REDDING, California — There has been a need for more specialized care in Redding for several years, and the Tribal Health System of the Redding Rancheria is looking to fill that gap for its patients with its newly opened Center for Advanced Care. The new facility will be held with a grand opening on Monday morning.
“Native Americans often have lower life expectancies, so it was a big goal and priority for us to offer these specialized treatments so we can live long and healthy lives,” says Tracy Edwards, CEO of Redding Rancheria.
Rancheria’s Center for Advanced Care is opening its doors at 3305 Placer Street. Glen Hayward, executive director of the Tribal Health Care System, says six specialists will be hired from a variety of fields, including cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology, podiatry and rheumatology. More are planned, including an otolaryngologist, a urologist and a gynecologist. A total of 10 full-time employees will be employed.
“No matter what happens, there will always be more need than we can provide here, but the goal here is to really improve access to care,” says Hayward. “That improves patient compliance and means better clinical outcomes. Better clinical outcomes mean higher life expectancy.”
Edwards says the facility is a big next step in their overall goal of expanding their services to the community, noting how many people have to drive to Sacramento or the coast to find the specialists they need.
“These are things that are hard to find in the community. You might end up on a waiting list,” she says. “It might take months to get a spot. So we’re hoping we can fill that gap and provide these services more quickly.”
While they are proud of the completion of the project, Hayward says they are already looking ahead to the next phase.
“It feels good and I’m sure it’s good for my employees too because I can now take some of their work off their hands. They did a great job and got the building up and running quickly,” he says. “But now we’re already on to the next project, our health village, and we hope to start construction there this year too.”
