NEWS

Chiricahua Opens Permanent Chiricahua Willcox Clinic, Expanding Access to Care in Eastern Cochise County

The Chiricahua Willcox Clinic officially opened on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, fulfilling a long-standing commitment to expand access to primary care in Willcox, Arizona.

For more than two decades, Chiricahua has served the Willcox community through medical and dental mobile clinics, beginning in 2003. The opening of this new fixed-site clinic marks a major step forward, allowing Chiricahua to provide consistent, comprehensive care not only to Willcox residents, but also to individuals and families from surrounding communities including Cochise, Bowie, San Simon, and Sunsites.

Meeting a Documented Need for Care

In 2024 alone, Chiricahua served 1,693 adult patients through more than 3,000 visits using mobile clinics in the Willcox area. Despite this effort, significant unmet health needs remained:

• 24 percent of adults reported having no usual source of medical care
• 12 percent delayed or avoided care due to cost
• 48 percent had not received dental care in the past year

The new Willcox Clinic directly addresses these gaps by providing a permanent, accessible location for primary care services for patients of all ages.

A Community-Driven Partnership

The establishment of the Willcox Clinic was made possible through a strong partnership of public and private support. Chiricahua was able to purchase the property with funding from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Construction and development of the clinic building were supported by the Del E. Webb Foundation, while medical equipment was funded by the Arizona Community Foundation along with other private philanthropic partners.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving health outcomes in rural and border communities.

Supporting Care for the Uninsured

In addition to opening the Willcox Clinic, Chiricahua Health Foundation recently announced the receipt of a $250,000 Uncompensated Care Grant from the General Board of Global Ministries, an agency of the United Methodist Church. This funding will support Chiricahua Community Health Centers as they continue advancing their vision of Health for All in southern Arizona.

Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Chiricahua patients without health insurance increased by 208 percent, including a 219 percent increase among children. In 2024, Chiricahua served 35,829 individuals, including 8,582 patients without insurance coverage. This grant will help offset the growing burden of uncompensated care and ensure patients can continue receiving services regardless of ability to pay.

As the largest provider of primary care in Cochise County, Chiricahua is mandated to serve all patients, regardless of insurance status. With a culturally inclusive workforce already embedded throughout the region, Chiricahua is well positioned to meet both current and emerging healthcare needs.

Dennis Walto, Executive Director of the Chiricahua Health Foundation, shared, “At Chiricahua, Health for All is more than a slogan. It is a promise. This support enables us to continue welcoming those who have lost insurance or cannot afford coverage, and to keep our doors open to everyone who needs care.”