Chiricahua operates primarily on a health service ethic which is nearly the universal ethic of individuals who decide to pursue a career in medicine. Chiricahua see to patient's access to quality health care with: ensuring there are appointments times 7 days a week, including holidays; no patient will ever be turned down regardless of insurance or capacity to pay; there are mobile clinics to promote health on site where its needed; providing health services throughout the entire of Cochise County; and Chiricahua promotes evidence based medical practice, an integration of best research evidence, provider's clinical expertise, and the individual patient's values and preferences.
Chiricahua has inspiring and innovative leadership in Drs. Jonathan and Darlene Melk. The people make Chiricahua a very productive, rapidly growing organization have joie de vivre! As a health company, Chiricahua has sound business ethics, promotes a healthy and just work environment, complies with state and federal health organizational operational standards, and has state-of-the-art electronic/technological systems and support.
Dr. Rita Kilgore joined Chiricahua Community Health Center, Inc. in July 2017. She was previously a full time staff pediatrician with CIGNA Medical Group from 1995 thru April 2017, serving in pediatric offices in Phoenix and Scottsdale. She was previously affiliated with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Banner Samaritan Hospitals at NW and Central Phoenix.
Dr. Kilgore started medical practice in the Philippines in 1982 until she emigrated to the United States, initially residing in San Diego, CA. She took on administrative positions at Scripps’ Clinic Torrey Pines while attending the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University and raising a young family with her husband. She later joined the Pediatric Oncology Group at UCSD Medical Center as a Research Data Manager. In 1991, she elected to complete a pediatric residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. She has since live and practiced in Arizona.
Dr. Kilgore enjoys seeing children of all ages, from birth thru teen years. She believes that good health is everyone’s birthright, and a lifelong personal responsibility that can be easily learned and nurtured. She takes great pleasure in guiding and empowering families in the promotion of their children’s health, against the background of the family’s unique circumstances, cultural values and strengths. She trusts and relies on parents’ judgement and instincts. She also sees to it that the child or teen participates in the health visit in the exam room.
Professional School
BS Zoology (1977)
University of the Phillippines
Diliman, Manila Philippines
MD(1981)
University of the East RM Memorial Medical Center
Manila, Phillippines
Graduate School of Public Health, Epidemiology (1989)
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
Residency Training
Pediatric Residency (1991-1994)
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Children’s Health Center
Phoenix, AZ
Board Certification
American Board of Pediatrics (Initial 1996, Re-certification 2016)
Affiliation
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Patients Seen
Birth thru 17 years
335 S. Ocotillo Ave, Benson, AZ 85602
520-586-4040
335 S. Ocotillo Ave.
Benson, AZ 85602
520-586-4699
108 Arizona Street
Bisbee, AZ 85603
520-432-3309
307 Arizona Street
Bisbee, AZ 85603
520-432-4660
815 15th Street,
Douglas, AZ 85607
520-364-5437
1111 F Avenue
Douglas, AZ 85607
520-364-6860
155 Calle Portal Suite 300
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-3011
155 Calle Portal, Suite 700
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-0203
4755 Campus Dr. Sierra Vista, Az
155 Calle Portal Suite 600
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-515-8678
520-432-3309
To Mail a Payment:
PO BOX 845659
Los Angeles, CA 90084-5659
(520) 276-0085