KAUZ-TV: NewsChannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TXRay Clymer's Legacy Lives in on Juarez Medical Clinic

Ray Clymer's Legacy Lives in on Juarez Medical Clinic

One organization Ray Cymer was a huge part in developing is the Community Healthcare Center.

While officials mourn the loss of one the clinic's founders, today, they celebrate his life and also their expansion.

As Newschannel 6 Lindsey Rogers explains, the new Juarez Medical Clinic will provide care for many who would have otherwise not been able to receive it.

And it's all in a large part thanks to a man who believed in helping his community.

"I'm hoping he's smiling down on us and so prideful and happy we're expanding services to health care, but so sorry he has passed," Executive Director Phyllis Hiraki said.

Ray Clymer was one of the original board members for the Community Healthcare Center and a major fundraiser for the organization.

"He was instrumental in looking out for those who could not afford healthcare and trying to level the playing field. Letting them know that healthcare is available for anyone and everyone. It is affordable and quality care regardless of insurance," Hiraki said.

For the past year, Community Heathcare Center has had a temporary clinic set up in the Wichita Falls Housing Authority.

But Thursday, the ribbon was cut to a new state of the art facility.

The clinic will serve those who are under insured, have no insurance or low income.

"It's about access to affordable healthcare depending on the income or insurability or not those individuals face challenges in getting medical care. This is close to their homes and community," Hiraki said.  

Hiraki says they hope to serve up to 1,500 patients.

"In our temporary location, the first day we had one patient. Now we have more than 800 that come here to come over and use this as their new health home," Hiraki said.

The new $600,000 facility was funded through a federal grant.

The medical staff working at the temporary clinic will move to the permenant location.

Although the Juarez Medical Clinic is only a few blocks from the Community Healthcare Center, for patients in need of treatment who don't have means of transportation, it will make a big difference.

"Patients that before would walk from far distances ride their bike. It is an issue for those who have kids in danger and this is welcome facility for them," Hiraki said.

The 2,600 square foot facility will have a lab and pharmacy on site.

It is set to open to the public on Monday.

Patients with needs which cannot be addressed at Community Healthcare Center-Juarez Clinic will be referred to Community Healthcare Center's 200 MLK Jr. site or referred to a specialist if required.

A patient educator will assist patients with disease management. 

The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed daily during the lunch hour from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.