July 23, 1998

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has become a partner with Golden Valley Health Centers and Emanuel Medical Center to continue providing outpatient care to Golden Valley's patients in Turlock.

"We've set up shop where the former clinic was", said Kathy Kohrman, the county agency's associate director of ambulatory services. "We're seeing all of (Golden Valley's) former patients."

In May, Golden Valley announced plans to close three of its clinics, including its Turlock site at 777 E. Hawkeye Ave., which served 2,500 to 3,000 patients. The Hawkeye Avenue site was Golden Valley's sole clinic in Turlock and administrators knew patients would need another medical provider.

Enter the Health Services Agency and Emanuel.

The agency launched a two-phase plan to accommodate Golden Valley patients while expanding its own services. Now, the county is operating two Turlock clinics: the Hawkeye Avenue site and the county's clinic at 800 Delbon Ave. Emanuel Medical Center is leasing the Hawkeye site from the building's owners.

The long-term plan is to eventually consolidate both clinics and expand the Delbon Avenue site, Kohrman said, with the expansion scheduled to be completed by December.

Medical services provided at the Turlock clinics include family planning, obstetrics and gynecology, immunizations, pediatric exams, prenatal care and health education counseling.

Used by permission of The Modesto Bee.