Kaweah Delta Opens Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers

On January 14, Kaweah Delta Healthcare District celebrated the opening of Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers, which opened to better care for all people in Tulare County, including those who face obstacles seeking care because they are either new to the area, covered by Medi-Cal or uninsured.

The event, which included tours and a ribbon-cutting celebration, was attended by nearly 100 community members at Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers (SHWC) in what was previously known as Kaweah Delta's Family Medicine Center, located just north of Kaweah Delta Medical Center, at 202 W. Willow Ave., Suite 502, Visalia. Earlier this month, the center opened its doors as Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers.

Under its new structure, SHWC will continue to provide a variety of healthcare services (primary care, women's health, prenatal care, pediatrics, etc.) to people no matter who they are or where they live, and regardless of income, insurance or ability to pay.

However, unlike Kaweah Delta's other primary and specialty clinics, the center will be applying to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The move will enable SHWC to access state and federal programs and funding sources that will help it expand and improve care for patients and attract more physicians and providers to Tulare County.

"This is an exciting moment," said Ryan Gates, PharmD, Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers CEO, and director of Population Health Management at Kaweah Delta. "From the very beginning, we've known this is the right thing to do for our patients, our physicians and our community,

"Our community wants and deserves outstanding health outcomes and needs greater access to physicians," he added. "Alongside our community partners, Sequoia Health and Wellness Centers will play an important role in helping us achieve both."

Through the FQHC co-applicant model available to public entities, Kaweah Delta Health Care District will continue to own and operate the center, but it will be governed by SHWC's 11-member board of directors, of which at least 51% will be those served by the center.

Kaweah Delta is a publicly-owned community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia region and Tulare County. With over 5,000 dedicated medical professionals and employees, Kaweah Delta is committed to meeting the community's health needs through state-of-the-art medicine, high-quality preventive services and specialized health centers and clinics. For more information, visit http://www.kaweahdelta.org.