PRESENTATION: BRINGING MEDICAL CARE TO CAMBRIA
Janet Meyers introduced our speakers, Dr. Laurie Moyer-Mileur, a Registered Dietician and research professor at University of Utah School of Medicine and Barbara Bronson Gray, Vice President of Cambria Community Healthcare District, registered nurse and managing editor at WebMd, among other accomplishments.
Laurie began by telling us that she is legally blind (then proceeded in telling a few blind jokes (we need this lady in Rotary) and was recently approved for a guide dog. She explained that the process of getting medical care to Cambria was a 6-step process:
#1 Define the need: It was determined that Cambria, San Simeon and the surrounding area are medically underserved. For our population of 7500 people 4-6 full-time caregivers are needed. 80% of respondents to a survey on healthcare said more options are needed.
#2 Options Available to Meet Needs: When the Community Health Center was approached about providing more medical personnel, the result was actually a decrease of 2 doctors. Dr. Gong only works 4 days a week and Dr. Dave Griffith provides house call services only for severely ill, immobile patients. So we reached out to Tenet and Dignity Health.
#3 Infrastructure: Tenet agreed to provide services but needed space. First Physicians Partners signed a lease with John & Renee Linn for the full downstairs portion of the medical building on Main St.
Permits have been pulled and a September opening is planned.
#4 Expect Resistance: Barbara told us they were surprised when they met with resistance, saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. She told us of someone who actually contacted First Physicians Partners urging them not to come to Cambria.
#5 Expect Problems: The original site selected for a medical facility was the old Heritage Oaks building but that did not work out. After signing the Lease with the Linn’s, the permit process was held up due to a new computer system slowing down the process.
#6 Communication: It is important to keep everyone up to date, listen to their stories and focus on the end zone. The new facility will have a full time doctor plus staff, will have extended hours and Saturday hours to accommodate working people. There has recently been interest in setting up an Urgent Care facility her also.
Thanks to both Laurie and Barbara for this interesting and important presentation and for all the work they have done to bring healthcare to Cambria.