Douglas Dispatch – CCHCI Holds Grand Re-Opening

Chiricahua began serving the Douglas community in 2001 working out of what is now their administrative building. They expanded in 2005 to their current location in what was the old Sears building at one time. They expanded again in 2011 with the addition of the Pediatric Center on 15th Street.

“Of Chiricahua’s 275 employees, 53 spend all or some of their time serving our community in this building,” Dr. Melk said. “Of the nearly 7,000 patients currently being cared for in this building, nearly 3,000 do not have insurance and rely on our team to provide access to health care.”

Dr. Melk introduced four new physicians, Dr. Garcia, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Gil and Dr. Perez who join an existing team of providers who have proven to be truly committed to the mission of the Ginger Ryan Clinic.

The CEO also talked about the dental services that are available staffed by Dr. Fragoso and Ninive Quijada and announced they have recently added a radiology suite with state of the art radiology equipment with the lowest possible radiation dose. He also took time to recognize his maintenance crew of Sam Nieblas, Daniel Barraza, Anthony Gonzalez, Francisco Laborin, Fausto Rios, Miguel Jimenez, Gene Trujillo and Billy Garcia.

“This team has worked day and night to transform this health center into a beautiful facility where every person will feel as important as they are,” Dr. Melk said. “We are very happy to have found a home to grow our adult, women’s health and dental program here in Douglas, and to invest in our community. We are also very pleased to have beautified this facility to the benefit of all.”

Former CEO Ginger Ryan was also on hand for the event and did the actual ribbon cutting when the time came. She made a point to tell the staff how much she misses them and is so proud when, at the Farmers Market in Bisbee, she has people come up to her and tell her about the wonderful care they received at her clinic in Douglas.

“What many of you may or may not know is that Douglas saved Chiricahua,” she said. “The community as a hole saved this clinic. It would not exist today without it.”

Ryan explained the hardships Chiricahua encountered when it opened and the Arizona Legislature passed Prop 204 which raised the financial eligibility for access 33 and a third percent to 100 percent.

“It was nearly a wonderful thing for everybody, not so much a clinic out in Elfrida,’ she said. “Prior to that happening people who were uninsured were driving to Elfrida to get their health care.”

The staff cut corner as much as possible cleaning the facility themselves, management all took a cut in salary. Instead of closing the Elfrida facility the board of directors opted to expand and locate a small office in Douglas with one doctor who was promptly deployed to Iraq.

“This community came around and supported Chiricahua and the rest is history,” she said. “Thank you Douglas and all the people here because you truly did save Chiricahua. … I’m so proud of all of you and the wonderful work that you do.”