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With the rising cost of healthcare coupled with the rising number of uninsured people across America, many are looking for a place to receive quality and cost effective care. On Thursday afternoon, local officials met to celebrate the grand opening of a facility where Springfield residents can receive such care: the new Jordan Valley Health Care Center. KSMU’s Matt Evans reports from Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The interior decor of the new Jordan Valley Community Health Center is cozy and aesthetic. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The Springfield Public School district is organizing the Parents as Teachers Program at the center and will hold individual training in rooms like this one. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The new Jordan Valley Community Health Center has digital x-ray-processing technology to more quickly and efficiently process patients. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

Greene County Libraries Youth Service Coordinator Lori Mangan takes time out from organizing the children's waiting area to describe the library's contributions, including two part-time librarians who will be working with kids at the Center. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

In this room, community members will be taught to cook by local volunteers. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The final touches are being put on the new Jordon Valley Community Health Center. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The Center's Celeste Skidmore brings the tour to the children's waiting area. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The community will be quickly assisted at these nurses' stations. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

The new center has a spacious pharmacy to cater to the needs of its clients. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

New Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Springfield-Greene County WIC Program

This is one of the labs in the new center. (photo credit: Sam Senovich)

The center is located at 440 E. Tampa Street in Springfield, and boasts 50 patient exam rooms and state-of-the-art facilities.

The old center, located on Kearney Street, will remain open through the summer months, but had become too crowded to meet demand. Joining the Jordan Valley Health Center in the new building will be the Springfield-Greene County WIC, or Women Infants and Children program, which sees over 7,000 people each month.

The building welcomes patients with its contemporary design and modern waiting rooms. Tim Shryak is the director of operations for Jordan Valley Community Health Center.

“I think people will be amazed at how beautiful it is. We tried to make it a very patient centered building so that patients who do come to Jordan Valley will be proud of the place they call their medical home,” said Shryak.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, many community leaders spoke about the great need for such a center. In attendance were Missouri State Senator Jack Goodman and Missouri State Representative Sarah Lampe, along with U.S. Senator Kit Bond.

The building is slated to begin its operations next Monday.

For KSMU News, I’m Matt Evans.
 

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