LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Children and families in Southwest Little Rock have a new community clinic to call their own thanks to Arkansas Children's Hospital. They're aiming to bridge gaps with underserved communities.
This $4,000,000 project broke ground just 9 months ago and now it's all come to fruition. Opening this new location will help ACH continue being champions for children.
"I think a success for us would be that people consider us a good neighbor,” said Dr. Eddie Ochoa is proud to have the opportunity to meet families right where they are.
Mayor Mark Stodola and many other city leaders, officials, and groups attended the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning.
“Our future is invested in our children and in their health. And we know that the issue of health, at any age, is very important,” said Stodola.
ACH and the city of Little Rock are joining forces to give all children the best.
“Any kind of service that a child would need, we can provide here. Child visits, sports physicals, acute illnesses, chronic disease management. We're happy to see anyone,” Ochoa said.
He and the staff at the community clinic will bring quality care to southwest Little Rock, an area in which the city claimed to have continued growth.
“We're in great part of southwest Little Rock. It's great to be around the library, DHS, and the community center. But also right up against neighborhoods as well,” he added.
Kids in the area now have care closer to home.
“It’s hard to believe that in 9 months we have accomplished this much. It took a lot of team work, hard work, and a lot of hours to produce this clinic,” said ACH President, Marcella Doderer.
The clinic is equipped with 15 exam rooms complete with x-ray, labs, immunization, and a bilingual staff.
There’s diverse pediatric care for a diverse community.
“One of the reasons we came to this part of Little Rock is because we know our Hispanic community needs outreach and it's better to be closer to where they live and where they work,” Ochoa said.
The Arkansas Foodbank, Hunger Alliance, Little Rock School District, and many others are partners in this project.
The clinic services children of all ages and adults 21 or younger. It takes same day appointments and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.