FLAGSTAFF, AZ– Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) officials of Tuba City, Arizona have announced plans to open a new clinic aimed at providing Native American beneficiaries with primary health care this March 2010. The new facility will be known as Sacred Peaks Health Center (SPHC) located at 3480 East Route 66 in the Parks Santa Fe Shopping Center.
TCRHCC is responsible for the health care needs of the Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Paiutes beneficiaries living in the Flagstaff area. The new facility is part of an effort by the TCRHCC to provide more local care to these tribal members and other Native American tribes living in the community. “The 10,000 square-foot health facility represents a major investment in improving our ability to provide direct medical services for the organization and Flagstaff’s Native American community,” said Joe Engelken, Chief Executive Officer of TCRHCC.
Drawing from 6000-square miles, TCRHCC’s treats residents across the Western Navajo Nation and adjacent communities including Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Southern Paiutes beneficiaries. Because patient needs and visits are growing at approximately 10% per year, this is twice the over-all U.S. growth rate, and it makes sense to provide a home clinic in Flagstaff.
“Currently, there is a major shortage of beneficiary health services for Native Americans in Flagstaff,” Engelken said. This means patients without insurance must pay out of pocket or consider traveling to a reservation facility, 45-80 miles one way. Even patients with insurance receiving primary care will most likely pay copayments in addition to what insurance covers.
There are many burdens for patients who must travel to the reservation for health care. They must have gas money, transportation and more time off from work is required.
To help better serve our patients who cannot afford insurance or travel to the Navajo Reservation, SPHC services will be based locally in Flagstaff. SPHC will offer non-urgent services for Native American Beneficiaries. New patients will need to schedule an appointment before making a visit to the doctor at SPHC.
SPHC also hopes to attract Native American students living away from home enrolled in two-year college or four-year university programs. Indeed, Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff has more than 1,300 Native American students representing over fifty tribes and is one of the largest enrollments of Native American students of any four-year university in the U.S.
SPHC will provide services by appointment for patients, but same-day appointments can be scheduled if slots are available. In addition to routine and non-urgent primary care, SPHC will also provide services in physical therapy, radiology and pharmacy.
SPHC will provide services for beneficiaries as well as accept private insurance plans, including Medicare, and self pay.
SPHC will be open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, please call our office as far in advance as possible. This will make it easier to choose times that are most convenient for you. The number is (928) 863-7333.
The SPHC plans to host an Open House for the new facility in March 2010.
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