Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ground Broken For Local Clinic

About 100 hardy souls endured the sweltering heat Saturday as ground was officially broken for a new health center in Prescott.

Gathered across the street from the defunct Nevada County Hospital, the crowd took advantage of the soft drinks as the temperature soared into the mid 90s, with the humidity at 100 percent.

All, however, were glad to suffer the heat as St. Michael Health Center came one step closer to being a reality, especially with a new doctor moving to Prescott.

Don Beeler, the chief executive officer of St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, welcomed all and thanked them for coming to the event.

Three sisters were sent to the United States in 1866 on a call from their bishop. The Yellow Fever was raging in Galveston, Texas, and the sisters were needed to help battle the epidemic.

Making the trip from France, the Sisters of Mercy ended up establishing a hospital in Texas, along with an orphanage to shelter those children left alone because of the plague.

In 1916, Beeler said, a Texarkana engineer left his fortune of $75,000 to establish a hospital for those who couldn't afford medical care at the time. The Sisters of Mercy were again called upon to help build and run this hospital.

"The journey to today," he said, "began about six months ago, but St. Michael's relationship with Prescott many years ago. Beeler said St. Michael worked with the NCH and people of the area, helping make sure they had proper medical care.

The groundbreaking, he said, marks the beginning of another step in the 130 year tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. "This is the culmination of effort and discussions with area providers, business, industry and leaders."

Beeler was followed by Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor, who expressed his thanks to the Sisters of Mercy and St. Michael, along with Southern Clinic for their help in making this health center a reality.

"It's good to be part of a community that pulls and works together," John Brannan Jr., president of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said. "We were sad when the Nevada County Hospital closed. But this is a new day."

Brannan praised everyone involved for their effort in making this dream come true.

Dr. Randy Schmitt, president of Southern Clinic, also said how proud he and Southern Clinic are to be part of this endeavor. "We were involved in a supportive role," he said, "and your support has been important."

Dr. Schmitt said the clinic has seen many resumes come through for doctors just starting their careers or getting toward the end of their time in service. He told the audience the Prescott-Nevada County area will be getting one of the best qualified doctors in Dr. Alan Fox, who, with his wife, Timi, will be moving to Prescott.

Dr. Fox is in his final year of residency at Duke University. His wife is originally from Prescott.

He said if this project had a theme, it would be "We're all in this together."

"The community owes a debt to several people," Dr. Fox said, "who helped this clinic become a reality.

"It will be getting a top notch facility. The leaders who brought this about have done an impressive job."

Dr. Fox said it was good the planners got involved with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, along with St. Michael and Southern Clinic.

St. Michael, he said, is a non-profit entity interested only in serving people. They believe in providing care for people, Dr. Fox said. "I'm impressed with the effort everyone has put forth."

Southern Clinic, he said, will have several specialists rotating through the new health center to provide a broad range of medical services to people of the area.

Once the speeches were concluded, the serious business began. Shovels were imbedded in the rock-hard ground (which had been turned somewhat) and the dignitaries made all happy by lifting spades filled with dirt to signify the beginning of construction for the new health center.

The Spirit of St. Michael medical van was on hand, with nurses giving blood pressure checks and blood sugar screenings to all who wanted them.

The hospital also had a table set up with free goodies for those visiting. They gave away visors to help combat the sun, pencils, pens and literature.

Sister Damian Murphy opened the ceremonies with a prayer given in a beautiful Irish brogue.

Construction on the facility will soon begin. The clinic will be an estimated 7,000 square foot building on a one-acre site and will cost about $750,000 to build.

Cooper Medical Buildings, a specialty construction company based in Oklahoma City, Okla., will coordinate the building project and serve as general contractor. Local vendors and contractors will be subcontracted for their services.

The clinic will offer primary care services in an ambulatory setting with an on-site lab and X-ray capabilities as well as an area dedicated for the treatment of minor injuries.

In addition, the clinic will be able to provide various occupational testings such as drug screenings, audiograms, pulmonary function testing and stress testing.

Space will be set aside for an urgent care/after hours clinic to accommodate providers who can offer coverage during evening hours and on weekends.

The clinic will employ several medical professionals, including doctors, doctor's assistants and/or nurse practitioners, nursing and other clinical and clerical staff. St. Michael and Southern Clinic will work together on recruiting doctors and other staffers to this area.

An oversight committee will continually review the effectiveness of the new clinic.