NEWS BRIEFS Hays County Local Health Department to expand
EXPANDED PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES The Hays County Local Health Department can now provide expanded services at its new center, located at 101 Thermon Drive, San Marcos. General public services The Local Health Department can now o er: • Childhood immunizations • STI treatment
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Gonzales said the expansion will give them the opportunity to reintro- duce itself to the community. “It’s an opportunity for us to rebrand ourselves and to reintroduce ourselves to the community and build a stronger trust and relationship with the residents of Hays County,” Gonzales said. County Communication Man- ager Kim Hilsenbeck said the new building will also be on the same public transportation route as the Broadway location, and the bus stop will be directly across the street from 101 Thermon Drive. Health Department Director Tammy Crumley said the Health Equity and Community Engagement Program team has been relocated to the new building and sta who do not see patients will move next. Crumley said the department’s goal is to be fully operational by August. The department will hold a grand opening event at its Back-To-School Fair on Aug. 5.
According to a press release, patient health care services will continue to be provided by Christus Trinity Community Clinic, located at 401 Broadway St. New patients who are interested in qualifying for the Indigent Health Care Program should apply at the new building. “It’s an opportunity for us to rebrand ourselves and to reintroduce ourselves The costs associated with the expansion included the purchase of the building, installing ber optic internet and a backup generator, as well as modi cations to existing rooms to create exam rooms. and relationship with the residents of Hays County.” MATTHEW GONZALES, HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANAGER to the community and build a stronger trust
The Hays County Local Health Department, previously located at 401 Broadway St., is expanding to another building located at 101 Ther- mon Drive, San Marcos. With the expansion comes the opportunity for the department to grow in sta ng and provide in-house immunization services. For the past decade, the county has partnered with Christus Health and Central Texas Medical Centers to conduct immunizations at the Broadway location, but the expansion will give the department the ability to conduct in-house immunizations. Those include STI treatment, childhood immunizations and serve as an adult safety net for residents who are uninsured and earn low wages. Since the local health department does not do testing, health depart- ment Manager Matthew Gonzales emphasized that Hays County residents looking to get tested for STIs need to bring their lab results.
• Adult immunizations Indigent care services
Low income residents applying for the Indigent Health Care Program should do so at the new building.
SOURCE: HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
35
N
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook