McCaffrey, chief executive of Tesoro Viejo, said Camarena Health came up with the idea of setting up a store there, and he agreed.
“This facility is the perfect addition to our town center because it supports health and wellness, which is the cornerstone of the Tesoro Viejo community,” McCaffrey said.
Earlier this month, Madera County’s only hospital closed after a planned sale fell through.
Residents must now travel to Merced or Fresno for urgent care.
While Camarena Health is not an emergency facility, County Supervisor Rob Poythress said people still need preventive care and believes the new location will be popular.
“Access to health care is really important, especially at a moderate, preventable level,” Poythress said.
Camarena Health says the ultimate goal is to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
“We really want to contribute to a healthier community,” Suarez said.
Patient appointments will begin on February 6th.
The facility is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours may be extended for group fitness classes and health education classes.
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