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State officials came together this morning in Springfield, to announce the renovation of a building that developers say will provide inexpensive healthcare for Springfield residents. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.
Senator Kit Bond, along with state legislators and representatives from Jordan Valley Community Health Center announced the renovation of the L.E. Cox Building into a new community health center.
The building, located on 440 East Tampa, will be transformed into a new primary medical care center for both adults and children.
The Tampa Clinic will replace the current Jordan Valley Medical Clinic on West Kearney.
Kyle McClure is the Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy for City Utilities of Springfield.
He says the Tampa Clinic will provide services such as pediatric care, eye care, outpatient procedures and immunizations.
"This building is centrally located and is going to be a key to the Jordan Valley Health Center. It's going to really create a campus atmosphere and the building itself is 40,000 square feet that initially will be renovated with an additional 30,000 square feet that will be renovated at a later phase," McClure said.
The Tampa Clinic will have 50 examination rooms, including rooms for dental procedures.
Also, the new clinic will be home to the Women, Infants and Children or WIC program.
Senator Bond says the new clinic will help physicians serve more people, which, in turn will help serve the needs of the community.
"Mothers with small children, elderly people with diabetes and other problems, people with mental health problems, children with dental care are going to get the care they need here at Jordan Valley and the great thing is with this new facility you and I can look forward to many more good things to come," Bond said.
The new Jordan Valley Community Health Center is expected to open August 7th, 2009.
For KSMU News, I'm Kristian Kriner.